Services and Events in Holy Week and Easter in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Throughout Holy Week and Easter

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: From Monday in Holy Week this virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection will begin at  the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  then  along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  The pilgrimage will start in Kilmocomogue Union, located on the border of Gougane Barra,  and then will pass through Modiddy Union and Carrigrohane Union before arriving at the Cathedral. We invite you to join us this year virtually in the hope that next year we will walk together.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Stations of the Cross online HERE

Unmuted: What they said about Jesus A drama online in five episodes for Holy Week and Easter by the young people of the Cork Diocesan Youth Council. The first episode aired on Palm Sunday at 6 p.m. HERE

The other episodes are:

Palm Sunday, 28th March

Where’s the donkey? Click HERE

Wednesday, 31st March

Who’s in charge here? Click HERE

Maundy Thursday, 1st April

When he said, it he meant it Click HERE

Good Friday, 2nd April

Why is this one different? Click HERE

Easter Day, 4th April

What now? Click HERE

For Children and Families

The following resources have been assembled by the Children’s Ministry Group in the Diocese:

  • Children’s Lenten Journey
childrens-lenten-journey-diocesan-versionDownload
  • Holy Week and Easter
holy-week-and-easterDownload
  • Church of Ireland Children’s Ministry Newsletter
church-of-ireland-childrens-ministry-lent-easter-newsletterDownload
  • Easter Activity Pack for Families
the-easter-activity-pack-for-families-2020Download
  • Muddy Church Easter
muddy-church-easterDownload

General Information

The Services listed below are those Services which are available to you online. Click the links to reach them. Links which link to the Diocesan YouTube Channel will be updated as a connection to the specific Service is available.

For information about Holy Week and Easter in parishes and chaplaincies not listed below you may

  • contact the local clergy using the list HERE or
  • find out who to contact by place/locale within the Diocese HERE

General information about Services is available on the Diocesan Website HERE

Some parishes make other provision for worship for their parishioners including by email, by post, or by hand delivery.

28th March 2021 ~ Palm Sunday

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton online HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College online HERE

Live Services

09.15 a.m. Chapel of Christ the Healer Cork University Hospital: on radio CUH 102FM

10.00 a.m. Clonakilty: Morning Prayer Online

10.30 a.m. Midleton: Palm Sunday Service of the Word with Passion Gospel on Facebook and YouTube (from 2 p.m.)

10.30 a.m. Rosscarbery: ‘Kaleidoscope’ Family Time by ZOOM

10.30 a.m. Rosscarbery: Morning Prayer Online

11.00 a.m. Ballincollig: Palm Sunday United Celebration with Blessing of Palms Online

11.00 a.m. Carrigaline: Palm Sunday Service Online

11.00 a.m. Dunmanway and Ballineen: Palm Sunday Service of the Word Online

11.00 a.m. Mallow: ‘Entering Jerusalem with Jesus’ Online and by ZOOM

11.00 a.m. Youghal: Palm Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms and Passion Gospel Online

11.15 a.m. Cork (Cathedral) – Choral Eucharist of Palm Sunday Online

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

Recorded Services

Bandon (from 7.00 a.m.): Eucharist with Blessing of Palms and Passion Gospel Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 11.30 a.m.): Service of the Word with Blessing of Palms Online

Douglas Union with Frankfield (from early morning): Palm Sunday Eucharist with blessing of the Palms and Reading of the Passion Gospel Online

Skibbereen (from 10 a.m.): Palm Sunday Eucharist with Blessing of Palms & Passion Gospel Online

Moviddy Union (from 9.00 a.m.): Morning Prayer and Passion Gospel Online

Printed Services available Online

Kinsale Union: Holy Week Reflection HERE

29th March 2021 – Monday in Holy Week

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Live Services

10.30 a.m. Carrigaline: Morning Prayer by ZOOM

11.00 a.m. Douglas Union with Frankfield: Holy Week Reflection via ZOOM

8.00 p.m. Mallow: Service of Reflection (with words, art and music) Online and by ZOOM

