Funeral in Cork of Long Serving Church of Ireland Diocesan Lay Reader

A Requiem Eucharist and Thanksgiving for the life of Herbert Calvert was held yesterday, 9th November 2016, in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.  Herbert, who died in the care of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork on Wednesday, 2nd November, served the Church of Ireland faithfully as a Diocesan Lay Reader since he was first licensed in the Diocese of Elphin on 2nd September 1962.

The late Herbert Calvert pictured here with his daughter, Felicity, earlier this year.

The late Herbert Calvert pictured here with his daughter, Felicity, earlier this year.

The family moved to Cork in 1970 and Herbert continued as a Diocesan Lay Reader ever since in Cork, Cloyne and Ross and was affectionately regarded by his Lay Reader colleagues as the ‘senior lay reader’ in the Diocese.  He must surely have been one of the longest serving Diocesan Readers in the Church of Ireland.

Warm tributes were paid to Herbert’s life of service in scouting, in the wider community and within the Church of Ireland.  The Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, presided at the Requiem assisted by the Reverend Edwin Hunter, and the sermon was preached by the Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne.  Also taking part were the Reverend Ted Ardis, Canon Ian Jonas from Carrigrohane Union of Parishes, and a representative group of Lay Readers from the Diocese.

Bishop Colton said:

As a Diocese we remember Herbert with affection and give thanks for his 54 years of ministry in the Church of Ireland, particularly here in Cork, Cloyne and Ross.  We remember too his late wife Heather at this time and, on behalf of us all, I extend our deepest sympathy to their children Jonathan, Marcus, Felicity, Timothy and their families, as well as Herbert’s wide circle of friends.

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‘Murder Mystery’ in Church of Ireland Parish in Douglas, Cork

A ‘murder’ took place on 22nd and 23rd of October in the Canon Packham Hall in Saint Luke’s Parish, Douglas County Cork. Over the two nights about 250 people witnessed the incident.  It was the brainwave of Douglas Curate, the Reverend David Bowles who orchestrated it all.

Much work went into the production and organisation of the event. The actors were on top form on the top table.

murder-mystery-poster-fred

There were two incident packed evenings .  Only one table on Friday but four on Saturday managed to work out who had done the dastardly deed, and how, and why!

Much thanks must go to the Bull McCabes who provided the food and all the actors, those who worked in the kitchen. Also to those who provided raffle prizes and so many others who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the hall look fantastic and everyone else who contributed in making this event such a success!

It was great to see so many people from across the Union of Parishes and outside the regular parish circles coming together to make such a night possible.

It is hoped this is only the beginning of a more regular thespian endeavour. Thankfully we all got out of it alive!

Here is the wonderful gallery of photos:

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All Age Sports Service in St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline, Co. Cork

Carrigaline Union of Parishes in the Diocese of Cork held an All Age Sports Service in St Mary’s Church on 23rd October. This Service was the initiative of parishioners Simon and Michelle Woodworth and was led by Richard Dring, Diocesan Lay Reader accompanied by his wife, Organist Hilary Dring –  so in all, quite a husband & wife affair!

The Reverend Elaine Mjurray, Rector of Carrigaline, enters into the spirit of the recent All Age Sports Service from  her seat in the pew.

The Reverend Elaine Murray, Rector of Carrigaline, enters into the spirit of the recent All Age Sports Service from her seat in the pew.

Many diverse items of sporting equipment (Archery Bows, Chess sets, Hurleys, Tennis Racquets, Balls etc), along with Team Jerseys were brought along for Blessing by the Rector (who was in attendance in her Kilkenny Jersey, Leinster Scarf, Munster Hat and of course Dublin heart!). The children of the parish led the prayers which were written by Simon who is a member of the Parish Healer/Prayer Group.

Two of those who brought their sports equipment of the All Age Sports Service.

Two of those who brought their sports equipment of the All Age Sports Service.

Diocesan Lay Reader, Richard Dring, from Carrigaline Union of Parishes, who presided at the recent All Age SPorts Service, surrounded by adults and young people who took part.

Diocesan Lay Reader, Richard Dring, from Carrigaline Union of Parishes, who presided at the recent All Age SPorts Service, surrounded by adults and young people who took part.

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1gb Ludgate Hub in Ireland’s First 1gb Town Hosts Cork Clergy Meetings

In addition to all the routine contacts and annual visits around the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, conducts a formal and traditional Episcopal Visitation every five years.  The 2016 Visitation is well under way and on Monday, 24th October the Bishop met the clergy of two rural deaneries – West Cork and Mid West Cork – in Skibbereen.

The Ludgate Hub, Townshend Street, Skibbereen, County Cork

The Ludgate Hub, Townshend Street, Skibbereen, County Cork

Nothing unusual there, except that the venue for the meeting was the recently opened Ludgate Hub in what is now Ireland’s first 1gb town.

Developed in a former Bakery owned by Field’s of Skibbereen, the Ludgate Hub provides meeting rooms, breakout spaces, hot desks, meeting pods, a shared kitchen, a Google hangouts room, training space, and much more, all supported by a 1000mb fibre optic connection and 24/7 access.  The Hub is named after Skibbereen native, Percy Ludgate (1883 – 1922) who, in 1907, designed an ‘analytical machine’ – one of the world’s first computers.

After their meeting yesterday with the Bishop, and following lunch, the clergy of the two rural deaneries were shown around the Ludgate Hub by Bandon Grammar School past pupil, Callum Donnelly, who works there and is heading up Ireland’s National Digital Week based there between 10 and 12 November.

Bishop Paul Colton and the clergy of the rural deaneries of West Cork and Mid West Cork on their tour of the Ludgate Hub.

Bishop Paul Colton and the clergy of the rural deaneries of West Cork and Mid West Cork on their tour of the Ludgate Hub.

With a 1000MB connection the Ludgate Hub utilises the digital age for job creation and innovation.  The initiative aims facilitate up to 75 people in a creative co-working environment with a long term objective to create 500 direct jobs and 1000 indirect jobs via a sustainable digital economy for Skibbereen and the wider West Cork area. As featured in the case study in theAction Plan for Jobs, South West (2015 – 2017) the Ludgate Hub is cited as an example of innovation occurring in rural Ireland and indeed a blueprint for other rural areas. Skibbereen has also been selected as a pilot town for SIRO, and 1GB of connectivity is now rolled out to the Ludgate Hub and town of Skibbereen creating a 1GB community.

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Consultant Cardiologist Speaks At Cork Celebrations of Saint Luke’s Day

St Luke’s Day was celebrated in St Luke’s Church, Douglas, Cork, with a special school Service. The focus was on Luke who is described in the Bible as a physician. Dr Ronan Curtin, a school parent, and consultant cardiologist at Cork University Hospital, was the special guest at this Service. He was interviewed by the rector, Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson, about his work as a cardiologist. The hymns and prayers all reflected the theme of healing and were led by the pupils.

Dr Ronan Curtin, Consultant Cardiologist at Cork University Hospital (and parent of children at Saint Luke's National School, Douglas, Cork) with children from the school and therector, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson in Saint Luke's Church, Douglas on Saint Luke's Day.

Dr Ronan Curtin, Consultant Cardiologist at Cork University Hospital (and parent of children at Saint Luke’s National School, Douglas, Cork) with children from the school and the rector, the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson in Saint Luke’s Church, Douglas on Saint Luke’s Day.

Later in the morning a Service of Wholeness and Healing in the context of the Eucharist was held. The congregation at this Service was joined by members of the parish healer prayer chain whose members pray for the sick and those in need each day in their own homes.

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