Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Vocation Sunday
This year’s Vocation Sunday will take place tomorrow (Sunday) following on from last September’s successful initiative and the well–attended vocations conference in March at the Dromantine Retreat Centre, Newry.
A range of updated resources is available at www.vocations.ireland.anglican.org along with the ‘It’s Your Call’ video which highlights the call to ordained ministry. These resources include posters; Instagram and PowerPoint images; and articles on pathways to ordination, lay ministry, pioneer ministry, and understanding selection.
Anyone with an interest in exploring a vocation to ordained ministry is encouraged to speak with their rector. The Commission on Ministry is keen that Vocation Sunday continues to be marked this year, even with our current circumstances, and to keep a conversation going in parishes. The Central Director of Ordinands, Canon David Gillespie, said: “We had planned a new video – a sequel to last year’s ‘It’s Your Call’ – focussing on the wide range of lay ministries which exist in the Church of Ireland. We are keen to make a similar high–quality video as before and, given the various restrictions that have been in place over the last few months, we decided to pause its production. The funding is in place for the video which we hope to be able to produce in time for Vocations Sunday 2021.”
Ordinations are continuing across the Church of Ireland, albeit on a smaller scale than would normally be case due to the current situation.
On Sunday, 16th August, the monastic site of Nendrum was the setting for an open air service of ordination. The Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Rt Revd David McClay, ordained two priests for ordained local ministry – the Revd Rory Blake–Knox for Moneyreagh Community Church and the Revd Stephen Doherty for Glen Community Church. It was the bishop’s first ordination service following his consecration in January.
On Sunday, 30th August, two deacons were ordained in the Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross – Pat Culleton in St Peter’s church, Bandon, and Sabrina Cooke in St Fin Barre’s cathedral. At the request of the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, who is recovering from surgery following an accident, the ordinations were conducted by Dr Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh, who, in retirement, now lives in Co. Cork. Mr Culleton will serve in the ordained local ministry in Bandon and Ms Cooke will be a deacon–intern in Cloyne.
Last Sunday, in St Patrick’s cathedral, Trim, the Revd Carol Hennessy was priested by the Bishop of Meath & Kildare, the Most Revd Pat Storey. Ms Hennessy was ordained as a deacon in September 2019 and is to serve in Naas union of parishes. In St Eunan’s cathedral, Raphoe, Claire Henderson, was ordained to the diaconate and will serve her deacon–internship in the Raphoe group of parishes, which includes Raymochy and Clonleigh. This was the first ordination conducted by the Rt Rev Andrew Forster since his consecration as Bishop of Derry & Raphoe.
On Sunday, 20th September, in Christ Church Cathedral the Archbishop of Dublin will ordain to the diaconate Alistair Doyle who will serve in Kilternan parish and Leonard Madden who will serve in Blessington parish. On the following Sunday, in Christ Church Cathedral, Dr Jackson will ordain the Revd Christopher West to the priesthood. Mr West will serve his curacy in Taney parish.
The Sunday School Society of Ireland AGM 2020 will take place by Zoom on Monday, 21st September 2020, at noon. If you wish to receive an invitation, please email sss@ireland.anglican.org
Published in the Saturday edition of The Irish Times