Licensing of the Reverend Anne Skuse as a Diocesan Curate

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Friday, 9th October, the Reverend Anne Skuse was licensed as a Diocesan Curate by the Bishop of Cork, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton during a celebration of the Eucharist in the Church of St Mark, Kilbonane (Aherla), County Cork.  Anne has now transferred from non-stipendiary to whole time stipendiary ministry.  The preacher at the Service was the Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, the Right Reverend Michael Burrows.

With the Reverend Anne Skuse and the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, at Anne's Licensing as a Diocesan Curate were (l-r) Mr Billy Skuse, Amy Deignan, Ian Skuse, the Reverend Anne Skuse, the Bishop, Robbie Skuse, Niamh O'Regan and Peter Skuse.

With the Reverend Anne Skuse and the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton at Anne’s Licensing as a Diocesan Curate in the Church of Saint Mark, Kilbonane, were (l-r) Mr Billy Skuse, Amy Deignan, Ian Skuse, the Reverend Anne Skuse, the Bishop, Robbie Skuse, Niamh O’Regan and Peter Skuse.

Anne will serve as a curate, half-time in Moviddy Union of Parishes and half-time in hospital chaplaincy ministry based at the Cork University Hospital, the largest hospital in the State, where the chaplain is Canon Daniel Nuzum.   The team also provides chaplaincy services to the Bon Secours Hospital Cork, and to Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.  The small church was full to overflowing and many of the congregation joined in the Service in a marquee outside.  The organist at the Service was Colin Nicholls. Afterwards the congregation adjourned to Cloughduv GAA Club for a wonderful supper.

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New Labyrinth to be Dedicated at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Next Monday (19th October 2015) at 5.30pm, The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Revd Dr Paul Colton will dedicate a new labyrinth which has been installed in the southeast corner of the grounds of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork. It is intended to be used for prayer, meditation and contemplation for pilgrim and tourist alike.

The new Cathedral Labyrinth in the grounds of Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork.

The new Cathedral Labyrinth in the grounds of Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

The Cathedral Labyrinth is a single, winding path, without branches, that leads to a centre.   Unlike mazes, where choices of direction have to be made and it is impossible to see the end of the journey, labyrinths offer no choices and lead to a central goal which is visible at every stage of the journey.

The new Labyrinth at Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork.

The new Labyrinth at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.

The first labyrinths date to around 4000 BC, appearing on rock carvings and paintings around the world.   In Greek mythology the labyrinth was an elaborate structure built to hold the mythical creature, the Minotaur. By the twelfth century labyrinths, centred on the shape of the cross, had become popular in cathedrals and churches across Europe. Known as “Roads to Jerusalem’, they were often substituted for pilgrimages to the Holy Land at times when a journey to Jerusalem was too dangerous to undertake.        The most famous of these, the Chartres Cathedral labyrinth in France, dates from about 1200 AD. With eleven circuits, it is probably the most walked labyrinth in history. The Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral labyrinth is based on this design.

There are no hard and fast rules about using a labyrinth. Labyrinths remain enigmatic and mysterious and are better experienced than explained. Visitors to the Cathedral can walk the labyrinth whilst praying, considering a problem, meditating, repeating a sacred word, using prayer beads or without any clear intent.   Those who are involved in Mindfulness may find the labyrinth of particular use to them. It takes approximately ten minutes to complete.

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Centenary of WW1 Death of Parishioner Commemorated by Cork Parish

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

During the centenary period of the First World War (1914-18) parishes in Cork, Cloyne and Ross have been encouraged by the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, to research and commemorate those from the parishes who died during the war.   One such was Richard Webb Barter from the Parish of St Mark, Kilbonane (in Moviddy Union on the western outskirts of Cork City).

At the age of 24, Richard Barter was killed in action on 9th October, 1915. He was from Annesgrove, Aherla, County Cork and was serving in the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards (Regimental Number 7463).

Richard Barter

Richard Barter

He was remembered recently at a Service in St Mark’s Kilbonane at which the preacher was the former rector of the Parish and former Archdeacon of Cork, the Venerable Robin Bantry White.  The Service also included readings from letters sent by local soldiers during the War.  There was also an act of remembrance of 30 people from the surrounding area who died.  Music from “From the Fallen” was played by Colin Nicholls with Elaine Mulvaney, soprano.

