HOLY WEEK 2011
The Bishop decided that Holy Week and Easter 2011 would be a time of spiritual renewal and outreach across his parishes all over the South East, from Mountrath to Rosslare and from Cahir to Baltinglass.
While the individual parishes provided the heartbeat of this time of renewal, there were regional events which drew the dioceses together and engaged the wider public particularly in the six cathedrals at Kilkenny, Waterford, Cashel, Leighlin, Lismore and Ferns.
BELOW IS A PICTORIAL FLAVOUR FROM SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE FROM PALM SUNDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY
Palm Sunday Parade through Irishtown, Kilkenny
Palm Sunday Action in Tullow
Palm Sunday Action in Cashel
Palm Sunday Action in Strabally, Co. Laois
Ferns Clergy and the Bishop at the Maundy Service in Kilkenny
Seder Meal - Rathdowney Style
The Children's Gathering in Old Leighlin on Good Friday
Walking the Cross from Castlecomer Colliery Church to Moneenroe
Dawn Eucahrist in Tramore, Co. Waterford
Dawn Eucahrist in the Glen of Aherlow
Dawn Eucahrist in the grounds Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois
The Joy of the Easter Dawn over Killanne, Co. Wexford.
FAREWELL TO THE PATRIARCH OF FERNS!
After 40 years in ministry and 16 years as Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie D. A. Forrest has taken retirement.
Over the last weekend of January 2011, several services and parochial events marked this conclusion to this phase of the Dean's life.
On Friday 28th January the parish paid their own tribute to their pastor in a special gathering in the Courtyard, Ferns with presentations to him and his family.
The 30th was the nearest Sunday to St Edan's Day and while the normal service took place in the morning there was a special Eucharist held in the afternoon to celebrate the Patronal Festival and at which the Bishop was the preacher. It was on St Edan's Day 1995 that Dean Forrest took up his duties in Ferns.
The cathedral held a full congregation and which included the clergy of the Diocese, clerical friends from the wider diocese and Leslie's long time friend the Revd Alistair Graham from Mullingar. The Ferns Diocesan Choir was led by Mr Henry Percival.
In his sermon the Bishop said how hard it is for any priest to leave his flock and his chancel for the last time, especially if he has had any kind of pastoral heart, no matter how bright and different the future might look, ending a pastoral relationship with those whom one has cared for and loved for so long. The Bishop also outlined the many attributes of the Dean and some of the legacies he will leave behind.
Following the service refreshments were held in St Mogue's Cottage where the Dean thanked everyone for being present and expressed that it was a strange sensation to be retiring and offered appreciation to the entire parish for all their support to him over the years.
--------------------
NEWS AUTUMN 2010
OPENING OF NEW PARISH CENTRES
CARLOW COMMUNITY HOUSE
The Bishop formally opens the Centre
The Church of Ireland Community House, Haymarket, Carlow was opened on Saturday 6th November and well over 100 people tried to squeeze in for refreshment afterwards.
The Bishop did the honours with guests of honour Bishop Walton Empey and Archdeacon John Murray. The Cathaoirleach of the Town Council, Cllr Walter Lacey and the Chief Planning Officer Mr Seamus O'Connor read lessons. Speeches were made by the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Cllr William Patton, Carolyn Good Vestryperson, The Rector, Joan Coen whose exhibition Ar Scath a Ceile was opened, and Bishop Michael.
Of the Haymarket the Bishop talked about the hay being warm and cosy, a good place for Christians to gather. He talked about the saving of the hay and the saving of Christians and the taking of the message out into the marketplace, out of the comfortable huddle Christians sometimes prefer.
Carolyn took us on a journey down memory lane with her reminiscences of the Deighton Hall. The Rector reminded us that the church restoration is only beginning and the windows will need to be done next year. Then all processed down the newly made path from the church to the house where the ribbon was cut, a plaque acknowledging the Deighton Trust unveiled, and the exhibition opened.
The house consists of a meeting room for about 50 people, a lounge with gas-fire and television, kitchen and eating area, toilets and storage. It will be used for Sunday Club, hospitality after services, Vestry Meetings, and much more.
