Irish news digest

Photo above – Cross placed for Holy Week in the window in front of Bishop Colton’s desk in his study in Cork.

A Cross in Your Window – A Suggestion for Holy Week and Easter

On Palm Sunday Christians would usually gather for their traditional processions recalling the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey, when people welcomed him, and greeted him enthusiastically waving branches. But there will be no donkeys or palms or outdoor singing this year.

So, an idea has come from the Church of England, which has been shared with the diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross by the Reverend Paul Robinson from Saint Anne’s Church, Shandon and Chaplain to Saint Luke’s Home in Cork.

In England, Bishop David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, has suggested that people put a cross in their window.

Bishop Paul Colton is passing this invitation on and is suggesting that the people of Cork, Cloyne and Ross do the same to mark Holy Week.

Bishop Colton said, “It’s a great idea. In Ireland we are used to putting a lighting candle in our windows on Christmas Eve as a sign of welcome to the Christ-child, a sign of hope. The cross is a sign of God’s love for the world. Bishop David and I first met about 20 years ago when we were on a ‘Baby Bishops’ Course’ together at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire; we have stayed in touch over the years since.

“I invite you all in Cork, Cloyne and Ross to place a cross in a window of your home for the duration of this Holy Week – known to Christians as ‘The Great Week’.

“I found a palm cross from previous years and put it in mine as you can see in the photograph above. Many of you might simply make a cross out of paper or cardboard. Families might like to make it an activity at home this weekend. When we get to Easter the cross can be decorated.

“The idea is very simple; you are invited to put or to make a cross to put in a window of your home this Holy Week which starts with Palm Sunday tomorrow.

“Displaying a cross is a sign to ourselves and to people passing by of the love of God.

“Initially, the cross could be simple and fairly plain, made of paper, card, wood – you can be as imaginative as you like. Then, when Easter comes you may like to decorate it with colours, flowers etc as a sign of our trust in the joy of the resurrection.”

Council for Mission publishes ‘Covid–19: A Mission Perspective’

The Church of Ireland’s Council for Mission has published a four-page summary of resources to help the Church to consider its missional role during the Covid–19 outbreak.

As part of this, the Council seeks to answer one of the main questions that many of us are asking at this time – What can you do?

The document suggests:

Why not use this time wisely and creatively to develop your own spiritual journey with God, and as leaders to encourage others to do the same?

Take up a spiritual discipline, read a gospel, spend some time in prayer – including time to listen to what God is saying to you.

Pray

We need to pray for our bishops, church leaders, the RCB, our diocesan staff.
Pray for our healthcare workers, for the effective use of their skills and for their protection.
For our political leaders, that God will guide them as they make difficult decisions which will affect our society.
The vulnerable in our society, those who have less resources to see them through these troubled times, and that we might be alert to their needs and respond with loving service.
For mission agencies and our mission partners who are working with some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in God’s world.
Use the resources of 24–7 Prayer and SIM International for intercession.
Resources download –
[[] https://www.ireland.anglican.org/resources/608/covid19-mission-reflections-response-and ]

Former Primus on BBC Radio Scotland

The Rt Rev David Chillingworth, former Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, led worship on BBC Radio Scotland this weekend in the early-morning Palm Sunday broadcast of New Every Sunday.

The 30-minute programme, which starts at 7.30am, delivers acts of worship “from across Scotland and from across the denominations”. New Every Sunday is also available on demand online for 28 days.
[ https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000h0ys ]

RTÉ’s daily Mass has average audience of 34,600

Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Bishop of Raphoe, has encouraged viewers to participate in daily Mass broadcast by RTÉ News Now at 10:30 a.m. from Monday to Friday.

Bishop McGuckian said, “As people throughout Ireland are complying with the restrictions that are required to arrest and reverse the spread of Covid-19, the broadcasting of Mass is even more important at this time. The daily broadcast is facilitating a spiritual communion of worshippers who, while not physically present within the church, are digitally united in faith.

“On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people who would love to attend daily Mass, but who can’t get to Mass these days and who don’t have access to the internet, I wish to thank RTÉ News Now for broadcasting Mass. May I ask people to spread the word to those not aware of this special broadcast but who would love to participate at Mass on television. Do tell them that Mass is broadcast at 10:30 a.m. Monday to Friday.”

According to the independent audience measuring service Nielsen, there has been an average audience of 34,600 television viewers since the first broadcast of Mass on RTÉ News Now on 19 March, up to and including 31 March. This figure is in addition to the approximately 2,300 for live streams each day on the Cathedral of Saint Eunan & Saint Columba’s own webcam

Clergy Daughters’ School grants

Applications for a new round of Clergy Daughters’ School grants are invited. Educational grants for the academic year 2020–2021 are available for the daughters of the Church of Ireland Clergy, who are in Secondary Schools (1st–6th Year) or in Universities or other Third Level Colleges. Application forms are available at clergydaughters@gmail.com or from the CDS Secretary, Mrs Caroline Cummins, 7 The Avenue, Rathdale, Enfield, Co. Meath, and should be returned, when completed, to arrive by 30th April.

Prayer points

As long as we continue living, we must continue praying’. (M. Henry).

Pray for those in authority, making the biggest calls of their lives. Pray for the health & strength of our NHS workers. Pray for those who are sick. Our prayers are powerful so let’s commit to praying them

for God’s strength for staff in testing and trying circumstances; Pray for God’s peace for residents at an upsetting time; Pray for God’s wisdom for those who oversee the work of the various facilities as they are called to make wise decisions

Spend some time today giving thanks for the
dedicated Church Army members who work to see lives changed because their lives have been changed by the living God.

God in creation