Cork Parish goes on Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St. Patrick

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

At the end of August, Michael Kenning, a Diocesan Lay Reader in Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, based at Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, led a small group of young men from Carrigrohane and Christ Church, Bray, Co. Wicklow, on a pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Patrick. Michael had been planning to walk the Camino Inglés in Northern Spain, but due to Covid-19, was inspired to walk an Irish alternative route instead!

Nzube Mekah resting in the Mournes.

The group walked the Saint Patrick’s Way in Northern Ireland from Navan Fort (Emain Macha), the ancient capital of Ulster, just outside Armagh City, to Downpatrick, the traditional burial place of Patrick. The 132 km (82 mile) pilgrim trail was developed a few years ago by Alan Graham, a veteran of Alpine and Arctic expeditions. It is designed to take in locations associated with the life and ministry of St. Patrick and to emulate the Camino de Santiago in an Irish setting through the provision of a Passport that pilgrims can get stamped at key locations along the route and keep as a souvenir after wards.

The pilgrimage took seven days to complete and each day the group used a liturgy and bible reading plan together as they walked, to help guide their prayers and provide the walk with a spiritual focus. They also stopped off where possible, to pray in churches, such as Newry Cathedral.

Journey’s end – Alexander Cupples, Tiarnán Healy, Jonathan Stanley & Nzube Mekah at St. Patrick’s grave in Downpatrick

The route takes in a surprising diversity of scenery and history along the way. It begins with the ancient Irish literary associations of The Táin and the Ulster Cycle connected with Emain Macha and the rich spiritual history of Armagh, continues with the industrial heritage of Ulster where the walk follows the 250-year-old Newry Canal,  rises to its highest elevation amongst the rugged beauty of the Mourne Mountains, traverses the estuarine and coastal habitats at Murlough Nature Reserve and Tyrella beach before concluding beside the Cathedral at Downpatrick, where Patrick was buried in A.D. 461. Along the way the group also examined the restored 16th century Bagenal’s Castle at Newry, the Anglo-Norman ruins of Dundrum Castle, the 7,000-year-old stone circle at Ballynoe and even an 18th century neo-gothic hermitage at Tollymore!

Michael commented:

Although I am originally from Co.Down, I learnt many new things about St. Patrick and the heritage of my home area. For me, it was much an interior pilgrimage into my past as it was a physical walk. It was a special privilege to travel with such an impressive group of young men, who taught me so much though their maturity, spiritual insights and perseverance. They were such a joy to spend time with.

Jonathan Stanley from Bray said

I started the St Patrick’s way with a list of decisions I had to make in my life. I hoped that this would be a good opportunity to sort them out with the Lord. Instead, I felt God encouraging me to simply enjoy his company and marvel at his creation as I walked. The Mournes were stunning and beautifully silent but I particularly enjoyed walking along the sea at Murlough Nature Reserve at dusk, listening to the sound of Oystercatchers and the sea. By the end of the walk I still hadn’t made a single decision, but I was pleased that I had “wasted” several days resting and enjoying a companionable silence with God.

The Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Right David McClay, Michael Kenning, Alexander Cupples, Nzube Mekah, Jonathan Stanley & Tiarnán Healy at Saul

The pilgrimage concluded at Saul Parish Church, which is the traditional site of the first church in Ireland that Patrick started in the barn of a local chieftain called Dichu. It was a special privilege to meet both the Rector of Saul, the Very Rev. Henry Hull and the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Right Reverend David McClay, who despite a busy schedule took the time to meet the pilgrims, listen to their personal stories and pray with them. It was a fitting end to a wonderful and personally challenging  pilgrimage.

Jonathan Stanley and Nzube Mekah stamping their Pilgrim Passports in Armagh.

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Two Deacons Ordained in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Sunday 30th August 2020, two people from the United Dioceses of Cork Cloyne and Ross in the Church of Ireland were ordained deacon:  Patrick Gerrard Culleton and Sabrina Ann Cooke.

Due to the restrictions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Ordination Services were held separately; one in Saint Peter’s Church, Bandon in the morning and the other in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork in the afternoon, with strict limits on attendance in line with current regulations.

At the request of the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, who is recovering from surgery following an accident, the Ordination Services were conducted by the Right Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh who, in retirement, now lives in County Cork.  

Pat Culleton was ordained deacon in a Service in St. Peter’s Church, Bandon at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday morning 30th August where all the arrangements were put in place by the rector, the Rev Denis MacCarthy.  The organist was Mr Colin Nicholls and music included organ pieces by Franck, Vierne, and Widor.

Pictured is Patrick Culleton, newly ordained Deacon, at The Ordination of Deacons by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, at the request of Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, at Saint Peter’s Church, Bandon, Co. Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Sabrina Cooke was ordained 3:30 p.m. that afternoon in St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork where the Dean is the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne.  The organist was Mr Robbie Carroll, Assistant Director of Music of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and music included Marcia from Symphony No. 3 by Charles-Marie Widor.