KILTEGAN PARISH CENTRE
The President and her husband are greeted by Kiltegan
It was a great occasion to have President Mary MacAleese come and officially open the new Parish Centre in Kiltegan. The day was a great success all round, and attended by many local people. The President integrated well with everybody, and the children recited a poem for her, and her speeches were splendid, and which was followed by lunch afterwards lunch.
Two days before the official opening the Bishop came and blessed the Centre after the 12 noon service. Bishop Walton Empey represented him at the opening and led ecumenical prayers.
CASHEL & FERNS CONJOINT SYNOD REPORT 2010
The Conjoint Synod for Cashel Ossory with Ferns took place on 20th October in Wexford. At the opening Eucharist the Reverend James Mulhall was commissioned as Cashel and Ossory children ministry officer. The Bishop used his presidential address to reflect on how the local church in diocese and parish must be a microcosm of the values and hallmarks of the one catholic Church of God.
During the Synod there were many references to the issue of the creation of unions. There were tributes paid particularly to Sam Harper and Cecil Wellwood and others who had carried out much work in explaining and allaying fears to many round this question. Others stated that there was still considerable unease in some parts of the Diocese, especially among the elderly who had difficulty in understanding it all.
Turning to coming events, the Bishop emphasised the diocesan time of renewal next Holy Week and Easter which it was hoped would be a week of memorable and energetic belonging.
He acknowledged the generosity towards Bishops' Appeal, and promoted the Water of Life strategy for 2010 thanking Billy Kingston and Valerie Power for all their work.
He also thanked all those in administration, looking forward to the building of the new diocesan office in Kilkenny.
The Bishop welcomed seven new clerical members and offered best wishes to those who would be shortly leaving.
Special words of tribute were paid to the Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie Forrest retiring in 2011, especially in respect of his ecumenical work in the Diocese of Ferns.
Visitors were welcomed including the Revd David Greenwood from our link Diocese of Sodor and Man and representatives of other Irish churches.
The Elemental Youth team led by Scott Evans in his inimitable rapid fashion demonstrated their work with the re-launch of Elemental in November, and the new Dean of Leighlin the Very Revd Tom Gordon outlined the agenda for his task as Adult Education Officer and adviser in Continuing Ministry Education. Another speaker with a new role was the Revd Susan Green who spoke of her ministry in secondary school chaplaincy work in Kilkenny College and also in Gorey.
There were also the annual awards for eco-awareness with several parishes winning prizes. These were presented by Mr Eddie Breen, the Wexford County Manager A troop of children from Mayo in Co Laois were cheered as they entered the synod to receive a prize for their nurturing of birdlife in the churchyard.
With an eye on ever more stimulating sessions in the future the synod passed a motion in the names of Godfery Borthistle and Margaret Stephens of Ferns urging the Diocesan Councils to consider how at coming synods there might be greater opportunity for debate on issues of the day in church and society. Such problems as suicide and greed were cited as issues that should be addressed.
The Reports of the Diocesan Councils were presented and approved: that of Ferns proposed and seconded by the Dean of Ferns and Roger Boyd, that of Cashel & Ossory by Archdeacon Murray and Cecil Wellwood. A selection of the Diocesan Reports from the Book of Reports were also presented to Synod by various members.
The situation with regard to the proposed new primary school at Bagenalstown and the problem with its location was explained and debated.
As well as the regular stands promoting their organisations, there was also support for church music and the reminder of the importance of the bishop's medal competitions.
The Synod remembered the good work of the Very Revd Norman Lynas and asked that its sympathies be conveyed to him on the death of his wife Nichola.
--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS NEWS 2010
NEW DEACON FOR OLD LEIGHLIN
It was a joyous occasion on Sunday evening 26th September when the Diocese and the Group of Parishes of Leighlin received their new dean, the Revd Tom Gordon into their midst and into the Cathedral of St Lasarian.
The Service was conducted by Bishop Michael Burrows and the preacher was the Revd Dr Adrian Empey former Principal of the Church of Ireland Training College. The music was led by the Choir of St Nicholas Church Galway and conducted by Mark Duley with musical accompaniment by the Mezin String Quartet.
The readings were by Lindsay Hall and Emily Watchorn and the Gospel was read by George Kidd. Also present were members of the Chapter of Old Leighlin and many clergy from the surrounding area. There were also clerical colleagues from the wider ecumenical and representatives from the civic community.
