Diocesan News04 Feb 22

News from around the Church of Ireland

Welcome to our weekly round–up of news from around the Church of Ireland’s dioceses and parishes.  This week’s stories are from:

South Sudan

Kilkenny

Londonderry

Co. Carlow

Bandon

Limavady

Co. Fermanagh

Cork city centre

Maridi centenary celebrations conclude

Down and Dromore’s link diocese of Maridi in South Sudan has just concluded four days of celebration to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the Gospel with missionary William Haddow.  The diocese is grateful to CMS Ireland Director, Jenny Smyth, who carried a letter congratulations from the diocese and video messages from both Bishop David McClay and Bishop Harold Miller. 

New Dean of Ossory installed

The Very Revd Stephen Farrell was installed as Dean of Ossory and instituted Rector of Kilkenny Union of Parishes at a special service in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, on Tuesday, 1st February.  The new dean is from a Tyrone farming background and, most recently, was Rector of Zion parish, Rathgar in Dublin and Provincial and Diocesan Registrar in Dublin and Glendalough Diocese.  He succeeds the Very Revd David McDonnell who has returned to primary school teaching.

Commemorative plaque dedicated in memory of late Bishop James Mehaffey

Relatives of the late former Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Rev Dr James Mehaffey, attended a Service in St Columb’s Cathedral, Londonderry, on Sunday morning, during which a plaque was dedicated to the late bishop’s memory.  The dedication was performed by one of his successors, the Rt Rev Andrew Forster, as the former bishop’s widow, Mrs Thelma Mehaffey, and the couple’s daughter Wendy and son Tim, looked on.

Ordination in Old Leighlin

The Reverend Pat Coleman was ordained priest in the Church of God, for service in Ordained Local Ministry, in St Laserian’s Cathedral, Old Leighlin, County Carlow, on Sunday afternoon by Bishop Michael Burrows.  From Killeshin, where she also did her training, she will continue to be a member of the ministry team in Killeshin Union of Parishes and in Leighlin Union.

Annual Tractor Run returns to Bandon Union

After an absence last year due to the Covid–19 pandemic the annual Tractor Run was held again this year on Sunday, 23rd January. The first parish Tractor Run took place in 2016, and on that day 90 Tractors took part. Over the years the event has grown to include vintage/classic cars, trucks and jeeps. This year a little over 350 vehicles took part in the run, 209 tractors, 70 trucks, 70 cars and 12 jeeps.

New Rector for Drumachose …

The Parish of Drumachose, in Limavady, has a new incumbent. Canon Aonghus Mayes was instituted as Rector of the Parish at a Service in Christ Church, Limavady, on Friday, 21st January. He succeeds Canon Sam McVeigh who retired in January last year after a 30–year incumbency.

… and also in Lisbellaw

The Revd William Jeffrey was instituted as Rector of the Parish of Lisbellaw with Coolbuck at a special service in Lisbellaw Parish Church on Thursday, 27th January, led by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr Ian Ellis.

Shandon’s Mystery

The tercentenary, 300 years, of the present day Saint Anne’s Church, Shandon, Cork’s iconic church, with its famous Shandon Bells, will be inaugurated this Sunday, 6th February, by Bishop Paul Colton.  The year will be inaugurated by a parish initiative called ‘The Shandon Mystery’ and an appeal to Cork people everywhere, Irish people and everyone anywhere, to help the parish to try to discover the exact dates of the building and the date of the consecration (opening) of the Church.