Bishop Nulty confirms 400 Kilkenny Children in Mass Ceremony at Nowlan Park
All pix: Danny Lahart
It had all the appearances of an ordinary Thursday night on the Hebron road in Kilkenny.
G.A.A. stewards lined the gates at the entrance to ‘Árdán de Grás’ stand at Nowlan Park.
One would be forgiven in thinking that there was a club match ready for throw in.
Mind you with the number of ‘maor’ bibs in view you would be equally forgiven in believing that big numbers were expected.
In fact, Thursday September the 9th was a special occasion for the two thousand plus people in attendance.
Nowlan Park was the venue for the Confirmation of almost four hundred children from Kilkenny city schools.
Children and their families will no doubt look back on this wonderful night as a very rare and special occasion when Bishop Denis Nulty and priests from the four Kilkenny city parishes welcomed the Two thousand stong attendance.
Speaking prior to the Confirmation, Denis Nulty, Apostolic Administrator of Ossory, spoke of his delight at being able to come together in a safe environment to celebrate their faith and the faith of those for whom this was a very special moment.
“Our faith is not, and should not be, limited to the Church or some other ‘sacred’ location”, said the Bishop.
The Bishop also said that he believed that by having the Confirmation at UPMC Nowlan Park, that they could speak in a very special way to the children. “It is”, the bishop continued, “not only a very special occasion for the children to remember, but also, we hope that it will be a teaching that will leave an impression”.
Denis Nulty thanked the Kilkenny G.A.A. for their support and also the priests from the four parish.
He paid a special word of thanks to the principals and teachers of the city schools, who in spite of the pandemic and in the midst of an extraordinary year of education, had done so much to support and help the children on their journey to this celebration.
“Most importantly, I want to thank the children and their parents and guardians for the work and preparation they have put in to this celebration”, concluded the Bishop.
Music on the evening was provided by James Rice with some beautiful singing by Orla Phelan.
Readers on the night were Michelle Ní Bhuachalla, and David Ryan.
The sacrament of Confirmation was performed by Bishop Denis Nulty, Fr Richard Scriven, Fr Jim Murphy, Fr Tom Norris, Fr Lorcan Moran, Fr Dan Carroll, Fr Raymond Dempsey, Fr Peter Muldowney, Fr Willie Purcell, Fr Dermot Ryan.
Participating schools included: Saint Canice’s National school, Saint John’s Senior National School, Johnswell National School, Kilkenny Model School, CBS Primary School, Presentation Primary School, Gaelscoil Osraí, Kilkenny School Project, Saint John of God National School, Saint Patrick’s De La Salle National School,
Stewards were supplied by Nowlan Park and volunteers from the four parishes.
Gemma Mulligan, the Pastoral Coordinator of Ossory acted as MC on the night
