DAILY NEWS

Irish church news – 23rd March

Reports include – C of I Olympic torch carriers; Bangor church row over mobile phone mast; Ecumenical Canons appointed to Armagh; School refurbishment celebrated; US group visit Down; Music for a Spring Evening; Tyrone church to stage ‘miracle’ exhibition

Curate to carry the Olympic torch

The Rev Andrew Ker, curate at St Brigid’s Parish, Mallusk, (Connor)  is one of 8,000 people in the UK selected to carry the Olympic flame.

Andrew, 46, will carry the torch on part of the route through the Co Antrim coastal village of Carnlough on June 3 2012.

His torchbearing run will take him along a section of the route of the Tour de Connor cycle, which Andrew organised and took part in during June 2010. The Tour de Connor team cycled 351 miles over six days, linking all parishes in Connor and raising more than £40,000 for the Friends of the Cancer Centre.

Andrew was nominated as a torchbearer by the rector of St Brigid’s, the Rev Bill Boyce, who also cycled the Tour de Connor. The cycle marathon was organised to pay tribute to Bill’s wife Sandra who sadly died of cancer a year to the day before the Tour de Connor run ended, and to raise funds for the Friends of the Cancer Centre who had given the family such wonderful support during Sandra’s illness.
Father–of–three Andrew said he was looking forward to his 300 metre run on June 3. “I am delighted. The magnificent Olympic flame is one of those images you see over the years from you are a child and I am thrilled to be part of it. It is very special.”

Andrew said he was honoured and humbled by the fact that Bill had nominated him, and said his rector and many of the parishioners from St Brigid’s had already pledged to come to Carnlough to support him. 

Andrew’s run with the Olympic torch will get underway at 2.50pm and take him through the centre of the village.

Young parishioner will carry Olympic torch
Natalie Barr, a parishioner of St Saviour’s Dollingstown, and younger sister of Charlene Barr (www.charlenesproject.org) has been selected as one of the Olympic torch bearers during its journey through Northern Ireland.
Undoubtedly Natalie’s prowess at hockey played a part in securing her nomination, however the wider story of Charlene’s Project undoubtedly played a part. Natalie’s heart for empowering a community in Uganda through sport and education ticked all the boxes for the Olympic committee.
She travelled to Uganda in 2011 to see for herself the result of younger sister Charlene’s vision and faith, and the symbolism of this honour was not lost as she gave her initial reaction to the news:
“Just got word I am carrying the Olympic Torch in Ballygawley. As a family we so want to continue carrying the torch for Charlene in Uganda and feel this very symbolic.”
When asked what she thought Charlene might say to her as she got ready to carry the torch, Natalie replied:
“I think she would tell me to keep the light lit which is what we are trying to do by building a second school. Also she would wind me up and tell me not to fall and if I managed that she would treat me to a Starbucks after.”
Natalie, who is training to be a teacher, was nominated by Martin Montgomery, Youth Worker in Seapatrick Parish, who said:
“I am delighted that Natalie gets to experience the excitement of such a worldwide event in such a personal way, and I really hope she enjoys every minute.”
Martin went on to praise the Barr family:
“They all are truly inspirational in how they have dealt with the death of such a precious member of their family – in darkness they have united to shine the brightest light – a light which is transforming lives in Uganda through education and clean water, and which is changing lives in Northern Ireland as they bear witness to a God who does not forsake those He loves.”
Charlene Barr suffered from cystic fibrosis and was awaiting a double lung transplant when she died in November 2010. She had been forced to leave school, abandoning her A–levels and plans for University, but, rather than feel sorry for herself, Charlene launched ‘Charlene’s Project’. The charity has rebuilt ‘Hidden Treasures’ Primary School in Uganda and a second school is planned as the trustees honour Charlene’s energy and vision.
Natalie will be running in Ballygawley on 3 June, so if you get a chance, please cheer her on!

Bangor church row over mobile phone mast
BBC – Mobile phone customers are having trouble accessing the Orange network
What’s the link between a church spire in County Down, possible pornography and a mobile phone mast? It appears there are fears that a phone mast on the spire of Bangor Church of Ireland could assist in the transmission of pornography. The church’s select vestry does not want the mast there, and has terminated its contract with Orange. But it means that people in the vicinity of the church, in the town centre, are having trouble with their Orange mobile phones.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17474261