The Revd Dr Adrian Empey began his sermon by saying that he was delighted to back in his home diocese as he had been brought up near Myshall where his father had been rector. In later years he also served as a canon in Old Leighlin Cathedral.
Dr Empey congratulated the nominators on their choice and said that Tom was a person who cares deeply about people with a particular insight into the human condition which Dr Empey called the attribute of compassion. And along with a sense of humour these are two qualities that are essential for running a parish with pastoral care.
There followed the Act of Institution with the certificate of nomination being read by the Registrar the Revd Elaine Murray and which was followed by The Declarations being made and signed by the incumbent-elect. The Bishop read the Act of Institution thus establishing the Revd Tom Gordon as Rector of the Leighlin Group of Parishes.
The Bishop then explained that the Old Leighlin Chapter is shared with both Ossory and by extension with Waterford, Cashel and Lismore. The dignitaries of Leighlin are those of Kilkenny and the canons of Leighlin are the deans of Ossory, Cashel, Waterford and Lismore. It had been discovered that some of these distinguished individuals had never been installed in Leighlin. So the Bishop asked that the uninstalled members of the Chapter might take their places and consider themselves installed so that they might more fittingly receive the Dean. The members made their way to their respective stalls and the service proceeded with the Bishop requesting the full Chapter to come forward to install the Dean.
The Registrar read this second mandate, this time to the Chapter, and the Precentor the Revd Canon Mervyn McCullagh led the dean to his place and installed him in the customary way.
The new Dean and Rector was then presented to his people.
In addition, the new Dean is to devote half of his time to the work of Adult Education and Continuing Training for those in Ministry. Including all the many facets of his ministry Tom was welcomed by all from, as the Bishop said, from the West Door to the Sanctuary.
After the service a large gathering took place in the Roman Catholic Parish Centre in Leighlinbridge for refreshments and some lively and informative words from a number of people.
Local dignitaries included Cllr Denis Foley Chairman of the V.E.C., Cllr Jim Townsend, Cllr Michael Doran and Cllr William Paton Chairman of Carlow Co. Council. Also present were representatives from RTE: Producer Marie Penston, Fr Dermuid McCarthy and Roger Childs.
New Deacon
New Dean for Ossory
Ordinations
General Synod Report
BELOW IS A PICTORIAL FLAVOUR FROM SOME OF THE EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE FROM PALM SUNDAY TO EASTER SUNDAY Palm Sunday Parade through Irishtown, Kilkenny
FAREWELL TO THE PATRIARCH OF FERNS!
After 40 years in ministry and 16 years as Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie D. A. Forrest has taken retirement.
Over the last weekend of January 2011, several services and parochial events marked this conclusion to this phase of the Dean's life.
On Friday 28th January the parish paid their own tribute to their pastor in a special gathering in the Courtyard, Ferns with presentations to him and his family.
The 30th was the nearest Sunday to St Edan's Day and while the normal service took place in the morning there was a special Eucharist held in the afternoon to celebrate the Patronal Festival and at which the Bishop was the preacher. It was on St Edan's Day 1995 that Dean Forrest took up his duties in Ferns.
The cathedral held a full congregation and which included the clergy of the Diocese, clerical friends from the wider diocese and Leslie's long time friend the Revd Alistair Graham from Mullingar. The Ferns Diocesan Choir was led by Mr Henry Percival.
In his sermon the Bishop said how hard it is for any priest to leave his flock and his chancel for the last time, especially if he has had any kind of pastoral heart, no matter how bright and different the future might look, ending a pastoral relationship with those whom one has cared for and loved for so long. The Bishop also outlined the many attributes of the Dean and some of the legacies he will leave behind.
Following the service refreshments were held in St Mogue's Cottage where the Dean thanked everyone for being present and expressed that it was a strange sensation to be retiring and offered appreciation to the entire parish for all their support to him over the years.
--------------------
NEWS AUTUMN 2010
OPENING OF NEW PARISH CENTRES
CARLOW COMMUNITY HOUSE
The Bishop formally opens the Centre
The Church of Ireland Community House, Haymarket, Carlow was opened on Saturday 6th November and well over 100 people tried to squeeze in for refreshment afterwards.
