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

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Holy Week, or ‘The Great Week’ as early Christians called, starts tomorrow, Sunday, 25th March, with Palm Sunday.  Holy Week (the last week of Lent) is the week before Easter and Easter Week (1st to 7th April).  It runs from 25th March to 31st March and as well as special Services in most parishes for Palm Sunday (which recalls the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem), Monday in Holy Week, Tuesday in Holy Week, Wednesday in Holy Week, the particular focus is on the three days known as the Triduum (three days) which recall the passion or suffering of Jesus, his death, burial and, finally his resurrection.  Those three days are Maundy or Holy Thursday (29th March this year), Good Friday (30th March), and Easter Eve (31st March).  In 2018 Easter Day is on Sunday 1st April.

In common with the Church everywhere, there are special Services throughout the week ahead in every parish in the Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross: every time and every place offers you an invitation to join us, whoever you are.  You will be made welcome.

Here are the details of what is happening in each parish in Holy Week and Easter:

Abbeystrewry Union

Palm Sunday

8.30am    Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church
10.15am   Liturgy of the Palms and Eucharist in St Mary’s, Caheragh
11.30am   Liturgy of the Palms and Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church

Maundy Thursday

10.00am   Morning Prayer in Abbeystrewry Church
8.00pm    Eucharist in St Mary’s, Caheragh

Good Friday

10.00am   Morning Prayer in Abbeystrewry Church
12.00pm   Proclamation of the Cross in Abbeystrewry Church

Easter Eve

8.00pm     Easter Vigil and Eucharist in St Barrahane’s, Castletownshend

Easter Day

9.00am     Eucharist in St Barrahane’s, Castletownshend
10.15am   Eucharist in St Mary’s, Caheragh
11.30am   Eucharist in Abbeystrewry Church (followed by Easter Egg Hunt)

Ballydehob Union

Palm Sunday

10.00am   Morning Prayer in St Matthew’s, Aughadown
11.30am   Holy Communion in St Matthias, Ballydehob

Easter Sunday

10.00am   Holy Communion in St Matthew’s, Aughadown
11.30am   Holy Communion in St Matthias, Ballydehob

Bandon Union

Wednesday 28th March

7.30pm       Final Night of Lent Programme in St Peter’s, Bandon

Maundy Thursday

10.00am     Eucharist in Holy Trinity Church, Rathclaren

Good Friday

12.00pm     Stations of the Cross in Innishannon
12.00pm     Stations of the Cross in St Peter’s, Bandon
8.00pm      The Crucifixion by Stainer, A Musical Devotion for Good Friday
Sung by Bandon Union Choir, Soloists Robert Craig and Gordon Garde
Organist Ian Sexton, Musical Director Colin Nicholls
Entrance is free, all welcome.

Holy Saturday

8.00pm       Easter Vigil in St. Peter’s Church, Bandon

Easter Sunday

9.00am        Eucharist in Ballinadee
10.00am      Eucharist in Rathclaren
10.30am      Eucharist in Brinny
11.30am       Eucharist in Bandon
11.45am       Eucharist in Innishannon

Carrigaline Union

Palm Sunday

9.30am         Palm and Passion Liturgy in St John’s, Monkstown
11.00am       Palm Procession through the Estuary Estate, Palm Liturgy in the Rectory                                 Grounds and Passion Liturgy in St Mary’s, Carrigaline

Monday 26th March

10.30am       Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Carrigaline
7.30pm         Joining with Douglas Congregation to hear Bishop David Chillingworth speak                         in St Luke’s, Douglas

Tuesday 27th March

10.30am       Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Carrigaline
7.30pm         Joining with Douglas Congregation to hear Bishop David Chillingworth speak                         in St Luke’s, Douglas

Wednesday 28th March

10.30am         Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Carrigaline
7.30pm           Joining with Douglas Congregation to hear Bishop David Chillingworth                                   speak in St Luke’s, Douglas

Maundy Thursday

7.00pm           Seder Meal in the Parish Hall followed by Holy Communion

Good Friday

10.30am         Morning Prayer with Litany in St John’s, Monkstown
12.00pm         Ecumenical Walking the Stations of the Cross in Carrigaline
7.30pm           Evening Prayer with Litany in St Mary’s, Carrigaline

