Sunday 25th June 2006
Driving most stylishly through the city in a brand new Mini Cooper convertible, we are being chaffeused by the owner of this gorgeous little orange & black hooded car, Ruth Carnegie. As we exuberantly approach Christ Church Cathedral, hair flying, sun glasses glinting, we gleefully overtake Golding and Polly Kidd who are also heading our way. We are coming together to attend the ordination to the priesthood of four curates including our very own the Rev. Darren McCallig, by the Archbishop of Dublin, The Most Reverend John Neill, in his Cathedral Church. A full report of the ordination appears in the August edition of the ‘Church Review’.

Darren, our curate in Monkstown for the past year is a firm favourite in our parish – not only for his youthful good looks – but also for his enthusiasm, encouragement and energy – the 3 ‘e’s’ that we of more mature years, are beginning to lack! Darren along with the Rev. Patricia Taylor (Wicklow & Killiskey) the Rev. Elaine Dunne (Castleknock) and the Rev. Stephen McElhinney (Kill o’the Grange) are to be ordained with all the pomp and tradition of a great cathedral ritual. No ritual is more affecting than the ‘laying on of hands’. The laying of hands is the moment in the ordination service, when all the priests present touch each other encircling the ordinates, creating a spectacle both spiritual and theatrical. Our Rector the Rev. Kevin Dalton is part of this simple but profound ceremony which is enhanced by the magnificent musical accompaniment of choir and organ - setting by Louis Verne, ‘Messe Solennelle’.

After the service we congregate in the sunny gardens of Christ Church to congratulate the newly ordained priests, and meet their families. Being introduced to Darren’s parents and siblings, who hail from Claremorris in the County Mayo, we wonder where Darren’s mum is? - she could easily be mistaken for one of his sisters! Darren is thrilled with the support he has got from Monkstown Parish parishioners whose prayers and/or presence at his ordination to the priesthood:-
“This means so much to me...” he says, “it was wonderful to look down the nave of Christ Church cathedral and see so many faces from Monkstown Parish.” He adds “Thanks also to everyone who has sent me cards and gifts…”
A smiling Darren and his family, along with the other three newly ordained priests, head off to celebrate their wonderful day. We drive home through the sunny summer streets of Dublin in our convertible mini-car infected by the joyous occasion, singing “…we’re all going on a summer holiday…”

C.C.