Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
BACI Lenten Study
The Biblical Association of the Church of Ireland’s 2017 Lenten Bible Study was launched last week by the Archbishop of Dublin. God’s Heart for Migrants – Biblical Wisdom for a World in Turmoil has been produced for BACI by David Shepherd of TCD and comprises five Bible studies focusing on migration. It is BACI’s seventh Bible study and each year the association seeks to identify a topic that will challenge participants.
The five Bible Studies are designed to aid reflection on the lessons offered today by the migration experiences of the Jewish people: from Abram on – to Canaan, Egypt and back, through the Exodus experience and the giving of the Law, to Ruth the Moabite and the challenges that faced her, and on again through the Babylonian exile to consider the perceived status of “pilgrims and sojourners here on earth” common to Jews and Gentiles alike in the early Church.
Copies are available from Christ Church cathedral and St Patrick’s cathedrals in Dublin and information on further stockists may be had from the BACI hon treasurer and distribution manager, Barbara Bergin (berginba@gmail.com). The copies cost €2.50. Copies are also available to download for free from the BACI website www.bibliahibernica.wordpress.com
Tomorrow (Sunday) morning a new columbarium in St Mary’s cathedral grounds will be dedicated. During the same Eucharist, which is a united service for Limerick City parish, the St Mark’s Chapel and the fine stone pulpit will be re–dedicated. The pulpit was re–sited following restoration work in the cathedral, and has a beautiful carving of the scene of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple on the front so making this a very appropriate Sunday on which to re–dedicate the pulpit.
In the afternoon, at 3pm, Plough Sunday, a service to mark the start of the growing season, will be celebrated in Staplestown parish church, Co. Carlow. The service, which is a local ecumenical initiative will be jointly led by the rector, the Revd. David White and Fr. Seán Hyland from St. Joseph’s Church, Tinryland. This service traditionally took place on the first Sunday of Epiphany and goes back to Victorian times, but behind it there is a much older observance, associated with the first working day after the twelve days of Christmas.
The final lunchtime lecture in the series on campanology will be given in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, belfry on Monday. Gary McGuire, who was ringing master from 2006 until 2008, will discuss the art of bell ringing.
There will be a lunchtime recital in St Mary’s cathedral, Limerick, on Wednesday at 1.15pm by Ed Creedon (viola) accompanied by Sabine Ducrot (piano). Admission is free with a retiring collection for the Companions of St Mary’s Cathedral Music.
The very popular ‘Retreat in the City’ returns to Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, next Friday evening. ‘Going up the Holy Mountain: A Journey of Love’ takes place in the Lady Chapel from 3 to 5 February and will be led by the Ven. Gary Hastings, Rector of Galway. The sessions will be based on his book Going up the Holy Mountain, a reflection on the Croagh Patrick pilgrimage. The retreat will include a series of stations related to our relationship to ourselves and to God and to the brokenness that is part of our human existence, as well as reflections on loving God, neighbour and self. The retreat is open to all. It is non–residential with a registration fee of €100. To register contact the cathedral office on 01–677 8099 or welcome@christchurch.ie
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times