Diocesan News
Ordination of Rev Suzanne Cousins
Scores of parishioners made the long journey from Newtownards to Londonderry on Sunday for the Ordination into the Priesthood of the Reverend Suzanne Cousins.
The new curate’s husband Alan was in the congregation in St Columb’s Cathedral along with their daughter Rachel (one of the couple’s three grown–up children). They were joined by members of the United Parishes of Moville, Donagh, Culdaff and Cloncha, where Rev Cousins will serve her curacy.
The former primary school teacher, who grew up near Comber, in County Down, lived with her family in Newcastle. The local Rector there, Canon Ian Ellis, was one of Rev Cousins’ sponsors. Prior to her ordination, Rev Suzanne served as Deacon Intern at St Mark’s, Newtownards, while completing her full–time training and formation for the priesthood.
The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Ken Good, led the worship at Sunday’s Ordination Service. Among those who performed readings were the Minister of Glacknadrummond and Whitecastle Methodist Churches in Inishowen, the Reverend Alison Gallagher, and the Parish Priest of Moville, Fr Pat O’Hagan.
The Preacher, the Rector of Newtownards, Reverend Christopher Matchett, told the congregation that as they were preparing to process into the Service, Rev Cousins had turned to him and said she wasn’t quite sure she was in the right place. Rev Matchett told her, though, that she was very much in the right place. “From years before the Church of Ireland or ordained ministry was even mentioned, God had His hand upon you. And your obedience and patience in searching, and testing and asserting that call, has brought us here today.”
The Preacher said the greatest gift God gives us is Himself. That gift of His presence is received in the ministry and responsibility of preaching.
“We are here to celebrate the gift of God in ordination. God gives as we ordain, for we read that God gave and gives to the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds and teachers to equip God’s people and build up the body of Christ. Those functions, those ministries of the ordained, are God’s gift to His church, given in His wisdom.”
Rev Matchett said while Rev Cousins was in our thoughts and in our prayers, the day was not about her. “It’s not about any of us. One of the best words of advice I have been given in my ministry is ‘It’s not about you’ – and to remember that, and to realise that, saves a whole lot of anxiety and frustration and needless disappointment – that we might be like John the Baptist: the more that Jesus is seen, the more the knowledge of Jesus increases and his love increases, the more we his servants decrease.”
After the Service, Rev Cousins, other clergy and members of the congregation went to nearby St Augustine’s Parish Hall for refreshments. Rev Cousins thanked all those who had prepared her for priesthood – including the Church of Ireland Theological Institute – and those who had taken part in Sunday’s Service. She thanked those who had travelled from St Mark’s and St John’s (Newcastle) to attend her ordination. She thanked family and friends, and parishioners from Moville, Greencastle, Donagh, Culdaff and Malin who had made her and her family feel very welcome.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Derry & Raphoe
Mr Paul McFadden
028 7126 2440
07525 826290
press@derryandraphoe.org