At a ceremony on Friday 11th March in the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel in Cork, organised by Cork Civic Life and attended by more than 700 people, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, was one of those to whom a Pride of Cork Award was presented.
Bishop Colton said that he was very surprised to have been nominated by members of the public for the award:
So many of the other award winners are people who have done wonderful and inspiring things, They are people, many of whom I know and work with in Cork, and admire greatly. I never imagined I’d be nominated by members of the public. I was especially delighted that many said they were helped by my night time prayers and short reflections on Twitter throughout the lockdowns of the pandemic. All I though I was doing was tweeting at about 9.30 p-.m. or 10 p.m. each night to give people a prayerful or reflective focus at the end of another tough day.
Miriam O’Callaghan of RTE presenting Bishop Paul Colton with his Pride of Cork Award. Photo: Erich Stack Photography
The citation which accompanied Bishop Colton’s award was read by Master of Ceremonies, PJ Coogan of Cork 96 FM and was as follows:
‘Our next recipient tonight is Dr. Paul Colton, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross who was nominated by numerous people in the public call for nominations and is receiving A Pride of Cork Award for the following reasons:
His night prayers for people during the Covid months, be they religious or not, and who joined with him in the spirit and intention of those prayers, and got hope, solace and inspiration from them.
In recognition of his 23 years as Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
In recognition of the affection that the people have for him as a person and Church leader.
In recognition of his inclusiveness for all in our society.
In recognition of the fact that in 2020 he became the longest serving Bishop of Cork Cloyne and Ross in over 400 years since Bishop William Lyon in 1617
In recognition of the fact that also in 2020, he became the longest serving Bishop still in office in the Anglican Churches of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales
In recognition of his ability to speak out and be heard in Civic, Church and State matters
‘Bishop Paul Colton is one of those inspiring people whose contribution to people, causes and Cork is truly deserving of A Pride of Cork Award so that we can say thank you to him for his commitment in helping to lead, inspire and guide, Cork and her people.’
Following the Government announcement that 18th March 2022 would be a public holiday, described by An Tánaiste as a ‘day of remembrance and recognition’, the clergy of Cork, Cloyne and Ross agreed to open churches across the Diocese to make symbolical, liturgical and prayerful space for remembrance and recognition.
From St Patrick’s night until the morning of 18th March church light will be left on to proclaim Christ the light of the world, shining in darkness. On 18th March, principal churches in all parishes will be open for people to visit and pray between 10am and 12noon. Some churches will hold a specific liturgy. In those churches where there is a bell/bells, they will be bellringing at 11am.
For specific events in each parish please refer to the list below.
Bishop Paul Colton lighting a candle during the Diocesan Synod 2021 in remembrance of those who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, welcomed these initiatives from the parishes and chaplaincies of the Diocese:
When I met on ZOOM with the group of clergy in response to the announcement by An Taoiseach of this public holiday as a day of recognition and remembrance, everyone agreed that we should do something appropriate not only to acknowledge the suffering of so many during this pandemic and not only to remember all who have died, but also to give thanks for the so many generous, sacrificial, human responses to the challenges we have all been living through, most especially by frontline workers. As the war in Ukraine now, understandably, dominates our news and preoccupies our current responses, it is important that we do not ‘move on’ from the shared experience of the pandemic, without remembering and recognising those who need to be remembered and recognised. In any case, the pandemic, like this war, has changed and is changing our world. Christian neighbourly responses of generosity, hospitality and compassion, will continue to be needed for a long time to come.
The parishes below have supplied information about their plans for Friday 18th March. For other parishes, please consult the local clergy. You will find the places listed on the Diocesan website HERE.
Abbeystrewry Union
Abbeystrewry Church and St. Barrahane’s, Castletownshend will be open for the day.
The Bells in Abbeystrewry will be rung at 11 am, and this will be followed by a liturgy in Abbeystrewry Church.
Ballydehob Union
St Matthias Church, Ballydehob will be open between 10am and 12noon.
Bandon Union
St Peter’s Church in Bandon will be open between 10am and 12noon. A liturgy is planned for 11.30am, please contact the Rev. Denis MacCarthy for more information.
There will be bells rung at 11am.
Carrigaline Union
The lights in St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline and St John’s Church, Monkstown will be left on overnight from 17th to 18th March.
St John’s Church, Monkstown and St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline will be open between 10am and 12noon on 18th March.
There will be prayers in St John’s at 10am and prayers in St Mary’s at 12noon.
St John’s and St Mary’s bells will ring at 11am.
Carrigrohane Union
St Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane will be open between 10am and 12noon.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork
The Cathedral will be open between 10am and 12noon.
