Frears urges pope to watch his movie; Dublin flag gift to French Cathedral; Commonplace Book of Alexander Lamiliere; Derry ordination; Belfast Street Pastors seek volunteers
Frears urges pope to watch his movie
British director Stephen Frears is urging Pope Francis to watch his film condemning the Catholic Church’s adoption policy.
Philomena, directed by Frears, tells the story of Irish babies who were sold for £1,000 to American families in the 1950s.
The film, due for release later this year, is based on a book written by journalist Martin Sixsmith, who investigated the real life case of Philomena Lee, whose child was taken from her in 1952.
Speaking at the Venice Film Festival, Frears says, “I am very keen that the Pope should see it.”
Dame Judi Dench, who plays Lee in the movie, adds, “It is a shockingly terrible story and it is right that it should be told.”
Oscar winner Dench met with Lee a number of times before filming began, and says, “We got on very well. We had a similar sense of humour. It is such a responsibility playing someone who is still alive.”
Dublin flag gift to French Cathedral
The Friends of Christ Church Cathedral have presented the Municipal Flag of Dublin to a chapel in Normandy dedicated to St Laurence O’Toole, the 12th century Archbishop of Dublin.
In May, the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral went on pilgrimage to Normandy ‘in the Steps of St Laurence O’Toole’. In the course of their visit to Eu, where he died, they were accorded a civic reception by the mayor and they visited the small chapel dedicated to the saint in which hangs the flag of the province of Normandy.
Now, courtesy of Dublin City Council, Christ Church has presented the chapel with the Dublin municipal flag to hang there also. The flag was handed over to Fr Laurent Bertrand of Rouen Cathedral during a short ceremony in the chapter house. Fr Laurent had received the pilgrims when they worshipped there on Pentecost and befriended them throughout their visit.
Commonplace Book of Alexander Lamiliere
The RCB Library’s ‘Archive of the Month’ for September will feature the commonplace book of the Revd Alexander Lamiliere.
Commonplace books were popular with ladies and gentlemen in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were a convenient way of recording useful and improving pieces of knowledge such as copies of letters, poems, recipes, excerpts from scripture or prayers. Some were substantial, some were slight but all were unique in reflecting the interests of their creators.
Alexander Lamiliere, the creator of this commonplace book came from French Huguenot stock. He spent his entire ministry in the city of Cork being successively Chancellor of Cork, Vicar of Holy Trinity. Archdeacon of Cork, and Vicar of St Peter’s, between 1774 and his death in 1800. He is buried in St Nicholas’ graveyard.
The contents of the commonplace book include an account of the Lamilliere family, written in French, by Lamilliere’s grandmother who was a member of the de Proisy family, copies of letters written to the Cork newspapers reflecting local concerns, and prayers composed by Lamilliere. The volume is likely to be of interest to those concerned with Irish Huguenot families, the Church of Ireland in the late 18th century, and, especially events in the city of Cork.
www.ireland.anglican.org/library/archive For further information please contact: Dr Susan Hood Tel: 01–4923979 E–mail: susan.hood@rcbdub.org
Derry ordination
A former school teacher will be ordained in St Columb’s Cathedral, in Londonderry, on Sunday 8 September. Bishop Ken Good will ordain Peter Jones at a service, which takes place at 4.00 p.m.
Before beginning his theological studies Peter spent eight years as a teacher in the history Department of Lisneal College. He lives in Moneymore but is originally from Tobermore. His journey towards ordination involved being an active member of his home parish as well as training to be a Lay reader in the diocese.
Peter is married to Kim and they are expecting their first child in December. During his theological training he has acquired a lot of experience in different situations. He has undertaken parish placements in Christ Church Castledawson, Holy Trinity Rathmines, and All Saints Clooney.
Having finished his studies at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute Peter will take up his post as a deacon–intern in the grouped parishes of Maghera and Killelagh. Nestled as they are at the foot of the Sperrin Mountains these parishes are centred around Maghera and Swatragh.
Revd Isaac Hanna is the Rector of the grouped parishes. Looking forward to Peter joining the staff team he described the parishes, “They represent a place that is rich in history and spiritual legacy but that is working hard to live that out in a way that is engaging and relevant to life at the beginning of the twenty–first century.
“Working out this vision for the parish means working towards a variety in expressions of worship, where both tradition and diversity live in unity. It also includes a commitment to an ever–increasing parish engagement with the wider community.”
The preacher at the Ordination Service will be Revd Patricia Storey, Rector of St Augustine’s, Londonderry.
Belfast Street Pastors seek volunteers
Belfast Street Pastors invite more people from the Church of Ireland and other Christian denominations to join them in the vital ministry they provide to the city’s young people.
Street Pastors are out on the streets of Belfast and Newtownabbey late on Friday and Saturday nights. They are there to care, to listen and to help anyone who needs their friendship or their assistance.
In Belfast city centre during 2012 Street Pastors prevented 28 assaults, gave assistance and advice to 339 people, handed out more than 400 pairs of flip flops to barefoot young women, prevented almost 30 assaults, helped more than 150 people get home and lifted nearly 5,000 discarded bottles and glasses.
Street Pastors are a cross denominational ministry which works in partnership with Belfast City Council and the PSNI. Trevor Betts is co–ordinator of Belfast Street Pastors.
“We are trying to encourage as many people from different churches to become involved,” said Trevor. “We have 30 volunteers and we would like to have 130. We only ask people to go out once a month and ideally we would have four teams made up of four members out every Saturday night.”
All Street Pastors receive 50 hours of training and practical discipling on the streets.
“Often there will have been too much drink taken, but people are mostly good natured and so appreciative of what we do. We offer basic first aid, give the girls flip flops, we carry water, and even sweets which can actually help calm a potentially violent situation.
“We are a positive presence. We do not preach at people although all our pastors are Christians. We talk to people and if they want to talk about issues Christian we are happy to discuss things with them. We also give them a card. But this is not about street evangelism.”
“This is about the church being out on the streets helping out in a positive, practical, caring way and as we do that we do get to talk to people and sometimes be a signpost to help them on the right way.”
Street Pastors are now recruiting new volunteers. Training sessions will run on six Saturdays over the coming months: September 14 and 28; October 12 and 26 and November 9 and 23.
Janet Hanna, a parishioner at Christ Church, Lisburn, is a Street Pastor in Belfast. “It’s good craic and you meet some real characters,” she said. “I can honestly say I have never felt threated on the streets. I have had only good experiences and most people just want to talk. I genuinely feel we are making a difference in people’s lives.”
Canon Neil Cutcliffe, rector of Mossley, is a member of Newtownabbey Street Pastors. “We are there to help kids and chat to them and make them feel they are valued,” he said.
“I would recommend anybody to give it a go. It strengthens the links between churches and individuals and it strengthens your own faith.”
Anyone who wants more information about Street Pastors or is interested in signing up for training should call 07516 230181 or email belfast@streetpastors.org.uk.