Front Row: Harriet Pritchard; Síle Healy, Elaine Mulvaney, Mary Murphy Back Row; the Rev Tony Murphy (Priest-in-Charge), Colin Nicholls, Jim Willis, Roisín Sherrard, and the Ven. Robin Bantry White

Front Row: Harriet Pritchard; Síle Healy, Elaine Mulvaney, Mary Murphy
Back Row; the Rev Tony Murphy (Priest-in-Charge), Colin Nicholls, Jim Willis, Roisín Sherrard, and the Ven. Robin Bantry White

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A New Cross for the Holy Trinity Chapel in St Peter’s Church, Bandon

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

A new cross was blessed in the Holy Trinity Chapel at St. Peter’s Church, Bandon during the Wednesday Eucharist on 23 September.   The oak cross was made by Mr. Pat Culleton who is Rector’s Church Warden in St. Peter’s and is also a Diocesan Lay Reader and a Lay Pastoral Assistant. Two oak candle-holders and a bookstand, which Pat made some years ago for the Chapel, were also blessed. Afterwards there was a reception in St. Peter’s Room

The new cross and panels, altar candles and bookstand in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity in St Peter's Church, Bandon, County Cork

The new cross and panels, altar candles and bookstand in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity in St Peter’s Church, Bandon, County Cork

The following is Pat’s explanation of the symbolism behind his work:

The many differing strands of Christianity holding Jesus at its centre is the theme that determined the design of this cross.

The woven pattern at its centre represents the Son of God condemned to die on a cross for our salvation. The twelve strips emanating from the woven pattern represents our faith as carried by the 12 apostles and their followers north, south, east, and west around the world.

Over the past 2000 years Christianity diversified resulting in the formation of different faith practices and interpretations of the Christian message. In this cross the strips at their extremities, represents all the differing Christian faith practices present in the world. The four bands enfolding them represents the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John on which our faith in Christ is founded, reminding us that what started out from Christ also returns to him. The symbolism of the strands is twofold in that they represent the going out and the coming back to their centre – Christ.

Pat Culleton prepares the cross for mounting on the chapel wall

Pat Culleton prepares the cross for mounting on the chapel wall

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Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

St Peter’s Church, Bandon, County Cork was full to capacity on Thursday, 1st October for the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.  Schoolchildren from every school in the Diocese, teachers, board members, and representatives of the Diocesan Education Committee had all accepted the invitation to be present from the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, who is patron of all but one of the schools in the Diocese.

Arriving for the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

Arriving for the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

With the assistance of some of the children, the Reverend Sarah Marry preaches at the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in St Peter's Church, Bandon (Photo: Sam Wynn)

With the assistance of some of the children, the Reverend Sarah Marry preaches at the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools in St Peter’s Church, Bandon (Photo: Sam Wynn)

The children themselves led all the parts of the Service.  They had made banners for their schools and each brought a school bell ‘to signal’ themselves to all the others present.  The Bishop had a bell too and there was a joyous cacophony of sound at the end of the Service as all the bells were rung at the same time.  The organist was Colin Nicholls and the sermon was preached by the Reverend Sarah Marry.  Collections in the schools, for the third year running, raised a lot of money for the Diocesan Project in partnership with the Bishops’ Appeal and Christian Aid to build houses in Haiti in the wake of the earthquake there.

Our Diocesan Media Officer, Sam Wynn, was on hand to take the photos.  Here are some of them:

This year, the Church of Ireland Education Officer, Dr Ken Fennelly and Assistant Secretary Eimear Ryan travelled from Dublin to be at the Service.

At the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools were (l-r) the Reverend Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon, Eimear Ryan (Assistant Secretary, General Synod Board of Education), the Bishop, Dr Ken Fennelly (Church of Ireland Education Officer), and the Very Reverend Alan Marley, Dean of Cloyne. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

At the Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools were (l-r) the Reverend Denis MacCarthy, Rector of Bandon, Eimear Ryan (Assistant Secretary, General Synod Board of Education), the Bishop, Dr Ken Fennelly (Church of Ireland Education Officer), and the Very Reverend Alan Marley, Dean of Cloyne. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

Clergy from the Diocese with the Bishop after the Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

Clergy from the Diocese with the Bishop after the Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

Heading home happy after the Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

Heading home happy after the Diocesan Service for Primary Schools. (Photo: Sam Wynn)

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