Candle lighting and prayers in the Choir and Chancel with members of the Diocesan Youth Council, the Bishop and the Dean will take place at 11am.
There will be bell ringing at 11am.
Cobh and Glanmire Union
Christ Church, Rushbrooke will be open between 10am and 12noon.
At 10am the LAC approved liturgy will be read.
The bell will be rung at 11am.
Cloyne Union
St John the Baptist Church, Midleton will be open between 10am and 12noon.
The liturgy will be held at 12.45pm.
The bell will ring at 11am.
Douglas Union
All of the churches in Douglas Union with Frankfield will be open for prayer between 10 and 12 noon.
A short liturgy will be held in St Luke’s Douglas and St Michael’s Blackrock shortly after 11.00am.
The bells will be rung at 11 in Passage, Blackrock and Douglas.
Fanlobbus Union
St. Mary’s Church, Dunmanway will be open between 10am and 12noon.
There will be liturgy at 11.15am.
The Sam Maguire Community Bells will be rung at 11am.
Kilgariffe Union
Kilgarriffe Church, Clonakilty will be open between 10am and 12noon.
The bells will be rung at 11am.
Kilmocomogue Union
St James Church, Durrus will be open from 10am to 12noon. St Brendan’s Church, Bantry will be floodlight over that time.
The bell at St Brendan’s Church, Bantry will ring at 11am.
Kinsale Union
The Church of St Multose, Kinsale, will be open all day.
Mallow Union
All churches in Mallow Union will be open between 10am and 12noon.
Prayers will be said at 11.05am
Moviddy Union
St Mark’s Church, Kilbonane will be open between 10am and 12noon.
St Martin’s Church, Templemartin will ring their bell at 11am.
Templebreedy Group
Nohoval Church, Nohoval and Holy Trinity Church, Crosshaven will be open between 10am and 12noon.
There will be a liturgy at 11.05am. For more information please contact the Rev. Isobel Jackson.
Nohoval Church and Holy Trinity Church will ring their bells at 11am.
Youghal Union
St. Mary’s Collegiate Church, Youghal will be open all day.
During the first weekend in March, the Cork Diocesan Youth Council held their first Retreat Weekend since before the Covid-19 pandemic at the Carhue Centre in Bandon.
Hilda Connolly, Diocesan Youth Officer writes:
It is strange to think that the last residential weekend that the Cork Diocesan Youth Council held was the Confirmation Retreat in March 2020. It is nearly ironic that the first residential weekend after Covid restrictions were lifted, was the Confirmation Retreat March 2022 for this year’s upcoming candidates.
Thanks to Judy Peters, the Rev. Cliff Jeffers, Steve Grasham from CIYD, and the ‘Young Leaders in Training’ group, the weekend was full of different events, including sessions on the Bible, worship and prayer. They also organised a mini “Bake Off” competition, judged by Judy and Steve, Pilates and Dancefit sessions with Cathy Sweetnam from Core Studio, and an African Drumming Session with Steve.
It was great to be able to see a new group of young people gathering again, and to see the Young Leaders in action for the first time with some help from the older Youth Leaders. There was a great buzz around the Carhue Centre in Bandon over the two days. It is great to be back!
The Rev. Ciff Jeffers, Rector of Fanlobbus Union, writes:
On Thursday 24th of February the Fanlobbus Youth Group visited Coolkelure Farm, which is owned by John and Viri Kingston Castro, who are participating in ‘regenerative agriculture’. The confirmation group and young people from the youth group toured the farm and had the concept of regenerative farming explained to them.
Fanlobbus Youth Group and confirmation group at Coolkelure Farm
Spring is a great time to visit Coolkelure Farm, with all the lambs, puppies and chickens. In the second half of the day, our young people assisted with the setup of a vegetable tunnel, laying down cardboard and covering it with wood chippings. The day concluded with some Mexican food, homemade burritos and a tasting opportunity of organic goats milk which is produced directly on the farm.
Thank you to John, Viri and their family for a great tour and an insight into their environmentally sensitive method of farming.
We reported previously about the spontaneous and generous support from clergy, employees and a number of parishes for the costs of the five vans being driven into Ukraine with medical supplies donated by the people of Cork. That report is HERE.
Naturally, in the following days, parishes began to take their own initiatives including in response to the call by the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal in partnership with other agencies, which was reported HERE.
The Bishop, Dr Paul Colton, paid tribute to the people of Cork, and especially to those from Cork, Cloyne and Ross for their immediate Christian and humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine. He said:
We all continue to be increasingly dismayed and devastated by the scenes we are witnessing through the media emanating from Ukraine as well as the scenes of refugees arriving in neighbouring states. As we have responded to other crises and conflicts around the world, and continue to do so, the response of the people of Cork in general, including the people of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, has been immediate, compassionate and very generous.
