Archbishop of Dublin meets with former Bethany Home residents, Connor curates and tutors on retreat, Church of Ireland College of Education Bicentenary Celebrations, Thank You Event for Christian Aid Collectors
Archbishop of Dublin meets with former Bethany Home residents
Following on from comments made by the Archbishop of Dublin on the day of his election, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson has met with Derek Leinster, Niall Meehan and a number of former residents of the Bethany Home.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the former residents to share their stories with Archbishop Jackson, in a meeting that was very much person to person and pastoral in character.
Archbishop Jackson stated that he was open to supporting the former residents in their quest to erect a memorial in Mount Jerome Cemetery for children who died in the Bethany Home and were buried there in unmarked graves. He also informed those present that he recently sent a letter to Ruairi Quinn, TD, encouraging the Minister for Education to re-examine as a matter of urgency the former residents’ appeal to have the Bethany Home included in the State redress scheme.
Connor curates and tutors on retreat
The beautiful Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland, was the venue for the annual Connor Diocese Continuing Education in Ministry (CEM) Retreat. This is a small Scottish island situated in the Firth of Clyde, just a short ferry ride from the west coast town of Largs in Ayrshire. This retreat centre belongs to the Episcopal Church of Scotland and is in the Diocese of Argyle and the Isles. An 18-strong group of curates and tutors accompanied by the Bishop of Connor and the Archdeacons of Belfast and Dalriada travelled by ferry and car from Larne on Monday May 16, arriving at the College of the Holy Spirit, Cumbrae, late afternoon.
After evening prayer in the adjacent Cathedral of the Isles, Britain’s smallest Cathedral, and dinner, the group had its first session with this year’s speaker, the Bishop himself, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy.
Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer and Compline were held in the Cathedral of the Isles and the Eucharist was celebrated in the Cathedral on Tuesday May 17 and Wednesday May 18.
The group had both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons free to explore the island. The more energetic ran or cycled right round the island, a distance of about 10 miles. Others drove round or simply explored the little town of Millport. Some walked to the top of the only hill on the island, or read and rested. There was some free time each evening to relax and enjoy the fellowship of the retreat.
Over the course of the retreat, Bishop Alan led seven sessions on the topic of ‘Shadows on the Journey,’ sharing some of the ideas in his forthcoming book of the same title (Columba Press, expected September 2011). Tutors on the retreat were Mrs Laurie Randall, the Rev Denise Acheson, the Rev Raymond Fox and the Rev Ken Houston.
Church of Ireland College of Education Bicentenary Celebrations
In honour of the bicentenary of the establishment of the Kildare Place Society, the Church of Ireland College of Education is holding a celebratory day for all current and past pupils, staff and friends of the College on Saturday, 28 May.
The day will commence with a Service of Thanksgiving in Christ Church Cathedral at 1.30pm, followed by a celebratory BBQ and reunion in the grounds of the College. Entrance to the BBQ is by ticket only.
Thank You Event for Christian Aid Collectors
Picnic by the Lake – a thank you event for all Christian Aid collectors and volunteers will be held on Saturday 11th June at Hillsborough Fort 2-5pm. All welcome. Brass Band, BBQ, Historical Tours and finally a special Epilogue Service at 5pm in Hillsborough Parish Church let by the Right Revd. Trevor Williams, Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe and Chair of the Christian Aid Ireland Board. If you have ever collected for CA please contact Christian Aid 028 9064 8133”