Institution in Eglantine Parish

Monday July 6th 2015

The Rev Jason Kernohan will be instituted rector of Eglantine on July 9.

The institution of The Rev Jason Kernohan as rector of Eglantine Parish will be held in the church on Thursday July 9 at 8pm.

Jason, a former musician, has been Curate Assistant in the Parish of Drumachose, Diocese of Derry, since his ordination as a Deacon in 2010.

The 36-year-old is looking forward to returning to his home diocese of Connor. He grew up in Ballymena, attended Cambridge House Boys’ Grammar School and was a parishioner of St Patrick’s Ballymena.

He set up a parish music group, and was involved in Bible Study and House Groups, the choir and was a Parish Reader.

Jason made music his full time job when he left school, fronting his own band and releasing three albums and a DVD. He plays piano, violin and accordion.

In 2007 Jason stepped away from his music career to train for the ministry in Dublin, but he has never lost his love of music or of performing. He still sings in concerts, and last year he joined with a local Roman Catholic Priest to record a CD as part of a PEACE III project. The CD raised £10,000, which was divided between the two parishes.

“Music is still a big part of my life,” said Jason. “Music ministry is something I feel is very important, it inspires people. As St Augustine said ‘he who sings prays twice.’”

Looking ahead to his move to Eglantine Jason said: “I am looking forward to coming back to my home diocese and to the challenges of a new ministry in a new place. I am looking forward to getting to know the people of Eglantine and to journeying with them and to hopefully building up youth organisations in the parish.”

Jason will be instituted as rector by the Rt Rev Dr RHA Eames, Lord Eames of Armagh.