It really is an example of the third of the Five Marks of Mission in Anglicanism: ‘to respond to human need with loving service.’ What is truly eluding us all in the current disaster, however, helpless as many of us feel, is what we we are entrusted with in part of the fourth of those marks of mission: ‘…to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.’ I call everyone to fervent prayer, practical humanitarian responses, and also thank very sincerely the people and parishes for their initiatives.
Here is what is a flavour of what is happening in some of the parishes of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
Abbeystrewry Union
A retiring collection was held in the churches over the weekend, which raised roughly €250.00 for the Red Cross in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian national anthem was played at our service in Abbeystrewry Church.
And a parishioner created a piece of artwork which is displayed in the porch in Abbeystrewry.
Artwork in Abbeystrewry Church
Bandon Union
Bandon Grammar School have launched an appeal to students and staff for donations of hygiene supplies to help those who are fleeing from war torn Ukraine.
Students at Bandon Grammar School
Carrigaline Union
The Healer/Prayer group led a very moving time of prayer on Ash Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm. There was a retiring collection which was sent to UNICEF for the Ukraine appeal. The Healer/Prayer group have also committed to pausing each night at 7pm to pray for peace in the world and all parishioners are invited to stop whatever they are doing at that time and join them in prayer.
Following an initiative from the Dean of Cork , together with church bells across the county, St Mary’s Carrigaline and St John’s Monkstown Bells rang for 5 minutes at 7pm on Thursday night to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people.
From Sunday, there will be a basket in each church to facilitate donations to Bishops’ Appeal for Ukraine. They are partnering with Habitat for Humanity and Christian Aid and encouraging parishes across Ireland to contribute to their response to help people seeking refuge.
Prayers for Ukraine at St Mary’s, Carrigaline
Cloyne Union
A Red Cross Appeal Street Collection will take place on Saturday, 12th March, and prayers have been provided.
St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork
The Dean of Cork, Very Rev. Nigel Dunne and Chairperson of the St Fin Barre’s Quarter Development Group decided that the ringing of some of the Cathedral bells for five minutes at 7pm last Thursday night might be a simple way of doing this. Within 24 hours 12 churches decided to join the Cathedral’s lead and by another 24 hours the list had more than tripled. The churches continue to ring bells every Thursday night.
Part of the Bells of Ukraine initiative led by the Cathedral on Thursday night was the lighting of a dedicated ‘peace candle’ which has been installed in the Dean’s Chapel. Two prayers, one for the people and government of Ukraine and one for peace throughout the world are available at the candle for visitors to offer as they pray.
Peace Candle at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Douglas Union with Frankfield
Collections in aid of the Irish Red Cross appeal for Ukraine will take place on Sundays 6th and 13th March.
The Union have advertised a local initiative by the Polish community in Cork who are transporting essential items to Poland for the Ukrainian refugees there. Their temporary depot is a unit in the Kinsale Road Industrial Estate.
Church bells were rung in all churches for the ‘Bells for Ukraine’ initiative.
Collection in Douglas Union
Fanlobbus
The Union have set up a fundraiser on their iDonate page for people to make contributions towards the cost of sending a van to the Ukraine (the Bishop’s initiative). All parishioners received a text message saying that they can contribute online, in church or by dropping a donation into the rectory. This is their donation link: https://www.idonate.ie/ukraine783
Church bells were rung in all churches for the ‘Bells for Ukraine’ initiative.
Dunmanway, West Cork, Ireland. 3rd Mar, 2022. Church bells across County Cork rang out for 5 minutes this evening to show solidarity for the people of Ukraine. Rev. Cliff Jeffers and his team of bell ringers in St. Mary’s Church, Dunmanway, rang the church bells to show support for all Ukranians worldwide. Picture: Andy Gibson.
Kinsale Union
In the Kinsale Union after all Sunday services there is an opportunity to donate to the Ukrainian Appeals of the Irish Red Cross and Unicef.
At all services last Sunday a minute’s silence and the prayer commended for the people of Ukraine by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York took place.
Mallow Union
There was a coffee morning on Wednesday next (9th of March) in Eily’s bar, Doneraile, from 10am am to 12 pm. The money raised was lodged with the Irish Red Cross and GOAL International to enable aid to be given to people as they need it, and where they need it.
At Doneraile Church, the Church Warden, Mary St Leger, organised a collection of items to send to Poland for refugees arriving from Ukraine.
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