Easter Saturday

9.00pm           Easter Vigil Service in St Mary’s, Carrigaline

Easter Day

6.15am            Dawn Service, meet at St John’s, Monkstown, walk to the Sea Wall for an                                 Ecumenical Service followed by breakfast in the Gill Room
9.30am           Easter Eucharist in St John’s, Monkstown
11.00am         Easter Eucharist in St Mary’s, Carrigaline

Carrigrohane Union

Palm Sunday

9.30am              Holy Communion in St Peter’s, Carrigrohane
10.30am            Coffee in the Parish Centre, Carrigrohane
11.00am            Sunday AM with Adventurers in the Parish Centre, Carrigrohane
11.00am            A Service of the Word for Palm Sunday, St Senan’s, Inniscarra
11.00am            Holy Communion, The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney

Wednesday 28th March

8.00pm            A Service for Holy Week in St Senan’s, Inniscarra

Maundy Thursday

7.00pm            Agape Meal in the Parish Centre, Carrigrohane
8.15pm             Service in St Peter’s, Carrigrohane

Good Friday

12.00pm           Stations of the Cross in Ballincollig

8.00pm             A Tenebrae Service in The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney

Easter Day

9.30am             Holy Communion, St Peter’s, Carrigrohane
11.00am           Easter Praise at Sunday AM in the Parish Centre
11.00am           Holy Communion, St Senan’s, Inniscarra
11.00am           Holy Communion, The Church of the Resurrection, Blarney

Cloyne Union

Palm Sunday

7.30pm             Service of Tenebrae in Cloyne Cathedral

Good Friday

7.30 p.m.        Saint Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne Good Friday Service including a                                             dramatized Reading of the Passion by Players from St Mary’s Carrigaline

Easter Eve

8.30pm             Easter Vigil Service in St John the Baptist’s, Midleton

Easter Day

8.00am             Holy Communion in Corkbeg
9.15am              Holy Communion in East Ferry
10.30am           Holy Communion in St John the Baptist’s, Midleton
12.00pm           Holy Communion in Cloyne Cathedral

Cobh and Glanmire Union

Palm Sunday

10am,             Mattins with Blessing of Palms, Christ Church, Rushbrooke
11.30am         Eucharist with Blessing of Palms, St Mary & All Saints’, Glanmire

Maundy Thursday

8pm              Eucharist, Christ Church, Rushbrooke

 Good Friday

12 noon        All Age Service of the Word, St Mary & All Saints’, Glanmire
3pm              The Liturgy for Good Friday (Ante-Communion & Litany), Christ                                              Church,Rushbrooke
5pm              The Way of the Cross (An ecumenical service, incorporating the Stations of                              the  Cross, walking from St Joseph’s, Glanmire to St Mary & All Saints’)

Easter Day

10am                 Eucharist, Christ Church, Rushbrooke
11.30am            Eucharist, St Mary & All Saints’, Glanmire

Douglas Union with Frankfield

Palm Sunday

8.30am             Holy Communion in Blackrock
10.00am           Holy Communion in Frankfield
11.15am             Holy Communion in Douglas

Monday 26th March

7.30pm             Evening Service with the Rt Rev David Chillingworth in Douglas

Tuesday 27th March

7.30pm             Evening Service with the Rt Rev David Chillingworth in Douglas

Wednesday 28th March

11.00am           Holy Communion in Douglas
7.30pm             Evening Service with the Rt Rev David Chillingworth in Douglas

Maundy Thursday

7.30pm             Evening Service with the Rt Rev David Chillingworth in Douglas

Good Friday

12.00pm           ‘By the Cross’ in Blackrock
2.00pm             ‘By the Cross’ in Frankfield
7.30pm             Evening Service with the Rt Rev David Chillingworth in Douglas

Easter Day

7.00am             ‘Douglas Churches Together’ Ecumenical Celebration of the Resurrection                                 in the Bible Garden at Ardfallen Methodist Church
8.30am             Holy Communion in St Michael’s, Blackrock
9.45am             Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Passage
10.00am          Holy Communion in Holy Trinity, Frankfield
11.15am            Holy Communion in St Luke’s, Douglas
11.30am           Holy Communion in St Michael’s, Blackrock

Fanlobbus Union

Wednesday 28th March

8.00pm               St. Matthew’s in Drimoleague.

