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Killarney woman stunned to receive medal from Pope Francis

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BY MICHELLE CREAN

 

A Killarney woman is still getting over the shock of being bestowed with one of the highest honours of the Catholic Church – a medal from the Pope.

77-year-old Bridie Cronin from Woodlawn was left stunned when presented with the

Benemerenti medal - an honour awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for dedicated service to the Catholic Church.

Bridie, a retired school teacher who spent 27 years in St Oliver’s NS, implemented the first Safeguarding Children policies to the Diocese of Kerry, helping every parish train and draw up their own safe practices when working with children.

She was also instrumental in compiling the ‘Diocese of Kerry Safeguarding Children: Standards and Guidance Document for the Catholic Church’, which was sent out to 53 parishes in Kerry.

Tralee man Fred Garvey, a retired Chief Superintendent of An Garda Siochana, who worked alongside mother-of-six Bridie, also received the very special accolade.

Both Bridie and Fred were shocked when presented with the medal by Bishop Ray Browne at a recent dinner.

“We were stunned,” Bridie told the Killarney Advertiser this week.

“It was such a surprise. There was a dinner planned for the two of us to acknowledge our work with the diocesan committee. Then the Bishop starting talking about safeguarding practices, our work, and then he took two boxes out, put them on the table, stood up and presented us with the medals. I am thrilled.”

And she added that she’d like to thank former Bishop Bill Murphy, Canon Declan O’Connor, Mons. Dan O’Riordan and Fr George Hayes who were a great support during the initial stages of implementing the safeguarding policies.

“It’s imperative that there’s a strong vibrant safeguarding committee in each parish and that the priests and parish representatives are totally committed to it. The safeguarding has made a huge difference.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition extended at Library

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The Hugh O’Flaherty Centenary Exhibition at Killarney Library has been extended for an additional two weeks.


Originally scheduled to conclude this Saturday, (January 17), the display will now remain open to the public until Saturday, January 31.

The exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the Monsignor’s ordination and covers four distinct periods of his life: his education in Ireland and early travels, his journey to the priesthood, the operations of the Rome Escape Line during World War II, and his post-war retirement and legacy.


Visitors can view several personal artefacts from his time in Rome, some of which are being publicly exhibited for the first time.

These items include one of his golf clubs, his personal Breviary and Roman Missal, and his Rome guidebook used for assisting pilgrims.


Organizers are particularly encouraging local schools and students to visit before the new closing date at the end of the month.

The exhibition highlights the humanitarian work of the “Vatican Pimpernel” and his colleagues, who provided refuge to Allied POWs, Anti-Fascist Resistance members, and Jewish people regardless of nationality or creed, following his motto: “God Has No Country.”


The exhibition is available to view during normal library opening hours at the Rock Road branch.

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Charity drama and music night at The Fáilte

The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid […]

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The West End Players are set to take over The Fáilte Hotel on College Street next Thursday, (January 22), for a night of local theatre and live music in aid of Palliative Care.

The evening kicks off at 8:00pm with a double bill of one-act plays.
Audiences will first see ‘The Flesh Game’, a piece written by Rae Shirley, followed by ‘The Fag’, written by local thespian Brian Bowler.
Once the dramas concludes, the entertainment will continue with live music from popular local duo Bugzee & Eddie starting at 9:30pm.
The event is free to attend and no advance booking is required.
The Fáilte Hotel will be providing food on the night and hosting a raffle with various prizes. While there is no cover charge, all voluntary contributions and proceeds from the raffle will go directly to support Palliative Care services.

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