Senior Student 2024 2025

Victoria Hawkins

 Hello, my name is Victoria Hawkins, I’m 25 and I am about to commence my 2nd year of training as an Ordinand.

My home parish is Ardcolm Church, this is one of nine churches in the Wexford and Kilscoran Union of parishes in the diocese of Ferns. My experience in life begins with working on the family dairy farm and Mum’s Montessori business. Within the COI, I have worked as a diocesan youth intern with children and teenagers at a range of confirmation camps, summer camps, youth clubs and Sunday schools in CFO.

I was born and raised within a COI household, and I was encouraged in my faith by both my parents and my grandparents. I first felt a calling to vocation during my undergraduate studies in Maynooth in Theology and History. I began the ordination pathway in 2020. This process of discernment has taught me more and more about God’s faithfulness in the waiting.

CITI has become a major element in my life over the past three years from studying in the Certificate in Christian Theology and Practice (CCTP) and the Master’s in Theology (MTH). The experience so far has been intriguing, challenging but overall exciting. The MTH has such an intensive but crucial curriculum that teaches us the necessary academic elements for ordained ministry. However, we also cover a wide range of spiritual, liturgical and practical parts to ministry. Overall, the course benefits our faith, ministry and mission for the COI today. This experience has helped me to understand how we can see God in everything and everyone around us. I really enjoy visiting different churches through my placement experiences and in our study trip to Malta.

My hobbies include, going to the gym, running, reading, making jigsaws, walks and prayer journalling. I look forward to beginning this new academic year and to my upcoming role as the senior student.