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

Recorded Services

Carrigrohane (from 11.00 a.m.) Service of the Word HERE

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Service of the Word Online

Moviddy Union (from 8.00 p.m.: Holy Week Service Online

Rosscarbery: Daily Prayer Online

30th March 2021 – Tuesday in Holy Week

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Live Services

10.30 a.m. Carrigaline: Morning Prayer by ZOOM

11.00 a.m. Douglas Union with Frankfield: Holy Week Reflection via ZOOM

8.00 p.m. Mallow: Service of Reflection (with words, art and music) Online and by ZOOM

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

Recorded Services

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Evening Prayer Online

Iniscarra (from 11.00 a.m.) Service of the Word Online

Moviddy Union (from 8.00 p.m.: Holy Week Service Online

Rosscarbery: Daily Prayer Online

31st March 2021 – Wednesday in Holy Week

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Live Services

10.30 a.m. Carrigaline: Morning Prayer by ZOOM

11.00 a.m. Douglas Union with Frankfield: Holy Week Reflection via ZOOM

6.30 p.m. Mallow: Jesus, Holy Week and Easter – Youth Event – Meet the Rector Online and by ZOOM

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

8.00 p.m. Youghal: Evening Prayer Online

Recorded Services

Blarney (from 11.00 a.m.) Service of the Word Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Late Evening Office Online

Durrus (from 6.00 a.m.): Holy Communion Online

Moviddy Union (from 8.00 p.m.: Holy Week Service Online

Rosscarbery: Daily Prayer Online

1st April 2021 – Maundy Thursday

Diocesan Service

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Annual Diocesan Chrism Service of Maundy Thursday

12 noon Diocesan Chrism Eucharist with Renewal of Ordination Vows (from Noon) HERE

The Order of Service for the Chrism Eucharist may be accessed or downloaded HERE

From 9.00 p.m. Diocesan Service of Tenebrae (recorded by the parishioners of Kilmocomogue Union – Bantry and Durrus) HERE

Live Services

6.00 p.m. 8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Tenebrae on Facebook and YouTube (from 2 p.m.)

6.30 p.m. Carrigrohane Union: Agape from homes in the parish. Register Online

8.00 p.m. Cork (Cathedral) – Choral Eucharist of Maundy Thursday and Stripping of the Altars Online

8.00 p.m. Mallow: Watching in the Garden with Jesus Online and by ZOOM

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

8.00 p.m. Rosscarbery: Service for Maundy Thursday on ZOOM

8.00 p.m. Youghal: Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper and Stripping of the Altar Online

Recorded Services

Bandon (from 7.00 p.m.): Eucharist of the Lord’s Supper and Stripping of Altar Online

Blarney (from 11.00 a.m.) Service of the Word Online

Caheragh (from 8 p.m.): The Liturgy of Maundy Thursday Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Spiritual Communion Online

Douglas Union with Frankfield (from 6 p.m.): The Eucharist of Maundy Thursday to commemorate the Institution of the Lord’s Supper and the Vigil of Good Friday Online

Moviddy Union (from 8.00 p.m.: Holy Week Service Online

Rosscarbery: Daily Prayer Online

Printed Services available Online

Kinsale Union: Holy Week Reflection HERE

2nd April 2021 – Good Friday

Things to do and view online

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College HERE

Stations of the Cross online HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at the source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Live Services

12 Noon Carrigaline: Children’s Service Online and by ZOOM

12 Noon Cork (Cathedral) – Proclamation of the Cross Online

12 Noon Kinsale – Ecumenical Reflection on the Cross Online

12 noon Mallow: Jesus, Holy Week and Easter – Youth Event – Meet the Rector Online and by ZOOM

3.00 p.m. Mallow: Words from the Cross Online and by ZOOM

8.00 p.m. Dunmanway and Ballineen: Reflective Service for Good Friday Online

8.00 p.m.. Midleton: Compline on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

