Retired PSNI assistant chief constable and Enniskillen native Peter Sheridan, of Cooperation North fame will take to the podium
THE GRAAN Novena gets underway this weekend and among the early speakers is Enniskillen-born (’between the bridges’) Kiltegan Father, Fr Niall Martin whose family relocated to Belcoo in the mid-70s.
Ordained in 1977, he has ministered for the past 38 years in Kenya and South Sudan and, in the process, he has become a firm friend of the Turkhana tribe of north-west Kenya.
“They’re a tough breed alright”, he explained, “but, they’re wonderful people, lovely people. They are quite primitive but theiur lifestyle is nomadic, don’t forget, and I must say I enjoyed my time with them and, if I do go back (on the missions), I will go back to Turkhana. I think that speaks volumes for them.”
Fr Niall is on a sabbatical at present.
His date with the Graan is Tuesday, 3rd March is, and, on that day, there will be penitential services at 12.30pm and at 8pm.
He is a firm believer that hope comes from people and, yes, he is a hope-filled person.
“Sure, why wouldn’t I be? I have been in war zones and famine zones and you could say my entire ministry has been one of survival.”
Fr Niall shares the speakers’ platform with the likes of Joe Brolly (Monday, 2nd March) and Ryan Feeney (4th March) who is the Ulster GAA Council’s head of community and public affairs, and a member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
On Thursday, 5th March, another Enniskillen native, Peter Sheridan of Cooperation North fame – he is a retired assistant chief constable – will take the podium, followed on Friday, 6th March by Reverend Ruth Patterson.
She became the first woman to be ordained as a Presbyterian minister in Ireland in 1976 and, today, she is a director of Restoration Ministeries.
This is a non-denominational organisation that is committed to peace and reconciliation here.
Former priest, Liamy MacNally, from Mayo, will speak on Saturday, 7th March and he will be followed on successive days by Fr Gareth Thomas, CP and Fr Daniel O’Leary.
Fr Gareth is newly-ordained and, by contrast, Fr Daniel, from Leeds, is a noted author and lecturer.
Fr Brian D’Arcy, rector opens this year’s Novena this Saturday, 28th February, at 6.30pm, and he will speak at all Masses the following day, Sunday, 1st March, paving the way for the guest speakers.
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