Bishop Clarke celebrates 10 years in Kilmore

Bishop Ken Clarke and his wife Helen have ministered in the Dioceses of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh for the last 10 years and to celebrate that anniversary the dioceses held two events, a service in Kilmore Cathedral and a meal in the Bush Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. The first was the service on February 27 in the Cathedral Church of St Fethlimidh, Kilmore, where the bishop had been enthroned on February 18, 2001. The Reverend Andrew Forster, Rector of Drumglass (Armagh), spoke of the diocesan vision and how Bishop Ken and Helen had led the way by living it out themselves. During the service, the Sligo Grammar School Chamber Choir sang Look at the World and the Cavan Royal School Chamber Choir sang The Lord Bless You And Keep You, both written by John Rutter and favourites of Bishop Ken. Venerable Craig McCauley, Archdeacon of Kilmore, interviewed the bishop to find out more about the events surrounding his election on November 13, 2000, how he felt at the time and highlights over the 10 years. Bishop Ken and Helen were presented with various gifts including a picture showing the two cathedrals and the crest of the dioceses. The second event was a meal in the Bush Hotel on March 11, when Bishop Ken and Helen were joined by some 300 people from every parish in the dioceses. The Very Reverend Arfon Williams (Dean Elphin and Ardagh) introduced a greeting from Bishop Ken and Helen's family, during which their four daughters - Ali, Tanya, Lynda and Nicki - and one of their sons-in-law, Keith, entered the room to their parents' surprise. After the meal there was a video greeting from Bishop Harold Miller (Down and Dromore), entertainment including Mr and Mrs, singing from The Deans and traditional Irish pieces from Teaspach.