Confirmation Service held in Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen, Co. Cork

Last Saturday 11th September 2021, the second of four Confirmation Services that weekend was held at Abbeystrewry Church, Skibbereen. It was a joint confirmation for candidates from Abbeystrewry Union of Parishes and Ballydehob Union of Parishes.

The confirmands with their Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton (middle), and their Rectors, the Rev. Steve McCann (left) and the Rev. John Ardis (right)

A minute’s silence was observed during the service to mark the twentieth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The Gospel was read by the Rev. Carole Pound, who had been ordained Deacon the previous Sunday in the same church, and the prayers were read by the Rector of Ballydehob, the Rev. Steve McCann.

The Rector of Abbeystrewry Union, the Rev. John Ardis, sang a solo during the service and was accompanied on the organ by his son Joe, who was also one of the confirmands.

The Rev. John Ardis said:

I would like to pay tribute to all of the candidates who have had a very disrupted preparation for their confirmations. They have shown great perseverance, and have even endured confirmation classes over Zoom. There was a real sense of joy and accomplishment after the service, and perhaps some were wondering whether they would ever be confirmed!