(31 Aug 2009)
It is a rare and unusual event in the Irish Church that a young person enters religious life nowadays. But that is exactly what Brian Kelly has done as he made his first profession of religious vows as a Redemptorist. Here Brian introduces himself.
My name is Brian Kelly. I was born in 1975 and I come from Kildalkey in Co. Meath. I studied Biochemistry in NUI, Galway and later continued my studies in Queen’s University Belfast where I obtained a PhD in Biochemistry, graduating in 2002. After completing my studies, I worked for two years in the field of cancer research and technology in Belfast. I have a keen interest in ecumenism, which lead me to Fisherwick Presbyterian Church in Belfast in 2004. I entered their internship pastoral volunteer program for 10 months, with two others interns, an Anglican and a Presbyterian. I first was introduced to the Redemptorists through SERVE and Michael McCloskey. On completion of my internship in Fisherwick, I volunteered with SERVE in Brazil in the summer of 2005. I then worked and lived with the Redemptorists and volunteers in the Redemptorists Parish in Cherry Orchard Dublin. It was during this time that I continued my discernment to religious life. In September 2006 I joined the Redemptorists formation program in Dublin. I studied theology and philosophy for two years in Milltown Institute, Dublin. I journeyed to Chicago for one year to take part in the Redemptorist International Novitiate program and I was professed into the Congregation on 30 August 2009.