St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin to mark Jubilee; Eco-friendly rectory for Cookstown; Cambridge College choir concert in Limerick; Former C of I graveyard provides new public space in Kilkenny; Police Officers ‘saved landmark church’; The Priests to headline closing of Eucharistic Congress in front of 80,000; Dawkins ‘intrigued’ by church poll finding
St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin to mark Jubilee
To facilitate citizens of the Commonwealth of Nations resident in the Republic of Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin will mark the Diamond Jubilee of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Evensong on Sunday 17 June at 3:15.
The combined choirs of St Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedrals will sing. The preacher will be the Ven. M. Scott Harte. Representatives of the Commonwealth countries living in Dublin have been invited to attend.
Eco-friendly rectory for Cookstown
MidUlster Mail – It is a case of out with the old and in with the new at Derryloran Parish Church.
Since 1936, the Rectory, the home of the Rector of the church has stood at Loy Street.
Seventy-six years on a new Rectory will be officially opened this weekend and the Rev Canon R J N Porteus is delighted with his new home.
“It is one of the most eco-friendly clergy houses in Ireland. The vision of the architect Mr Barry Gallagher was to make it as eco-friendly as possible and he has certainly succeeded.”
Canon Porteus admitted that he was looking forward to settling in and making the new Rectory a new comfortable home.
“The old house was a house of its time. It was first resided in by the Reverend Canon James Bloomer in 1936 and it was a big house in the town.”
“In its last few years it was getting rather dilapidated and weary looking.”
In an extraordinary chain of events, a survey of the old house was taken out after a loose slate fell from the roof and smashed the windscreen of a car belonging to Canon Porteus…
“It was a hugely exciting project to be part of. Everyone has been incredibly supportive of the project.”
The new Rectory now meets all of the requirements set by the Church of Ireland for modern clergy housing.
“We really are setting the standard for new housing for clergy. We are all extremely grateful of the support from everyone and it will be fantastic to be able to make it our home this coming weekend.”
“It really is a building for the future and it will be a fantastic home for future rectors of the parish and I am sure they will also feel comfortable in the new surroundings of this wonderful building.”
Cambridge College choir concert in Limerick
The choir of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, will present a concert in St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick on Wed 4th July at 1.15pm.
Former C of I graveyard provides new public space in Kilkenny
Kilkenny People – The historic St Mary’s graveyard off Kilkenny’s High Street reopened to the public last week. Officially opened by Mayor David Fitzgerald, the gates to the grounds of the former Church of Ireland premises are now open daily, and guided tours will be taking place there this summer, starting from this week. Strolling along the new pathway through the cemetery, it is possible to see some of the city’s best-known names, including Shees and Rothes. Looking towards St John’s Church on the other side of the city and to Kilkenny Castle, it also becomes clear just how high a status the site had in the city in past centuries – both in location and elevation. Those present at Friday’s opening also got a glimpse of the church’s impressive monuments room, which contains tombs and grave
http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/new-public-space-for-city-as-st-mary-s-graveyard-opens-1-3920893 markers dating back several centuries.
Police Officers ‘saved landmark church’
BBC News – A passing police patrol prevented the landmark Bangor Parish Church from being destroyed in a fire, a senior detective has said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18349925
Belfast Newsletter – Photograph of firefighters at Bangor Parish Church – see report CNI – Irish news June 7
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/bangor-church-damaged-in-blaze-1-3926253
The Priests to headline closing of Eucharistic Congress in front of 80,000
Irish Examiner – The Priests will be headline performers at the climax of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. Around 80,000 pilgrims are expected to pack Croke Park in Dublin for “Statio Orbis” on Sunday June 17 — the closing ceremony hosted by Liveline presenter Joe Duffy and newscaster Eileen Dunne.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/the-priests-to-headline-closing-of-eucharistic-congress-in-front-of-80000-196520.html
Dawkins ‘intrigued’ by church poll finding
Irish Times – He said he was encouraged by the growth of the atheist movement in Ireland, and a gradual shift towards “science and reason” at the expense of the church. “The number of priests is going down beautifully,” he said. The child abuse controversy has …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0607/1224317443115.html