Revd Faith ordained as presbyter for Urney parishes

A congregation of family, friends and parishioners gathered last Sunday (July 6) to witness the ordination of Revd Faith Sithole to the Presbyterate.

Inside the stunning St Fethlimidh’s Cathedral, Kilmore, Bishop Ferran Glenfield, along with the presbyters gathered, laid their hands on Rev Faith’s head and asked for the Holy Spirit to be poured onto her in her office and work as a presbyter. Grace and power, wisdom and discipline were also asked for before the newly ordained presbyter Faith was presented to the congregation.

To the fitting hymn ‘My Heart Is Filled’ people lined the church to greet Faith, who threw her welcoming arms around those who came before her. The jubilant atmosphere continued long after the first hymn, and the second hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ had finished, with many eager to show their support to the newly ordained priest.

After a service in which the congregation were reminded of the beauty in the mundaneness of life, prayers were said and Holy Communion was shared, before the celebrations continued to the hall afterwards.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Revd Faith was ordained Deacon to the Virginia Group of Parishes on June 23 last year.

Speaking to the Celt on her most recent ordination, Revd Faith said it felt “great” and “wonderful”.

“It actually brought some mixed emotions upon me,” she said, adding that she felt the “presence” and “peace” of God and “the presence of people” around her, “friends, brothers and sisters of family in the Lord.”

“One emotion that really, really came up was that we are all family,” she said, describing how she believes we come from two families, the biological one and a Godly Christian family.

Her ordination comes with more responsibility within the Church, looking after her parishioners and people within nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions.

“To look after parishioners within and outside of the Church and to be part in parcel of the Church and the wider community,” she described.

She will be preparing Sunday services, Holy Communion, baptisms, christenings and funerals within the Urney group of parishes including Cavan, Denn and Derryheen. “Three parishes together serving one God,” she told the Celt.

Personally said she feels ready for the role; however, she will follow God’s preparations.

“I am so looking forward to seeing what God is going to do for us all. This is not about me, this is about what God is going to do for all of us.”

Revd Faith thanked everybody who attended her ordination, including Bishop Ferran Glenfield.