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PRESS RELEASE – ELECTION OF POPE LEO XIV

Order of the Knights of St Columbanus celebrate the election of Pope Leo XIV
Dublin, Ireland

On behalf of the Supreme Council and all members of the Order of the Knights of St Columbanus, we
extend our most heartfelt congratulations on the election of Leo XIV as the Supreme Pontiff and
successor to Saint Peter.

His elevation to the Chair of Peter is a moment of profound joy and spiritual renewal for the Universal
Church. We pledge our loyalty, prayers, and support as he undertakes the sacred ministry of
shepherding Christ’s flock in these challenging and hope-filled times.

We rejoice with Catholics around the world at the election of Pope Leo. His Holiness brings to the
papacy a profound commitment to the Gospel, to the dignity of the human person, and to the mission
of the Church in our time. The Order pledges its loyalty, prayers, and active support for the Holy Father
as he leads the Church into a new chapter of faith, renewal, and evangelisation.

The Order of the Knights of St Columbanus, founded to promote and defend the Catholic faith and
social teaching in Ireland and beyond, stands ready to assist Your Holiness in any way we can. Inspired
by the missionary zeal and Christian courage of our patron, St Columbanus, we remain steadfast in our
commitment to evangelisation, service to the poor, and the building up of a culture of life, justice, and
peace under your guidance.

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you and may Our Blessed Lady and all the saints intercede
for you as you lead the Church with wisdom, humility, and courage.

Ad multos annos, Holy Father.

Yours in Christ and St Columbanus

Public Speaking Competition

Young People Find Language for their Faith through Public Speaking

PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION WINNERS 2025

Great day in the Carlton Hotel. 
St Dominics, Belfast won the All Ireland Final with Assumption Grammar School second. All the young people were inspirational and a joy to listen to. A huge congratulations to both teams and well done to all the schools from across Ireland who took part in this excellent competition. Read more

Christmas Day Dinner – 100 Years in the making

This year will celebrate the 100th Christmas Day Dinner held.
Since 1924 the Christmas Day Dinner has supported many homeless,
lonely and poor people from all over the world living in Ireland.
This year we hope to reach and serve many more guests, to ensure everyone spends
Christmas Day together. 

Spread the word to enable us serve and support all those in need.
The annual Christmas Day Dinner is dependent on its partners, many volunteers,
contribution of services and donations. For more information,
please see our dedicated Christmas Day Dinner webpage. READ MORE

Public Speaking Competition – Connacht Final

Above: Students from Abbey Community College Boyle winners of the Connacht  Final
with their mentor MS. Maria Moynihan pictured with Supreme Knight Brother John Murphy

The topic the students addressed was  “We cannot claim ignorance or uncertainty about what is happening on Climate”.

Below are Castlerea Community School who are runners up in the Connacht with their principal and team mentors.

The students from Castlerea addressed the topic “There is no alternative to peace. There is no sense going to war”.

Both teams qualify for the All-Ireland Finals in Dublin on Saturday 16th March.

New Appointment

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of the Diocese of Raphoe,
as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor.
(The Irish Catholic)

The announcement was made by current Apostolic Administrator of Down and Connor Bishop Donal McKeown during Mass this morning at St Peter’s Cathedral,
Belfast. Bishop McGuckian will succeed Bishop Noel Treanor as the incumbent, ending a two year vacancy in the Diocese after Bishop Treanor
was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union in November 2022. Read More…

POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARDS – CLONFERT

Bishop Michael’s address at the Pope John Paul II Awards in Ballinasloe on the 18th January 2024.
Over Forty Young People from the Diocese of Clonfert receive John Paul II Awards

Clonfert Awards… Read more

Winners of the 2023 Public Speaking Competition St Louis Grammar School Ballymena with their teacher Ms Pickering and the Deputy Supreme, Adrian King, who made the presentation. See more..

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