Thank You and Farewell to the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Posted on October 18, 2022 by mediaccr

On Sunday 16th October 2022, the Ven. Adrian Wilkinson, Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, took his final service at St Luke’s Church, Douglas where was presented with his pectoral cross before he is leaving the Diocese to become Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. On the previous Sunday, a Diocesan Farewell Service was held at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral during Evensong. Throughout his last week in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the parish schools also wished the Archdeacon farewell and thanked him for his many years as their chaplain.

The Archdeacon at his final assembly at St Luke’s NS, Douglas.

Adrian was ordained both Deacon (1994) and Priest (1995) at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork, and has subsequently served as Curate in Douglas Union of Parishes with Frankfield for three years, before he moved to the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. Upon returning to Cork, Cloyne and Ross in 2002 he served as Incumbent of Douglas Union for twenty years, and as the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross for the past eight years.

Following his election as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, Adrian said:

I am humbled and honoured to have been elected Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory. While I will be sorry to leave Cork, a place where I have served very happily for over twenty years, I look forward to this new chapter in ministry. My childhood years were spent in Cashel, Ferns and Ossory and I look forward to working with the clergy and people there in the years ahead, as we proclaim our faith in word and action.

The Bishop and the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross during the Archdeacon’s Farewell Service.

During Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral on Sunday, 9th October, Ms Dorothy Verplancke thanked the Archdeacon on behalf of all the lay people in the diocese.

Adrian is a selfless giver who has never made anybody feel that their issues impact on his personal time. His kind, gentle, caring, and sensitive pastoral approach underscore his Ministry. He relates to people and he listens to people […] He exercises a calm and measured approach. These skills and gifts will serve him well […]. This Bishop Designate will be quickly recognised for his calm and considered “lead by example” leadership. A leadership, which will be enabling of others.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Jacqui, and Adrian and Jacqui’s family, and to thank them for the support and encouragement which has enabled Adrian to take on the role of Archdeacon, in the Dioceses.

Despite the fact that we are very sad that you are leaving us, we are all very proud of you, and we all wish you God’s richest blessings as you will soon embark on the next chapter of your Ministry.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne spoke on behalf of all the clergy in the Diocese, and presented Adrian with an episcopal ring, a gift that is traditionally given by the clergy of the diocese where the new Bishop is coming from. The Dean of Cork explained:

The centrepiece of the episcopal ring is an amethyst. Medieval European soldiers wore amethyst amulets as protection in battle in the belief that they heal people and keep them cool-headed. We know that one of the hallmarks of our Archdeacon’s ministry has always been faithful and calm service, a sense of getting on with the serving life of the priest without fuss – what he’s often called ‘doing the plod’. It may not be obvious to those of us who are ordained that in a particular moment, by the simplest act or conversation, that we have brought peace and healing to people’s lives.  That is an important skill that the Archdeacon will bring into his new office, whether that be to individuals, the wider diocesan family of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, or the wider Church of Ireland.

The Archdeacon’s level-headedness and calm approach to things is well known and is no doubt not only his natural disposition but also rooted in much prayer.  We thank Adrian for that and pray that he will continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in what will no doubt be a demanding role. 

We, the clergy of the Diocese thank you for your service among us […] and we all wish you every blessing in this new phase of ministry and assure you of our continued prayers for you too.

The Archdeacon and his family with the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross after the service.
The Archdeacon during his Farewell Service at at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
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St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir Sponsored Walk

Posted on October 13, 2022 by mediaccr

On Saturday 8th October, the choristers of the St Fin Barre’s Cathedral Choir and their families embarked on an 8km walk around Mahon Point and Blackrock Village. Almost 50 people met at Mahon Point Shopping Centre and headed towards Blackrock Castle on the riverside walkway, a route that had proved popular before the pandemic.

After passing the castle the next stop was The Natural Foods Bakery in Blackrock Village where a lemonade and a slice of delicious cake were picked up. It was well deserved especially as the lovely weather made the walk warmer than one might expect for the time of year. The break was limited though as the final destination was still someway down the old railway line back to Mahon Point. There were several tired faces in the choir stalls on the following Sunday morning after an invigorating afternoon of exercise. 

The choristers are raising funds for their forthcoming tour to Amsterdam, Leiden and Haarlem after Easter in 2023. Their next fundraising events will be performances of Handel’s Messiah on 9th and 10th December in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. 

