On Sunday 29 June, 2003, at 3.30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the Revd Sandra Hales, curate of Lucan & Leixlip, and the Revd Robert Marshall, Auxiliary Minister of Stillorgan & Blackrock, will be ordained priests.

The archbishop, Dr John Neill, will preside and the address will be given by the Revd Ben Neill, Rector of Dalkey

From Killeshandra, Co Cavan, Sandra is a past pupil of The Royal School, Cavan. A highly experienced nurse, she worked in Intensive Care in the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, in St Christopher’s Hospice, London, and as a Nursing Sister in general practice. Her qualifications include a B.Sc. Hons. degree in Psychology from the University of London and a M.Sc. degree in Health Psychology from University College London.

Following her studies at the Church of Ireland Theological College she was ordained a deacon last year. Since then she has been curate of the rapidly expanding west Dublin Leixlip & Lucan parishes.

Sandra’s interests include creative writing, cinema, performing arts, music and nature conservation.

Sandra says of her time as a deacon, “It’s been an amazing year. It’s a very dynamic parish with very active and committed parishioners and to be part of it is very challenging. The challenge is to try to reach out to the many newcomers in this fast growing parish and at the same time to meet the needs of the established folk.”

The Revd Robert Marshall is from Stillorgan, Co Dublin. A graduate of Dublin University he is a solicitor, specialising in commercial property. He works in the International Financial Services Centre. Since his ordination as a deacon last year he has been serving as a part-time assistant in the busy suburban Stillorgan & Blackrock group of parishes.

Robert and his wife, Jane, who is also a solicitor, have three sons, William, Peter and Ian. Robert’s spare-time interests include history and politics.