Pictured is Sabrina Cooke, newly ordained Deacon, at The Ordination of Deacons by the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, at the request of Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross, at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

On both occasions the small attendance was, nonetheless, representative not only of the family and friends of the candidates, but also, most importantly, of the parishes in which they will serve, of the Diocese, and of the wider church into whose ministry Pat and Sabrina were being ordained. They were occasions of joy.

In his sermon Bishop Clarke said that a deacon is called to bring the sympathy of God to others, and must be a servant of that sympathy which exists within the pattern of Christ’s ministry.

Both Sabrina and Pat have been serving until now as licensed readers within the Diocese, and Pat has also been working as a local lay minister in pastoral work. 

Following his ordination, the Reverend Pat Culleton said:

What a privilege it is to be ordained in the winter of my life!

Pat (73) was born and raised in Co. Wexford. He served in the Irish Army and worked with Cork County Council until his retirement in 2011. Pat will serve in the Ordained Local Ministry in the Bandon Union of Parishes. 

Pictured are, the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork Cloyne and Ross, the Rev. Anne Skuse (Bishop’s Domestic Chaplain), the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh, the Rev. Denis MacCarthy (Rector of Bandon), the Rev. Bruce Pierce (Bishop’s Examining Chaplain), the Rev. Patrick Culleton, newly ordained Deacon, and John Jermyn, Diocesan Registrar.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Following her ordination, the Reverend Sabrina Cooke said:

I am feeling very grateful being called to ministry and I am looking forward to seeing how God is going to use the gifts he has given me to serve others.

Sabrina (40) who is originally from County Tipperary holds a Professional Certificate in Ministry from the University of Chester, as well as both a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and a Degree in Language and Cultural Studies: German and Philosophy from University College Cork. She spent two years in Germany, Aachen and Bochum, and speaks French and German. She is the mother of two children Alexander, 9 and Helena, 7. Having completed her third year in a Masters of Theology at Trinity College, Dublin, Sabrina is now entering her final year of training for full-time stipendiary ministry and will serve in an internship under the Very Rev. Susan Green, Dean of Cloyne in Cloyne Union of Parishes. 

For further information about Par’s ordination on Sunday morning please contact the Reverend Denis MacCarthy on ( 023) 884 1529

For further information about Sabrina’s ordination on Sunday afternoon please contact the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, on (021) 496 3387

Pictured are, The Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, the Rev. Ted Ardis, the Right Rev. Dr. Richard Clarke, former Archbishop of Armagh, the Rev Anne Skuse (Bishop’s Chaplain), the Very Rev Susan Green (Dean of Cloyne), the Rev. Sabrina Cooke, newly ordained Deacon and John Jermyn, Diocesan Registrar.
Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Posted in Bishop, Cathedral, Church in Society, Church Services, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Deacon, Dean of Cloyne, Dean of Cork, Diocese, Ordination, People from Cork, People from the Diocese | Comments Off on Two Deacons Ordained in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Ordination of Two Deacons in the Church of Ireland in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on August 27, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Sunday next 30th August 2020, two people from the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in the Church of Ireland will be ordained deacon:  Patrick Gerrard Culleton and Sabrina Ann Cooke

Usually ordinations like this happen at one great gala event attended by many hundreds of people from far and near. This year, however, the now familiar CoronaVirus restrictions mean that Pat Culleton will be ordained on his own with a small group of people in attendance in St Peter’s Church, Bandon on Sunday morning, and Sabrina Cooke will be ordained in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork at a similarly small event on Sunday afternoon. 

It should be noted that all of the available seats within the regulatory limit  for both occasions have already been assigned; so it will not be possible, sadly, to welcome or accommodate any more people to either service.

‘These restrictions in no way diminish the significance of the ordination’,  said Bishop Colton:

An ordination like this is for the whole church of God. The work of a deacon may best be described in one word: service – humble service as an ordained person in the life of the Church.

This ministry of service is at the heart of all Christian ministry. As the ordination service itself says “Deacons in the Church of God serve in the name of Christ, and so remind the whole Church that serving others is at the heart of all ministry. Deacons have a special responsibility to ensure that those in need are cared for with compassion and humility.”

Bishop Colton will not be able to preside at the ordinations himself this year, however,  as he is recovering at home from an operation to replace his shoulder last Saturday which was necessary following an accident, a fall, on the summit of Mount Gabriel earlier in the month of August.  At Bishop Colton’s request, the Right Reverend Dr Richard Clarke, now resident in the Diocese in retirement, and former Archbishop of Armagh, will conduct the ordination service.

Both Sabrina and Pat have been serving until now in lay ministry in the Diocese as licensed readers. Pat has also been serving as a local lay minister doing pastoral work. 

Sabrina (40) who is originally from County Tipperary, holds a Professional Certificate in Ministry from the University of Chester, as well as both a Master’s Degree in Philosophy and a Degree in Language and Cultural Studies: German and Philosophy from University College Cork. She spent two years in Germany, Aachen and Bochum, and speaks French and German. She is the mother of two children Alexander, 9 and Helena, 7. 

