Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Appeal for Libya
The Bishops’ Appeal for World Aid and Development has launched a disaster appeal in response to the catastrophic flooding in Libya. The floods, which were triggered by a Mediterranean storm, were focused on the city of Derna where almost 4,000 people are known to have died and over 9,000 are missing after torrents of rain and debris swept away entire districts. Some 37,000 people in flood–affected areas have been displaced by the storm. The huge number displaced highlights the immediate humanitarian need for survivors now (facing needs of clean water, food, shelter, utensils and clothing), and into the coming months and years (rebuilding, reuniting, finding a safe place to call home).
The Bishops’ Appeal will be channelling all funds through Christian Aid who are working with Dan Church Aid (DCA), its ACT Alliance partner, who have had an established presence in Libya since 2011, providing a confidence that those on the ground have a clear understanding of the situation and how money raised in our parishes can be used most effectively.
DCA is providing medical support, helping to establish shelters to host homeless families, and distributing basic items such as blankets and bedding, sanitation and hygiene items and other essentials to these people who have lost everything.
The Bishops’ Appeal has already released £10,000 in emergency aid from its reserves (currently equivalent to €11,500), and all monies raised by this appeal across the Church of Ireland will be additional funds to help with the disaster relief.
Parishes are asked to collect funds for this appeal for the next few weeks, and send all donations directly to Bishops’ Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Rathmines, Dublin 6, D07 CF67.
On Monday morning at 10.30am the Archbishop of Dublin will preside at a service in St Michan’s parish church to mark the commencement of the Michaelmas Law Term. The address will be given by the Revd Robert Marshall, Registrar and Provincial Registrar of the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough.
Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, is hosting a lecture series as part of the Dublin Festival of History. The series is entitled ‘Buttresses, Bridges and Bones: Conserving Christ Church’, and marks the publication of the cathedral’s new Conservation Management Plan. Last week Frank Keohane, the author of the Conservation Plan, provided ‘An Introduction to conserving Christ Church. On Tuesday at 1.10pm, Tom Little, the cathedral’s Director of Music, will speak about ‘Cathedral Music: Past, Present and Future’ followed by Canon Roy Byrne who will introduce ‘ The Christ Church Plate Collection’
The Dublin & Glendalough Diocesan Synod will be held on Tuesday evening in the Taney Parish Centre preceded by a celebration of the Eucharist at 4pm n Christ Church, Taney, at 4pm where the Archbishop will give an address.
On Wednesday, the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Bishop of Cork will institute the Revd Eugene Griffin to the incumbency of Kinsale Union of parishes.
The Argentinian tenor, Miguel Silva Macias, will perform Argentinian art songs and opera arias at 1:20 on Thursday in St Ann’s church, Dublin.
Calary Church, Co. Wicklow, will once again host a concert together with an optional supper in aid of the work done by Sister Mary Killeen in Mukuru, Nairobi. This event raises very important funding for the street children in Mukuru. This year, the music will be provided by Fionn O hAlmhain (bass and traditional musician) along with Luke Lally Maguire (piano). For more information or to book tickets, please ring (01) 281 8118 or email derekneilson11@gmail.com
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times