A Rapid Reading Review of the media – short reports and web links – including : Ulster missionaries escape bomb attack; Carlow farming funerals; Republic of Ireland’s first gay wedding fair; ‘Undercover Bishop’
Ulster missionaries escape bomb attack
News Letter – A group of Ulster missionaries have escaped safe but shaken after their church in Nigeria was bombed. At least 12 missionaries from Northern Ireland were taking part in a 7am service at the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) on Sunday when a suicide …
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/local/ulster_missionaries_escape_bomb_attack_1_3567188
Carlow farming funerals
Independent – Just two hours after she buried her husband, Hilda Jordan walked behind her brother’s coffin. Jockey’s silks were laid out on top of the wooden box carrying George Rothwell’s remains from Lorum Church, near Bagenalstown, Co Carlow. A few miles down the road, in the new cemetery in Bagenalstown, his brother-in-law Mr Jordan was laid to rest after 12 noon Mass yesterday. Mr Rothwell — a man of great musical talent who travelled Ireland and England with The Roulettes in the showband era — was buried on his 68th birthday yesterday. The Reverend Charles McCollum, the chief celebrant of Mr Rothwell’s funeral service, described Mrs Jordan as a “very special person” of “great faith and integrity”. He said it was her faith that was “taking her through these dark days”.
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/loneliest-day-for-courageous-hilda-as-she-buries-husband-and-brother-3032922.html
The Eucharistic Congress: what we know so far
thejournal.ie – Although the Pope is unlikely to make an appearance, organisers of the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) still expect the participation of tens of thousands of people at the Catholic Church’s festival. Many details of the eight-day-long event have already been released, with around 25,000 people a day expected to visit Dublin. The programme will culminate in a massive gathering at a full Croke Park on 17 June. Organisers believe more than 80,000 people will turn up to celebrate the Final Mass. About 12,000 international pilgrims from at least 95 different countries will descend on Ireland’s capital for the week-long festival of faith. For the occasion, the Royal Dublin Society in Ballsbridge will be transformed into a Eucharistic Village, including a liturgy, prayer space and more than 100 exhibition stands.
http://www.thejournal.ie/the-eucharistic-congress-what-we-know-so-far-367421-Feb2012/
Repentance for abuse and structural reform will help to renew church
Irish Times – Brian Lennon writes in Rite and Reason – If the Pope visits Ireland it would greatly help if he spent 15 minutes in silent prayer in some public place as an act of sorrow. But repentance also means changing our wrong behaviour, vindicating those who have been wronged, and making appropriate …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2012/0228/1224312480744.html
Couple says ‘I do’ at Republic of Ireland’s first gay wedding fair
Belfast Telegraph – over 50 same-sex couples travelled to Ireland’s first ever gay wedding/civil partnership fair at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick. And one couple got more than they had hoped for when they got a chance to take part in a mock civil ceremony to show others how the service is performed.
‘Undercover Bishop’ and major Titanic drama-doc top RTÉ new season
TheJournal.ie – The national broadcaster has released details of new productions expected to air this spring – including €1.5m dramatisation of what happened ‘below deck’ on the Titanic.
Women’s Day of Prayer at St Mark’s, Portadown
Portadown Today – The annual service for the inter-church organisation of Women’s World Day of Prayer will take place at St Mark’s Church, Portadown, on Friday, March 2 at 8pm. Rev Dorothy McVeigh, rector of Annaghmore Parish (Church of Ireland), will be the speaker at …
http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/community/women_s_day_of_prayer_at_st_mark_s_1_3565194
New Hot Spot at Ballymoney Salvation Army
Ballymoney Salvation Army Community Church in Meeting House Street will now be open on Monday’s for an exciting new lunch time initiative. ‘Hot Spot’ will be held between 1-3pm and offers a chance to meet new friends, enjoy chat, a quiet read of the papers, and a light lunch. Mayor of Ballymoney Cllr Ian Stevenson was among the first guests to attend Hot Spot last Monday where he enjoyed homemade vegetable soup, a roll and refreshments. He then took time to chat with other guests and with volunteers and members of Ballymoney Salvation Army Community Church.
http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/ChurchNewsBallymoney
Northern Irish movie maker praised Oscar-winner
Independent – David McKittrick writes – An Oscar for a Belfast film-maker whose work concentrates on the violence of the Troubles was yesterday welcomed across the political and religious divide in Northern Ireland. Terry George won an Oscar for his film The Shore in the live-action-short category. The movie, which has a Troubles-related theme, was described as “in equal parts hilarious and moving”.
http://www.independent.ie/todays-paper/northern-irish-movie-maker-praised-oscarwinner-3033019.html