The annual Chrism Eucharist in Cork, Cloyne and Ross was held again this year on Maundy Thursday at Noon in Saint Fachtna’s Cathedral, Rosscarbery, County Cork.  Glorious weather made it a beautiful day at this seaside location.

Diocesan Media Officer, Sam Wynn, was on hand to take photographs:

A large number of people who had traveled from around the Diocese together with visitors were present for the consecration, by the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, of the holy oils for use in the pastoral and sacramental rites of the Church in the coming year.

Clergy and lay chaplains collect the Holy Oils for reception in parish churches and chaplaincies at liturgies on Maundy Thursday evening.

Licensed and commissioned lay church workers, as well as clergy, and the Bishop, all renewed their commitment to ministry:

Afterwards everyone enjoyed a sumptuous lunch which was laid on in the narthex of the Cathedral.

The preacher this year was the Reverend Dr Russ Parker, International Ambassador for the Acorn Healing Foundation.  The bell-ringers from the Cathedral also joined with other cathedrals around the world in ringing the bells beforehand as a sign of solidarity with the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris.  The organist was Mr Peter Stobart.

The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of Saint Fachtna, Rosscarbery, Co Cork with the Bishop and the preacher (l-r) Canon Alan Marley, Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, the Bishop, the Rev Dr Russ Parker, Dean Christopher Peters, and Canon Eithne Lynch.