Irish news digest

Bishop requests a “tidal wave of prayer” in response to the Covid-19 crisis

Bishop Andrew Forster of Derry & Raphoe has announced plans for a special diocesan ‘Week of Prayer’ in response to the Covid-19 Coronavirus crisis. Parishioners are being asked to sign up for half-hour prayer slots between 9am and 9pm each day from Monday morning until the following Sunday evening.

Announcing the initiative, on Wednesday afternoon, Bishop Forster urged parishioners to turn the ‘chain of prayer’ into a “tidal wave of prayer”.

“I really believe we’re seeing answers to prayer during this time,” the Bishop said on Facebook Live. He said he had good news about a friend of the diocese, the Bishop of Butere in Kenya, Rt Rev Tim Wambunya, who had been put on a ventilator last week after contracting Covid-19. Last week, Bishop Andrew asked parishioners to pray for Bishop Tim and on Wednesday, hours before the ‘Week of Prayer’ announcement, Bishop Tim tested negative for the virus and was taken off the ventilator.

Bishop Forster told his online congregation on Wednesday afternoon that their prayers counted and that their prayers could do great things.

People who wish to sign up for the ‘Week of Prayer’ should email [ bishopsoffice@derryandraphoe.org ] or call 02871 377013 (0044 2871 377013 from the Republic) to book a slot. Prayer resources will be made available on the diocesan website and on the Facebook page. Click the link below for a fuller report.
[ https://www.derryandraphoe.org/?p=3481 ]

Rural rector rings bells for NHS and frontline workers

Last evening as people came to their doors to applaud the NHS and front line workers the Rector of Magherally and Annaclone (Down & Dromore), the Revd David Palmer, joined in too, but with the help of the church bell right on his doorstep.

David explains: “On top of a hill and in a rural area, it soon became obvious that we couldn’t really join in the Thursday night applause for front line workers. Well, we could, but nobody would see or hear us.

“As the Rectory is next to the church I thought I would ring the bell. Our bell is situated in the fine bell tower which is rung from inside the church. It is a real single bell l which I ring from 8.00 to 8.05 pm in St John the Evangelist Magherally.

“At the same time the bell in Annaclone Church, about 5 miles away, is rung. After finishing I can hear distant clapping and other noises of support.

“Local NHS workers have expressed their appreciation and local residents on our WhatsApp group have asked to take turns to do this each week (one at a time and the rope is sanitised afterwards!).”

Pray the Lord’s Prayer on your doorstep bishop requests

As part of the Day of Prayer and Fasting on Saturday 25 April, Bishop David McClay of Down and Dromore has invited parishioners to pray the Lord’s Prayer on their doorsteps at 8.00 pm and to encourage others to join them on their doorsteps to pray.

Bishop McClay writes – Dear Friends, One of our clergy said to me regarding Easter Sunday past, “While we cannot meet with each other we can still meet with the risen Lord’’.

I have a picture in my heart and mind of people from every parish in our diocese setting aside time on St Marks Day, 25 April to fast and pray. I can visualise hundreds and thousands contacting friends and neighbours to join them in a similar way to how we stand applauding the NHS and concluding that Saturday together “in the presence of the risen Lord” by standing at thousands of doors in hundreds of streets across our diocese at 8.00 pm praying aloud the Lords Prayer.

We can do it together!

Using every means you can, please call your friends, fellow parishioners and others to join with many in this opportunity for us to meet with the risen Lord. He is risen indeed, Hallelujah!

St Patrick’s Drumbeg makes the TV news

St Patrick’s Drumbeg featured on BBC Newsline on Wednesday evening with their lockdown singing competition won by 94 year old Vera Kidd. What a voice!

Prayer points

Pray for the church’s message of the gospel, asking that in conversation members may provide comfort to those in crisis, counter fear with faith and speak hope in a time of much hysteria.

Pray for ministers as they face the challenges of conducting funerals in a different way, asking that God would provide them with both sensitivity and creativity as they manage the expectations of family and offer love in a time of social distancing.

We pray today that foodbanks will be able to remain open and operate safely, with enough food and volunteers to continue to meet the needs of their clients, who are even more vulnerable in these challenging days.

Pray for Marian Edwards of the Church Army at the Ballina Centre of Mission, where she uses a converted bus to connect with isolated farmers within a 20-mile radius. Many of these men experience depression and addiction issues.

Pray for the three teams who had been planning to visit Kenya and South Sudan (Maridi and Yei Dioceses) this summer. Pray that God would bless the team members as they adjust to the postponement to their plans.

God in creation