The Bishop did the honours with guests of honour Bishop Walton Empey and Archdeacon John Murray. The Cathaoirleach of the Town Council, Cllr Walter Lacey and the Chief Planning Officer Mr Seamus O'Connor read lessons. Speeches were made by the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Cllr William Patton, Carolyn Good Vestryperson, The Rector, Joan Coen whose exhibition Ar Scath a Ceile was opened, and Bishop Michael.
Of the Haymarket the Bishop talked about the hay being warm and cosy, a good place for Christians to gather. He talked about the saving of the hay and the saving of Christians and the taking of the message out into the marketplace, out of the comfortable huddle Christians sometimes prefer.
Carolyn took us on a journey down memory lane with her reminiscences of the Deighton Hall. The Rector reminded us that the church restoration is only beginning and the windows will need to be done next year. Then all processed down the newly made path from the church to the house where the ribbon was cut, a plaque acknowledging the Deighton Trust unveiled, and the exhibition opened.
The house consists of a meeting room for about 50 people, a lounge with gas-fire and television, kitchen and eating area, toilets and storage. It will be used for Sunday Club, hospitality after services, Vestry Meetings, and much more.
KILTEGAN PARISH CENTRE
The President and her husband are greeted by Kiltegan
It was a great occasion to have President Mary MacAleese come and officially open the new Parish Centre in Kiltegan. The day was a great success all round, and attended by many local people. The President integrated well with everybody, and the children recited a poem for her, and her speeches were splendid, and which was followed by lunch afterwards lunch.
Two days before the official opening the Bishop came and blessed the Centre after the 12 noon service. Bishop Walton Empey represented him at the opening and led ecumenical prayers.
CASHEL & FERNS CONJOINT SYNOD REPORT 2010
The Conjoint Synod for Cashel Ossory with Ferns took place on 20th October in Wexford. At the opening Eucharist the Reverend James Mulhall was commissioned as Cashel and Ossory children ministry officer. The Bishop used his presidential address to reflect on how the local church in diocese and parish must be a microcosm of the values and hallmarks of the one catholic Church of God.
During the Synod there were many references to the issue of the creation of unions. There were tributes paid particularly to Sam Harper and Cecil Wellwood and others who had carried out much work in explaining and allaying fears to many round this question. Others stated that there was still considerable unease in some parts of the Diocese, especially among the elderly who had difficulty in understanding it all.
Turning to coming events, the Bishop emphasised the diocesan time of renewal next Holy Week and Easter which it was hoped would be a week of memorable and energetic belonging.
He acknowledged the generosity towards Bishops' Appeal, and promoted the Water of Life strategy for 2010 thanking Billy Kingston and Valerie Power for all their work.
He also thanked all those in administration, looking forward to the building of the new diocesan office in Kilkenny.
The Bishop welcomed seven new clerical members and offered best wishes to those who would be shortly leaving.
Special words of tribute were paid to the Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie Forrest retiring in 2011, especially in respect of his ecumenical work in the Diocese of Ferns.
Visitors were welcomed including the Revd David Greenwood from our link Diocese of Sodor and Man and representatives of other Irish churches.
The Elemental Youth team led by Scott Evans in his inimitable rapid fashion demonstrated their work with the re-launch of Elemental in November, and the new Dean of Leighlin the Very Revd Tom Gordon outlined the agenda for his task as Adult Education Officer and adviser in Continuing Ministry Education. Another speaker with a new role was the Revd Susan Green who spoke of her ministry in secondary school chaplaincy work in Kilkenny College and also in Gorey.
There were also the annual awards for eco-awareness with several parishes winning prizes. These were presented by Mr Eddie Breen, the Wexford County Manager A troop of children from Mayo in Co Laois were cheered as they entered the synod to receive a prize for their nurturing of birdlife in the churchyard.
With an eye on ever more stimulating sessions in the future the synod passed a motion in the names of Godfery Borthistle and Margaret Stephens of Ferns urging the Diocesan Councils to consider how at coming synods there might be greater opportunity for debate on issues of the day in church and society. Such problems as suicide and greed were cited as issues that should be addressed.
The Reports of the Diocesan Councils were presented and approved: that of Ferns proposed and seconded by the Dean of Ferns and Roger Boyd, that of Cashel & Ossory by Archdeacon Murray and Cecil Wellwood. A selection of the Diocesan Reports from the Book of Reports were also presented to Synod by various members.