8.00 p.m. Rosscarbery: Service for Good Friday on ZOOM

8.00 p.m. Youghal: Evening Prayer Online

8.30 p.m. Clonakilty: Evening Prayer and Reflections on the Cross Online

Recorded Services

Bandon (from 8.00 a.m.): The Liturgy of Good Friday Online

Carrigrohane (from 11.00 a.m.) Service of the Word Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Service of the Word Online

Douglas Union with Frankfield (from Noon): ‘An Hour by the Cross’ – Readings, Music and Meditations for Good Friday (available from Noon) Online

Moviddy Union (from 8.00 p.m.: Holy Week Service Online

Skibbereen (from 12 noon): Reflection at the Foot of the Cross Online

Printed Services available Online

Kinsale Union: Holy Week Reflection HERE

3rd April 2021 – Easter Eve

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

The Passion Gospel read by School Chaplains and Sixth years from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College online HERE

Stations of the Cross online HERE

The Way of the Cross with Saint Fin Barre: Gougane Barra to Cork: A virtual journey of prayer, readings, music and reflection starting at  he source of the River Lee, at Gougane Barra,  journeying along the Lee Valley to Cork, to Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral (marking the 150th anniversary of its consecration.  This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube Channel HERE (check back in for update link and to set a reminder)

Live Services

8.00 p.m. Mallow: Waiting for the light of Christ – Preparing for the Easter Dawn Online and by ZOOM

9.00 p.m. Carrigaline: Easter Vigil Online

9.00 p.m.. Midleton: Easter Vigil and First Communion of Easter on Facebook and YouTube (shortly afterwards)

Recorded Services

Cork (Cathedral from 6.00 p.m.) Vigil of Easter Eve Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 8 p.m..): Easter Vigil Online

Skibbereen (from 8 p.m.: Easter Vigil Online

4th April 2021 – Easter Day

Diocesan Services and Online Events

A Message for Holy Week and Easter from Bishop Paul Colton HERE

Live Services

6.30 a.m. Sun-Up Easter Dawn Service organised by CDYC on ZOOM

09.15 a.m. Chapel of Christ the Healer Cork University Hospital: on radio CUH 102FM

10.00 a.m. Clonakilty: Easter Service of Holy Communion Online

10.00 a.m. Rosscarbery: Easter Celebration Online and by ZOOM

10.30 a.m. Midleton: Easter Eucharist Facebook and YouTube (from 2 p.m.)

11.00 a.m. Ballincollig: A Celebration of Easter Day with Holy Communion Online

11.00 a.m. Carrigaline: Easter Eucharist Online

11.00 a.m. Dunmanway and Ballineen: The Easter Story Online

11.00 a.m. Mallow: Easter Celebration Online and by ZOOM

11.00 a.m. Youghal: Easter Eucharist Online

Recorded Services

Bandon (from 7.00 a.m.): Service of Holy Communion for Easter Online

Crosshaven and Nohoval (from 11.30 a.m.): Service of Holy and Spiritual Communion Online

Douglas Union with Frankfield (from early morning): The Eucharist of Easter Day Online

Durrus (from 6.00 a.m): Holy Communion Online

Moviddy Union (from 9.00 a.m.) Holy Communion Online

Skibbereen (from 10.00 a.m.): Easter Day Eucharist Online

Printed Services available Online

Kinsale Union: Easter Reflection HERE

Posted in Announcements, Chrism Eucharist, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Easter, Good Friday, Holy Week, Liturgy, Spirituality, Worship, Youth Work, ZOOM | Comments Off on Services and Events in Holy Week and Easter in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Cork Diocesan Youth Council create 5 Dramas online for Holy Week

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Last January, the Cork Diocesan Youth Council (CDYC), under the leadership of Diocesan Youth Officer Hilda Connolly, decided they needed a new project to occupy themselves in lockdown. They’ve been staying in touch with one another through weekly ZOOM meetings.

A drama in 5 episodes – Unmuted: What they said about Jesus – has been worked and will be ready for Holy Week. The first video will air on Palm Sunday on the Diocesan Youtube Channel, and you will also be able to access it through CDYC on Facebook, and Cork, Cloyne and Ross on Facebook.The precise links for the five episodes will be published each day. The other episodes will go out during Holy Week with the final episode on Easter Day.