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm               Holy Communion in Christ Church, Drinagh.

Good Friday

8.00pm               Coolkelure.

Easter Eve

11.00pm               Easter Vigil in St Edmund’s, Coolkelure

Easter Day

9.45am                Holy Communion in Christ Church, Drinagh
11.00am              Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Dunmanway
12.15pm              Holy Communion in St Matthew’s, Drimoleague

Fermoy Union

Good Friday

8.00pm                 St Luke’s, Knockmourne

Easter Day

9.45am                Holy Communion in Christ Church, Fermoy
9.45am                Holy Communion in Christ Church, Ballyhooly
11.15am               Holy Communion in St Luke’s, Knockmourne
11.15am               Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Glenville

Kilgarriffe Union

Palm Sunday

9.00am                  Morning Prayer in Timoleague
10.00am                Family Service and Holy Communion in Kilmalooda
11.15am                  Palm Sunday procession from the Parochial Hall to Kilgarriffe Church
7.30pm                  Inter-church procession beginning in Kennedy Garden, Emmet Square,                                    touring to the Methodist Church, the Church of the Immaculate                                                  Conception and Kilgarriffe Church.

Wednesday 28th March

8.30pm                 Holy Week Service – Praise and Awe

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                 Church of the Ascension, Timoleague

Good Friday

8.30pm                 An act of remembrance – Around the Cross of Jesus in Kilgarriffe Church

Easter Eve

11.00am               Morning Prayer in the Church of the Immaculate Conception
8.30pm                Easter Vigil at Kilmalooda

Easter Day

10.00am             Holy Communion in Timoleague
11.30am              Holy Communion in Kilgarriffe

Kilmocomogue Union

Palm Sunday

8.15am                   Holy Communion in St Brendan’s, Bantry
10.00am                Holy Communion in St Brendan’s, Bantry

Wednesday 28th March

11.30am                   A Celebration of Wholeness and Healing in St Brendan’s, Bantry

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                   Liturgy of Holy Thursday in St James, Durrus

Good Friday  

12 noon – 1.00pm   The Holy Hour in St James, Durrus

Easter Day

8.15am                     Holy Communion in St Brendan’s, Bantry
10.00am                  Holy Communion in St Brendan’s, Bantry
11.45am                   Holy Communion in St James, Durrus

Kilmoe Union

Palm Sunday

10.00am                  Holy Communion in Schull
11.30am                   Holy Communion in Altar

Good Friday

10.30am                   Service for Good Friday in Schull

Easter Day

10.00am                  Holy Communion in Schull
11.30am                   Holy Communion in Altar\

Kinneigh Union

Palm Sunday

10.00am                  Eucharist and Liturgy of the Palms in Kilmeen
11.30am                   Eucharist and Liturgy of the Palms in Kinneigh

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                    Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar in Kinneigh

Good Friday

8.00pm                     Proclamation of the Cross in Farranthomas

Easter Day

8.30am                     Easter Eucharist in Farranthomas
10.00am                   Easter Eucharist in Kinneigh
11.30am                    Easter Eucharist in Kilmeen

Kinsale Union

Palm Sunday

8.30am                     Holy Communion in Kinsale
10.00am                   Morning Prayer in Templetrine
11.30am                    Holy Communion and Sunday School in Kinsale

Monday 26th March
7.00pm                     Evening Prayer in Ballymartle

Tuesday 27th March

7.00pm                     Evening Prayer in Templetrine

Wednesday 28th March

12.00pm                   Holy Communion in Kinsale

Maundy Thursday

7.00pm                     Holy Communion in Ballymartle

Good Friday

3.00pm                     Reflection of the Cross in Kinsale

Easter Day

8.30am                    Holy Communion in Kinsale
10.00am                  Holy Communion in Templetrine
10.00am                  Morning Prayer in Ballymartle
11.30am                   Parish Family Eucharist in Kinsale

Mallow Union

Wednesday 28th March

11.00am                   Lent Service in Mallow

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                        Castletownroche

