Miss Barbara Veitch, who has served until recently as grants administrator of the St Stephen’s Protestant Orphan Society in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross was entertained to lunch on Tuesday 7th May to mark her retirement.  The lunch was hosted jointly by the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, as President of the Charity, and by the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, who chairs the Grants Committee.

Barbara Veitch started work with the Charity when it was the Protestant Orphan Society for the City of Cork and County in 1989.  In 1992 it was amalgamated with the St Stephen’s Society.   In addition Barbara has been administrator of the Cork Indigent Roomkeepers’ Society since 1991.

Paying tribute to Barbara, and making a small presentation to her, following the lunch, the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton said:

As Bishop over the last 2o years, I have seen Barbara’s gentle and compassionate contribution to meeting human need in our name and on behalf of the Church in this Diocese.

I know from my pastoral contact with some of those who have been assisted over the years that often these gifts to them have been the difference between fear and hope, distress and comfort, getting an opportunity or not, and feeling supported and affirmed.

I know now many of the young adults whose careers have been supported and shaped by the education grants they received; opportunities they might not otherwise have been able to take up.  Barbara’s pastoral work as a lay person has brought solidarity to many people in their hour of need.  We are all indebted to her and we thank her.

Miss Barbara Veitch receiving a presentation from the Bishop of Cork, and flowers from the Dean fo Cork, following a lunch to mark her retirement.