Fountainstown Tragedy – Statement from Bishop Paul Colton and Templebreedy National School

Posted on September 6, 2023 by mediaccr

On behalf of the entire community at Templebreedy National School, Crosshaven, County Cork, the Bishop of Cork, Dr Paul Colton, as Patron of the school, the school Principal, Doris Bryan, and the Chairperson of the Board of Management, Michael Hodder, have made the following statement.

‘The entire school community in our small Church of Ireland school in Crosshaven, County Cork, together with the local parish and community, are in shock and are utterly devastated at the death of our 2nd class pupil Emili Roman. Most of all we are all heartbroken for Emili’s family and loved ones.’

‘Emili would have been eight years old tomorrow. Emili and her twin brother Jeremy have been in our school since they joined Junior Infants in 2020’.

Doris Bryan, the school principal, who is also Emili’s class-teacher in second class, describes her as:

“kind, with a bubbly personality. She had a beautiful smile. She was greatly loved by everyone and was very popular with all her friends. She was also very artistic and a gifted young girl. On behalf of the school I extend our deepest sympathies to Emili’s parents, Marta and Slawomir, her older sister Inga and her twin brother Jeremy. We are doing our best at the moment to make our school a safe space for all our school community to be together and to support each other as we remember Emili and come to terms with what has happened. Again our primary focus, for Emili’s sake, is with her family and loved ones.

‘The school has implemented its Critical Incident Plan. Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are already here and are supporting and advising the school in our efforts to stand alongside everyone in our school community, especially students and staff.  We are also being supported by our local clergy and our bishop who are here too.’

Bishop Paul Colton, patron of the school, said:

‘Most of us cannot begin to imagine the suffering that this family must now be going through. We are all, however, in shock and devastated. On behalf of us all in the Church of Ireland, in general, and in connection with Templebreedy National School and Templebreedy Parish, in particular, I too extend our sincere sympathy to everyone in the Roman family, to Emili’s mother, Marta, father Slawomir, twin brother Jeremy, and older sister Inga.’

‘A tragedy like this is having a traumatic effect also on this small parish school at the start of this new school year, and also the wider community. I am visiting the school this morning and throughout the day. Practical support and prayers are assured for everyone in the school community, for Emili’s family, her fellow students, the school Principal, Doris Bryan, the teachers, staff, parents/guardians and members of the Board of Management. I extend sympathy to you all. I am also very conscious of the role played by the first responders, some of whom I know personally, and everyone in the rescue services and I’m conscious of the impact a tragedy such as this has on each of them as individuals’

‘My thoughts and prayers are with you all.’

Further information from: Denise Stobart, Diocesan Media Officer, United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. Email:   media@corkchurchofireland.com

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Leaders in Training Certificates presented in Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on August 31, 2023 by mediaccr

In January 2023 a new group of young leaders emerged from the Cork Diocesan Youth Council’s Leaders in Training Course. This is the third group in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, to complete the course. Leaders in Training is offered through the YMCA Cork and facilitated by Isla Jeffers and the Diocesan Youth Officer Hilda Connolly.

Hilda writes:

Each group has to run their own event as part of their final assessment. On 27th November 2022, this year’s group took over St Fachtna’s Cathedral in Rosscarbery and ran their own Advent Youth Service. It came about, after a needs assessment with their friends and peers, that the theme of the service would be called “Great Expectations”.

The group organized the service in a way to expect the unexpected. And they certainly achieved that. Through drama, music and activity stations around the church they demonstrated the pressures teens are under.

On Saturday 26th August 2023, at a BBQ in Bishop Colton’s garden to celebrate CDYC’s 20th Anniversary, the opportunity was taken to present some of the Leaders in Training students with their Certificates. All of them achieved amazing results from their 8 week course.

Well done to all the Leaders in Training groups on completing the course and for continuing to be part of youth activities and youth groups across the Diocese.

This year’s Leaders in Training Graduates with their Bishop, Paul Colton, their Youth Officer, Hilda Connolly, and CDYC Chairperson, Judy Peters.
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Cork Diocesan Youth Council celebrates 20 Years

Posted on August 30, 2023 by mediaccr

This year the Cork Diocesan Youth Council are celebrating their 20th Anniversary. On Saturday the 26th August Bishop Colton and Mrs Colton invited the Youth Council and some of the young leaders to their home for a BBQ to mark the occasion.

Hilda Connolly, Diocesan Youth Officer, writes:

Over the years, CDYC have seen many changes and shift in trends, but it has kept up with the needs of the young people and has successfully kept running events to suit everyone. With just three original council members, The President – Bishop Colton, Chairperson – Judy Peters, Elected Lay Member – Peter Coughlan, withstanding the test of time.

It is a huge achievement to have kept the “show on the road” and there is a lot of appreciation from parents and young people from around the diocese, which have benefitted and found the events a great help in the past and in the present day. Well done to all the council members throughout the years on your commitment and enthusiasm with the young people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

And to make the evening even more special, it was not just a 20th Anniversary, but one of the young leaders also turned 18 that day, which led to the necessity of a cake for both!

Thank you to Bishop Colton and Susan for the wonderful spread and hospitality. It was a very enjoyable night.

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Certificate in Christian Studies – an introduction to the Christian Faith

Posted on August 23, 2023 by mediaccr

Once again, the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross will be offering the Certificate in Christian Studies. This is a two-year part-time course for those who wish to explore the Christian faith in greater depth and to understand its relevance in our lives and within in the communities of which we are a part. The course covers scripture, theology, church history, ethics, liturgy and ministry.

It is open to anyone who wishes to grow in their understanding of the Christian faith, as well as fulfilling the requirements for those who wish to offer ministry as a Lay Reader in the Diocese. The modules are led by clergy in the Diocese and the classes are interactive, with plenty of scope to learn through interaction and dialogue. Each module consists of six interactive lectures, with an assignment at the end, to help reflect on the learning that has taken place. The course will consist of both online and in-person learning at Northridge House Education Centre in Cork. The classes will take place in the evening with the starting date for the first module on 28th September 2023.

The Certificate in Christian Studies is a Level 7 Certificate Course and is accredited by St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth.

For more information please email the Diocesan Further Education and Training Officer, the Rev. Terry Mitchell.

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Cork Heritage Open Day at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Posted on August 17, 2023 by mediaccr

On Saturday, 12th August 2023, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral recorded over 1500 visitors for the Cork Heritage Open Day.

Heritage Day 2023 at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork

Eoin Murphy, Operations Manager at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, writes:

We were delighted to see the visitor numbers for the Heritage Open Day being up by 40% compared to 2022! In addition to the regular tours on the hour we made a number of improvements to the programme which were well received by the visitors. The main west doors were opened which allowed visitors easy access and flooded the Cathedral with natural light, giving a lovely warm atmosphere. We had a comprehensive programme of organ music on the half hour performed by our Director of Music Peter Stobart, and the opening of the doors meant that the sound was even audible in the courtyard, attracting more visitors. It was notable how visitors who were exiting decided to turn back when the organ music commenced!

Director of Music Peter Stobart at the Organ with some visitors.

We also had an audio visual presentation of the Cathedral Choir which encouraged visitors to linger and enjoy the magnificent choral music, and our tour guides prepared a very entertaining and engaging walking tours of the grounds and graveyard.

The preparation and execution of Heritage Day at the Cathedral was a great team effort and the benefit of the fabulous weather made it a wonderful day at a beautiful heritage site.

Visitors of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral enjoying a guided tour of the grounds.
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