The situation with regard to the proposed new primary school at Bagenalstown and the problem with its location was explained and debated.
As well as the regular stands promoting their organisations, there was also support for church music and the reminder of the importance of the bishop's medal competitions.
The Synod remembered the good work of the Very Revd Norman Lynas and asked that its sympathies be conveyed to him on the death of his wife Nichola.
--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS NEWS 2010
NEW DEACON FOR OLD LEIGHLIN
It was a joyous occasion on Sunday evening 26th September when the Diocese and the Group of Parishes of Leighlin received their new dean, the Revd Tom Gordon into their midst and into the Cathedral of St Lasarian.
The Service was conducted by Bishop Michael Burrows and the preacher was the Revd Dr Adrian Empey former Principal of the Church of Ireland Training College. The music was led by the Choir of St Nicholas Church Galway and conducted by Mark Duley with musical accompaniment by the Mezin String Quartet.
The readings were by Lindsay Hall and Emily Watchorn and the Gospel was read by George Kidd. Also present were members of the Chapter of Old Leighlin and many clergy from the surrounding area. There were also clerical colleagues from the wider ecumenical and representatives from the civic community.
The Revd Dr Adrian Empey began his sermon by saying that he was delighted to back in his home diocese as he had been brought up near Myshall where his father had been rector. In later years he also served as a canon in Old Leighlin Cathedral.
Dr Empey congratulated the nominators on their choice and said that Tom was a person who cares deeply about people with a particular insight into the human condition which Dr Empey called the attribute of compassion. And along with a sense of humour these are two qualities that are essential for running a parish with pastoral care.
There followed the Act of Institution with the certificate of nomination being read by the Registrar the Revd Elaine Murray and which was followed by The Declarations being made and signed by the incumbent-elect. The Bishop read the Act of Institution thus establishing the Revd Tom Gordon as Rector of the Leighlin Group of Parishes.
The Bishop then explained that the Old Leighlin Chapter is shared with both Ossory and by extension with Waterford, Cashel and Lismore. The dignitaries of Leighlin are those of Kilkenny and the canons of Leighlin are the deans of Ossory, Cashel, Waterford and Lismore. It had been discovered that some of these distinguished individuals had never been installed in Leighlin. So the Bishop asked that the uninstalled members of the Chapter might take their places and consider themselves installed so that they might more fittingly receive the Dean. The members made their way to their respective stalls and the service proceeded with the Bishop requesting the full Chapter to come forward to install the Dean.
The Registrar read this second mandate, this time to the Chapter, and the Precentor the Revd Canon Mervyn McCullagh led the dean to his place and installed him in the customary way.
The new Dean and Rector was then presented to his people.
In addition, the new Dean is to devote half of his time to the work of Adult Education and Continuing Training for those in Ministry. Including all the many facets of his ministry Tom was welcomed by all from, as the Bishop said, from the West Door to the Sanctuary.
After the service a large gathering took place in the Roman Catholic Parish Centre in Leighlinbridge for refreshments and some lively and informative words from a number of people.
Local dignitaries included Cllr Denis Foley Chairman of the V.E.C., Cllr Jim Townsend, Cllr Michael Doran and Cllr William Paton Chairman of Carlow Co. Council. Also present were representatives from RTE: Producer Marie Penston, Fr Dermuid McCarthy and Roger Childs.
New Deacon
New Dean for Ossory
Ordinations
General Synod Report
After 40 years in ministry and 16 years as Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie D. A. Forrest has taken retirement.
The cathedral held a full congregation and which included the clergy of the Diocese, clerical friends from the wider diocese and Leslie's long time friend the Revd Alistair Graham from Mullingar. The Ferns Diocesan Choir was led by Mr Henry Percival.
Following the service refreshments were held in St Mogue's Cottage where the Dean thanked everyone for being present and expressed that it was a strange sensation to be retiring and offered appreciation to the entire parish for all their support to him over the years.
--------------------
NEWS AUTUMN 2010
OPENING OF NEW PARISH CENTRES
CARLOW COMMUNITY HOUSE
The Bishop formally opens the Centre
The Church of Ireland Community House, Haymarket, Carlow was opened on Saturday 6th November and well over 100 people tried to squeeze in for refreshment afterwards.