Appointment of Ecumenical Canons to Armagh Cathedral
Two new Ecumenical Canons have been appointed by The Archbishop of Armagh, to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh: the Revd Dr Donald Watts, Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and Dom Mark-Ephrem Nolan, OSB, Superior of Holy Cross Monastery, Rostrevor, Co Down. The Installation of the new Canons will take place at a service of Choral Evensong on Sunday 22nd April 2012 at 3.15 p.m. Provision for two Ecumenical Canons was included in a new Statute governing St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh, enacted by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland in 2011. The Ecumenical Canons are appointed by the Archbishop of Armagh for a term of five years, which may be renewed. They join the Dean, Precentor, Chancellor, Treasurer, Archdeacon and four Prebendaries as members of the Cathedral Chapter (but may not vote). Welcoming their appointment, the Dean of Armagh, The Very Revd Gregory Dunstan, said, ‘In Dom Mark-Ephrem Nolan and Dr Donald Watts, the Archbishop has chosen two distinguished Christians each of whom, through their own particular ministry, have exercised great influence for good in the life of the whole Church in Ireland. I am delighted at their appointment, and look forward to their installation as members of the Chapter.’

School refurbishment celebrated in Lower Kilwarlin
A Praise and Thanksgiving Service was held in St James’s Parish Church, Lower Kilwarlin (Down & Dromore) on Sunday evening 18 March to mark the completion of a £25,000 facelift of the former St James’s Primary School.

The 167 year old school has just been refurbished with the addition of a kitchen and disabled toilets and is in use as a church hall.

A recent article in the Ulster Star records that St James’s Primary School opened in 1845 and served the local community for over a century and a half before closing for the last time in 2003. It amalgamated with St John’s and Maze Primary Schools to form Meadow Bridge Primary.

Church Warden and former Chairman of the Board of Governors, Tom Martin, said that since 2003 the school had been mainly used for Sunday School events, but they wanted it to be used by the wider community. In order to encourage that, work began to refurbish the building last July and disabled toilets were built and a classroom was transformed into a modern kitchen.

Mr Martin said, “We did not change it structurally on the outside. We wanted to keep it intact as there is a lot of history behind the school, but the interior has been re–done. The work is mainly completed apart from one or two minor things. It is still used as a Sunday School but we would like to see it being used by others.”
Bailiesmills Accordion Band played items during the service and supper was served afterwards in the former school.

Albany group visit to Down & Dromore
A spokesperson from the diocese said : We were delighted to have a small group of visitors with us from our link diocese of Albany. The group arrived on 16 March, just in time to share in our annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations at Saul and Down Cathedral.
The five couples were hosted by clergy in the diocese and on Monday evening Bishop Harold and Liz entertained the group to dinner at the See House. Leading the trip were seasoned visitors, Canon Bob and Margaret Haskell and the others in the party are: Revd Lynne and Clark Curtis, Revd Ginny and Ken Ogden, Revd Bill and Sandy Tatem and Dave and Sue Ellen Ruetsch. On Tuesday they had a tour of Stormont Buildings (including the chance to witness the Assembly at work in the debating chamber. They then headed back to Downpatrick to visit the St Patrick’s Centre and have a closer look at Down Cathedral On Wednesday our friends were in the capable and enthusiastic hands of Revd Chris Bennett as they toured The Titanic Quarter and heard of the latest developments at The Dock Church. They left yesterday.

Music for a Spring Evening and Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater
Holywood Parish Church is the venue for, ‘Music for a Spring Evening and Karl Jenkins’ Stabat Mater’ tonight Friday 23 March at 7.00pm.
Featuring:
•    The Parish Choir
•    Jubilate
•    Sullivan Senior Choir
•    Jenny Bourke – soloist
•    Stephen Hamill – organ
•    and a host of local musicians
Supporting missions to Kkalwe, Uganda and with Asha in Delhi, India.

Kindly supported by John Gray & Co., High Street, Holywood

Tickets £10 each including refreshments, are available from the Parish Office (028 9042 3622 / 71 Church Road, Mon–Fri, 10AM–1PM).

Tyrone church to stage ‘miracle’ exhibition
Telegraph – A Co Tyrone church has pulled off something of an international coup by attracting an integral part of the global celebrations for the Eurcharist. With the International Eucharist Congress taking place in Ireland this summer, St Patrick’s Church in Clonoe is staging a Vatican assembled exhibition called ‘The Eucharist Miracles of the World”. The Vatican collected the exhibition in 2004 to mark the year of the Eucharist and after being shown across Italy and the word, its visit to Clonoe will mark its first time in Ireland.
 http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/tyrone-church-to-stage-lsquomiraclersquo-exhibition-16134644.html#ixzz1pvctzFco

See also MUSIC – this site – for concerts, events etc.

If you happen to know a young person who enjoys singing – see report on Jubilee Choir at St Paul’s Cathedral