Diocesan News21 Jun 17

Special Eucharist to celebrate the Class of ‘67

Half a century of ordained service within the Church of Ireland by a number of clergy will be celebrated at the 11am service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Sunday June 25.

Of the 18 ordinations from the Divinity College Class of ‘67, six were ordained in St Anne’s on June 25 1967 by the Rt Rev Cyril Elliott, the then Bishop of Connor. They include the former Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Houston McKelvey, who unfortunately cannot be at the service as he in Canada.

The Very Rev John Bond, retired Dean of Connor, was another one of those to be ordained in the Cathedral that day. In order to mark this 50–year milestone, Dean Bond contacted as many of those ordained that year as possible. “Some are in faraway places, others have commitments on the day, some are unable to be present and sadly some are no longer with us,” Dean Bond said.

However, along with Dean Bond the following clergy plan to be present and all will be taking part in the service – the Rev Canon Robin Lavery, the Rev Canon William Bell, the Rev Alan Parkhill, and the Rev Canon Brother David Jardine. Dean Bond will give the address.

“We are most grateful to Dean John Mann for his kindness in allowing us to attend the Eucharist in St Anne’s to mark this significant milestone as we give thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings through the years,” Dean Bond said.

‘The 50th year shall be a Jubilee for you, it shall be holy to you in this Year of Jubilee’ – Lev. 25: 11–13