IRISH NEWS BULLETIN

Antrim church’s 50th Anniversary

Photo above – The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church took part in the 50th anniversary celebrations for Greystone Road Antrim over the weekend. He said “It was an encouraging and warm congregation

Bishops want church bells to ring out on Saint Patrick’s Day

Bishop Denis Nulty has asked that church bells ring out in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin on Saint Patrick’s Day as a call to prayer and solidarity at this time of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bishop Nulty said, “I support the call by Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore, for church bells to ring out on Saint Patrick’s Day. I am asking churches in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin to ring their bells for three minutes at 11.00am on Saint Patrick’s Day. The ringing of the bells on our National Feast Day will serve as a call to pray in solidarity and hope in these uncertain times.”

“Across our diocese there are no public Masses on Saint Patrick’s Day or next Sunday. Twenty-six of our parishes, offer a webcam facility. More will use a parish radio frequency. Every crisis also offers us a moment to explore new ways of expressing our faith. The Church is not a building; it’s a community, and on this day its very much a digital on-line community. Over the days we will endeavour to use digital media to its full capacity. The time will come, hopefully soon, when we can return to our churches and celebrate Mass but in the meantime let’s stay connected in prayerful solidarity with one another. The ringing of our church bells on Saint Patrick’s Day is one way of doing this.

Bishop Tom Deenihan, Bishop of Meath also called for bells to be rung which were a call to prayer. He said –

It is a vital that we offer prayer for and with those in our communities who are worried, suffering or vulnerable. I think particularly of those in the health care sector who are heroically addressing the current crisis and those who must make difficult decisions. Let our bells also be a sign of solidarity with them.

The Feast of Saint Patrick calls us to reflect on what it means to be Christian and what it means to be Irish. As someone who was isolated and tested, Patrick has something to offer our time.

I am also conscious that many in our communities in recent days have reached beyond themselves and have reached out imaginatively and courageously to the elderly, the isolated and vulnerable in our communities. That is Christianity, that is what Patrick gave us, that is what we are.

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Cancellations & changes

Bishop Dermot Farrell: “Many events have been cancelled because of the Coronavirus. Faith, love, and especially hope, however, are not among them”

Postponement of Institution to Aughaval (Westport) Group of Parishes

Bishop Patrick Rooke of Tuam states – Having consulted with the Rector–elect, I have decided that the Institution Service on Friday 3rd April should be held ‘behind closed doors’. The risk involved in bringing a large number of people together at this time is simply too great.

When the coronavirus crisis is over, a Service of Welcome will be arranged and it is hoped that all those who had intended to be present for the Institution will travel to Westport to greet the new Rector.

This change will be a great disappointment to so many; not least to Canon McWhirter herself, to her family and to the parishioners in the Aughaval Group. Nonetheless, I am sure that all will understand the need for such action at this time when many difficult and challenging decisions are having to be made.

Vincent’s Charity shops close

SVP has decided to close all 234 Vincent’s Charity shops with immediate effect and until further notice. The health and safety of our customers, donors, staff and volunteers has been of paramount importance throughout this developing situation. Read more: svp.ie/shopsclosed

Patrick’s Mysterious Adventure

Patrick’s Mysterious Adventure, the interactive exhibition and storytrail due to be held in Belfast Cathedral this week, has been cancelled in its entirety.

Initially, organisers Jill Hamilton and Karen Webb, both from Connor Diocese, had cancelled the public day due to take place on March 17, St Patrick’s Day, due to concern about the ongoing spread of Covid–19, with the intention of continuing to run the three days that were for invited schools only.

However, given the fast moving situation in relation to the Coronavirus and resulting precautions and restrictions, the organisers have reluctantly taken the decision to call of the event.

Graham Kendrick concert

The concert in Mossley Parish with Graham Kendrick due to take place on Friday March 20 has been postponed.

God in creation

…as we rejoice in our own experience of accepting the gospel message, give us a renewed understanding of what the gospel message truly is