Saturday, 21st March 2026 is forever a very special day for our precious young people in Primary Seven - your Confirmation Day - as it is for your parents and grandparents, sponsors and godparents, teachers and school staff, friends and peers in St Ninnidh’s Primary School who were confirmed alongside you, and, indeed, for our whole parish community of Knockninny.
The sun shone brightly and warmly as our twenty Confirmation candidates and all those who love you gathered together in St Ninnidh’s Church, Derrylin to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, led by by Fr Alwill as the Minister of Confirmation, and Fr Murray. As you were called by name, renewed your Baptismal Promises, shared in the laying on of hands and the invoking of the Holy Spirit, and were anointed with the oil of Chrism, our prayer is that today’s sacrament develops, strengthens and completes what has been begun in baptism, as you, today, received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As you were anointed and sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, may you be united more firmly with Christ and receive the strength of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the faith, always keeping the flame of faith alive in your hearts.
And, so, many congratulations to Darragh, Conor, Daire Marie, Tilly, Conor, Siofra, Lucy, Aaron, Cian, Odhrán, Bróna, Senan, Laura, Méabh, Sofie, Sheana, Oisín, Tomás, Dara and Sasha, your parents, grandparents, sponsors and godparents, and everyone who has brought you to this special day.
We convey a special word of thanks to all of our young people’s parents and families for your support, as ever; to Mrs McGuinness, Mrs McLoughlin, Mrs Prunty and Mrs Smith, and all school staff who have helped in the preparation of today’s Mass and ceremony; to Fr Alwill and Fr Murray for leading us in a meaningful, reverent and Spirit-filled Confirmation Mass, and to St Ninnidh’s Church Choir and Sacristan. We extend appreciation, too, to Fiona in the Parish Office, for all her help and support, and to Mrs Harrigan, Caroline, and the young people of St Ninnidh’s Primary School, for their friendship, co-operation and assistance, over the last days and weeks.
“Today, too, what took place in the Upper Room takes place anew in our
midst. Like a mighty wind that overtakes us, like a flash that startles us, like a
fire that illuminates us, the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon us.”
- Pope Leo XIV (Pentecost Sunday - 2025)
