Despicable people’ responsible for pensioner’s death – Rector; Ministering to people with depression; Church history made in Lurgan
Despicable people’ responsible for pensioner’s death – Rector
Donegal News – A Church of Ireland Minister has called for harsher prison sentences to be imposed on those who prey on the elderly and weak.
Rev Canon David Crooks made the comments in his homily during the funeral service for the late Ms Susan Arthur (89) at Taughboyne Parish Church.
The late Ms Arthurs passed away in hospital on Thursday night, after she suffered a broken hip when she was thrown to the ground during the burglary of the home she shared with her Feddyglass, sister, 91-year-old Isa, Raphoe, last July. During his homily to the hundreds gathered, inside and outside the church, Canon Crooks said the ‘despicable’ people who broke into the house were directly responsible for Ms Arthur’s death and called for members of the public to support the gardaí.
He said: “I wish publicly to say that An Garda Siochana has made and is continuing to make every effort to bring these cowards to justice. |It is no easy task, and we must be patient, as we thank Superintendent Kelly and Detective Sergeant Galvin and the detectives for their efforts, and we urge them on until these demons are caught. I commend and thank the Gardai for all their efforts.” “Then the culprits should be put where they can never again threaten the security and privacy of elderly people in their homes.”
“Today, we are so very sad and sorry at having to say farewell to Susie, so grateful for all that she and Isa have been in this parish and community, deeply angry at what has happened – dare I suggest that however much we may demand effective punishment, it would be wrong of me not to say that even the worst people are not beyond the range of God’s love as well as his anger, and that perhaps we could pray that not only will they be caught and punished meaningfully, but that something of God’s love and a sense of guilt and shame might dawn upon them,” said Canon Crooks.
http://donegalnews.com/2013/10/despicable-people-responsible-for-pensioners-death-minister/#sthash.DYEirSdo.dpuf
Also –
http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/crime/gang-who-terrorised-elderly-burglary-2367688
Ministering to people with depression
The Presbyterian Church has announced plans for a major seminar on ministering to people with depression. Entitled ‘God in the Shadows’, the seminar will take place in Assembly Buildings, Belfast on Wednesday, 6th November at 9.45am.
The three-hour event is aimed at those likely to come across depression among the people they serve and is designed particularly for those involved in congregational pastoral work and ministers.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Lena Morrow, a retired doctor who now serves as a pastoral worker in the Banbridge Road Presbyterian congregation in Dromore.
Since her time as a medical student when she first encountered depression, Dr. Morrow has been interested in the illness and has developed a concern for the depressed individual and their family. She has spent many years trying to remove the fear and stigma associated with it.
Dr. Morrow will seek to give a deeper understanding of the illness and will share her experience of ministering to and praying with those who suffer in a way that begins to help people find light in the darkness.
Seminar organiser Dr. Jim Campbell hopes the event will help answer some of the common questions about depression like what is it like to walk in the shadowlands of a depressive illness and how can we minister the healing love and compassion of Christ to sufferers of depression?
“One of the difficulties when talking about depression is that we use the word to mean a variety of things, some more serious that others,” says Jim Campbell.
“In its mildest form depression just means being in low spirits which don’t have any long term effect on how we live our lives but if the feelings persist and interfere with everyday life then help is required,” he adds.
“Just as the causes of depression differ from person to person as do the ways to recovery with no one treatment appropriate in all cases so the seminar will not have all the answers,” continues Dr. Campbell.
“However it will give participants an insight into how they can minister to those suffering from depression as they try to find new ways to make our church a caring and supportive community.”
This event is free and is open to everyone. However, due to the interest already expressed those hoping to attend should contact Mandy Higgins at the Presbyterian Church’s Board of Mission in Ireland Office tel: +44 (0)28 9032 2284 or by email:mhiggins@presbyterianireland.org
Church history made in Lurgan
Portadown Times – A former Portadown man made history on Sunday when he became one of the first two Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Dromore.
Kevin Devine and Gerry Heaney were ordained in St Peter’s Church in Lurgan.
Originally from Portadown Kevin now lives outside Lurgan. He has been married to Moya for 30 years and they have five children, Catherine, Paschal, Kevin, David and Niamh.
He was a teacher at St Patrick’s High School, Keady, for 33 years before retiring in August 2012.
A keen soccer player he played as goalkeeper for several teams in the Mid-Ulster League including St Mary’s and Annagh United and he also played for Portadown and Glenavon.
The ordination of both of them to the Diaconate was before a packed congregation which enjoyed a beautiful and moving ceremony.
Kevin has been assigned in particular to the parishes of St Peter and St Paul.
“The ceremony was absolutely beautiful,” said Kevin. “A lot of people commented how moving it was.”
He is also looking forward to his duties and has already assisted at Mass in St Peter’s and St Paul’s.
“I have been appointed to both parishes and i wanted to make an appearance,” he said.
He too was quick to highlight the part his family played during the four years of studying.
“They were very supportive of what I was doing,” he went on. “We talked about and I asked them how they felt because it was going to impact on their lives but they were happy for me to go on.
“My wife had to give her written permission for me to continue and there was a big family input into the process.”
Principal Celebrant Bishop John McAreavey said: “Kevin Devine and Gerry Heaney have been blessed in their married lives. With their wives they have been blessed with children and through the impact of their own lives they have handed on their faith to their children. Both have enriched the communities where they have lived and worked.”