On Tuesday 11th June, the Feast of Saint Barnabas, clergy, diocesan readers, parishioners and a number of others from across the Diocese gathered in St Mary’s Church, Baltinglass for the ordination of Reverend Andrew Pender. At the start of the service, Andrew was presented to the Bishop by his sponsors, which included Archbishop Empey, family members and the Rector.
The Archdeacon of Ossory and Leighlin, the Venerable Mark Hayden then formally acknowledged that Andrew had successfully completed his training. The Reverend Ken Rue, the national co-ordinator for those training for Ordained Local Ministry was in the congregation.
In his sermon, Andrew’s rector Reverend Canon Mairt Hanley, drew of the theme of encouragement and spoke of the importance of listening and being alongside people as well as the significance of forging links in ministry. Reverend Pender works as a lecturer in physics at the Technological University Dublin and will serve in the Ordained Local Ministry in both Baltinglass Group and Kiltegan Group.
Following the blessing, warm applause greeted Andrew as he and the Bishop made their way to the church door. Following some family and group photographs outside the church, refreshments were served in the old schoolhouse.
A selection of pictures can be viewed here: Click here