Good Friday

8.00pm                       Good Friday Service in Mallow

Easter Eve

9.00pm                       Easter Vigil in Castletownroche

Easter Day

10.00am                     Doneraile

11.45am                      Mallow

Moviddy Union

Palm Sunday

9.45am                          Holy Communion in St Martin’s, Templemartin
11.30am                        Holy Communion in St Mark’s, Kilbonane

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                         Holy Communion in St Andrew’s, Kilmurry

Good Friday

8.00pm                         St Mark’s, Kilbonane

Easter Day

9.45am                         Holy Communion in St Mark’s, Kilbonane
11.30am                       Holy Communion in St Andrew’s, Kilmurry

Ross Union

Wednesday 28th March

8.30pm                         Compline in Ross Cathedral

Maundy Thursday

12.00 pm                       Diocesan Chrism Eucharist in Ross Cathedral
8.00 pm                         Holy Communion in Leap

Good Friday

12.00 pm                       Good Friday Service in Castleventry
6.00 pm                        Ecumenical Service and walk of witness in Union Hall
8.30 pm                        Good Friday Service in Ross Cathedral

Easter Day

6.30am                         Sun Up. Warren Beach
8.00 am                       Ross Cathedral
9.00am                        Union Hall
10.00am                      Leap
10.15 am                      Castleventry
11.30 am                      Ross Cathedral

St Anne’s Union (Shandon)

Wednesday 28th March

7.30pm                         A Service for Holy Week

Maundy Thursday

7.30pm                         Holy Communion

Good Friday

2.00pm                         A Reading of the Passion

Easter Day

10.15am                      Holy Communion

St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Palm Sunday

8.00am                       The Eucharist (said in the Dean’s Chapel)
11.15am                       Blessing of the Palms, Procession and Choral Eucharist
3.30pm                       Choral Evensong

Monday 26th March

10.00am                      Morning Prayer
12.00pm                      The Eucharist and Meditation
5.15pm                         Evening Prayer

Tuesday 27th March

10.00am                      Morning Prayer
12.00pm                      The Eucharist and Meditation
5.15pm                         Evening Prayer

Wednesday 28th March

10.00am                      Morning Prayer
12.00pm                     The Eucharist and Meditation
5.15pm                        Evening Prayer

Maundy Thursday

10.00am                       Morning Prayer
12.00pm                       Midday Prayers
5.15pm                         Evening Prayer
8.00pm                        Choral Eucharist, Address, Stripping of the Altars & the Watch                                                   (Preacher – The Dean’s Vicar)

Good Friday

10.00am                       Morning Prayer and Litany (said)
12.00pm                       Sung Passion Gospel, Solemn Proclamation of the Cross and                                                       Address (Preacher – The Dean)
5.15pm                         Evening Prayer
8.00pm                       Liturgical Performance of St Mark Passion by Charles Wood
Sung by the Cathedral Choir

Easter Eve

8.00pm                         The Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter
(Preacher – The Dean’s Vicar)

Easter Day

8.00am                         The Eucharist (said)
11.15am                         Festival Choral Eucharist
(Celebrant and Preacher – The Bishop)

3.30pm                        Festival Choral Evensong

Templebreedy Group

Tuesday 27th March

8.00pm                         Nohoval Parish Church

Wednesday 28th March

8.00pm                         Holy Trinity Church, Crosshaven

Maundy Thursday

8.00pm                         Nohoval Parish Church

Good Friday

3.00pm                         ‘Way of the Cross’ Nohoval Parish Church and St Patrick’s Church,                                              Nohoval

Easter Day

7.00am                        Sunrise Service on Fountainstown Beach
10.00am                      Holy Communion in Nohoval
11.30am                       Holy Communion in Holy Trinity, Crosshaven

Processional Cross in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. (Artist: Patrick Pye, 1929 ~ 2018)

Posted in Announcements, Church Services, Diocese, Easter, Good Friday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Parish News, Spirituality | Comments Off on Services in Holy Week and Easter in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Special Guest John Creedon Addresses Lent Breakfast in Cork Parish

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

It was a full house at 9 am, as over 90 men gathered at Bull McCabe’s Bar and Restaurant on Airport Hill two Saturdays ago, on Saturday 10 March, for the annual Lent Men’s Breakfast in the Cork parishes of Douglas Union with Frankfield.

