360 Miscellany

News and views

Encouraging report on visitor experience in Youghal Church

Helen Mulcahy, Senior Staff Officer, Cork County Council, writes – “The Project Team overseeing ‘Voices of St. Mary’s’ the €250,000 investment in the interpretation of St Mary’s Collegiate Church led by Helen Mulcahy and Aileen Murray for Cork County Council have advised that development work has been completed on the Church, (as at 2nd September 2020).

“This project was funded by Fáilte Ireland and match funded by Cork County Council, who have been caretakers of this incredible national monument since 2005. Scroope Design Interpretive Consultants have delivered a moving, truly inspiring interpretation of this beautiful Church. Most importantly the integrity of the Church has been maintained, with Scroope Design always recognising this building is first and foremost a place of worship. It will certainly go on to form an integral part of #irelandsancienteast .

“Entry to St. Mary’s will always continue to remain free of charge. However, a multi lingual audio guide as well as a truly captivating guided tour will carry a nominal fee. We would be thrilled however for visitors to sample our audio guide for the coming week free of charge! Maybe it’s been many years since you visited? If so, you will be completely enthralled!

“This is a most wonderful project and one that will most certainly only add to the growing suite of visitor experiences in Youghal!” Photos above and below.

Episcopal ordination of Bishop of Kilmore

The Episcopal Ordination of the Very Reverend Martin Hayes as Bishop of Kilmore will take place on Sunday 20 September 2020 in the Cathedral of SS. Patrick and Felim, Cavan at 3:00p.m. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the numbers attending the ceremony will be greatly reduced and will be by invitation only with only his immediate family and a few friends attending.

The ceremony itself will be live-streamed on the internet and may be viewed at [ www.churchservices.tv/cavancathedral ]

Death of founder of the Ulster Project

The Reverend Canon Albert Thomas (Kerry) Waterstone, died peacefully on the 31st August 2020, in his 98th year. Sympathy has been expressed on both sides of the Atlantic to his wife Edie, his children Vici, John, Aidan, Mark and their families.

Canon Waterstone’s remains rested in St. Catherine’s Church, Hop Hill, Tullamore last night where prayers were offered. A family service will be held today prior to burial in St. Catherine’s graveyard, Clonminch. The family have expressed special thanks to his carers and the nursing staff at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, for their exceptional care. Kerry will be fondly remembered for a lifetime of ministry and as a founder of the Ulster Project which affected thousands of young people with leadership potential through visits to host churches in the USA.

360 Miscellany Briefs

The Leaves of the Trees – Exeter Cathedral is the first venue to host this art installation by Peter Walker. Made to honour those who passed away during the coronavirus pandemic & to help us all reflect. 3rd–24 Sep. No booking req. Join Morning and Evening Prayer with Exeter Cathedral. Here for you 9am and 5pm Monday-Saturday, on Zoom. Visit their website for full details: [] exeter-cathedral.org.uk/worship-music/…

Commissioning of Diocesan Readers – The Bishop of Down & Dromore, Rt Rev D. McClay will commission three new diocesan readers at a service in Holywood Parish Church on Monday 21 September at 8.00 pm. The readers are – Lisa Currie (Drumbeg), Alan Mackie (Holywood), and Marion Wilcox (Movilla)

Swift response after lockdown – As Co. Kildare was unexpectedly freed from lockdown on Monday, the Dominicans at St Eustace Priory in Newbridge moved swiftly to open up for public Mass just 90 minutes after the easing.

Congratulations to – Jack Wilson, the Assistant Director of Music at Belfast Cathedral, on being awarded a Masters in Music by the University of Cambridge.

Monks on the move – The Catholic Herald reports, “To anyone who has visited Downside Abbey, the change will take some getting used to. The Benedictine monks who have lived, worked and prayed there since 1814 are moving to a smaller location. It’s a sign, both of the shrinking of vocations and of the devastation wrought on the Church by abuse and cover-up. We’ll be covering the story and the reaction in more depth this week.”

Bishop on a bike – The Real Deal

The Right Reverend the Lord William Cecil, was Bishop of Exeter. The second son of the Marquis of Salisbury, His Lordship was notoriously forgetful. Cycling around the city and entering a shop, he would routinely emerge and take the first bicycle that he saw. Citizens discovering their bikes were missing, merely went to the Palace to exchange them.

Coleraine link with US President

St. Patrick’s C of I parish church, Coleraine, is located on Church Street. On a tree in front of the church in the autumn of 1798 one Francis McKinley of Conagher, Dervock, was hanged for taking part in the United Irishmen rebellion that year.

After the rebellion failed, McKinley went into hiding. But his hiding place was given to the Redcoats by one Chestnut Smith (or Smith), a neighbour, and McKinley was marched to Coleraine and executed. There is an artist’s rendering of the execution of Francis McKinley. It is on display in the Ballymoney museum.

Chestnut Smyth was ostracized. He sold his farm and moved to Gortconney, Ballycastle.

The McKinleys emigrated to America, to Ohio, where in 1843 a descendant, William McKinley, was born. William McKinley became the President of the United States in 1896 and was re-elected in 1900. He was assassinated in Buffalo in 1901.

Well said

Pointers to prayer

We pray today for schools putting measures in place to provide learning for students in a safe environment. Where students have been out of school for months may they feel confident to now return, and may they and their teachers adapt easily to new ways of “doing school”.

Today we pray for Syria. In a country that has experienced years of conflict and economic chaos, they’re facing an overwhelming under-reported Covid-19 crisis and doctors are scared to speak out. We pray for transparency and for provision of medical support.

From 1 September to 4 October, Christians around the world are praying and caring for creation. It’s the “Season of Creation”

God in creation