Sabrina Cooke

Pat (73) was born and raised in Co. Wexford. He served in the Irish Army and worked with Cork County Council until his retirement in 2011. 

Pat Culleton

Following his ordination Pat will serve in the ordained local ministry in the Bandon Union of Parishes.

Sabrina, having completed her third year in a Masters of Theology at Trinity College, Dublin, is now entering her final year of training for full-time stipendiary ministry and will serve in an internship under the Very Rev. Susan Green in Cloyne Union of Parishes. 

In conclusion, you are reminded that there are no further seats available at either of these ordination services on Sunday; all have already been allocated.

The Service in the afternoon at 3.30 p.m. may be viewed on the St Fin |Barre’s Cathedral webcam either HERE or  HERE

For further information about Pat’s ordination on Sunday morning please contact the Reverend Denis MacCarthy on ( 023) 884 1529

For further information about Sabrina’s ordination on Sunday afternoon please contact the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, on (021) 496 3387

Posted in Anglicanism, Announcements, Bishop, Cathedral, Church in Society, Church Services, Churches in Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Ordination, Worship | Comments Off on Ordination of Two Deacons in the Church of Ireland in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Bantry Floods ~ ‘worst in 26 years’ says Church of Ireland Clergyman

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Canon Paul Willoughby, the rector of Bantry, County Cork has said that the floods in the town are the worst he has seen in his 26 years in the parish. Canon Willoughby has been out and about in the local community offering his support,

The images of what seemed like a river flowing down New Street in Bantry have been seen thousands of times in the past 24 hours. A local businessman was working late in his office in Bantry town. He went home at 10pm and everything seemed normal. At midnight he received a phone call to come back into Bantry. The rain was very, very heavy and he eventually arrived at his office with water up to his thighs. Bantry is used to tidal flooding but this was something very different!

This is but one story of the early hours of Tuesday morning, August 25th, when flash flooding from Storm Francis left a trail of devastation in the town of Bantry. Torrential rainwater flowed down from the hills surrounding the town and gathered into a raging torrent as it flowed though houses and shops through the town. Business owners, family members, friends and others from the community worked through the night to try and stave off the flow even as flood water and sewage flowed into their shops and businesses. Bantry Fire Brigade were on hand with their equipment to help. On New Street the road burst open with the pressure of the water.

On Tuesday morning exhausted and frustrated proprietors gathered around to comfort each other as more piles of ruined stock from their shops piled up on the footpaths outside. Some had a lucky escape while other shops were devastated. It was a dreadful sight. In the midst of this a supermarket trolley made its way up the town pushed by Shane Spillane, owner of O’Connors Seafood Restaurant with his staff Amanda, George and Ann. They cooked up a wonderful meal of soup and curry for everyone. It was a wonderful act of goodness and kindness in the heart of all the sadness.

Food and support for those involved in the cleanup in Bantry, County Cork

Canon Paul Willoughby, rector of Bantry, met some of the business owners on Tuesday morning. He said

I have been rector here for 26 years and this is the worst I have ever seen. This is a terrible day for Bantry. The business community are suffering very badly already as result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This flooding had been a very hard blow for all of them. One businessman said he felt like closing up his shop until Christmas. In Bantry are the shops and restaurants are small family-run businesses and rely on the local community to survive. they are wonderful supporters of our parish and community. They will pull through this with all our help and support.

Posted in Church in Society, Churches in Cork, Clergy, Contemporary Issues, Cork, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Diocese, Five Marks of Mission, Floods, West Cork | Comments Off on Bantry Floods ~ ‘worst in 26 years’ says Church of Ireland Clergyman

Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork Signs up for Safety Charter

Posted on August 25, 2020 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Following completion of the required training, implementation of Covid-19 safety measures and an inspection by a Fáilte Ireland assessor, Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork has been deemed fully compliant with the Fáilte Ireland Covid-19 Safety Charter.

Awarding of this accreditation is designed to reassure tourists that there is a high standard of measures and protocols in place when they come to visit an attraction.  A rigorous scheme of sanitisation, signage, social distancing and through-flow of numbers is required, all of which the Cathedral has fulfilled.

Welcoming the successful achievement of registration with the Safety Charter the Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne said:

Having already implemented a very comprehensive list of policies and protocols for reopening for worship back in July, we were well placed to ensure that we were compliant with the terms of this new Charter.  The assessor who visited us on Monday was very impressed with our setup and with the knowledge and attention to detail demonstrated by our staff.  It is great to add this extra layer of reassurance to our visitors that the Cathedral is a very safe place to visit during these difficult and anxious times.

The Cathedral is open to visitors Monday to Saturday 10.00am-1.00pm and 2.00pm-5.30pm with last admission half an hour before each closing time.

 

Posted in Cathedral, Church in Society, Corona Virus, COVID-19, Dean of Cork, Diocese, Tourism | Comments Off on Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork Signs up for Safety Charter