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Transformed – ‘Be the change you want to see’

The Bishop of Meath and Kildare, the Most Rev Pat Storey, has challenged parishioners at an event in Londonderry to “be the change” they want to see in their diocese. Bishop Storey was speaking at ‘Transformed: Small Steps, Big Difference’ – an event held in the Millennium Forum to celebrate 10 years of the diocesan vision, ‘Transforming Community, Radiating Christ’.

Hundreds of parishioners from across the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe attended the event, which was hosted by UTV broadcaster Paul Clark. Among the audience were the Roman Catholic Bishops of Derry and Raphoe, Dr Donal McKeown and Bishop Alan McGuckian; the Moderator of the Derry and Donegal Presbytery, the Rev Paul Linkens; and the Minister of Clooney Hall Methodist Church, the Rev Richard Johnston.

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Rev Ken Good, was presented with a gift box full of toy cows on Saturday to acknowledge his diocese’s partnership with the Diocese of Butere in Kenya. The presentation was made by the Bishop of Butere, the Rt Rev Dr Tim Wambunya, who is in the north west with his wife, Gertrude, to explore creating living links between parishes in Kenya and Ireland.

 

Bishop Good was also presented with a ‘Major Friendship Award’ in appreciation of the two dioceses’ friendship and partnership over the last four years. During that time, parishes in Derry, Tyrone and Donegal have raised more than £60,000 for the ‘Buy a Cow for Butere’ initiative which supports clergy there.

In her address, Bishop Pat Storey – a former Rector of St Augustine’s and ex–member of the Derry and Raphoe Vision Team – urged the audience to “be the change” they wanted to see.

Recounting the “landmark moment”, recently, when her grandson took his first steps, Bishop Storey said the first steps were the hardest, but once you get going you picked up momentum and speed, and it was like you were never not walking. “Moving forward in Church life isn’t unlike this phenomenon,” she said.

She told her audience that people don’t always believe their own potential but said every single one of them could make a big difference. “So, I would love to challenge you today, and me, that even though this is a celebration of how far you have come – and it’s totally worth celebrating – don’t rest on your laurels. There is much work still to do. The harvest is ready but the labourers are few, and every single person here can be involved in making a big difference (and I include the children behind me). You just need to believe it, to change the story you’re telling about yourself, to take a small step.

The harvest is ready but the labourers are few, and every single person here can be involved in making a big difference.

“Whatever is your personal calling – and it’s going to look different for each one of us – don’t let today go by without deciding to get involved, to make a difference.”

During the event, the Rector of Donagheady, the Rev Dr Robin Stockitt – who has been to Butere – said his abiding memory of the Church in Butere was the word ‘joy’. “I went out there thinking I was going to teach, and I was there to give,” he said, “but I think I was the one who received more than I gave – I received this extraordinary sense of welcome and spontaneity and authenticity and joy, and I hold those memories very dear.”

… a lot of people are seeing that now there’s fruit being borne … there’s a dividend being paid for the risks we have taken in stepping out and doing these things.

Bishop Good spoke of his gratitude towards the Lord for the rich legacy and history of those who had gone before in the diocese. He was thankful, too, to those present for being in partnership with him, and for taking risks, and for the good–natured way they had responded to ‘Transforming Community, Radiating Christ’.

“I think a lot of people are seeing that now there’s fruit being borne,” Bishop Good said, “there’s a dividend being paid for the risks we have taken in stepping out and doing these things. And so, as we give thanks for the last 10 years, I want to say, ‘Lord. there’s so much more ahead that you want to lead us into.’ This is only the beginning of things in many ways and I want to thank you for being willing to go on this journey.”

A wider selection of photos from the event is available here on Derry and Raphoe’s Flickr page.

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