The drama is the Easter story from the point of view from the the Pharisees, the Crowd, Jesus’ followers and the Roman Soldiers, all with a modern day element!

It has been put together with the help of Ross Jonas and Chris Neilands from ‘Play It by Ear’. Information was sent out in January and nearly 30 young people from all over the diocese turned up on zoom for the first planning session.

Ross & Chris were also present and got the ball rolling. They outlined what needed to be done and everyone was broken into 4 groups: the Pharisees, the Crowd, Jesus’ followers and the Roman soldiers.

The young people were given a brief and they set about producing the basis of a script for their group. Ross and Chris then gathered all the work from the 4 groups and pieced it together.

A week later, recording was ready to take place and the scenes started to come together nicely.

You can view the trailer for Unmuted:

what they said about Jesus

HERE

So get your popcorn ready and join the young people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in watching CDYC’s Unmuted – What they said about Jesus.

Posted in Announcements, CDYC, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocesan Youth Officer, Drama, Easter, Good Friday, Holy Week, Youth Work, ZOOM | Comments Off on Cork Diocesan Youth Council create 5 Dramas online for Holy Week

Sixth Year Students and Chaplains from 3 Cork Schools Narrate the Story of Holy Week: the Passion Gospel

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Sixth Year Students from Ashton School Cork, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College have joined forces to narrate, together with their respective school chaplains, the Passion Gospel which tells of the last days in the life of Jesus: his suffering, trial, crucifixion and burial.

The three chaplains (Drew Ruttle in Ashton, the Reverend Anne Skuse in Bandon Grammar School, and Canon Andrew Orr in Midleton College) worked together with the sixth years to produce the video as one important element in the Cork, Cloyne and Ross worship and spiritual resources for Holy Week and Easter 2021 online as Level 5 restrictions continue.

This version of the Passion Gospel will premiere on the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Channel on Youtube at 07.30 a.m. on Palm Sunday, 28th March.

You can log into the watch page and set a reminder: HERE

After the premiere The Passion Gospel will continue to be available for you to watch anytime during Holy Week 2021 and afterwards. The link, again, is HERE

Posted in Announcements, Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School, Bible, Chaplaincies, Church Online, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Education, Good Friday, Gospel, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Midleton College, People from the Diocese, Schools in the Diocese, Spirituality, Worship, Youth Work | Comments Off on Sixth Year Students and Chaplains from 3 Cork Schools Narrate the Story of Holy Week: the Passion Gospel

West Cork Parish Marks One Year of Online Worship with Interview with Bishop Paul Colton

Posted on March 20, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Fanlobbus Union of Parishes in West Cork – Dunmanway, Drimoleague, Drinagh and Coolkelure – will mark the anniversary of part of its online response to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the closure of church buildings for public worship, on Sunday 21st March.

The rector of Fanlobbus, the Reverend Cliff Jeffers, has invited the Bishop of the Diocese, Dr Paul Colton, to do an interview with him online about the past year.

The Service will be broadcast live at 11 a.m. HERE  The Service sheet, children’s worksheet and dial in numbers are HERE

On 22nd March 2020, the parish went online using ZOOM, Facebook and using other technology they already had. In time, this was augmented by a grant from emergency funding provided to each Church of Ireland diocese by the Church of Ireland Priorities’ Fund and the Representative Church Body.

Before the coronavirus pandemic 87% of parishes in Cork, Cloyne and Ross were not using technology to broadcast their Sunday Services online; the proportion which now are online has increased from 13% to 64%.

Parishes have been encouraged to pool resources and to work together. In other parishes, often where there is poor broadband or fewer parishioners with access to the internet, materials for Sunday worship are posted or hand-delivered by the clergy and teams of volunteers to households. Links to what is available online feature on the Diocesan Website HERE

That is something reflected in Fanlobbus Union also where a number of parishioners take part each Sunday using their telephones, and a copy of the Order of Service is supplied to them. When church buildings reopened for public worship last summer the parish connected the building to the internet and the Services from the church continued to be broadcast online. When Cliff took a short holiday in September, parishioners were invited to join the Service broadcast from St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, online.

