Limerick Diocesan Synod; Bilingual Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral; AGM of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise; Garvary Mothers’ Union 60th Anniversary; Dean of St Canice’s celebrates historic milestone; Storey claims bishops talk to SF but not DUP; Bishops’ academic selection call; Religious Difference In School-Leavers’ Grades; ‘Standalone’ referendum on children’s rights to be held this autumn – Gilmore; A story of shame – Irish Times
Limerick Diocesan Synod
It might not have been bright but it was certainly early when those of us in the west of the diocese set off for the annual Diocesan Synod in a bus traveling from Kenmare in Kerry along to Tralee and then along the N21 and M7 to Aghancon last Saturday. The people of Aghancon parish welcomed us to their impressive new community hall with a mid-morning snack and then we were off to the pre-synod service in the parish church, a beautiful and well cared for country church with impressive stained glass windows.
The Synod began in the usual way with all those official and administrative details that just have to be dealt with as well as the inevitable elections.
In his address to the synod Bishop Trevor Williamson spoke of the challenges facing Christianity. The Church needs to respond in a way which fulfills Christ’s new command of love. We need confidence in our call to be the body of Christ in the world. We also need to build up our sense of community, not just with reference to our historical roots as Anglicans, but as an inclusive community, reaching out to the world. Our relationships with other Churches and diocese world wide are an important part of this. We also need to be a community of caring, for one another and for the needs of the wider community around us. Bishop Trevor was not just laying down challenges or asking us to make a better effort at living the Christian mission, he concluded his address by reminding us that we should also celebrate all that is now happening in the life of the Diocese.
As with last year’s synod people were gathered in groups around tables and Bishop Trevor gave an opportunity for people to respond to his address and think about all those things which we are doing and how best to rise to the challenges that still face us. This certainly gives a “buzz” to the synod, with people genuinely able to participate. The synod broke for an excellent lunch provided by the parish and an opportunity to look at the various stalls and stands. USPG and CMSI were represented as was Protestant Aid, The Mother’s Union, Ecclesiastical Insurance and The Priorities fund.
The Afternoon was given over to the necessary business of Synod, beginning with the Report of the Diocesan Council, proposed this year by Rev. George Flynn and Mr. Peter White. Both spoke of the support for and increasing financial needs of the diocese. In these difficult times parishioners are digging deep to support ministry in the Diocese, but the challenges are also immense.
As well as reports we also had an address from Linda Chambers of USPG bringing us the latest news about the Luyengo Farm project. Reports from the latest visits to Swaziland and the contents of Linda’s talk are all available on our resources page. A second address was given by Andrew Brannigan, Youth Officer for Down and Dromore Diocese. Andrew has been involved in the development of a new publication: “Family Time”, prayers and devotions aimed at young families. This is an excellent resources if you have pre-confirmation young people and want to teach them some of the basics of prayer and Christian faith. It is available free through Bishop Trevor. One sad event at the synod was our farewell to Vicky Lynch, the Youth and Development officer for the diocese. Her contract has come to an end and she is moving on to become minister to the Christ Church Methodist/Presbyterian congregation in Limerick city. Bishop Trevor prayed with and for her and he and the whole Synod wished her well.
Bilingual Evensong at Christ Church Cathedral
A bilingual service of Evensong (in Irish and English) will take place
in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday June 24 at 3.30 pm.
AGM of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise
The annual general meeting of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise will take place in Christ
Church Cathedral at 2.00 pm on Sunday June 24.
Garvary Mothers’ Union 60th Anniversary Celebrations
The members of Garvary Mothers Union, Clogher, bately celebrated the 60th Anniversary of their branch with a buffet meal served in the Rectory. Mrs Madge Wilson, a founder member of the branch was the guest of honour. She received a long-service certificate from the President, Geraldine Beattie and flowers from the branch leader, Valerie Stewart. Geraldine Beattie was also given flowers as was the branch leader. The celebration cake was baked by the Branch Leader.
During the evening members looked through scrap books and photographs where they saw that they had celebrated the 40th Anniversary in the Rectory. At the end of the evening the Rector played favourite hymns on the piano and gave an epilogue reminding members of how Mary Sumner had welcomed members into her home.
Dean of St Canice’s celebrates historic milestone
Kilkenny People – The Church of Ireland marks an important milestone this week, as the Dean of St Canice’s Cathedral Katharine Poulton celebrates the 25th anniversary of her ordination on Thursday.
The event is historically significant as Dean Poulton was the first woman to be ordained (as a Deacon) in the Church of Ireland in 1987. In 2010, she became the first ever female Dean of Ossory to be installed in St Canice’s Cathedral, when she succeeded the Very Revd Norman Lynas.
The appointment of female deans is still relatively new step for the church. In 2005, the Very Rev Susan Patterson became the first woman to be a dean (in Killala). Until earlier this year, when Rev Elaine Murray left for her new parish in Carrigaline, Kilkenny had the only all-female vicar-dean pairing in Ireland.
Dean Poulton will mark the occasion tomorrow evening (Thursday) with a choral evensong service in the cathedral at 7pm. All are welcome to attend the service and stay for light refreshments in the Lady Chapel.
The anniversary comes one week after the opening of Kilkenny’s new Church of Ireland diocesan office, which is located in the grounds of the old Bishop’s Palace, beside the Heritage Council headquarters.
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/dean-of-st-canice-s-celebrates-historic-milestone-1-3976145
Storey claims bishops talk to SF but not DUP
Newsletter – The chairman of Stormont’s education committee last night accused Northern Ireland’s Roman Catholic bishops of holding private academic selection talks with Sinn Fein but refusing to meet him.
Mervyn Storey, of the DUP, made the claim – which was last night denied by the Auxiliary Bishop of Down and Connor, Donal McKeown – following a fresh attempt by the bishops to put pressure on Catholic grammar schools to abandon academic selection.http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/storey-claims-bishops-talk-to-sf-but-not-dup-1-3979581
Bishops’ academic selection call
BBC – The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland call on all political parties to agree on a better system of transfer to post-primary schools.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18535512
Religious Difference In School-Leavers’ Grades
4ni.co.uk – Exam results vary widely depending on pupils religious backgrounds in some parts of Northern Ireland, it has emerged.
http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=146166
‘Standalone’ referendum on children’s rights to be held this autumn
The Journal.ie – The Tánaiste says the government is keen to run the Children’s Rights referendum as soon as wording can be agreed.
http://www.thejournal.ie/childrens-rights-referendum-autumn-standalone-eamon-gilmore-494955-Jun2012/
A story of shame – Irish Times
Irish Times Comment – Nearly 200 young people died in State care during the decade to 2010. The fatality rate was eight times higher than that initially acknowledged by the Health Service Executive which, having attempted a cover-up of inadequacies involving its record-keeping and family services, hampered the subsequent, government-appointed investigation. It was a squalid exercise in official denial. One of the consequences is that a new child and family support agency will be established.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0621/1224318357346.html