Latest News from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Morning Vigil of Thanksgiving held at St Colman’s Cathedral, Cloyne

Posted on January 31, 2024 by mediaccr

On Saturday, 27th January, Bishop Paul Colton held a Morning Vigil of Thanksgiving for ministry in the Diocese with prayers also for vocations at Cloyne Cathedral. This was in response to the Morning Vigil held in 2023 at which members of the Diocese prayed for the vacant parishes at the time. During the course of the year, all these vacancies were filled, and at last Saturday’s Vigil the Diocese gave thanks for the various appointments made in 2023, and prayed for vocations, ministries and upcoming vacancies.

Bishop Paul Colton said:

I say this tentatively and in humility, that, nearly one year on, I cannot help but feel that our prayers offered here last year have, in huge measure, been answered. Thanks be to God. And thank you to all those who worked so hard to fill the vacancies, including those who tested vocations and are shortly to join us.

Invariably by the way we operate as dioceses in the Church of Ireland, before long we, in all probability, may have more vacancies in the months ahead, but there is much to be thankful for this year:

vacancies in stipendiary posts filled or about to be filled since January last year

one in ongoing training for stipendiary ministry

four new people in training for the Ordained Local Ministry

four new Diocesan Readers with one more in training

five new Lay Local Ministers (Pastoral)

one new Lay Local Minister (Liturgical)

three pioneer ministry hubs established discerning potential in connection with pioneer ministry

not to mention all the countless volunteers for the unceasing number of voluntary tasks and work needing to be done to do the work of the Church in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

We constantly need to pray for the sustaining and supporting of all in ministry, lay and ordained, and the work of all parishes and chaplaincies. And we need to discern what God wants of us in ministry in this place, and how we are to give shape, through our churches, chaplaincies and parishes to that calling, taking into account the many demands, exigencies and realities of the present time.

So we returned to Cloyne Cathedral on the equivalent Saturday this year – to give thanks and pray for what the future will bring.

The Bishop led the Vigil in the Quire of Saint Colman’s Cathedral together with the Dean of Cloyne, the Very Rev. Susan Green, and the prayer stations set up in the two chapels provided a space for private prayer. Parishioners of Cloyne Union served refreshments throughout the morning. The varied opportunities for guided prayer, private prayer and mingling with people from all across the diocese resulted in a prayerful yet lively and joyful occasion.

Posted in Cloyne, Prayers | Comments Off

15th Annual Sheep’s Head Hike raised over €14k

Posted on January 30, 2024 by mediaccr

Almost 200 people joined the 15^th annual Sheep’s Head Hike around the breathtakingly beautiful Sheep’s Head peninsula in West Cork back in September 2023. On 11th November 2023, a cheque for over €14k was presented to Christian Aid Ireland.

Posted in Christian Aid, West Cork | Comments Off

Christmas Appeal for the ‘Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund’ raises €23,000 for people in need and local causes

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Bishop Paul Colton’s 2023 Christmas Appeal for the ‘Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund’, which was set up by the Bishop during the Coronavirus Pandemic, raised €23,000 in recent weeks in Cork, Cloyne and Ross. ’I have already started distributing some of these funds in accordance with the objects of the charity’ said Bishop Colton ‘ and, of course, the balance will be used to support people in need in the year ahead.

Some of the money goes, on behalf of the Church of Ireland in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, to partner charities such as Cork Simon, Threshold, St Vincent de Paul, and Cork Penny Dinners. Most of the money is distributed to help people who cannot afford essentials: such as food, emergency accommodation, some medical costs, as well as bereavement and mental health supports. More is used to support young people in educational initiatives and projects, older people in need, or projects in the community where there are no other accessible sources of support or funding. Once again, funds were allocated in the past year to assist people who had immediate financial needs as a result of the worse than ever floods in East Cork.

The logo of the Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund

Bishop Colton felt moved to establish this new local charity, while out and about in County Cork in the immediate aftermath of the extensive floods of 2014 in the region. Bishop Colton explains:

‘There and then some people needed help and cash, to get them through that very weekend and the days ahead of them. They couldn’t wait for help from other generous charities and government aid, all of which took time to process. And so the idea of a new charity was born to help people in Cork City and County, whatever their background, in the name of the Church of Ireland locally. It’s about one of the Five Marks of Mission in the Anglican Communion which is “To respond to human need by loving service.”

‘ Naturally I want to say a huge “thank you” to everyone - individuals, parishes and community groups – who, not only donated in 2021 to set the charity up, but who continue to support it, including in the recent appeal.’

Bishop Colton set up the charity in 2020 (Registered Charity Number 20205892), the first year of the Coronavirus Pandemic with these broad objects:

the relief of poverty or economic hardship
the advancement of education
the advancement of community welfare including the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, or disability
the advancement of religion with a special focus on the promotion of religious or racial harmony and harmonious community relations.

More information about the ‘Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund’ may be found on the Diocesan website HERE

Posted in Anglican Communion, Bishop, Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund, Care of the Older Person, Charity Work, Church in Society, Church of Ireland, Community Involvement, Diocese, Emergency Response, Floods, People from Cork, People from the Diocese, People in Need, Youth Work | Comments Off

€5,500 raised at Nine Lessons and Carols in aid of local charities

Posted on January 24, 2024 by mediaccr

At the 2023 Festivals of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, a collection of over €5,500 was taken in aid of the Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund and other local charities.

One quarter of the collection will be donated to the Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund, a charity established by Bishop Paul Colton in 2020, which has been set up to help the relief of poverty or economic hardship, the advancement of education and community welfare, and the promotion of religious and racial harmony.

Three quarters will go to the Bishop of Cork Pastoral Care Fund for distribution in equal shares to Cork Simon, St Vincent de Paul, and Threshold.

Cork Simon works in solidarity with men and women who are homeless in Cork, offering housing and support in their journey back to independent living.

St Vincent de Paul provides direct assistance to those in need, including caring for the homeless, providing social housing, operating social support activities, and promoting community self-sufficiency.

Threshold helps prevent homelessness by providing free advice to people in housing difficulty and campaigning for a fairer housing system.

Posted in Diocese | Comments Off

CDYC visits Fire and Garda Station in Cork

Posted on January 23, 2024 by mediaccr

On Sunday, 14th January, firefighters Noel and Graham welcomed a group of young people from the Cork Diocesan Youth Council into Cork’s main Fire Station on Anglesea Street.

Hilda Connolly, Diocesan Youth Officer, writes:

Noel and Graham went through all the different types of trucks and equipment with the group and explained what each one is used for. They even took people up in pairs to see the city from a serious height from the platform truck. They also gave a description on their daily routines, checks and how fast they need to be ready to get out once the alarm goes off (1 minute!). It was a very informative and fun tour.

Afterwards, the group, took a short stroll next door to the Garda Station, where they met Garda Lorraine at the door. She explained the different types of units within the guards and some of the issues they deal with. She also gave a good talk on online safety.

CDYC are very grateful to Gerry and Noel who organised the whole day and to all the staff in both stations for welcoming us and entertaining the group!