On Sunday, 8th November 2020, with church buildings closed for public worship, an Act of Remembrance took place, as in other years, in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. It was recorded and you are invited to view it here.
As part of the annual Remembrance/All Souls’ weekend, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork will open temporarily on Saturday 7th November, for personal prayer as permitted by current level 5 regulations, to allow members of the public to come in to light a candle in memory of those who have died as a result of Covid-19.
A specially chosen globe-shaped candle stand has been commissioned and manufactured in Sweden which will be the focal point for candle lighting and prayer.
Bishop Paul Colton had originally sourced the stand for use in conjunction with a prayer area being developed in the Cathedral during the period of historic centenary commemorations. However, with the onset of the pandemic, it was decided to bring it into use sooner to meet the more immediate need for Corkonians to remember those who have died from Covid-19 both here and across the world.
Bishop Paul Colton and Bishop Fintan Gavin will dedicate the new candle stand in a private ceremony prior to the Cathedral opening to the public on Saturday morning.
Bishop Colton said,
In these troublesome times people really do need opportunities to remember loved ones and to pray. Being globe-shaped, this candle stand reminds us that this pandemic has not only had a serious impact on us locally, but is a shared experience across the whole world. It also reminds us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
I hope those of all denominations, all faiths and none will find this small window of opportunity to remember and to pray helpful in the midst of grief, anxiety and uncertainty.
The Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne said,
Who would have thought that something planned for marking commemoration of past sufferings would have been so badly needed for present times? Our brief re-opening on Saturday during this important weekend is but a small but important opportunity for people to find somewhere to remember and pray, albeit briefly and in a controlled environment.
The Cathedral will be open on Saturday (7th November) from 11.00am to 1.00pm and from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Entrance will be via the main West Door. Those entering will be asked to wear a mask and sanitise their hands, and will be guided (socially distanced) to the Crossing where they can light their candle and pause briefly for prayer. Exit will be via the North aisle and the Southwest Door.
The last day of this month – 30th November 2020 – will be the 150th anniversary of the Consecration of one of Cork’s, indeed of one of Ireland’s, most iconic buildings: Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Originally a day of celebration was planned for the previous day, Sunday 29th November, with invited guests from the Diocese and the City, as well as national and international representatives. ‘Clearly this is no longer possible’ said the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne. ‘But that will not deter us’, he added.
A whole year of thanksgiving and celebration was mapped out and now the plans have been adapted and, depending on the public health realities, will evolve as the year goes on.
The Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, says that he hopes that Cork people and Irish people will pick up the story of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral:
This isn’t only about celebrating the place the iconic three spires and golden angel have on the landscape of Cork. It is about what the site itself represents and the role the Cathedral has played in the life of people of faith, in Cork generally and on the national stage too.
While the anniversary itself on 30th November will be marked now in a necessary low key way, an adapted programme of events for the year will include:
To coincide with All Saints, All Souls and Remembrance, the Cathedral will be open for personal prayer next Saturday 7th November from 11.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm with an opportunity in particular to light candles in memory of those who have died this year of Covid-19.
Bishop Paul Colton will celebrate the Eucharist in the Cathedral on Sunday 29th November at 11.15am without a congregation but it will be broadcast online on the Cathedral website.
A video launch of the Cathedral Choir’s new CD – Let all the world in every corner sing – will take place.
On the CD is a recording of the winning composition by composer Nicholas O’Neill of a setting in B flat of the canticles for Evensong: Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis. The first live performance has had to be rescheduled.
A limited edition Annie West print celebrating the Cathedral’s consecration will be available to purchase.
Bishop Colton has written and compiled a resource for children and young people to mark the 150th anniversary and this will be available in hard copy as well as online for use in schools (at all levels) and in children’s and youth groups, and for families at home.
Two exhibitions will be mounted of photographs; one of the demolition of the former Cathedral, and another from a family album owned by Bishop Robert Gregg, son of Bishop John Gregg showing the completed new cathedral. The album, discovered by Bishop Paul and Mr Susan Colton, includes a drawing – a doodle sketch – done by the cathedral architect, William Burges, for Bishop Gregg’s grandson, Jack, as a child.
Other planned events, depending on the prevailing public health situation, may be rescheduled.
Further information from:
Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral Office
Library House, Dean Street, Cork, T12 V348
Telephone: 021 496 3387
Email: sfb150th@gmail.com
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork at the time of the Consecration on30th November 1870
Each year in the Spring, Cork, Cloyne and Ross Mothers’ Union members from around Cork City and County meet for a celebratory Festival Service. It is always a special occasion when members enjoy fellowship and meeting up with friends. This year’s service, however, which was to include the commissioning of our new trustees, had to be postponed. As time passed and it became obvious that it couldn’t go ahead at a later date, the trustees made plans to meet up at the wonderful new Carraig Centre in Ballincollig to record our Festival Service. Everything was thought through, the Service was prepared, the Reverend Robert Ferris was set to record, everybody knew what their role was – and then the Level 3 restrictions arrived.
What to do? Of course, what else but rise to the challenge and try recording the service.
So the trustees met on Zoom and celebrated the 2020 theme of ‘Building Hope and Confidence’. Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson joined us as Bishop’s Commissary, along with the Rev Isobel Jackson, who is our Mothers’ Union Diocesan Chaplain.
Our chaplain lead the worship and the Archdeacon commissioned the trustees and also shared some thoughts on the theme.
The four new trustees, Marjorie Garland, Veronica Deane, the Rev. Eileen Cremin and Deirdre Whitley read the readings and the prayers; Heather Fleming and Joyce Buttimer read the lyrics of two hymns with the melody playing in the background. Lucinda McDonald and Oliver recorded the Mothers’ Union prayer at home and were able to be part of the worship.
There were some technical challenges, but the video has turned out well and Mothers’ Union in Cork, Cloyne and Ross trustees are delighted that it is now live on our Facebook page and on the Diocesan YouTube channel.
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh and his wife Stephanie, Lady Mayoress of Cork, warmly welcomed a small representative group from the Cork Three Faiths Forum recently in his chambers in City Hall.
Canon Elaine Murray (right) with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Joe Kavanagh and the Lady Mayoress, Stephanie Kavanagh.
The occasion was the launch of the Group’s new interfaith leaflet The Pocket Facts Guide for Jewish, Christian & Muslim People.
Dr Amanullah DeSondy (left) with the Lord Mayor of Cork
The group received by the Lord Mayor consisted of Sr Kathleen McGarvey OLA, Dr Amanullah DeSondy who is Head of the Study of Religions Department at UCC., David Coon, and Canon Elaine Murray.
Copies of the leaflet are available by emailing HERE
Left to right: Dr Amanullah DeSondy, David Coon, Lady Mayoress Stephanie Kavanagh, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Joe Kavanagh, Canon Elaine Murray, and Sr Kathleen McGarvey OLA in the Lord Mayor’s parlour at Cork City Hall.
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