John Creedon speaks at the annual Men’s Breakfast in Lent in Douglas Union with Frankfield.

The guest speaker this year was the well known RTE broadcaster, John Creedon. One of twelve children, in a series of anecdotes, John reflected warmly and at times humorously, on the nature of his relationship with his late father, whose participation in the annual pilgrimage to Lough Derg was central to his faith. Drawing on his own fluency in Irish, John touched on some of the place names from his father’s native West Cork and of how he learned from him the importance of a sense of place and the concept of pilgrimage.

Some of those who joined the Men’s Breakfast at The Bull McCabe’s, Cork

Some of those who joined the Men’s Breakfast at The Bull McCabe’s, Cork

This annual event in the parish calendar, provides all those who come with an opportunity to meet together, enjoy a good breakfast and conversation, as well as a chance to reflect on life and faith.

John Creedon got to have breakfast too, with Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson.

Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, the rector of the parish said:

We thank John Creedon for being our speaker this year and, in his own unique style, giving us so much to think about. We are also very grateful to Derek Dunne, Howard Dunne and their staff at Bull McCabes for the excellent food and warm hospitality.

At the breakfast (l-r) Derek Dunne (Bull McCabe’s), John Creedon, and Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson.

Posted in Community Involvement, Cork, Fresh Expressions, Lent, Parish News, Social Events, Special Events | Comments Off on Special Guest John Creedon Addresses Lent Breakfast in Cork Parish

An Chomaoineach Naofa i Naomh Mhuire Carraig Uí Laighin

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Ar oíche an 16ú La de Márta –an oíche roimh Lá Le Pádraigh –bhí ceiliúradh dhá theangach den Chomaoineach Naofa i Naomh Mhuire Carraig Uí Laighin le cléir agus tuatha ón Deoise.

Cléir a bhí pairteach sa seirbhís ó clé: Paul Arbuthnot : An Cóbh agus Glann Maghair; David Bowles : Dúbhglas; Elaine Murray, Carraig Ui Laighin;
Peter Rutherford, Ceann tSáile; Hazel Minion, Dúbhglas, a ceiliúradh an Chomaoineach Naofa; Kingsley Sutton, Cill Gharbh; Tony Murphy: Cluain Uamha; Cléir eile nach bhfuil sa phictiúr – an tUrramach Cliff Jeffers (Fanlobbus) agus an tUrramach Wesley Campbell ón Eagalis Meitidisteach
Clergy who took part in the Service (from left) Paul Arbuthnot, Cobh and Glanmire: David Bowles, Douglas: Elaine Murray, Carrigaline: Peter Rutherford, Kinsale; Hazel Minion, Douglas who was Celebrant; Kingsley Sutton, Kilgariffe: Tony Murphy, Cloyne. The service was also attended by the Rev Cliff Jeffers (Fanlobbus) and the Rev Wesley Campbell, Methodist Church

Thug an tSiúr Kathleen McGarvey an óraid I dtaobh caidreamh idir Moslamaigh agus Críostaí san Afraic ina raibh sí ag obair agus ceachtanna le foghlaim againn fein in Éirinn.

Kathleen McGarvey a thug an óraid
Kathleen McGarvey who delivered the address

On the Night of 16th March-the Eve of St Patricks Day –a bi lingual celebration of Holy  Communion took place in St Mary’s Carrigaline attended by Clergy and laity from the Diocese of Cork.

Léitheoir ón scrioptúr : Susan Colton.
Reader from scripture: Susan Colton

Sr Kathleen McGarvey delivered the address on the topic of Christian Muslim relations based on her experience in Africa and lessons we can learn in Ireland.