The Bishop did the honours with guests of honour Bishop Walton Empey and Archdeacon John Murray. The Cathaoirleach of the Town Council, Cllr Walter Lacey and the Chief Planning Officer Mr Seamus O'Connor read lessons. Speeches were made by the Cathaoirleach of the County Council, Cllr William Patton, Carolyn Good Vestryperson, The Rector, Joan Coen whose exhibition Ar Scath a Ceile was opened, and Bishop Michael.
Of the Haymarket the Bishop talked about the hay being warm and cosy, a good place for Christians to gather. He talked about the saving of the hay and the saving of Christians and the taking of the message out into the marketplace, out of the comfortable huddle Christians sometimes prefer.
Carolyn took us on a journey down memory lane with her reminiscences of the Deighton Hall. The Rector reminded us that the church restoration is only beginning and the windows will need to be done next year. Then all processed down the newly made path from the church to the house where the ribbon was cut, a plaque acknowledging the Deighton Trust unveiled, and the exhibition opened.
The house consists of a meeting room for about 50 people, a lounge with gas-fire and television, kitchen and eating area, toilets and storage. It will be used for Sunday Club, hospitality after services, Vestry Meetings, and much more.
KILTEGAN PARISH CENTRE
The President and her husband are greeted by Kiltegan
It was a great occasion to have President Mary MacAleese come and officially open the new Parish Centre in Kiltegan. The day was a great success all round, and attended by many local people. The President integrated well with everybody, and the children recited a poem for her, and her speeches were splendid, and which was followed by lunch afterwards lunch.
Two days before the official opening the Bishop came and blessed the Centre after the 12 noon service. Bishop Walton Empey represented him at the opening and led ecumenical prayers.
CASHEL & FERNS CONJOINT SYNOD REPORT 2010
The Conjoint Synod for Cashel Ossory with Ferns took place on 20th October in Wexford. At the opening Eucharist the Reverend James Mulhall was commissioned as Cashel and Ossory children ministry officer. The Bishop used his presidential address to reflect on how the local church in diocese and parish must be a microcosm of the values and hallmarks of the one catholic Church of God. During the Synod there were many references to the issue of the creation of unions. There were tributes paid particularly to Sam Harper and Cecil Wellwood and others who had carried out much work in explaining and allaying fears to many round this question. Others stated that there was still considerable unease in some parts of the Diocese, especially among the elderly who had difficulty in understanding it all. Turning to coming events, the Bishop emphasised the diocesan time of renewal next Holy Week and Easter which it was hoped would be a week of memorable and energetic belonging. He acknowledged the generosity towards Bishops' Appeal, and promoted the Water of Life strategy for 2010 thanking Billy Kingston and Valerie Power for all their work. He also thanked all those in administration, looking forward to the building of the new diocesan office in Kilkenny. The Bishop welcomed seven new clerical members and offered best wishes to those who would be shortly leaving.
Special words of tribute were paid to the Dean of Ferns the Very Revd Leslie Forrest retiring in 2011, especially in respect of his ecumenical work in the Diocese of Ferns.
There were also the annual awards for eco-awareness with several parishes winning prizes. These were presented by Mr Eddie Breen, the Wexford County Manager A troop of children from Mayo in Co Laois were cheered as they entered the synod to receive a prize for their nurturing of birdlife in the churchyard.
NEW DEACON FOR OLD LEIGHLIN
It was a joyous occasion on Sunday evening 26th September when the Diocese and the Group of Parishes of Leighlin received their new dean, the Revd Tom Gordon into their midst and into the Cathedral of St Lasarian.
The Service was conducted by Bishop Michael Burrows and the preacher was the Revd Dr Adrian Empey former Principal of the Church of Ireland Training College. The music was led by the Choir of St Nicholas Church Galway and conducted by Mark Duley with musical accompaniment by the Mezin String Quartet.
The readings were by Lindsay Hall and Emily Watchorn and the Gospel was read by George Kidd. Also present were members of the Chapter of Old Leighlin and many clergy from the surrounding area. There were also clerical colleagues from the wider ecumenical and representatives from the civic community.
