Father Ted to launch C of I cleric’s novel; St Patrick’s Choristers to Release New CD; Mothers’ Union welcomes Children’s Rights Referendum; Limerick Clergy Conference; Down Clergy Conference this week; Church of Ireland benefit horse ride; Northern Ireland education reform essential; Legal costs in Dublin of child abuse
Father Ted to launch C of I cleric’s novel
Readers of CNI are invited to attend a book launch by Frank Kelly (Father Jack of Father Ted fame). “Transient beings” is by Patrick Semple, former Adult Education Officer and parish rector.
The novel is set in rural Ireland the 1970s. John, a rector, and his wife Jennifer, family grown and gone, find themselves in an idyllic country parish but life in the rectory is not all it might appear.
A reviewer states – ‘This is writing of a high quality with a depth of learning and an earnestness of purpose. There is also a selfless immersion by the author in the lives of the characters in the best John McGahern and Brian Moore tradition.’
The launch at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 23rd October is in the Knox Hall, Monkstown which is beside Goggins.
Copies will be available for purchase at the launch. Published by Code Green Publishing this is a ‘Print on Demand’ book available from:
www.amazon.co.uk; www.amazon.com; www.codegreenpublishing.com
And all good online bookstores: Blackwells, Waterstones, WH Smith, Easons etc.
Also: www.thebookdepository.com
ISBN 978-1-907215-18-6
St Patrick’s Choristers to Release New CD
The Choristers of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, are preparing to launch a new CD in November. The cathedral choir has made a number of recordings over the years but this is the first to feature solely the choristers, who are all aged between eight and 13 years. They are directed by Stuart Nicholson and in the new recording they are accompanied by Victoria Green on guitar, Diane Marshall on harp and David Leigh and Harry Meehan on the organ.
Entitled In Dublin’s Fair City – Anthems, Cockles & Mussels from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, the CD has been recorded by Regent Records and will be released on November 16. The music has been specifically chosen to appeal to a very wide market – including those 300,000 visitors that cross the threshold each year.
Many of the tracks have special links with the Cathedral – four were either written or arranged by past and current Cathedral musicians. Other tracks have much older links, in particular How beautiful are the feet from Handel’s Messiah which was first performed by members of both St Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedral Choirs in 1742 and there is always the title track, just in case there was any doubt as to where this recording originated.
The aim of the recording is to raise the profile of the choristers – it will act as a very useful recruitment tool over the coming years helping us ensure the survival of Ireland’s oldest choral foundation.
Boys’ choirs are rare in Ireland but what makes Saint Patrick’s even more unique is the fact that they are tutored at the one remaining choir school in the country. They sing daily services – an average of eight to 10 each week – alongside their school timetable.
The CD launch will take place in St Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday November 16 at 6.00 pm. The boys will perform a number of tracks in a free concert. Further details of the launch and the CD itself are on the website: www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/In_Dublins_Fair_City.aspx.
Mothers’ Union welcomes the forthcoming referendum
At the Trustee Body Meeting held in Dublin, Mothers’ Union, Ireland gave a warm welcome to the forthcoming Children’s Rights Referendum. The proposed changes to the Constitution represent a positive step in the state’s willingness to prioritise children by protecting children and ensuring their rights.
Mothers’ Union feels that if this Referendum is passed it will be a great leap forward for children and families and is something that has been sought by those who work with and for children for many years. As an international Christian charity that seeks to support families of all faiths and none through practical outreach, prayer and advocating family friendly policies within both government and public life Mothers’ Union is advocating a “Yes” vote . Information is available on the Mothers’ Union website at www.mothersunion.ie. Mothers’ Union is a member of The Childrens’ Rights Alliance who along with other organisations working on behalf of children have created a dedicated website containing comprehensive information at www.yesforchildren.ie.
Limerick Clergy Conference
The Annual conference was in the beautiful surroundings of Dingle. The clergy gathered on Monday October 8th for a mix of business reflection and inspiration. The diocesan ministry team were joined for the first day by a familiar face, that of Canon Robert Warren, now Rector of Taney in Dublin diocese, and the clergy and bishop were able to express their appreciation for his ministry in the diocese and present him with a small gift.