Bishop Colton said:

This is one example of the many responses of many types – traditional and using technology – called into action in Cork, Cloyne and Ross in response to the uncharted territory that is the coronavirus pandemic. The clergy, lay church workers and volunteers in this Diocese have all been working really hard in response to this crisis. One year on, I wrote yesterday to everyone to thank them (see HERE) As Bishop of the Diocese I am hugely grateful for what everyone has been doing so faithfully and creatively.

The Reverend Cliff Jeffers and the team involved in all of this in Fanlobbus Union of Parishes have opted for an interactive type of online broadcast to gather the people together. Cliff explains:

We have had 40 interviews in the last year from people from West Cork and all around the world who are connected to Dunmanway and West Cork to hear how Covid-19 is affecting them and what is happening in their lives.  Each week, the on-line community are invited to send in photographs of what they are doing and are also given a specific theme to take or find photos to link in with the sermon.

Two of our online team are live with the Facebook comments, welcoming the people as they log in and responding to comments and questions during the services.

The online broadcasting team in Fanlobbus Union of Parishes in West Cork

Before ordination, Cliff was an engineer, and so he is very interested in the technical aspects of all this too, including the statistical outcomes as well as the human and the spiritual side of what is being offered. Recently he explained some of the analysis he and the team have done:

We have had over 500,000 minutes of viewing of our online services over the last year.  An average of 143 live views each week, Average of 9550 minutes per week (services are on average 54 minutes long), with another 20% watching later on Sunday and 10% more during the following 7 days.  Our research shows that each device has on average 2.6 viewers.  80% of our Facebook views are from people in County Cork.

But it is the human side of all this that is most important, emphasises, Cliff:

One of the very positive aspects of being online is it has increased the accessibility of over services.  Some older parishioners who have not been able to attend or participate in services are tuning in each week and some of the local community are ‘attending’ our services, who might never attend in-person on a Sunday morning.

Tomorrow’s Service will be broadcast online at 11.00 a.m.

HERE 

The Service sheet, children’s worksheet and dial in numbers are HERE

Posted in Anniversaries, Bishop, Broadcast, Church in Society, Church Online, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Community Involvement, Contemporary Issues, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Good ideas, Parish News, People from Cork, People from the Diocese, Pioneer Ministry, Technology, West Cork, Worship, ZOOM | Tagged | Comments Off on West Cork Parish Marks One Year of Online Worship with Interview with Bishop Paul Colton

‘Thank you’ to Cork, Cloyne and Ross from Bishop Paul Colton on the anniversary of closure of church buildings for public worship

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

‘Thank You’ from Bishop Paul Colton on the occasion of the

First Anniversary of the Closure of Church Buildings

for Public Worship

in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, has sent a ‘thank you’ message to the people of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross today – the start of the weekend marking the first anniversary of the first closure of churches for public worship in the Diocese. 

Bishop Colton wrote:

One year ago I wrote to you and asked you not to gather for public worship in Cork, Cloyne and Ross in response to the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic to the shores of our island home. This coming Sunday will mark the first anniversary of the implementation of that approach when our church buildings closed for public worship for the first time.  

It was a decision then that I myself took in the light of the unfolding situation, on foot of comments from, and discussions with, many of you, including the clergy of this Diocese and with my fellow bishops, and also in the light of the Government’s requests and early information about gatherings, social distancing and hygiene. 

This weekend marks, as I say, the first anniversary of the disruption of our Church life, in general, and of our public worship, the rhythm of our liturgy and public prayer.

We did what we did to stay safe ourselves and to protect others.  It’s what we needed to do. We were also fearful as we faced the unknown. Since then the Government has incorporated the closure of churches for usual public Services (with limitations on attendances at funerals and weddings) into its own roadmap and strategic response to tackling the coronavirus pandemic.  