Paidreacha idirghuí:
Nora Njoku (Colaiste Stiofáin Naofa ); Alice Woodworth (Scoil Chuimsitheach Ashton) ; Ruth Deane (Coláiste Mhainistir na Corann)
Intercessory Prayers :
Nora Njoku (Colaiste Stiofáin Naofa), Alice Woodworth (Ashton Comprehensive School) Ruth Deane (Midleton College)

Posted in Church Services, Irish Language, Irish Language Services, Parish News, Saint Patrick's Day, Saints Days | Comments Off on An Chomaoineach Naofa i Naomh Mhuire Carraig Uí Laighin

Photos of the Civic Service and Reception on Saint Patrick’s Day at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Every year the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton and Mrs Susan Colton, invite nearly 400 representatives of civic and community life in Cork City and County to their home to celebrate St Patrick’s Day following the Civic Service and Festival Eucharist of Saint Patrick’s Day in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.  Bishop Colton comments:

This tradition has been going on for decades and, many years ago when it started, it was, in many ways, ground-breaking ecumenism.  It is a lot of hard work for Susan and her friends who do all the hard work supported by the scouts of 2nd Cork, St Fin Barre’s, Scout Group who oversee the parking and do the washing up.  Being a holiday time, not everyone is able to accept our invitation, but there is always a very strong and full representation of life in our nation ,as well as in our City and County.

Mrs Susan Colton (left) with some of her many volunteers on St Patrick’s Day

The attendance is led by Cork’s first citizen, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald and the Lady Mayoress, Georgina Fitzgerald, accompanied by the CEO of the City Council, Ann Doherty.  They were joined by Councillors,  former Lords Mayor of Cork, and representatives of City Council management and staff.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, the Lady Mayoress, Georgina Fitzgerald, CEO of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, and City Councillors with Bishop Paul Colton outside St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork following the St Patrick’s Day Civic Service. (Photograph: David Barry)

Often Government ministers from Cork are present but, this year, many were travelling, as was the leader of the opposition, Micheál Martin, T.D.  Deputy Margaret Murphy-O’Mahony (Cork South West) was present, as were Senator Jerry Buttimer (Leader of Seanad Éireann) and Senator Colm Burke.

At the Saint Patrick’s Day Civic Service were (l-r) Brigadier General Patrick Flynn, Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin, Commodore Mick Malone.

The Defence Forces were represented by Brigadier General Patrick Flynn, the Naval Service by Commodore Mick Malone, and An Garda Síochána by Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin.  From the world of education the following were present: the President of the Cork Institute of Technology, Dr Barry O’Connor, Mr Ted Owens, CEO of the Cork Education and Training Board,   Mr Roger Flack, Chairperson of the Board of Saint Luke’s National School, Douglas. Among the consular corps present were Sir Freddie Pedersen (Honorary Consul of Denmark) and Ms Cathy Goode (Vice-Consul of Spain).  Mr Michael Mulcahy, Consul Emeritus of Poland was present, representing Cork Civic Trust.

Mr Philip Gillivan, President, represented the Cork Business Association, and representatives of other Cork businesses were also present: Helen Arnopp of AIB, Claire Nash of Nash19, Manus O’Callaghan of Southern Advertising, Finbarr O’Shea of The Flying Enterprise, Robin O’Sullivan and Ann-Marie O’Sullivan of AM O’Sullivan PR. Among healthcare partners in the Diocese represented were The Mercy Hospital (Ms Sandra Daly).

Members of the Chapter of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in attendance were joined by representatives of other churches included the Very Reverend Christopher Fitzgerald (Ecumenical Officer, Diocese of Cork and Ross), Father Gerard Dunne, O.P. (Chaplain of University College Cork).  Also present was Denise Gabuzda from the Society of Friends.

Young people from S.H.A.R.E. with Bishop Paul Colton

Among the youth organisations represented were: Irish Girl Guides and the Scout Association.  In addition to a group of young people from S.H.A.R.E., community groups and charities represented were: the Cork Federation of Women’s Organisations (Clare Poole), the Irish Heart Foundation (Paddy O’Brien), the Lapp’s Charity, the Mercy Hospital Foundation (Julie Harris), Saint Aloysius’ Past Pupils Union (Carmel Desmond), Saint Stephens’ Protestant Orphan Society, and the St John’s Ambulance Brigade.  The new Director of the Cork Gay Project, Pádraig Rice also attended, as did Ms Mary Crilly from the Cork Sexual Violence Centre.