The Revd Dr Adrian Empey began his sermon by saying that he was delighted to back in his home diocese as he had been brought up near Myshall where his father had been rector. In later years he also served as a canon in Old Leighlin Cathedral.
Dr Empey congratulated the nominators on their choice and said that Tom was a person who cares deeply about people with a particular insight into the human condition which Dr Empey called the attribute of compassion. And along with a sense of humour these are two qualities that are essential for running a parish with pastoral care.
There followed the Act of Institution with the certificate of nomination being read by the Registrar the Revd Elaine Murray and which was followed by The Declarations being made and signed by the incumbent-elect. The Bishop read the Act of Institution thus establishing the Revd Tom Gordon as Rector of the Leighlin Group of Parishes.
The Bishop then explained that the Old Leighlin Chapter is shared with both Ossory and by extension with Waterford, Cashel and Lismore. The dignitaries of Leighlin are those of Kilkenny and the canons of Leighlin are the deans of Ossory, Cashel, Waterford and Lismore. It had been discovered that some of these distinguished individuals had never been installed in Leighlin. So the Bishop asked that the uninstalled members of the Chapter might take their places and consider themselves installed so that they might more fittingly receive the Dean. The members made their way to their respective stalls and the service proceeded with the Bishop requesting the full Chapter to come forward to install the Dean.
The Registrar read this second mandate, this time to the Chapter, and the Precentor the Revd Canon Mervyn McCullagh led the dean to his place and installed him in the customary way.
The new Dean and Rector was then presented to his people.
In addition, the new Dean is to devote half of his time to the work of Adult Education and Continuing Training for those in Ministry. Including all the many facets of his ministry Tom was welcomed by all from, as the Bishop said, from the West Door to the Sanctuary.
After the service a large gathering took place in the Roman Catholic Parish Centre in Leighlinbridge for refreshments and some lively and informative words from a number of people.
Local dignitaries included Cllr Denis Foley Chairman of the V.E.C., Cllr Jim Townsend, Cllr Michael Doran and Cllr William Paton Chairman of Carlow Co. Council. Also present were representatives from RTE: Producer Marie Penston, Fr Dermuid McCarthy and Roger Childs.
New Deacon
New Dean for Ossory
Ordinations
General Synod Report
Alec has been assisting the parish in Abbeyleix for some time having come from Carlow where he began his road to ministry as a parish reader and therefore there was significant support from the Carlow area as well as the local.
A unique occurrence happened in the Church of Ireland when two members of the same family became incumbents in the same Diocese in the same week!
The Revd Katharine Poulton became Dean of Ossory and Rector of the Kilkenny Group of Parishes on Friday 21st May 2010 moving from the parish of St George & St Thomas in Dublin. The previous Tuesday, 18th, her husband the Revd Ian Poulton Rector of Killiney and Ballybrack moved to Co. Laois as rector of the Clonenagh Group of Parishes and was instituted in St Peter's Mountrath.
The photograph shows the candidates with Bishop Burrows before the service.
Synod passed a motion requesting the Church in Society Committee to submit a proposed "Code of Environmental Good Practice" for the Church of Ireland to the General Synod in 2011. Proposing the motion, Ms Marianne Young commended the work of Eco-Congregation Ireland, an Ecumenical body which seeks to promote environmental awareness at a Church level, but added, We should protect our creation locally and globally; greed, instant wealth and demand for more in the name of progress have put increasing demands on natural resources and is destroying our physical, economic and spiritual environment.
Speaking at the opening of the debate on the Commission for Ministry, Bishop Burrows welcomed the development of mid-career courses for clergy noting an "insidious lowering of morale"" in some middle-aged clergy and that there is a need for "theological refreshment". The objective was to "revitalise vocation in the middle part of ministry". Those in mid-life found it difficult to learn and move "outside the box" and examination is needed to help those who for example become involved in committees and those who don't".
Thinking of the younger generation, the Revd Maria Jansson urged people to ?actively and gently? encourage those who are feeling a call to ordained ministry so that a new dynamic upsurge in the call to God will be witnessed.
The third day began with devotions boosted by members of the cathedral choir and members of Synod were invited to come to the choir stalls to sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's ?Messiah". This was a thrilling and exhilarating experience for all who participated and along with the "congregation" created a magnificent sound backed by the mighty organ in fully cry.
