Today 12th September 2022, Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly,  Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly opened a new 4 classroom school extension at Mafraq Latin Parish in Jordan 🇯🇴

Archbishop Kieran is the Spiritual Director, leading the 2022 Holy Land Pilgrimage for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem  - Lieutenancy of Ireland 🇮🇪

27 members and friends of the Order are currently in Jordan, part of their 10 day pilgrimage visiting Israel (Read more...),  Palestine and Jordan meeting with the 'living stones' in the parishes of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem 

The school in Mafraq is one of a number of projects that the Equestrian Order support financially.

Mafraq has a Christian community of only 500 faithful, in a city of 75, 000 population

The extension of the school serves the needs of the Latin Parish, as it ensures the continuation of a Christian presence in this part of the Holy Land. 

Without the school and the ongoing financial support, given by the Equestrian Order, the Christian population will be extinct as families would have been forced to move away from the area.

Extract of the Irish CatholicExtract of the Irish CatholicExtract of the Irish Catholic newspaper (15/09/2022), contributed by our Communications Officer, Thomas Kilduff, you will see some aspects of the Pilgrimage.

Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly cutting the tape, at the 4 classroom school extension in Mafraq Latin Parish School		Fr Ferghal McGrady,  Diocese of Down and Connor; Mr Kareem Hassan, Engineer Latin Patriarchate; Fr Tareq Hijazin, Parish Priest of Mafraq: Archbishop Kieran O'Reilly, Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly; Chevalier Damien Walls, A D Group Chatered Surveyors Belfast; His Excellency Peter Durnin, Lieutenant of Ireland; Fr Francis Mitchell,  Archdiocese of Tuam.
Chevalier Thomas Kilduff, Cavan; Chevalier Mark Kane, Tuam;  Dame Mairéad Walls; Toomebridge; H.E. Peter Durnin,  Drogheda; Mr Hazem Haddad,  Vice Principal Mafraq School , Chevalier Gearóid Williams, Clare; Mr Kareem Hassan, Engineer Latin Patriarchate and Fr Francis Mitchell,  Archdiocese of Tuam.		His Excellency Peter Durnin, Lieutenant of Ireland standing in front of the 4 classroom school extension