Rector abseils Europa Hotel; Don’t give up the day job Bishop!; Operation Christmas Child – Shoe Box Appeal; Lisburn Culture Night; Dublin deacons ordained
Rector abseils Europa Hotel
Between morning service and evening service on Sunday September 22 the rector of St Michael’s abseiled from the roof of Belfast’s Europa Hotel – as you do!
Former Archdeacon of Belfast Barry Dodds was part of a group of 13 to make this leap of faith. They were raising funds for St Michael’s parishioner Leah Batchelor who on September 24 2011 suffered a massive aneurysm which devastated the cells around her brain stem.
Leah, who was 21 at the time, was left with a rare condition known as locked in syndrome. Doctors said she would never walk, talk or even breathe by herself again.
But Leah is a fighter. She has defied the odds and although she uses a wheelchair and has a speech impairment, this month she returned to complete her final year of studies in graphic design at the University of Ulster.
Barry joined several St Michael’s parishioners and friends of Leah’s family for the fundraising abseil.
Barry said: “I have done some abseiling before and was familiar with all the equipment so I felt fairly confident even when it came to leaning back over the ledge. One or two others were very nervous but they were really great and went over the edge for Leah.”
Barry found he had to adapt his usual abseiling method of descent. “We were not able to bounce off the wall, but had to walk down instead. I just kept going and it was all over in two or three minutes.
“Leah’s mum Allison and brother Ryan took part and Leah and her dad Thomas were in Great Victoria Street cheering us on. I didn’t think I would be able to hear anything from the roof but when I stepped over they were all cheering from below.”
Barry said the funds raised from this white knuckle adventure will go towards specialist treatment for Leah. “The State and Health Service do a great job but cannot meet all Leah’s needs. This funding is to fill that void, and will help pay for the intensive physiotherapy that Leah receives when she goes to the Bobath Centre in London. She has already been there for two 10–day sessions and they have helped move her recovery on a little bit more.”
Anyone wishing to support Barry’s fundraising efforts for Leah can still make a donation which can be sent to him at 5 Sunningale Park, Belfast, BT14 6RU or paid directly into bank account sort code 08 91 03 account number 03354232.
Don’t give up the day job Bishop!
Bishop Harold Miller of Down and Dromore was to be found flipping burgers at Belvoir Parish’s BBQ on Sunday 22 September.
The Bishop was preacher at a special ‘Celebration of God’ service and willingly put his culinary skills (honed at many a Summer Madness Bishop’s BBQ) to good use after church.
In a worrying pattern, Titanic Quarter Chaplain, Revd Chris Bennett, reports that Bishop Harold also did a stint of volunteering behind the coffee bar at The Dock last weekend.
“An evil part of me really enjoyed bossing him around for a couple of hours – making him clean the tables and collect the dirty dishes,” said Chris. ”And I can report on his volunteer evaluation: Timekeeping – Poor. Cuppa–making abilities: satisfactory. Being a Bishop: brilliant.”
Operation Christmas Child – Shoe Box Appeal
Every year Mrs Irene Boyd of Clogher Diocese makes a mammoth effort in raising money for children in need through Operation Christmas Child, the Shoe Box appeal. The purpose, that children in situations of extreme poverty would receive at least one present at Christmas.
Work has already begun in preparation for that pre-Christmas undertaking. We compliment Irene on her vision and all her efforts. Thanks to all who help, and to those who contribute. This will be the 17th year that Irene has organised and pushed for this worthwhile cause.
It is hoped there will be the customry generous response from parishes and from other groups and organisations further afield. Anyone who could assist with the organisation and preparation of the gifts, is kindly requested to contact Irene on 028 686 31009.
As in previous years, Drumkeeran Parish Hall will be the main collecting and sorting depot for this enterprise. Boxes should be left in Drumkeeran Hall by 27th November at the latest, preferably earlier as the boxes must be sorted and prepared for delivery to reach the needy before Christmas.
www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk
Lisburn Culture Night
Lisburn came alive on Friday September 20 with the introduction of Culture Night.
Lisburn City Centre Management, Lisburn Historic Quarter Arts Group and Lisburn City Council joined forces to create a packed programme of one night only events when venues across the city centre opened their doors to introduce a world of music, art, exhibitions, performance, workshops and family fun, all free of charge. Lisburn Cathedral was one of the key venues to host events.
Dublin deacons ordained
Five people embarked on the next stage of their journey of ministry on Sunday (September 22) when they were ordained to the diaconate by Archbishop Michael Jackson, in Christ Church Cathedral.
There was standing room only in the cathedral as family and friends gathered to join the candidates in what the Archbishop described as a solemn occasion but also one of enjoyment and empowerment.
The Revd David Bowles is a native of Dublin and will be an intern deacon in Taney Parish. The Revd Linda Frost is originally from England but had been living in Roscommon and has been ordained for St Mary’s Church, Howth. The Revd Eugene Griffin lives in Foxrock and will be intern deacon in Rathfarnham parish. The Revd Ian Horner grew up in Greystones and is returning there to be intern deacon in St Patrick’s Church. The Revd Trevor Holmes lives in Dunboyne Union of Parishes and is will serve as intern deacon in Julianstown in the Diocese of Meath and Kildare.
The service took place on the same day as the All Ireland Football Final and, the preacher Canon Aisling Shine, said it seemed as if the whole of Mayo had descended on the capital to watch their county take on Dublin bringing with them an atmosphere of joy and hope.
However, she said that that was where the comparison between the 85,000 football fans in Croke Park and those attending the service of ordination ended. “While the All Ireland final is the end point for those going to Croke Park, this service is just part of the journey,” Canon Shine said. “We are all called to ministry. Ministry is not just for the clergy, it is for everyone. But the good news is we are not called to do this on our own.”
She stated that every deacon was ordained to serve and all clergy remained primarily deacons. However, Canon Shine said she had a problem with the verb to serve. Serving used to be considered the lowest of the low, she said. But today service was a modern buzz word with everyone from politicians to financial institutions keen to serve. She urged people to look instead at Matthew’s version of the word which suggested serving people any time, anywhere.
The preacher said that the vocation needed to be loved and cared for and cherished and added that the deacons could not do this for themselves. She said they would have the support of their families and friends but also needed support from their fellow clergy and the support and prayers of people in the parishes throughout their ministries.