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Installation of Chancellor and licensing of a Reader at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Posted on October 11, 2022 by mediaccr

During Evensong at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral last Sunday, 9th October 2022, the Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, installed the Dean of Ross, the Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers as Chancellor of the Cathedral and Prepend of Killaspugmallane. Furthermore, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, licensed Dr Simon Woodworth to the Office of Reader. At the end of the service, Bishop Paul Colton, Dean Nigel Dunne and Dorothy Verplancke thanked the Archdeacon Adrian Wilkinson and wished him farewell as he leaves the Diocese and prepares for his ordination as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory.

The Very Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Dean of Ross, the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork.
Dean Cliff Jeffers and Dean Nigel Dunne in their stalls at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral.
Dr Simon Woodworth and Bishop Paul Colton after the service.
The Dean of Cork, the Archdeacon of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dorothy Verplancke and John Jermyn, Diocesan Registrar, after the service.
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Guest Preacher leads to interesting discovery at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral

Posted on October 7, 2022 by mediaccr

Last Sunday, 2nd October, the guest preacher at the 11.15am Choral Eucharist in Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral was Rev. Canon Dr. Peter Babington, priest-in-charge of St Mary le Strand, London. His great-grandfather, Richard Babington was Dean of Cork from 1914 to 1951 and therefore ministered at Saint Fin Barre’s during tumultuous times in terms of both local and world history.

The Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, Dean of Cork, and the Rev. Peter Babington

The Deans’ Chapel in the south transept was furnished in his memory and it is where past Deans names are inscribed on the marble walls.  Canon Babington told the congregation that whilst family records and memories are scant, it is known that his great-grandfather was known as “Richie’ and that he used to write children’s stories, none of which have survived.  It was also known that he was a boxer in his youth!

By sheer coincidence, while tidying up some Cathedral records later in the week, a silver medal was found bearing the following inscriptions: 

On one side inscribed around part of the diocesan crest, ‘Where Fin Barre taught let the praise of Christ be sung‘; on the other side, the words of Psalm 87: 1 ‘His foundation is upon the holy hills’ and the Royal School of Church Music motto, ‘I will sing with the Spirit and I will sing with the understanding also‘; and inscribed on the very thin edge of the medal, ‘Ex dono Richardi Babington, Decani Corcaciensis A.C. MCMXXII‘ – Donated by Richard Babington, Dean of Cork, 1922 AD.

It remains unknown what is the exact purpose of the medal or who was supposed to wear it. An initial theory is that it was given for the newly appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers, the renowned Jock Horne, who held the office from 1922-1977. Further research is currently being conducted.

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Weekend away with Cork Diocesan Youth Council

Posted on October 5, 2022 by mediaccr

During last weekend in September, the Cork Diocesan Youth Council took a group of young people to Muckross Youth Venture Centre in Killarney. Diocesan Youth Officer Hilda Connolly writes:

Normally around this time of year, CDYC boards the ferry off Baltimore for a weekend on Cape Clear. As accommodation is no longer available for the size of the group on the island, it was back to the drawing board for the youth council. Instead of boarding a boat, young people from Carrigaline, Cork, Carrigrohane, Fanlobbus, Kilgarriffe, Abbeystrewry, Crosshaven and Bandon boarded a bus bound for County Kerry instead and headed to the Muckross Youth Venture Centre for the weekend.

Diocesan Youth at Muckross House.

On Saturday, the group made their way along parts of the Gap of Dunloe as far as Lord Brandon’s cottage and then had a boat trip to Muckross Gardens, where the café made a fortune, and the gardens got a good run around. After running off a good bit of energy, the group made their way back to the hostel to meet the Rev. Terry Mitchell for the first time. They had the opportunity to chat with him and they had dinner together before he headed back to Schull.

An evening of quizzes and games, especially the good old reliable card games, took over with plenty of noise and laughter. On Sunday morning, the group went to St. Mary’s Church in Killarney where the Ven. Lumby was expecting them. The congregation and Ven. Lumby made everyone feel very welcome and even put on a spread of tea and cake for the group before they had to hop on the bus once more to get back home, sugared up and ready for their mums!

Young people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross together with the Ven. Lumby and Judy Peters.
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