Diocesan News
Institution in Kilcronaghan
The preacher, the Tobermore–born Rector of Mossley Parish in the Diocese of Connor, the Rev Peter Jones, told the congregation, “She may be small in stature, but Rosie is a dynamo”. It was a measure of the affection in which the new rector is held that many of her former parishioners from Kilmore and St Saviour’s in the Diocese of Armagh travelled through the Sperrins, on what Bishop Andrew Forster called a “dreich night”, to attend the Service. One of them, a teary–eyed Mrs Marlene Hobson, hugged Mrs Diffin in the porch afterwards and told her, “There’s room on the bus for you.”
The new incumbent was joined inside the church by her husband, Ronnie, and their sons Ronnie, William and Wilson.
Mr Jones said it was a significant night for the parishes of Kilcronaghan, Ballynascreen and Six Towns and that he was excited by what God had planned for the parishes. “Rosie will love you. She will go the extra mile as she seeks to serve God in this place.” She would work relentlessly, doing all that she could to share the good news of the Gospel in this community and beyond.
Mrs Diffin was presented for institution by the Archdeacon of Derry, the Ven Robert Miller. Bishop Forster was assisted in the Service by the Rural Dean, the Rev Colin Welsh, and by the Diocesan Registrar, the Rev Canon David Crooks. The Bishop’s Chaplain was the Rev David Slater.
After the Service, the new Rector greeted her new parishioners in the adjoining parish hall, where a fine supper awaited guests and where tributes were paid to Mrs Diffin. She thanked all who came to the Institution on what was – for her – a night of mixed emotions. “We’ve come here together, and we’re from all different places and all different parishes and churches, and we haven’t met each other before. It’s a unique moment that God has drawn us together – His children – in under this roof at this moment, so it’s special, really special.”
Bishop Forster said he first got to know Mrs Diffin when he was Rector of Drumglass Parish in Dungannon and she had arrived there as Intern Deacon. “Within a few days – literally within a few days – Rosie had endeared herself to the parishioners because of her openness, her warmth, her sincerity; because with Rosie Diffin you get what you see.” The Bishop said the parishioners in Tobermore and Draperstown would quickly come to see the treasure they had in their new Rector.
Bishop Forster thanked the Rural Dean for organising Friday’s service and for looking after the parish during the vacancy, when it was ministered to by the Rev Tommy Allen and his wife, Ina. “What a great couple and what great servants of God and His Church,” the Bishop said of the Allens.
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