Five lay people commissioned for pastoral work as lay local ministers in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 28, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Five new Lay Local Ministers (LLMs) were commissioned by Bishop Paul Colton for pastoral work in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross recently. The commissioning was part of the Diocesan Service for Lay Ministry held at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Sunday, 19th November 2023.

With the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, following the commissioning of Lay Local Ministers for pastoral work in Cork, Cloyne and Ross were: Front row (left to right): Paulette Murray, the Bishop and Anne Hevers; Back row (left to right): the Reverend Bruce Piece, Lineke Stam, Clodagh King, Mary O’Riordan, and the Reverend Terry Mitchell, Chaplain to Lay Ministers in Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

The new LLMs completed a two year course in pastoral studies laid down by the Bishop of Cork, and delivered under the supervision of the Rev. Bruce Pierce, who recently retired as Director of Education at Northridge House Education and Research Centre at St Luke’s Charity Cork.

The Local Lay Ministers (Pastoral) have a unique role in the diocese, being called to bring Christ’s presence to all, through their care for others. They are lay volunteers who are part of the local parish ministry team, and each is in a mentoring relationship with the local rector, priest-in-charge or chaplain in care settings.

If there are lay people in the United Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross who are interested in training to serve voluntarily in this local ministry they should speak with their rector or priest-in-charge.

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Two new Readers licensed in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Sunday, 19th November 2023, during the Diocesan Celebration of Lay Ministry at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, licensed two new Readers to serve in the Diocese. 

Hilary Dring and Síle Hunt were licensed, having completed one of the courses approved by the House of Bishops, namely the Certificate in Christian Studies validated by the Pontifical University at Maynooth. Hilary did the course in Cork, Cloyne and Ross while Síle completed it recently in partnership with the United Dioceses of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.

The two newly licensed Readers, Síle Hunt (front left) and Hilary Dring (front right) after the service with the Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, and (back left to right) the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Ven. Andrew Orr, the Chaplain to the Guild of Lay Ministry, the Rev, Terry Mitchell, the Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, and the Bishop’s Domestic Chaplain, the Rev. Meghan Farr.
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CDYC – Cork Diocesan Youth Council – Celebrates 20 years

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Many young people from Cork, Cloyne and Ross were in the congregation at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork on Sunday last, 19th November, along with elected members of the Cork Diocesan Youth Council, past and present, to celebrate 20 years of the current body CDYC: Cork Diocesan Youth Council.

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and the Dean of Cork with members of CDYC and young people who attended the 20th Anniversary Service.

‘Of course, youth work hasn’t only been going on for twenty years in the Diocese’ Bishop Colton emphasised in his introduction. ‘Youth work has been happening for centuries, but today we are giving thanks for the present initiative which started 20 years ago.’ The Bishop commissioned the newly elected Cork Diocesan Youth Council and gave special mention to Mrs Judy Peters and Mr Peter Coughlan who have been involved since the start 20 years ago.

The chairperson of CDYC, Mrs Judy Peters read the first lesson. The Cork Diocesan Youth Officer, Hilda Connolly, read the intercessions. The entire group of young people led the congregation in prayers for the peace of the world.

Earlier in the day, the Bishop, had treated the entire group of young people to an outing to the bowling alleys at Airtastic, Little Island.

Hilda Connolly said:

The whole group of 33 young people and leaders really enjoyed the bowling alleys. They also attempted some Crazy Golf and were fed and watered before making their way to St. Fin Barres’s Cathedral to join in on the Lay Ministry Service and to celebrate 20yrs of the Cork Diocesan Youth Council. Thank you to Bishop Colton for making the day happen, the young people really enjoyed it and were delighted to be part of the service.

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Commissioning of John de Montfort as new Diocesan Secretary in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 25, 2023 by mediaccr

During the Diocesan Service for Lay Ministry on Sunday, 19th November 2023, John de Montfort was officially commissioned by the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, and welcomed as the new Diocesan Secretary of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Billy Skuse, former Diocesan Secretary (left) handing John de Montfort (right) the keys to the Diocesan Office as a symbol of his role as new Diocesan Secretary.

John has been working in the role since August 2023 alongside former Diocesan Secretary Billy Skuse to ensure a seamless handover. During the service, Billy presented John with the Diocesan Office keys, a minute book and an ancient seal as symbols of the role. John was warmly welcomed by those present.

The Bishop with Billy and Anne Skuse, and John and Emily de Montfort.
John and Emily de Montfort after the service.
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Cork, Cloyne and Ross says thank you and farewell to Billy Skuse, outgoing Diocesan Secretary

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

On Sunday, 19th November 2023, people from all over the Diocese gathered to say thank you to Billy Skuse for his nine years as Diocesan Secretary of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

Recently retired Diocesan Secretary, Billy Skuse (right) with the Bishop and the new Diocesan Secretary, John de Montfort.

After Billy handed the new Diocesan Secretary the symbols of his office, keys, a minute book and an ancient seal, the Bishop spoke and, on behalf of everyone in the Diocese, Dorothy Verplancke, Lay Honorary Secretary presented Billy with a gift. Anne Skuse was presented with flowers by Helen Arnopp, Lay Diocesan Treasurer.

In his speech of thanks and farewell to Billy, the Bishop, Dr Paul Colton said:

The Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross is a very complex and unique organisation. Not only are there are there all the parishes, chaplaincies and schools, there are the many trusts, charities and institutions that we have pioneered over the centuries and which today work in the areas of poverty, housing, healthcare, education, religious education and care of older people. But you entered into all of this with courage and valiantly. You gave generously of yourself and most especially of your own faith and humanity, I want to thank you for that. I remember at your interview you said, ‘Nice people like to do business with nice people’ and you have been and are the personification of that, your own principle. You have been kind and generous and thoughtful and thoroughly nice to everyone. There have been many challenges in the last nine years, but we chipped away at it all together, and all I can say on behalf of us all is ‘Thank you’.

There was sustained applause for Billy and long after the Service ended people were coming up to Billy personally to wish him a happy retirement.

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