The Bishop of Kilmore, Most Reverend Leo O’Reilly, recently presented certificates to 42 people who undertook a three-year study of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

11 people received a Certificate in Studies of the Catechism through the Maryvale Institute in Birmingham while the others received a diocesan certificate of attendance for having undertaken a personal study of the Catechism under the auspices of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre.  The course was delivered in two centres in the diocese, Manorhamilton in Co. Leitrim and the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Cavan town.  The participants came from 18 parishes across the diocese of Kilmore and one from the diocese of Meath.

The presentation ceremony took place in the Conaty Chapel of the Kilmore Diocesan Pastoral Centre which was attended by many of the participants as well as those who facilitated the course.  The Director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, Seán Coll, welcomed all present and offered his congratulations to those who had successfully completed the course.  Fr. Ultan McGoohan, Diocesan Director of Pastoral Studies, celebrated a short and meaningful Liturgy of the Word before Bishop O’Reilly presented the certificates to the course participants. 

In his address, the bishop also congratulated the participants on their achievement.  He said that the Catechism was a wonderful treasury of wisdom and spirituality as well as providing the reliable reference point for understanding and appreciating the Catholic faith.  He commended the participants for undertaking the course with such diligence and enthusiasm.  He noted that over the course of the three years, the participants had studied and reflected on six core aspects of the Catechism:  Faith & Revelation; the Creed: God the Father; The Creed: God the Son and God the Holy Spirit; Liturgy & the Sacraments; Introduction to Morality; The Ten Commandments; and Prayer.  He also paid tribute to those who facilitated the course over the three years in both study centres as well as the team of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre who provided administrative and logistical support and the Maryvale Institute for supporting the participants who undertook the formal study of the Catechism.

The evening concluded with light refreshments in the Drumlane Room of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre.