Stephen looks forward to "wonderful day" of ordination

Diocese of Clogher set for ordination of new priest

This Sunday the Diocese of Clogher will celebrate the Ordination of Rev Deacon Stephen Sherry from the Parish of Tullycorbet to the Priesthood.

Deacon Stephen is currently serving in the Parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace and in the Parish of Roslea as a Deacon. He was ordained a Deacon last June upon completion of his studies for the priesthood at St Patrick’s College Maynooth.

The ordination Mass will be celebrated in St Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan on Vocations Sunday - this Sunday, April 26 at 3pm. All are welcome to attend the ordination liturgy.

Bishop of Clogher, Bishop Larry Duffy, will be the ordaining prelate and he will be joined by priests and deacons from across the diocese and from Maynooth and other places. They will be joined by members of Stephen’s family, his classmates and friends.

Deacon Stephen comes from Tiromedan in the Parish of Tullycorbet, outside of Ballybay. He is the second in a family of four. His parents are Gerard and Laura Sherry and his siblings are Mark, Christina and Andrea.

Deacon Stephen 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, Deacon 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, Deacon Stephen joined the seminary in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth in September 2019, beginning the study of philosophy in first year. In September 2021, Stephen began the study of theology, which he completed this past semester.

During his time in seminary, Deacon 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 Cathedral parish of Monaghan and Rackwallace.

Deacon Stephen is thankful to God for the journey.

"As I prepare for my ordination to the priesthood, I give thanks to God for bringing me to this wonderful day. It is the fruit of many years of prayer and study, shaped by God's grace and sustained by the encouragement of so many people, family, friends, formators, and the diocesan community that have accompanied me. I am deeply grateful to all who have supported me along this journey.

"I ask for your continued prayers as I begin my ministry, that I may serve the Lord and his people faithfully and generously," he said.