Diocesan News
New rector instituted to the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick
The parishioners of the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick in Clogher Diocese have welcomed their new rector.
The institution of the Revd Philip Bryson as Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick, took place last Thursday (12th September), by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, in Kilskeery Parish Church.
Mr Bryson was formerly a Curate in Magheraculmoney Parish, Kesh, also in Clogher Diocese.
A large number of parishioners from both parishes attended, joined by many parishioners from Ardess Parish Church, Magheraculmoney.
The Archdeacon of Clogher, the Venerable Brian Harper, presented Mr Bryson as incumbent–elect to the Bishop.
During the service, the representatives from both parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick read the lessons, including Mrs Linda Brunt, a Parish Reader, and Mrs Hilary Vance. Psalm 23 was led by Mr Adrian Irvine, a Parish Reader. Parishioners also took part in the commissioning.
The Bishop preached the sermon where he commended Mr Bryson to his new parishioners. He also thanked all his clergy and lay people in the Diocese for the sacrifices they have made in their vocational life in the Church and asked them to show leadership and become peacemakers in their communities.
The hymns sung during the service included ‘Here is love, vast as the ocean’, ‘Jesus, the name high over all’, ‘Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing’, and ‘O Breath of life, come sweeping through us’. The organist was Miss Elizabeth Armstrong.
The collection was taken up for the Clogher Ministry Fund which facilitates the development of lay and ordained ministry in the Diocese.
At a reception afterwards in the Parish Hall, chaired by the Rural Dean, the Revd John Woods, tributes were paid to Mr Bryson by Noel Graham on behalf of Magheraculmoney Parish and Mr Bryson was welcomed to his new parishes by Helena Thompson, People’s Churchwarden in Trillick, and Alison Fee, People’s Churchwarden in Kilskeery, as well as by the Revd Gunther Andrich on behalf of Irvinestown Presbyterian Church and the Very Revd Padraig McKenna PP on behalf of Trillick Roman Catholic Church.
Replying, Mr Bryson said he and his family were looking forward to working together with parishioners in both parishes and hoped this would be the beginning of a journey together with God in the middle of everything.
Mr Bryson and his wife, Viola, have four children, Anna, Mia, Tim and Ben.
The Bishop concluding the proceedings, thanked everyone who had looked after the parishes during the vacancy and thanked the Rural Dean for his leadership in the area.
Mr Bryson, originally from Belfast, served his curacy in Magheraculmoney Parish over the past three years and had previously spent two years in youth work there. He served his deacon intern year in St Bartholomew’s Church near Stranmillis, Belfast.
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Clogher
07708 869823
Mr Brian Donaldson
clogherdco@btinternet.com