Summary includes – RTE Broadcasts from Armagh and Limerick; St Patrick’s tide services; Obit – Canon R Chisholm; MU 125th Irish anniversary; US monks to reside in Stamullen; Brian Darcy to leave Enniskillen
RTE Broadcasts from Armagh and Limerick
On RTE Radio 1 (Digital Extra / LW252) at 10.45am on St Patrick’s Day (Saturday 17 March) there will be a special Service for St Patrick’s Day from the St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Armagh, led by the Dean of Armagh, the Very Revd Gregory Dunstan.
On Sunday 18th March (Mothering Sunday) on radio the service at 10.45am, is from the Church of Ireland parish of St Patrick’s Donaghmore, Co Tyrone, and is led by the Revd Peter Thompson
A reminder that on 18th March, at 10.35pm, WOULD YOU BELIEVE? returns, with a 2-part Special – Bishop Undercover – in which the Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Revd Trevor Williams, leaves behind his crozier to meet the people he serves simply as ‘Trevor’ (as pictured above). Bishop Trevor spends time as a volunteer, preparing and delivering Meals on Wheels from St Munchin’s Family Resource Centre, on the north side of Limerick City; he joins a Men’s Shed group in Kenmare; and he runs a workshop on religion for teenage students at St Anne’s Community College, Killaloe.
Join us for St Patrick’s Day 2012 says Bishop Miller
The Bishop of Down and Dromore, The Rt Revd Harold Miller, warmly invites you to join him and other pilgrims for the diocese’s annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Saul and Down Cathedral.
This year the theme is ‘Walking in Simplicity’ and the special guest and preacher is Mr Pete Greig, founder of the 24–7 Prayer movement and Director of Prayer at Holy Trinity Brompton. St Patrick’s Day also marks the beginning of the ‘Wear it Out’ campaign – a clothing fast which is an initiative of Summer Madness with Tearfund.
The event, which gathers hundreds of visitors, from Ireland and abroad, begins with a service of Holy Communion at Saul Church, followed by a pilgrimage to Down Cathedral and the Festival Service. After the service, a wreath is laid at St Patrick’s grave by local ministers of all denominations before lunch is served to invited guests in the Cathedral grounds.
Timetable
• 9.15am Holy Communion at Saul
Preacher: Mr Pete Greig, founder of 24/7 Prayer
• 10.15am Pilgrimage from Saul to Downpatrick
• 11.45am Festival Service in Down Cathedral
Speaker: Pete Greig
• Wreath laying ceremony at St Patrick’s Grave
• 1.00pm Irish stew lunch in the marquee
Transport to Saul
Please park along the Mall leading to the Cathedral in Downpatrick and board one of the private buses.
Buses to the communion service depart between 8.30 and 9.00am. The last bus for the 35 minute pilgrimage leaves at 10.00am.
St Patrick’s Day at Downpatrick Methodist Church
Downpatrick Methodist congregation warmly invites anybody in the town on St Patrick’s Day to call at the church in Scotch Street to have a cup of tea and look at an exhibition of photographs which illuminate our Christian heritage and test local knowledge. You can also have a go at a quiz, with a prize for the winner! And Rev Stephen Robinson will be playing the fiddle at 12.00 and 4.00pm
Dublin Churches’ St Patrick’s Day Service
The Dublin Council of Churches is organising an ecumenical service, “St Patrick in his own words”, to celebrate Ireland’s patron saint in word, song and traditional Irish music. The service takes place on Saturday March 17 at 6.00 pm in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin 8. Music will be under the direction of Revd Anne–Marie O’Farrell.
Bi-lingual Choral Service in Limerick
Choral Service of the Word for The Feast of St. Patrick will be held in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday 18th March 2012 at 5 pm. St. Mary’s Cathedral will be celebrating The Feast of St. Patrick with a bilingual service. There will be music and readings as well as hymns for the congregation to sing. The music will include “St. Patrick’s Breastplate”, Elgar’s “The Spirit of the Lord” and Stanford”s “Te Deum” with Widor’s “Toccata”. At the end of the service there will be refreshments including cakes in honour of St. Patrick for adults and children alike.
Death of Canon Reggie Chisholm
The death has occurred of the Revd Canon Reginald Joseph Chisholm (retired). Mr Chisholm was ordained deacon in 1942 and priested the following year. His entire ministry was spent in the Diocese of Down & Dromore beginning with two three year curacies in the parishes of Belfast (St Donard) and Bangor (St Comgall). His first incumbency was Ardglass with Dunsford from 1948–1951, when he became rector of St Mark’s Newtownards. He remained there until his retirement in 1982, continuing to live in the diocese. He was a minor Canon in Belfast Cathedral and later, treasurer in Down Cathedral. He was a Past Chorister of Belfast Cathedral and throughout his life continued to take an interest through membership of the Past Choristers’ Association to which he presented the Chairman’s insignium.
125 years of Mother’s Union in Ireland
Mothers’ Union members throughout Ireland will be celebrating their 125th anniversary during May 2012 when they will be hosting the Ultimate Tea Party entitled ‘Mums in May’. It will be launched after the communion service at 11.15am in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on the 3 May 2012 after which there will a ‘Mums in May’ tea party. The tea party will then go nationwide. During the month of May individual members, Branches, Dioceses, friends and supporters of the Mothers’ Union will be hosting coffee mornings, afternoon tea parties, BBQs and evening events.
For 125 years in Ireland, Mothers’ Union has been involved in Christian mission at home and overseas so it seems fitting that while enjoying the fun and fellowship with the ‘Mums in May’ tea party it will help raise funds for Diocesan Projects, Overseas Funds and the Centenary Fund. Look out for the Tea Time Treats, a book of recipes from members for sale at £3/€4. Planning packs containing posters, invitations, fireside quiz and ideas for your tea party are available from your Diocesan Mothers’ Union. We invite you to celebrate with the Mothers’ Union in this exciting project.
