Ordination of Ruth O’Kelly

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We are looking forward to the Ordination of Rev Ruth O’Kelly as Deacon-Intern – 7.30pm – Monday 22 Sept 2014All Saints Church, Mullingar.

Ruth, of course, will not be Parish Curate as this is part of her Final Year training. By living in the Parish she will just be involved for two and a half days a week and Rev Alastair Graham will be involved in her training. The rest of her time will be spent in study.

We will be very supportive of her as she learns about Parish life. She will be taking up her position as a full-time Curate next summer in another Parish.

As we welcome Ruth to Meath & Kildare, let’s find out a bit more about her.

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Artane on the north side of Dublin. I am the eldest of three girls and attended St Columba’s National school in the North Strand and Mt Temple Comprehensive School.

After school I trained as a service engineer and worked as a test technician. I am married to Martin, who is an ordained Deacon. We have three adult children, Daniel, Owen and Rachel.

What where you doing before Ordination?

I became a full time homemaker after the birth of my youngest daughter. As my parent’s health deteriorated (about 13 years ago) I became their full time carer; a role I have continued to carry out until the beginning of September this year. My mum has now moved into my sister’s home in Dunleer Co. Louth. My dad passed away 3yrs ago.

What led you to get ordained?

Ever since I was a little girl I have felt a call to be ordained. As a child I used to play ‘church’ with my neighbourhood friends and preach to them and teach them to sing hymns! It was a call I felt keenly at many points in my life.

Eventually the intensity of the pressure of that call could no longer be put aside and I investigated  it with my rector and then my Diocesan Director of Ordinands.

What where you doing just prior to your new appointment?

For the past 5 years I have been training on a part time basis at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute for ordination. During this time I have been on four parish placements covering a broad spectrum of worship styles. St. Mary’s parish in Howth, the parishes of Swords, Donabate and Kilsillaghan; St Bartholomew’s Leeson Park and finally Clontarf, Sutton and Skerries Methodist churches.

What are you looking forward to about your new move … or nervous about?

I am looking forward to getting to know the people in the parish, learning new skills and new ways of worship. I am also looking forward to living in the country, a big change for a born and bred Dublin Jackeen like me!  I am a little nervous of getting lost however as I attempt to navigate the country roads. So if I am late to visit it’s likely I’m lost! I have invested in a Sat Nav which I hope will help me find my way around.

And finally …  tell us something interesting about yourself – interests / hobbies / passions?

I love to walk my dog Nala a two and a half year old rescued collie cross. I also enjoy pottering about in the garden, which with the arrival of the dog has taken on the appearance of a series of holes punctuated by patches of grass! I also like Syfy and am a bit of a ‘Trekkie’ and a ‘Doctor Who’ fan.

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