Conferment ceremony on Rev Fr Dr Jacob Shanet at St Mary's Main College Chapel 9th November 2024

The Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, Most Rev Julius Yakubu Kundi, was in Ireland at the weekend to witness the conferment ceremony on Very Rev Fr Jacob Shanet, PhD, the Diocesan Chancellor. In a series of events lined out for the Bishop, he found time to celebrate with Mass with the Parishioners of St Patrick's Parish, Celbridge. Within the celebration, he prayed for the special intentions of the Diocese, recalling our collective set goals for unity and growth.

In tandem, the function for the conferment was divided into two. The celebration of the Holy Mass and the Conferment of degrees on the graduating students.

The celebration of the Holy Mass opened up the entire function at exactly 9:45am (Irish time and 10:45 am Nigerian time). It witnessed many people, including the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan, the Most Revd Dr Julius Yakubu Kundi, who was welcomed by the chief celebrant, Revd Dr Padraig.

In his homily, the chief celebrant charged the graduating students to integrate the Christian life into society. Before the final blessing, Dr Eiofa, who was a student at the same University, offered words of encouragement to all the graduates. In her speech, she praised their hard work in difficult conditions. Dr Eiofa directly informed them that applying and integrating academic work into society is challenging, describing it as "a solitary journey". Despite all of the challenges, she said, they should celebrate the day in the same way as the bride celebrates her wedding day.

The conferment was also a brief ceremony of 48 minutes. The graduates entered the hall in an amazing procession and were accompanied by their lecturers. After the event, the Chancellor of the University, Archbishop Eamond, gave a wonderful address. It was an address that was described by a professor of music at the university, Sir Prof. O'Keeffe, as the most beautiful address delivered by the Archbishop when compared to all his addresses at all the conferment ceremonies he attended.

During the address, he encouraged those conferred with certificates to make concerted efforts to impact society positively. Also, he appreciated the efforts of both academic and non-academic staff, especially the outgoing president of the University, Dr Maloney, and others who have left the University to take up appointments at other universities. His address closed the ceremony.

We appreciate the Bishop for his encouragement to our priest and equally congratulate our Brother, the Diocesan Chancellor, Very Rev Fr Jacob Shanet, PhD on this laudable feat. Our prayer is that God brings them safely home to us.

Cadiokaf Communications

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