Confirmation Service at St Peter’s Church, Bandon, Co. Cork

The fourth in a series of Confirmation Services this month was held at St Peter’s Church, Bandon for nineteen young people.

The Confirmands with the Rev. Anne Skuse, Chaplain to Bandon Grammar School (left), the Rev. Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon Union of Parishes (right), and the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross (middle)

In attendance were the Bishop Paul Colton, the Rector of Bandon Canon Denis MacCarthy and the Reverend Anne Skuse, who is Chaplain to Bandon Grammar School where many of the confirmands attend. Newly ordained priest, the Rev. Pat Culleton, who serves in the Ordained Local Ministry in Bandon Union of Parishes, was also present.

As on previous occasions, the Bishop asked the congregation, which was as usual restricted in numbers, to be his messengers to the whole parish and said ‘thank you’ for all the ways in which they have responded so faithfully throughout the pandemic from its onset in 2020.

The Rev. Denis MacCarthy said:

Our pilgrim journey through the Covid-19 pandemic has been one of waiting in patient hope. This hope bore fruit today for our confirmation candidates who, after two years, were finally confirmed by Bishop Paul in the presence of their parents and grandparents.

At this service, St Peter’s Church had its biggest congregation since the onset of the pandemic, making it a turning point as we face the future with confidence and trust in the Lord. We would like to thank Bishop Paul for his ministry among us and wish God’s blessing on all those who were confirmed today and over the weekend.