Irish Dean in Africa; Parishioner’s story has a happy ending; Training in CITI; Blessington School’s €10,000 Calcutta Project; Media review
Irish Dean in Africa
The former Dean of St Patrick’s, Dublin, Very Rev Dr Robert McCarthy is serving as a volunteer in Matabeleland. In the March issue of the Cathedral’s “Close News” he gives this report on his experiences –
It was a great privilege to be present at the consecration of the Church of the Resurrection in Victoria Falls. A simple barn like structure which is infinitely bigger and better from what went before; it is situated in the township area of Falls, – an area of high density of population and low incomes.
The service was attended by some 400 – 500 people. A group visiting from over the Zambezi in Zambia was among those being welcomed. I was the only white person present. The Falls is in the Diocese of Matabeleland despite being 450kms from where the bishop lives. The bishop of the Diocese, the Rt.Revd Cleophas Lunga officiated, using a mixture of English and the local language, Ndebele.
Zimbabwe was originally evangelised by SPG missionaries and the worship is therefore ‘higher’ than is usual in the Church of Ireland – candles, copes, chasuble, incense and Sanctuary bell were in use as a matter of course.
There is no intention of having an organ, and the singing with much swaying and hand raising was led by the excellent local choir, which was accompanied by drums and cymbals. Given numerous hymns and much dancing, the service seemed to last all morning. I had an interesting talk with the rector over the lavish lunch which seemed to be an inevitable part of the proceedings. He lives 100kms from theFalls, has seven other congregations and can therefore come to the Falls only one Sunday a month. On other Sundays, the services are taken by lay readers despite a regular congregation of about 200.
The other two services were small confirmations deep in the bush on a Saturday. The first took place within walls of the still to be completed church. There were seven candidates, two of whom were adults. Then we drove another 50kms (same Rector) to a recently completed temporary church, to our eyes it looked like a half completed out- house
with a thatched roof.Plans for a proper church were articulated afterwards.
Here there were five candidates one of whom was an adult. At all the services there was a preponderance of women clad in their M.U. blue uniform plus many small children. At all three services I was the only white person present. After the usual generous hospitality we set out for Bulawayo, 100kms away on atrocious roads.
Parishioner’s story has a happy ending
The Stephen Nolan Programme recently featured Ballybeen (Down) parishioner, John Leishman.
A few years ago 92 year old John, who served in World War II at El Alamein and Normandy found himself in dire straits but was helped to rebuild his life by Age NI…
“When war veteran John McMillan Leishman lost his beloved wife of 67 years he was left living hand to mouth.
As well as having to deal with the pain of Florence’s death, the 92–year–old had to re–assess his finances which forced him to cut back on what he spent on food.
‘I was living hand to mouth after Florence died’, said John. For months after she passed away in May 2008, I felt completely lost. Money was tight, even though I don’t smoke or gamble, so I started cutting corners on food and I wasn’t eating very much.
‘I couldn’t afford to go out anywhere either and I started to feel as though my life had gone too — until I contacted Age NI.”
http://www.ageuk.org.uk/northern-ireland/get-involved/advice-line-appeal/johns-story/
Training in CITI
‘Fit for the Purpose’, the sixth cycle of the Foundation Access Course began last weekend at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Braemor Park, Dublin.
There are 34 candidates attending this fifteen month course. Dr. Christina Baxter, former Principal of St John’s College, Nottingham, and the Revd Dr. Maurice Elliott, Director of CITI,facilitated the weekend. Also in attendance were the Revd Dr. David Hilborn, Principal of St. John’s College, Nottingham and the Revd Dr. Andy Angel, Director of Extension Studies.
The Foundation Course is a mandatory step for those contemplating ordination but may also be available to others who wish to broaden their theological knowledge. However, access to the course is via local rectors and diocesan directors of ordination. At present there are 27 ordinands in full time training (eleven in first year, nine in second year and seven who have been ordained as intern deacons) and 22 in part time training. All those in full time training have proceeded to CITI having satisfactorily completed the Foundation Course.
Next weekend there will be a study weekend for the part–time M Th students and transferring NSMs, 22 in total. The main focus of the weekend will be further engagement with the topic of church leadership which will be facilitated by Dr Maurice Elliott.
Act of Remembrance
Next Wednesday at 5.15pm in the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin, there will be an Act of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in memory of those who have donated their remains to the College’s Anatomy Department.
Blessington School’s €10,000 Calcutta Project
Pupils at Blessington No 1 School have helped to give the gift of education to children in Calcutta. The west–Wicklow school has raised €10,000 to refurbish a school building on a dump in Calcutta giving children there hope for better lives.
To celebrate the achievement of the pupils a photographic exhibition of the project will be hosted by the school. The exhibition will be officially opened on Thursday March 14 at 2.00 pm. The school’s patron, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson will be in attendance along with Lisa and Karen O’Shea from GOAL and the Abbott of Glenstal Abbey, Mark Hederman.
The seeds for the project were planted in October 2010 when a parent from the school, Dr David Mulcahy was on a visit to Calcutta with Lisa O’Shea of GOAL. They identified a school building in desperate need of repair and refurbishment and felt that the pupils of Blessington No 1 School could get involved.
The school is situated on Dhappa dump, one of the largest dumps in Calcutta. The children who now attend the school forage daily on the dump with their parents in order to earn money to survive. It is hoped that by providing a school for these children and giving them an education it will help improve their lives.
The project captured the imagination of the Blessington pupils and after much discussion, the children of 5th and 6th classes hosted a Mad Hatters Tea Party and raised a very impressive €4,589. A number of other events were organised including a joint Carol Service with Blessington Community College and St Mary’s Junior and Senior Schools. The funds raised, combined with a donation from a private benefactor in the school, amounted to over €10,000 for the project.
The Calcutta school, which has also been named Blessington No 1 School, was officially opened by Dr Mulcahy in October last year. To celebrate the occasion the children of the Irish school sent out a suitcase full of pencils, rubbers, colouring pencils, markers and other supplies.
The photographic exhibition aims to bring the celebration back home to the local children and the wider community.
MEDIA REVIEW
Ford criticises justice bill move
Justice Minister David Ford says it is ‘entirely inappropriate’ for the DUP and SDLP to ‘tack on’ an attempt to ban private health clinics offering abortions in Northern Ireland to his criminal justice bill.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-21635982
SF ‘fighting cultural war’ – Hutchinson
With another difficult marching season just around the corner, PUP leader Billy Hutchinson has said loyalists can be as good as Sinn Féin when it comes to street politics.
http://www.u.tv/news/SF-fighting-cultural-war-Hutchinson/891157d6-1378-408f-9a6f-508541cd17f9
Consititution Convention wants your suggestions on same sex marriage
The convention is encouraging organisations, citizens and the disapora to “make their voices heard” before its next meeting.
http://www.thejournal.ie/constitution-convention-same-sex-marriage-815736-Mar2013/
Teachers ‘afraid they could be fired for being gay’
This is due to the Government’s failure to meet its own deadline for publishing legislation to end discrimination against LGBT staff, Senator Averil Power has said.
http://www.thejournal.ie/lgbt-legislation-jobs-815578-Mar2013/