Ramoan and Culfeightrin MU celebrates 120th Anniversary
The Mothers’ Union Branch of the Parishes of Ramoan and Culfeightrin in Ballycastle celebrates its 120th Anniversary this year. The branch was formed in 1892 and is thought to be the oldest branch in the Diocese of Connor. To mark the occasion a service of celebration was held in Holy Trinity Church, Ballycastle recently. Mrs Moira Thom, Diocesan President, was the Guest Speaker. The rector, the Rev David Ferguson, conducted the service which was well attended with branches of the Mothers’ Union in North Connor being represented along with the local Presbyterian Women’s Group and friends from neighbouring churches. Past rectors also attended the service. During the service long service certificates ranging from 25 years up to 60 years were presented to seven members. One indoor member, Mrs. Lesley Casement has served the Mother’s Union for sixty years. Following the Service of Praise and Thanksgiving, supper was served by the members in Holy Trinity Cottage with a special 120th Anniversary Cake cut by Mrs. Thom and Mrs Girvan, Branch chairperson.
Christian Aid launches West Africa crisis appeal
Christian Today – The Sahel region in West Africa is on the brink of a major food crisis. Close to 13 million people are facing acute hunger and malnutrition in the Sahel region of Africa, Christian Aid has warned.
The aid agency said the situation had been brought on by a “perfect storm” of failed rains, widespread drought, spiralling cereal prices, migrant unemployment, and mass population displacement due to regional conflict.
It has launched an appeal to continue its programme of food distribution across Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.aid.launches.west.africa.crisis.appeal/29476.htm
‘Ordinary Faith, Ordinary Science’ Lecture
Christians in Science Ireland have announced a lecture by 1997 Nobel Laureate in Physics, Dr Bill Phillips. The lecture, entitled ‘Ordinary Faith, Ordinary Science’ takes place on Thursday March 29 in The Theatre, The Helix, Dublin City University, at 6.30 pm.
Admission will be free, but registration is necessary, and places will be allocated on a first–come–first–served basis. A link to the registration page will be provided shortly at http://www.cis.org.uk/ireland/.
Emigration minister proposal from clergy
Examiner – The Government has been urged to appoint a minister for Irish emigrants by the RC Episcopal Council for Emigrants. Bishop John Kirby, who heads the council, said a political response was needed because the scourge of emigrating affected every family.
And, he said, ministers travelling abroad for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebration should always ensure they meet with Irish emigrants and chaplaincies.
”Such an initiative would have a dual human benefit: we in Ireland would be reminded of the plight which faces our emigrants and our emigrants would be reminded that support exists for them at home,” he said.
According to the CSO, in the year ending Apr 2011, 40,200 Irish nationals emigrated, up 45% from the same period a year earlier and triple the level three years earlier.
The bishop said they chose to launch their Irish emigrant pack just before St Patrick’s Day because the country’s beloved patron saint was a migrant.
The pack will be available on www.catholicbishops.ie and in parishes in advance of St Patrick’s Day.
It will also be available at ferry ports and airports.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/emigration-minister-proposal-from-clergy-187301.html
Church of Ireland schools ‘to be hit by budget’
School Days ie – This year’s budget could mean that many Church of Ireland schools will have to cope with reduced teaching resources, it has been claimed.
Bishop of Meath Richard Clarke told a conference in Dublin this week that up to three-quarters of such schools may lose a mainstream teacher within four years, the Irish Times reports, which will leave them “seriously damaged”.
His view was echoed by Father Michael Drumm, chairman of the Catholic Schools Partnership, who said the cuts will have a “disproportionate effect on Protestant schools”.
http://www.schooldays.ie/education-news-item/Church-of-Ireland-schools-to-be-hit-by-budget-801319347
Fond farewell to Enniskillen for media priest
BBC – One of Ireland’s best-known priests has said he will probably be leaving his Enniskillen home this summer. Father Brian D’Arcy talked about the move in a tweeting session with the Impartial Reporter on Thursday. “I’ll be sad, but that’s life,” he tweeted. The Irish Passionist priest is Rector of St Gabriel’s Retreat in the Graan, but his term there is due to end soon and he will probably be sent elsewhere.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17383252
Benedictine Monks from Oklahoma move to Stamullen Priory
Catholic.org – They seek to bring healing to a wounded Irish Church. I believe they are a first fruit of her restoration and a sign of her future contribution in a new missionary age. God has not abandoned the Church in Ireland. The Purification of the Church always precedes her healing, strengthening and renewal. So it will be in Ireland.
http://www.catholic.org/vocations/story.php?id=45236
Pope blesses and rings Eucharistic Congress Bell
CNI – Pope Benedict has become the latest, in a quarter of a million pilgrims, to have rung the Eucharistic Congress Bell when it was presented to him at a Papal audience in Rome on yesterday (Wednesday).
The Pontiff listened as Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, President of IEC2012, spoke to him about the Bell and the four icons that accompany it, which represent the four parts of the Mass and correspond to each of the four stages of the pastoral preparation programme for the Congress.
Pope Benedict blessed the Bell and proceeded to give it a loud ring. The tolling of the Bell calls people across the world to the Congress, which takes place from June 10 to 17 in Dublin.
Members of IEC2012’s organising committee, which included Fr Kevin Doran, Colette Furlong, Sheena Darcy and Tommy Byrne also presented the Pope with a bowl of Irish shamrock to celebrate St Patrick’s Day, along with the first commemorative medal struck to mark this year’s 50th Congress.
http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=9876