The reflections were lead, or rather inspired, by Salters Sterling. Salters is a member of Birr Parish in the diocese. He has a background in Education, having served a number of years at Trinity College Dublin, amongst other places.
Salters led the clergy in reflection on the themes of confidence, community caring and celebration, drawn from the Bishop’s address to the Diocesan Synod earlier this year. The themes led to a deep and challenging exploration of the mission of the diocese in this part of the world and ended with an even more challenging reflection on the practicalities of building up the saints.
Worship was well organised by Archdeacon Wayne Carney, Rector of Birr with the singing lead by the Rev’d Ruth Gill and the Rev’d Michael Cavanagh.
The conference was widely held to be one of the most challenging and inspiring conference for some time and the hope and prayer is that it will bear much fruit in the lives of the clergy and of the whole of the diocese over the coming year.
Down Clergy Conference this week
The Down and Dromore Clergy Conference is currently underway from Monday 15 to Thursday 18 October in Co. Donegal. The Bishop welcomed Dr Os Guinness and Michele Guinness as the conference speakers.
Os Guinness’ theme is, ‘Serving God’s Purpose in our Generation’ whilst Michele is giving the Bible readings under the title, ‘The Invitation to the Party’. A programme of seminars will run on Tuesday and Wednesday covering topics relevant to ministry.
The time away together, a biannual event, is an opportunity for leaders in the diocese to be refreshed by worship, Bible teaching, discussion and relaxation.
Clergy spouses were invited along to Donegal and a number are able to attend this year. Also present is a group from the link diocese of Albany and members of the team that will be travelling to South Sudan on 21 October.
Foxford Church of Ireland benefit horse ride
Mayo Today – Horse riders from throughout Connaught gathered together to participate in the highly successful 4th annual Foxford Church of Ireland Restoration Fund Benefit Horse Ride. Hosted by Barry Redmond, Cloongee House, the event drew a huge attendance from the entire community to promote the restoration of the town’s historic Church. Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, Rt Rev Patrick Rooke, who attended the event, thanked the local community for their outstanding ecumenical support for the Church of Ireland community in Foxford over the years.
He paid special tribute to event host and organiser Barry Redmond, Cloongee House, in bringing together all the local community in their quest to restore one of the town’s iconic landmarks.
“This is one of the outstanding local events that brings the entire ecumenical community together and I wish to thank all the Foxford community and beyond, and deeply appreciate all your wonderful support” Bishop Rooke commented.
Among the attendance were Rev Andrea Wills, Foxford Church Wardens, Patrick Browne and Charles Wills and Rector Rev. Wendy Callan.
http://www.mayotoday.ie/index.php/local-mayo-news/foxford-news/item/5368-foxford-church-of-ireland-benefit-horse-ride.html
Northern Ireland education reform essential
In advance of yesterday’s debate at Stormont, the Newsletter carried this article by Unionist MLA Danny Kinahan who is a member of the C of I. In a concise but comprehensive over view he identifies the issues which are at stake.
Yesterday a statement issued by the Transferor Representatives’ Council (TRC), representing the Presbyterian, Methodist and Church of Ireland Boards of Education, welcomed the progress which has been made towards the establishment of a single Education and Skills Authority for Northern Ireland.
In particular, Transferors welcome the proposed sectoral body for controlled schools and the setting up of a Working Group to bring such a body into being. “This is the first time the controlled sector will have a representative voice to provide cohesive support for controlled schools. Transferors are also heartened by the fact that their existing legal rights are both acknowledged and protected in the ESA Bill currently before the Assembly, enabling them to continue to play a constructive role in partnership with others in education in Northern Ireland.
“Transferors look forward to examining the detail of the Bill as it continues to progress through its various legislative stages.”
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/community/letters/platform-long-debate-on-education-begins-danny-kinahan-1-4367678
Legal costs in Dublin of child abuse
The Sunday Independent reported on the major element of legal costs incurred by lawyers in the recent child abuse cases involving the Roman Catholic church.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/lawyers-profit-as-cost-of-clerical-abuse-tops-1bn-3258559.html