The annual Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Diocesan Service for Primary Schools was held in St Peter’s Church, Bandon on this day last week: Thursday 26th September. There was a great atmosphere in the full church even before the service began as the choir from Templebreedy School practised with Mr Peter Stobart. Mr Stobart who is Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork is also Director of the Diocesan Church Music Scheme.
Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The service began with an introduction by Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, representing the Bishop who was very disappointed not to be there as he was just out of hospital.
The Archdeacon welcomes everyone to the Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The theme this year was ‘God’s world Our World” There was a lovely tone of formal informality as each of the many schools there was welcomed by name (going through the alphabet). Each one rang their bell and presented their banner which was received in the sanctuary by the Reverend Anne Skuse and altogether they were a very bright and colourful collection.
Procession of School Banners ~ Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Students led most parts of the service such as the welcome, the readings and the prayers.
Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The psalm was called A Shout of Praise and it was indeed just that as it was responsorial and increased in volume as it progressed. Templebreedy school sang Rutter’s arrangement of For the beauty of the earth very beautifully. Peter Stobart conducted.
Templebreedy School Choir conducted by Mr Peter Stobart at the Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The organist at the Service was Robbie Carroll, who is the new Assistant Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, and who is also involved in schools of the Diocese as part of the Diocesan Church Music Scheme.
Robbie Carroll – new Assistant Director fo Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork at the Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The Reverend Andrew Orr, Chaplain of Midleton College, was the preacher and he fully engaged the children when he held up a box and described its contents as a wonderful machine that cleaned and filtered liquid and worked 24/7.
The Reverend Andrew Orr ~ Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
He had everyone guessing what was in the box!
Guessing what’s in the box at the Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
After a few guesses he told everyone it was a kidney! He talked about how wonderful human bodies are and how we should use our wonderful minds to THINK about how we can make a difference in the world.
Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The schools have been collecting on behalf of the Bishops’ Appeal and this was brought up during the singing of a new hymn, Touch the Earth lightly.
Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The Archdeacon thanked everyone who had participated, as well as the local rector, the Reverend Denis MacCarthy and the vestry of St Peter’s for the kind use of the church, the Reverend Andrew Orr for his excellent sermon, the clergy who had come from their various parishes, the organist, the teachers and the pupils.
Clergy at the Diocesan Service to mark the start of the School Year,
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
A lovely occasion!
Watch out for a full gallery of photos taken by photographer Jim Coughlan which will be published later.
Pictured are Abbeystrewry National School, Skibbereen, County Cork, at the Church of Ireland, United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne &; Ross, A Diocesan Service to mark the Start of the School Year, at the Church of Saint Peter, Bandon, Co. Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
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