NEW CANON FOR THE DIOCESE OF OSSORY

THE REVD CANON GEORGE CLIFFE INSTALLED IN THE PREBENDARY OF KILLAMERY – St Canice’s Cathedral Kilkenny - Sunday 14th October  2007.

On the 19th Sunday after Trinity the Patronal Festival of St Canice’s Cathedral was celebrated with Choral Evensong along with the Installation of Canons.

The Service was conducted by the Dean of Ossory the Very Revd Norman Lynas and the music led by the Choir of the cathedral with Organist and Cantor Mr Malcolm Proud.

Also taking part in the procession were the Very Revd Dr Philip Knowles, the Revd Canon Nancy Gillespie and also special guests the Very Revd Pat Conroy (Carrick-on-Suir), the Very Revd Pat gear (Ballyneale), the Very Revd Pat Condon (Cappoquin), and the Very Revd Ned Hassett (Portlaw).

The Registrar and Chancellor, the Very Revd Gordon Wynne read the Mandate which by command of the Bishop of the United Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, gave leave to install the Revd George Cliffe to the Prebend of Killamery.  The Dean, having presented the vestment scarf of the Chapter of the St Canice’s Cathedral, led the new Canon to his seat in the Choir Stalls and installed him there.

Evensong included the Psalm “Teach me O Lord” with solo by Eve O’Connor, and Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Gibbons.  The lessons were read by the Bishop’s Vicar the Revd Elaine Murray and the Archdeacon the Ven. John Murray.

In his address the Dean of Ossory referred back to the connection between Canice and Colomba and the long tradition of “rule of faith’ that the Chapter had kept down the centuries.  Killamery was added in 1296.  The remains of the small church is to be found out near Nine Mile House and which lasted until the 1950s.  He stressed however that it is not so much the buildings but the people that are important: St Peter’s “living stones”.  Today the ceremony and office of Canon celebrates that long tradition of teaching and of renewal. Amidst the challenges of the 21st Century, the “still small voice” speaks of the love of God for all and for George as he finds his voice and his place in the Chapter.

The service was followed by refreshments for the congregation and the family, friends of the new Canon many of whom who had travelled up from Piltown, Fiddown, Kilmeaden and Portlaw.