In my Pastoral Statement issued at this time last year (see HERE) I referred also to the disparity of approaches and the absence of a common approach, North and South, in the two jurisdictions, and was criticised by a few on social media for doing so.  This absence of coordination has been commented upon by others increasingly regularly in the months since, and again in recent days as we continue in our efforts across this island in response to the pandemic.  

The purpose of my letter today is not, however,  to mark this anniversary, painful as it is and cathartic as it has been in our life together, but to thank all of you in Cork, Cloyne and Ross.   We would much rather that there would be no such anniversary.  However, I cannot let this milestone pass without acknowledging you and thanking you. Thank you, again and again, from me as your Bishop.

You, as part of the worldwide Church, here, in this most southern diocese of the Church of Ireland, in the midst of all the burdens and challenges, personal and communal, that this pandemic has caused, have shown resolve, determination, creativity, and adaptability. You have been faithful in your calling as disciples of Jesus Christ.  You have found ways – traditional and contemporary – to do what needed to be done.  You have cared for your neighbour and taken part voluntarily in the common cause of our society’s practical responses to these times, for the well-being of those around us.  You have maintained your solidarity with those beyond our shores.  You have dug deeply in uncertain and vulnerable economic and commercial times to continue to support the ministry, mission and work of the Church here and elsewhere.

As Christians we emphasise how important our privately said prayers have been throughout this year.  The round of daily readings and prayer, nourished by the words of the Book of Common Prayer and in many spiritual disciplines put into practice in families and homes, have, without doubt, strengthened us all on this journey we are making.

Public worship – gathering to do the liturgy of the Church publicly – has, to say the least, been disrupted.  We have missed being together to sing God’s praises, to listen to God’s Word and to receive the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Communion.  

We have had to respond to this disruption in ways which are both traditional and innovative, but none of it is the normality of public worship that is at the heart of our gathering as the people of God.  You have all done more than the best you can; you have gone the extra distance.  

In our schools, parishes and homes the people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross have adapted.  New skills have been learnt, technology has been harnessed and traditional methods have been pressed back into action.  Not everywhere, as we know, has adequate broadband; large numbers of our people are not on the internet.  Clergy and lay volunteers have walked, cycled and driven around parishes to deliver by hand Services for use at home each Sunday. The postal service has come into its own. 

Others have harnessed social media, and the internet regularly to broadcast Services from local churches, supplementing with a truly local feel, the work of public service broadcasters on our radio and television.  Online technologies have allowed us to see and hear one another at a time of isolation when we have been unable to gather as we normally do.

As I conclude I wish to mention those whose wedding day plans have been disrupted and, most especially, those who have been unable to give their loved ones the Funeral Services they would have wished to give them.  I, and all, our hearts have gone out to you.  Our prayers and sympathy have been in solidarity with you in these far from normal times.  What you have been through is most distressing.

We do not know what the future will bring.  We know that the way things are now is not normal, and let us not dignify it by calling it ‘the new normal’.  

Throughout history, God’s people have experienced times in the wilderness.  As a good friend said to me a year ago ‘the Church does not like being in the wilderness.’  This is very true.  We know it to be true.  However, when we look at the Scriptures we see that again and again in wilderness places, people encounter God, Jesus himself included.  In those bereft places people grow in their understanding of themselves, of their purpose, and their faith, and emerge with new vision and strength to engage with whatever lies ahead.

Let us continue in our resolve faithfully to be the Church, as you have done since all this started, and let us look forward to the time when we can gather together again – all of us, not merely a few – to join in public worship to Almighty God, and in our shared calling to proclaim and build the Kingdom of God, ‘on earth, as it is in heaven.’

Bishop Paul Colton

Posted in Bishop, Bishop's Pastoral Letter, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Liturgy, Pastoral, People from Cork, Worship | Comments Off on ‘Thank you’ to Cork, Cloyne and Ross from Bishop Paul Colton on the anniversary of closure of church buildings for public worship