NEWS BRIEFS

Training the Trainer session for liturgists

A ‘Training the Trainer’ session was held on 18th September in Armagh for liturgical officers representing the dioceses of the northern province of the Church of Ireland.

The publication and distribution of the seasonal booklet of the new Morning & Evening Prayer for use on Sunday was the main feature of the day but also included an introduction to the recently produced Service of Prayer and Naming and the Funeral Service in cases of Miscarriage. Stillbirth and Neonatal Death.

Added to that the participants were shown the latest commemoration material which included A Service of Light for the Reconciliation of Local Communities and a leaflet to resource local clergy when presented with Historic Centenary Events in Parishes or Local Communities. Finally those present were informed of the provision of the service of Public Worship with Holy Communion by Extension which has been granted a period of experimental use by the bishops of the Church of Ireland.

Those who attended this event, and the previous special seminar in Portlaoise on 11th September, led by Archdeacon Ricky Rountree and Dean Nigel Dunne on behalf of the Liturgical Advisory Committee, were asked to hold a special training day in each of their dioceses before Advent to introduce all this material to parish clergy, NSMs, retired clergy and diocesan Lay Readers.

Those who have taken part on behalf of their respective dioceses included: the Rev Alan Rufli (Dublin & Glendalough); the Ven Ruth Elmes (Cashel, Ferns & Ossory); the Rev Rod Smyth (Limerick & Killaloe & Tuam); the Very Rev Tim Irvine (Meath & Kildare); the Rev John Ardis (Cork); the Rev Aonghus Mayes (Armagh); the Rev Stephen Fielding (Connor); the Very Rev Stephen Lowry (Down & Dromore); the Rev Colin McConaghie (Clogher); the Very Rev Arthur Barrett (Derry & Raphoe); and the Very Rev Nigel Crossey (Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh).

December consecration of C of I bishop

The House of Bishops, at its meeting in Dublin this week confirmed the appointment of the Ven Andrew Forster, Archdeacon of Ardboe, as Bishop–designate of the United Dioceses of Derry and Raphoe. His consecration is planned for Sunday, 8th December, at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.

Ordained Local Ministers made Deacons in Tuam

On Vocation Sunday, 15th September 2019, three Ordained Local Ministers were admitted to the office of Deacon by the Rt Revd Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, in St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam.

The Revd Carole Reynolds was ordained to serve in the parish of Roundstone, the Revd Maebh O’Herlihy for the parish of Achill, and the Revd Karen Duignan for the parish of Easky.

The service of Ordination with Holy Communion was presided over by the Bishop assisted by the Dean and Chapter of TKA. The three deacon candidates (as they were at that point of the service) each read from the scriptures. The preacher was the Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Principal of CITI. The choir of St. Nicholas’, Galway, led the music with Mark Duley acting as choirmaster and playing the organ.

Farewell and hail to Belfast Cathedral musician

72 hours after officially leaving Belfast Cathedral, Jack Wilson has been confirmed as the new Assistant Director of Music and will be returning to the Cathedral in June 2020.

Dean Stephen Forde said: ‘I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Jack Wilson to the vacant position of Assistant Director of Music at Belfast Cathedral. Jack has been a valuable member of the cathedral music department over the three years that he held the position of Organ Scholar, and in particular through this past year when he has been Acting Assistant Organist.

‘Jack will take up his appointment at Belfast Cathedral from 1st June, 2020. This allows him to fulfil his commitment as Organ Scholar at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, during this academic year, whilst studying for a Master’s degree in Choral Studies. However, the relatively short terms at Cambridge mean that Jack will be playing at services at Belfast Cathedral for Christmas 2019 and Easter 2020.

‘Although we only said farewell to Jack this Sunday past, 15th September, it gives me huge pleasure to know that it will not be long until he will be returns to our cathedral and the staff of our music department.’

Mr Matthew Owens, recently appointed Director of Music, added: ‘I am delighted that Jack Wilson will be joining the music department here at Belfast Cathedral and I am very much looking forward to working with him. There is an exciting future ahead and Jack will play a full part in shaping that future.

Rector instituted in Clogher

The parishioners of the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick in Clogher Diocese have welcomed their new rector.

photo above – The Revd Philip Bryson (second right), instituted Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick Churches with (from left) the Revd John Woods, Rural Dean; the Revd John McClenaghan, Registrar; Bishop John McDowell; and Archdeacon Brian Harper.

The institution of the Revd Philip Bryson as Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick, took place last Thursday (12th September), by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell, in Kilskeery Parish Church.

Mr Bryson was formerly a Curate in Magheraculmoney Parish, Kesh, also in Clogher Diocese.

A large number of parishioners from both parishes attended, joined by many parishioners from Ardess Parish Church, Magheraculmoney.

During the service, the representatives from both parishes of Kilskeery and Trillick read the lessons, including Mrs Linda Brunt, a Parish Reader, and Mrs Hilary Vance. Psalm 23 was led by Mr Adrian Irvine, a Parish Reader. Parishioners also took part in the commissioning.

The Bishop preached the sermon where he commended Mr Bryson to his new parishioners. He also thanked all his clergy and lay people in the Diocese for the sacrifices they have made in their vocational life in the Church and asked them to show leadership and become peacemakers in their communities.