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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Nearly 350 gathered in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Cork offer Prayers for the Peace of the Word

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

At the recent Diocesan Service for Lay Ministry, nearly 350 people gathered to pray for the peace of the world. The prayers were led the Cork Diocesan Youth Council and candles were lit for each country which currently find itself at war.

During the lighting of the candles, Luke from CDYC read out of the list of countries currently at war and Sarah from CDYC read the prayer for peace. An arrangement of ‘Let there be peace on earth’ by Director of Music Peter Stobart was sung by the Cathedral Choir with Soloist Saoirse Daly. Afterwards a moment of silence was held and everyone offered their own prayers.

Soloist Saoirse Daly
Members of CDYC lighting candles for each country currently at war.
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A Joyful Celebration of Lay Ministry in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Latest News and Photos from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Nearly 350 people gathered in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork on Sunday 19th November at the invitation of the Bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, to celebrate lay ministry in the Diocese.

‘While we celebrate, affirm, equip and value lay ministry every day in the Diocese’, said Bishop Colton, ‘it is good, from time to time, to come together for a special celebration such as this. The last time we had this particular event was ten years ago in 2013.’

People from all areas of Diocesan life attended the service: clergy, lay readers, lay local ministers, members of school and charity boards, teachers, students, church wardens, choirs, select vestries, youth groups, volunteers, office staff, and many more.

At the service, the Bishop also commissioned five new Lay Local Ministers, the newly elected Cork Diocesan Youth Council, a new Diocesan Secretary and licenced two new Diocesan Lay Readers.

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