Diocesan News10 Nov 21

News from around the Church of Ireland

Welcome! This is the first of our weekly round–ups of news from around the Church of Ireland’s dioceses and parishes.  Diocesan news not only keeps readers informed about stories at a local level but also shares ideas which can be picked up by parishes anywhere on the island and indeed further afield, as we seek to follow Jesus and serve our communities.  Please click on the links in each report to read the full story.

Keep an eye out for longer, more occasional, features on major appointments and other significant initiatives.

If you have a story from your parish or another ministry which you would like to have shared more widely, please contact your Diocesan Communications Officer (DCO).  And feel free to check in each week on this page for the latest news from around our Church.

Cork, Cloyne and Ross Diocesan Synod will be held online

Bishop Paul Colton has announced that the annual Diocesan Synod, involving clergy and lay representatives from the diocese, will not be held in person as originally planned, but will now take place online on Saturday 27th November at 11am instead, using video conferencing facilities. 

New chapter as first female Canon is installed in Raphoe

A new chapter was written on Thursday evening, in the centuries–long history of St Eunan’s Cathedral in Raphoe, when the Rev Canon Judi McGaffin was installed as a member of the Cathedral Chapter. In succeeding the Rev Canon Dr Bill Long, who retired last March, the Bishop’s Curate–in–Charge of the Fahan Group of Parishes became the first ever female member of the Raphoe Cathedral Chapter.

Cashel Diocesan Synod

Winter coats and facemasks were much in evidence at the Synod of the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory held in St Mary’s Church, Enniscorthy, on Saturday afternoon, November 6th.

Parents & Tots for Killough

A new Parents and Tots Group has become a popular addition to the outreach work in Killough, in the Diocese of Down and Dromore, led by Sarah and Colin Irwin. Sarah and her Mum run the group every Thursday morning and word of toys, tea and chat has spread quickly!

New Dean of Ossory

The Reverend Stephen Andrew Farrell has been appointed Dean of Ossory and rector of Kilkenny Union of Parishes. The new dean is currently rector of Zion parish, Rathgar, in the Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough.

Blessing of Mothers’ Union banner in Glanmire

In St Mary & All Saints’ Church, Cobh and Glanmire Union of Parishes, in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the parish’s new Mothers’ Union banner was recently blessed by the Rector, the Revd Paul Arbuthnot.

New Rector welcomed to Taney Parish in Dublin

Parishioners of Taney have given a warm welcome to their new Rector. The Revd Nigel Pierpoint was instituted as Incumbent by Archbishop Michael Jackson, and parishioners, family and friends joined the service both in church and online for what the Archbishop termed “a momentous occasion in the life of Taney parish”.

Cathedral Community Awards Scheme opens in Limerick

The Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall J Sloane, is delighted to announce the 2021 Cathedral Community Awards Scheme. The Awards Scheme, which was established in 2018, hopes to highlight the ‘unsung heroes’ of Limerick and will awarded in February 2022.

Nomination forms are available from the Cathedral Office until the closing date of 30th November 2021.