Colm Fitzpatrick
Archbishop Eamon Martin with Dr Denise Ryan who received a Licentiate in Philosophy with her daughter Ciara from Celbridge Co Kildare at the conferring in the Pontifical University St Patricks Maynooth on Saturday.
Pic John Mc Elroy. The Primate of All Ireland has asked over 200 Maynooth graduates to become “missionary disciples” and spread the message of the Gospel to others. Conferring 232 lay women and men with academic awards in Theology, Philosophy and Education on November 10, Archbishop Eamon Martin said that with their new knowledge, the graduates should be open and willing to share it with others.
“Share with others what you have learned; continue to explore your questions in dialogue with others, and be open to facing many new challenges that continue to bombard us from every angle,” he said.
During the ceremony addressed to the graduates and their families, Dr Martin also payed tribute to the late Emma Mhic Mháthúna, who was a former student of the Bachelor of Arts and Theology at the Pontifical University. “Like many of you here today, Emma balanced the challenging demands of raising her family with her academic programme, but, sadly, as we know, for personal reasons she reluctantly had to withdraw from her studies.”
The President of St Patrick’s College has expressed his intention to have an award dedicated to her to assist mature students who wish to return to education.