Countdown to a new era in the diocese

THE finishing touches were being made to preparations for the ordination of the new Bishop, Fr Kieran O’Reilly, in Ennis Cathedral on Sunday afternoon.
For months, a committee of organisers have overseen preparations for the occasion, with much of the work being handled by the team at Ennis Parish Office. The fruits of that work will be evident on Sunday, when thousands fill the Cathedral to celebrate at the ordination of Bishop O’Reilly.
The 58-year-old Bishop Elect is a native of Cork City. He is the eldest of five children of Seán and Teresa O’Reilly. He was educated at primary level at the Presentation Brothers in Turners Cross, Cork and at secondary school level at Coláiste Chríost Rí. He joined the society of African Missions in Wilton, Cork in 1970. He received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in 1974 followed by a Bachelor of Divinity in 1977 and a Diploma in Mission Studies in 1978.
He was fully professed as a member of the Society of African Missions in April, 1977. The following year, he was ordained priest for the Society of African Missions and he worked in the Archdiocese of Monrovia in Liberia from 1978 to 1980. From then until 1984, he studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, graduating with a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (LSS). He lectured in Sacred Scripture, New Testament Studies in Ss Peter and Paul’s Seminary, Ibadan, Nigeria from 1984 to 1989.
Fr O’Reilly served as a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of the Society of African Missions between 1989 and 1995 and as a vicar general of the Society of African Missions from 1995 to 2001. He was then elected as the eleventh superior general of the Society of African Missions from 2001 to 2007. He is currently serving his second term as superior general of the society.
Ennis parish administrator, Fr Tom Hogan said that everyone involved is looking forward to the special occasion. “So much preparation has gone into the ordination and we’re all anxious that everything will go well but we’re confident that it will,” he commented.
He advised that anyone attending the ordination should be seated in the Cathedral by 2.30pm on Sunday, ahead of the ceremony which is due to commence at 3pm.
Cars should be parked at Ennis National School on the Kilrush Road, on the grounds of the Holy Family School and at St Flannan’s College.
The road will be closed from the top of Station Road to the junction with O’Connell Street, as the Reserve Defence Forces will be forming a guard of honour for the new bishop on the street from 2.30pm.
Ennis Brass Band will perform outside the Cathedral prior to the ceremony, while the Cois na hAbhna Comhaltas group will perform inside the church.
There will also be a live stream of the ordination ceremony on the Ennis Parish website at www.ennisparish.com, for those who aren’t attending. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on Clare FM with the diocesan communications officer, with coverage starting a few minutes before the ceremony begins.
Refreshments for all those who attendthe ceremony will be served in the Holy Family School Hall after the ordination. Members of the African community will perform a native dance during the refreshments.
The new bishop will then go for a private meal with his family and friends to celebrate his ordination.
On Friday night at 8pm, there will be prayers for the new bishop in the Friary, Ennis at 8pm.
The Bishop Elect moved into his new home at Westbourne House, Ennis on Monday, while Bishop Willie Walsh moved to his new home in Clonroadmore. “Both seem to have settled in well to their new homes and are adjusting to their new lifestyles,” Fr Hogan added.