26.06.2009
Ordination of Priests in Christ Church Cathedral
On Sunday 28 June 2009 at 3:30pm the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr John Neill will ordain three Deacons to the Priesthood. The Revd Anne-Marie O'Farrell, Non-Stipendary Curate of Sandford and Milltown, the Revd Robert Lawson, Curate of Celbridge, Straffan and Newcastle Lyons and the Revd Stephen Farrell, Curate of Taney will all be ordained.
The Revd Anne-Marie O'Farrell
Anne-Marie O'Farrell grew up in Mount Merrion in Dublin and was educated in Loreto College, Stephen's Green. She studied Music and German in UCD, graduating in 1989 with a BA and a BMus. In 1999 she graduated with an M.A. in composition from NUI Maynooth. An accomplished harpist, she has played at International Festivals and concerts throughout Ireland and has recently released her sixth album, Just So Bach. She also teaches the Harp in Kylemore College CDVEC and teaches composition at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama.
Since her ordination as a Deacon last year she has been serving as non- stipendary Curate-Assistant in Sandford and Milltown. Reflecting on her year as a Curate to date, Anne-Marie said, "I'm delighted to be assisting Rev. Sonia Gyles with parish ministry. It has been a most rewarding experience so far, and it has combined well with my musical commitments". On her pending ordination to the priesthood she added, "It's the fulfillment of a deep-seated vocational wish, and it will mean a great deal to me to continue my ordained ministry in this way".
Anne-Marie is married to Ray Comiskey and they have two children, Carmel (12) and Robert (9).
The Revd Robert Lawson
Robert Lawson grew up in Collooney, Co Sligo. He attended Coláiste Mhuire Secondary School and went on to study in Sligo Institute of Technology (where he graduated with a Diploma in Environmental Science) and DIT Kevin Street (where he graduated with a Biology Degree). From 1978-1982 he played Gaelic Football at underage and Senior level for Sligo. Presently, he works in the School of Biotechnology in Dublin City University. Prior to his ordination he served several years as Diocesan Lay Reader in the parish of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla, five of them with the current Bishop of Cork, the Rt Revd Paul Colton.
Since his ordination last year he has been serving as Curate-Assistant in Celbridge and Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons which he said, " has been truly satisfying and he feels that he has really been called to serve there" . On his ordination to the priesthood he said, "priestly ministry carries huge responsibility but it is reassuring that God is behind me supporting me and that I can make this God more real to people" .
Robert is married to Ada (nee Murphy) and they have two boys, Theo ( (20) and Paul (16), who are both cricketers with Pembroke CC. Ada describes herself and the two boys as the "back room staff"!.
The Revd Stephen Farrell
Stephen Farrell (25) is from Dromore Parish, Co Tyrone in the Diocese of Clogher. He was educated in Omagh Academy and went on to study Law in Jesus College, Oxford where he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Jurisprudence in 2005. Later the same year he began his studies in the Church of Ireland Theological College.
Since his ordination as a Deacon last year he has been serving as Curate in Taney parish, Dundrum and he says he's "been absolutely loving it." On his pending ordination to the priesthood he said, "I am looking forward to it and to celebrating the sacraments just as a way of bringing together the sacred and the secular, bringing God to people and people to God."
Stephen is married to Laura (nee Davenport) from Wigan in England, who also studied Law in Jesus College, Oxford. She works as a Barrister.
