On Friday, 16th October parishioners from the Templebreedy Group (Crosshaven and Nohoval, County Cork) were joined by young people and youth leaders from Carrigaline Parish in a ‘sleep out’ to build awareness of homelessness in ireland, and to generate support for Focus Ireland. The fund-raising efforts for the event are still open via this website.
Sleeping out in Crosshaven to focus attention on homelessness in Ireland
On Monday evening, 19th October the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, dedicated a labyrinth which has been constructed in the grounds of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork.
Bishop Colton and some of the Cathedral clergy assemble at the entrance to the labyrinth for its dedication (l-r) Canon Daniel Nuzum, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne (Dean of Cork), the Bishop, Canon Pal Willoughby, Canon Eithne Lynch, the Reverend Anne Skuse (Minor Canon) and the Reverend Ted Ardis (Dean’s Vicar). Photo: Robert Ferris
The Dean of Cork, the Very Reverend Nigel Dunne, whose idea it was and who oversaw the project, welcomed everyone and gave a short talk about the meaning and use of labyrinths in spirituality in general, and in the Christian tradition in particular. Psalm 84 was read while Bishop Colton journeyed through the labyrinth. From the centre of the labyrinth the Bishop then read the prayers of dedication based on the ancient itinerarium (prayers used by monks before setting out on a journey). Many of those present then walked the labyrinth. There is an open invitation to everyone to come to visit the Cathedral and now, in the churchyard, to discover the labyrinth and to walk it prayerfully.
Bishop Colton journeys towards the centre of the labyrinth for the prayers of dedication. (Photo: Robert Ferris)
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 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.
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 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 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.
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
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
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