Mr Trevor Dunne, President of the Incorporated Church of Ireland Cork Young Men’s Association, represented Garryduff Sports Centre.  Also from the world of sport was Mr Diamaid O’Donovan of Cumman Lúthchleas Gael. From the world of performing arts, in attendance was Catherine-Mahon Buckley of CADA Performing Arts. Media representatives included Mr Vincent O’Donovan (Carrigdhoun)

Representing the the Diocese were: the Diocesan Secretary (Mr Billy Skuse), the Assistant Secretary (Ms Susan Perrott), the Diocesan Solicitor (Ms Carol Jermyn), the Diocesan Architect (Mr Bill Brady), and the Warden of Lapp’s Court (Mr Paul Smyth). Every year some lay volunteers within the parishes of the Diocese are also invited.

Bishop Colton’s sermon on the occasion may be read HERE.

On hand to take photographs were Diocesan Media Officer, Sam Wynn and scouter David Barry. Here are some of the photos taken by Diocesan Media Officer, Sam Wynn:

Here are some of the photos taken by David Barry:

 

 

 

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Bishop Paul Colton’s Address on Saint Patrick’s Day 2018 in Cork

Posted on March 17, 2018 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Sermon preached by the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton,

Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

in the Cathedral Church of Saint Fin Barre, Cork

on Saint Patrick’s Day, 2018

‘We are fools for Christ …’ (1 Corinthians 4.10)

The last time I stood in this pulpit was at the end of last week to preach at the marriage of my godson David (once head chorister in this Cathedral) to his beautiful bride, Sadhbh.  In the Church of Ireland Marriage Service, one of the prayers said uses these words: ‘May their life together be a witness to your love in this troubled world, may unity overcome division, forgiveness heal injury, and joy triumph over sorrow …’  This, of course, is the calling of all Christians; to be witnesses to Christ’s love in the world.  Saint Paul called it ‘the ministry of reconciliation’ – ‘reconciliation’, from the Latin ‘to bring back together.’

On these Saint Patrick’s Days in recent years, which correspond to significant centenaries in our history, I have taken, each year, since 2014, a human starting point, personal or local, as a springboard to our reflection about ourselves in contemporary Ireland: the First World War,  the Easter Rising, and the Somme. In the year since we last gathered here to mark our national Saint on our national day, 100 years ago, my own grandmother would have received the news during the winter past that her husband of less than one year had been killed in action.

The week ahead, one hundred years ago, saw the start of the so-called Spring-Offensive.  Germany realised it had to try to get the war all sewn up before the full might and resources of the USA were deployed.  In four days time in 1918, the focus would once again be on the Somme and Flanders. By 23rd March there would be massive losses and, effectively, the 16th Irish and the 36th Ulster Divisions will have collapsed. In April 1918 plans to introduce conscription would result in a popular and a political backlash. That May, the first instance of the Spanish flu would be recorded in Ireland; the flu – ‘no respecter of religious sensitivities’ as historian Ian d’Alton puts it,  or differences of any kind for that matter.  He points out that more than 800,000 would catch the virus, that 23,000 in Ireland would die. 23,000 and 35,000 in the First World War.

And the war would be over, sort of, by November.  I say, ‘sort of’, because countless homes and communities would live forever with the fallout; people like my own grandmother who silently carried the loss until her death when I was 5 in 1965, and whose second husband, as I myself witnessed, put on the special boots every day to accommodate his war time wounds, until his death in 1971.  From you to me to them: that’s just one degree of the so called degrees of separation, through me, to the grief and wounded of that war 100 years ago.

That human connection is repeated in a myriad of ways here in Ireland and throughout the world.  

In the coming week, in the first 3 days of that Spring Offensive, from this Diocese alone, 11 young men would be killed in action; names which would eventually be included on that memorial there; ranging in age from 19 years to 36. Seven of them died on one day – 21st March:  Arthur Anderson (Church Street, Dunmanway), Charles Bateman (Upton), Fenton Cummins (Glanmire), Charles Lowrey (Mitchelstown), Fred Oakley (31 Thomas Davis, Street), Victor Perrott (Bandon), and George Skuse (Skibbereen). And on the following days of that one week these: William Butler (Gardiner’s Hill),  Henry Eason (Shandon), William Crosbie (Cork City), and William Henry Madden, son of the Dean of this Cathedral, Dr Samuel Owen Madden, who was married to Bishop John Gregg’s daughter, Charlotte.

