Courtney McGrailSt Ciaran’s College success at Knights public speaking
Two teams from St Ciaran’s College in Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone travelled to compete in the Ulster Final of the Knights of Columbanus Public Speaking Competition in Newry.
Speaking on the topic of Racism and Hatred, Peadar McCaughey, Karl McGee and Eoin McElroy are now Ulster Champions. The three boys will progress to the All-Ireland Final in Maynooth on March 11.
Last year St Ciaran’s students Sean Muldoon, Orlaith McGarvey and Meabh Corrigan were crowned All Ireland Champions in the same competition.
Bishop Nulty launches new Mass setting
Bishop Denis Nulty has launched a new setting of the Mass by Newbridge composer Padraig Meredith.
The new Mass setting is entitled Mass of the People and it was performed for the first time by local choir In Caelo under the baton of Cora Coffey, musical director in St Conleth’s Parish Church, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
The Mass of the People includes new settings of the pieces sung/spoken at every Mass and also features the first performance by the Fox sisters of a new Psalm entitled ‘In God Alone’ and the Communion hymn ‘Our Blessing Cup’ performed by soloist Teresa Lynch.
Nine men make next step towards permanent diaconate in Cloyne
Nine men who are preparing for ordination to serve as permanent deacons in the Diocese of Cloyne were instituted by Bishop William Crean with the ministries of Lector and Acolyte in the Church of the Resurrection, Mallow.
The families of the nine candidates were in attendance and their parish priests were invited to concelebrate with the bishop.
Lectors minister by reading the Word of God and announcing the general intercessions to the congregation at Mass and at other liturgical celebrations, while acolytes serve in the sanctuary and at the altar during Mass and may also assist the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion.
These ministries, which are usually exercised in rotation by lay ministers serving as Mass readers, altar servers, and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, are traditionally conferred in a more formal and permanent way by the bishop on men who are preparing for service as deacons and priests, as part of their preparation to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders.
Three of the candidates were instituted as lectors and six as acolytes.