Mothering Sunday Flowers and Blessings at Gates of Cork Churches

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Churches find themselves in lockdown like everyone else, and they are closed for public worship, but there are still open hearts of kindness and generosity. The ministry of the Church continues and a host of ways have been found to keep in touch with parishioners and to reach out to local communities.

Two Cork churches – St Mary’s, Carrigaline and St John’s Monkstown – brought Mothering Sunday gifts of daffodils to the gates of the churches for passers-by to take away as a reminder of all this.

Carrigaline Union of parishes would,  in normal times,  give out posies of daffodils to every woman in the congregation at Services on Mothering Sunday. For the second year running the churches were closed and so bunches of flowers, picked locally by parishioners,  were placed outside the gates of both St John’s church in Monkstown and St Mary’s church in Carrigaline. Colourful posters encouraged passers by to take some flowers, with the blessing of the Parish, home with them on this special day.

Posted in Churches in Cork, Community Involvement, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Good ideas, Mothering Sunday | Comments Off on Mothering Sunday Flowers and Blessings at Gates of Cork Churches

Video Message from Bishop Paul Colton to Confirmation Candidates in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, has recorded a short video message for those young people who had hoped to be confirmed in the past year, or who are thinking of being confirmed.

Having written to each of those who were to be confirmed in 2020 on the day when their Confirmation was to happen, but didn’t, Bishop Colton wanted them to know that they have not been forgotten. He also referred to the challenges their particular age group have been facing and encouraged them to keep talking to people and to tell others how they are feeling. ‘We are not alone’ said the Bishop ‘God is with us.’

Bishop Colton put the video together to coincide with the anniversary of his annual Confirmation Morning which was held in 2020 on the first Saturday in March.

In the video message, the Bishop shared photographs of last year’s Confirmation event for young people – an annual event he hosts together with clergy and youth workers in Cork, Cloyne and Ross. A different hymn for use at all the Confirmation Services in the Diocese is chosen each year.

The hymn for 2020 – ‘All are welcome’ – was recorded by the choristers of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral singing remotely in their homes. This too features in the Bishop’s video message.

You will find the message on the Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Youtube channel

HERE

Posted in Bishop, Cathedral Choir, Confirmation, Contemporary Issues, Youth Work | Comments Off on Video Message from Bishop Paul Colton to Confirmation Candidates in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Retirement of Long-Serving County Cork Church Organist

Posted on March 3, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Late last year – 2020 – Mrs Freda Salter Townshend – organist in the Church of Saint Barrahane, Castletownshend, County Cork for the previous 21 years, retired. From 2004 Freda was also organist in Abbeystrewry Parish Church in Skibbereen. Before moving to Abbeystrewry Parish she was also organist of Snave Church near Bantry, while she was a teacher at Saint Brendan’s National School in Bantry.

Freda Salter-Townshend who recently retired from playing the organ at St. Barrahane’s Church in Castletownshend. Photo: Anne Minihane.

Recently, the rector, the Rev. John Ardis thanked Freda for her valued ministry in the Church. He paid tribute to the time and energy she gave in enhancing the liturgy so well over the years.

The rector said:

Music is a very important part of liturgy. Over the years Freda has given comfort to mourners at Funeral services and joy to those being married or celebrating baptisms.  I would like to thank her for her generosity, for all the practice and planning she has given.  We are all grateful for the huge dedication Freda has shown to the life of the Church.

Freda was presented with flowers by the rector as a token of the parishes’ appreciation of her ministry throughout the years. 

Posted in Church Music, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Faith and Service, Lay Ministry, Liturgy, Organist, Parish News, People from the Diocese, Retirements, Voluntary Work, West Cork, Worship | Comments Off on Retirement of Long-Serving County Cork Church Organist

Ireland’s Fittest Parish?

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

At the start of January, Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, the rector of Douglas Union with Frankfield, in the Diocese of Cork, publicised the fact that he would walk at least 5 kilometres each day that  month. This was partly for personal relaxation, but also a conscious decision to be visible around the parish while churches were closed and much normal parochial activity had ceased. The daily target he set was relatively modest so that others might be encouraged to join in too.

A number of parishioners responded to his challenge keeping pace with him or exceeding his target. It was also an opportunity to raise money for the parish, local charities, and the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal. The fact that the parish could not host their usual large Carol Services in December, when sizeable collections for charities and overseas development projects would normally be taken, had left many worthy projects starved of financial support. 

Initially the aim of the Rector was to raise €3000 through sponsorship. This figure was quickly surpassed on the specific GoFundMe page (Douglas Union with Frankfield 5Km Challenge) and through direct giving.  In the end, 4 times the initial target was raised. The local charities which will benefit are the Cork Simon Community, Pieta House and Cork Penny Dinners. The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal will also receive approximately €4000.

Archdeacon Wilkinson commented:

When I took up this modest challenge and asked others to join me, I had no idea how much support it would receive. I think many people find January a difficult month at the best of times. This year it has been even more of a struggle as we still contend with the pandemic. Several parishioners, who had experienced bereavement, surgery and income loss, told me that it encouraged them to get outdoors and to walk each day. Contributing to charity at the same time was an added incentive for them.’

He concluded:

I am grateful for the active support and generosity of so many in the parish. Whether we are Ireland’s fittest parish is debatable, but I hope those involved will keep up their daily exercise routine, even if it is no longer in aid of good causes.

Posted in Archdeacon, Bishops' Appeal, Charities in the Diocese, Charity Work, Church in Society, Churches in Cork, Clergy, Community Involvement, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Five Marks of Mission | Comments Off on Ireland’s Fittest Parish?

Institution of New Rector for Kinneigh Union of Parishes in West Cork

Posted on February 8, 2021 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Thursday, 4th February, in a short Service broadcast online from Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, the Reverend Ivan Ruiters was instituted as incumbent of the Parish of Kinneigh Union of Parishes, in County Cork.

The new rector was presented for Institution to the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, by the Archdeacon, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson. After the Institution, the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, read the intercessions. The organ was played by Peter Stobart.

In his sermon, referring to some of the readings for ember days, Bishop Colton said that they bring ‘us back to the heart of what ministry, modelled on the way of Jesus, is. And that’s appropriate as tonight we welcome and affirm Ivan in his new ministry here in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and we send him to Kinneigh Union in the name of Jesus.’

The First letter of Saint Peter, the Bishop said, was a pastoral message of support, encouragement and hope – truly relevant to our own times – in which we are encouraged to be ‘level-headed and to stand firm.’

Thursday 4th was not only Mrs Raylene Ruiters’ birthday, it was also Ivan and her wedding anniversary: a day not to be forgotten. They were supported and welcomed by a large congregation who joined in the Service online.

Pictured is the The Reverend Ivan Ruiters, Rector Kinneigh Union of Parishes and his wife Raylene Ruiters following his institution as Rector pf Kinneigh Union of Parishes (Enniskeane and Ballineen Co. Cork).
Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Posted in Appointments, Cathedral, Church Services, Diocese, Institutions and Commissionings, Liturgy | Comments Off on Institution of New Rector for Kinneigh Union of Parishes in West Cork