By the time we meet here again next year, there will have been the General Election in December.  Women will have voted for the first time. Dáil Éireann will meet for the first time on 21st January 1919. All of those move our commemorations on to a new phase.

What is the role of the Church, of Christians, in all these commemorations?  In our ‘life together [we are to] be a witness to [Christ’s] love in this troubled world, may unity overcome division, forgiveness heal injury, and joy triumph over sorrow  …’ Fergal Keane, whose mother taught me English in Ashton School (my claim to fame), calls his very personal book about this period: ‘Wounds’. In the years ahead we will undoubtedly give thanks for the birth and emergence of our nation, but we also do well to realise that there are indeed still ‘wounds’ to be tended to and healed.  We also need to be vigilant about entirely new wounds of division which may be emerging as a product of our own times.

When I spoke last August in Dunmanway about some of these things at the opening of the new Sam Maguire Community Bells, the reactions themselves bear this out.  There was a whole spectrum of responses: positive and negative, encouraging and abusive, fearful and confident, engaging and intelligent, and sadly, a few ignorant and sectarian.  

One man said: ‘I admire your courage talking about those things here in Dunmanway.’  Another said, ‘You’re some fool.’ Perhaps, but as Saint Paul said ‘we are fools for Christ…’  And when it comes to what he also called ‘the ministry of reconciliation’, we have to use our imagination and to take risks, risks of engaging with one another  – sharing our stories and our histories, meeting for dialogue, and discovering the common ground in our humanity.

I found that, in doing all those things in our 1916 commemorations, I met all sorts of people and heard their stories in a way that was enriching and transformative.  For that reason I began to work on a project that I am announcing here publicly today for the first time, and I ask you to join us, in this Diocese, in partnership in it.  I took advice across a spectrum of backgrounds and disciplines. I tabled it as a draft at our Diocesan Council last September. It recognises that Cork figures prominently on the national stage in the centenary years that are to come; that Cork, in many ways, was one of the most violent places in those years.  I am glad to say that nationally, the Church of Ireland, through what we call our Church of Ireland Priorities’ Fund, has recognised this too and, earlier this week, agreed in large measure to co-fund this initiative which I am calling the Cork, Cloyne and Ross Commemorations and Reconciliation Project. It will have two distinct phases, corresponding first to the commemorations of the War of Independence, and then of the Civil War.  In announcing it here today, I want to signal that I will be engaging with many of you from many different perspectives about it in coming weeks to ask for your input and partnership. I hope that in the Civil War commemorations we might initiate a walk of witness to our diversity and our togetherness, all over this city and county – perhaps all over this country – a walk where we walk with, and talk, and perhaps even hold hands with, people so different from ourselves that now, we could not ever imagine holding hands with.  But by then we might!

The point of it all, to use the words of Pope John XXIII when announcing the 2nd Vatican Council, is this:

‘… We will not try to find out who was wrong,

we will not try to find out who was right,

we will only say:

Be reconciled…’

To us is entrusted, says Saint Paul, ‘the ministry of reconciliation’ (2 Cor. 5.18)  This is not only backward looking to the commemorations it involves engaging with differences here and now in our time.

This could be a potent adventure.  As one of those two recent Cork icons, not Jock, but Conor  of The Young Offenders  said: ‘There are two things you need for an adventure, a treasure map and someone dumb enough to go with you.’  

In announcing this today and calling for people from many backgrounds to partner us in this initiative for the centenaries ahead, I hope I have begun to lay out a map.  The possible treasure – reconciliation – is great.  Now all I need is someone – many – to go with me. Some might think it dumb or foolish, but there again, as Saint Paul says, we are to be ‘fools for Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 4.10).  The Christian tradition of being ‘fools for Christ’ is all about challenging in society what ordinarily would not be challenged, in order to imitate the way of Christ. That is the sort of imagination and creative foolishness we need, so that, like David my godson and Sadhbh, our ‘life together [may] be a witness to [God’s] love in this troubled world.’

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Tony Fitzgerald, the Lady Mayoress, Georgina Fitzgerald, CEO of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, and City Councillors with Bishop Paul Colton outside St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork following the St Patrick’s Day Civic Service. (Photograph: David Barry)

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