This year the College is 239 years old; you cannot get to that age without establishing traditions!

One of its most prised traditions is the annual reunion of men ordained from St Kieran’s College to serve throughout the world. As is tradition, then, on the first Tuesday after the 15th August, we gathered but once again we did so virtually.  The priests of Ossory were joined by Fr Andy Dolan, Derry (Golden Jubilee) and Fr Benny O’Shea, England who was home on holidays for the celebration of the Reunion Mass – led by Bishop Denis Nulty, Apostolic Administrator of Ossory.

Bishop Denis reflected on the importance of reunion but also, significantly, on the big project, we face post pandemic in placing the Eucharist once again at the heart of the week for our parishioners, for our families, for our friends. We were gathered, he noted, not merely for reunion but to be sent out! Mission, then, is at the heart of what we celebrate when we gather.
A very fitting aspect of this years gathering was that it marked the first occasion that the newly restored College Organ was heard.  Following months of dedicated and careful work by Derek Verso of the Fine Tuning Company the College Organ from 1850 was once again making beautiful music.  As part of the restoration many of the original pipes were managed to be retrained and so these wooden pipes from the 1850’s once again played their mellowed tones.
The Mass was live streamed with over 200 logging in to view it live.  Those gathered did so safely and in a very enjoyable manner.  We hope and pray that when we do so next year, we will again welcome, all who want to travel, back to a College that was once their home.