On Sunday last, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Stephen Sherry from Tiromedon in the Parish of Tullycorbet was ordained a Deacon. Stephen has recently completed his seminary studies at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and is now continuing his journey to be ordained to Priesthood for service in the Diocese of Clogher. As Stephen continues that journey, he will work in ministry in the diocese as a transitionary deacon ahead of his future ordination.
The Bishop of Clogher, Most Rev Lawrence Duffy was the ordaining prelate and he was joined by a large number of priests from across the diocese and from Maynooth and other places. Members of Stephen’s family and other friends fulfilled the various ministries at the Mass. The gifts of bread and wine were brought to the altar by his parents, Gerard and Laura Sherry. The attendance at the celebration included family members, neighbours and many friends. Also there were many members of the Clogher Youth Ministry Clogher don Óige of which Stephen has been an active member.
The new Deacon was formally presented for ordination by his Parish Priest, Canon Paddy McGinn. In his homily of instruction Bishop Duffy mentioned the significance of the feast itself and spoke of the various traits of Saints Peter and Paul and how they each in their own way sought to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, both to the point of martyrdom. He reminded those present that through baptism, all are called to service in the church and to do so with generosity. A Deacon who is ordained has a particular role in breaking open the Word of God, in service at the altar and in works of charity and evangelisation, he said.
The ministry of deacon is one of service, especially to those on the margins of the church and society. There are two forms of the ministry today – transitionary deacons who are en route to priestly ordination and permanent deacons who serve in a permanent capacity in parishes and diocese.
Stephen is the second in a family of four. He began to discern his vocation in 2014 as he prepared for his Leaving Cert exams. After prayer and consultation with the diocesan vocation’s director, he realised that he may be called to the priesthood. However, needing to take time in discerning this call, he decided to study English and History at the University of Limerick.
After graduating in 2018, and following further consultation with the diocese, Stephen made the first step in the formation process, entering the propaedeutic (preliminary) seminary year at the Royal English College in Valladolid, Spain. This provided him with a good introduction to seminary life and formation, and also a wonderful cultural experience with Irish, English, Welsh, and Norwegian seminarians in Spain.
Following the successful completion of that year, Stephen joined the seminary in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in September 2019, beginning the study of philosophy in first year. However, in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that he and his class had to continue their studies online. They reconvened in Maynooth as a seminary community in September 2020, amidst restrictions and online study. In September 2021, Stephen began the study of theology, which he completed this past semester.
During his time in seminary, Stephen had the opportunity for many pastoral placements, including in the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, Clongowes Wood College and an extended placement year in the diocese where he served in the parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace.
