Re–opening and Rededication of Lisburn Cathedral; Bishop on the ball for Simon; Christmas appeal from the Hydebank Chaplains; Media review – education; abortion and youth mental health
Re–opening and Rededication of Lisburn Cathedral
A Re–opening and Rededication Service was held in Lisburn Cathedral yesterday, Sunday December 2, following major renovations. Work on the Cathedral building, which dates from 1708, began early in 2010, and the first phase included the repair of the spire, replacement of the weather vane, re–pointing of all the stone work, repair of the east facing stained glass window and partial replacement of the roof. The second phase focused on internal work, including new heating and provision of a new kitchen in the Cathedral Hall. The total cost of both phases of the building works was £800,000. The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, rededicated the Cathedral and preached at the service which began at 3.30pm
Bishop on the ball
Christ Church Parish, Lisburn, enlisted the services of the Bishop of Connor to strengthen the football team they put out against a local Simon Community team. But it was to no avail as the match ended 6–5 in favour of the Simon Community. Undaunted in defeat a modest Bishop Alan Abernethy was very quick to claim that he had actually scored the ‘goal of the game’ and this was backed up by the rector of Christ Church, the Rev Paul Dundas. The match, played at Lisburn Leisureplex, was organised to mark Homeless Awareness Week. Arlene Irvine, team leader of the Simon Community at Flush Park, Lisburn, said the organisation had very close links with the parish. “Paul is very involved in our project and the Christ Church has always been very supportive of us,” said Arlene. “We were really delighted when we heard the Bishop was coming along to support us too, we could not believe it!” The Christ Church team was made up of parishioners and friends of the parish as well as local politicians Alderman Paul Porter and Alderman James Tinsley of Lisburn City Council and Councillor Paul Rankin from MLA Brenda Hale’s office.
Christmas appeal from the Hydebank Chaplains
The Reverend Willie Nixon who serves as a Chaplain at Hydebank prison writes on behalf of the chaplaincy team –
Last November we sought your help with Selection Boxes for the boys at Hydebank Young Offenders Centre. Thank you to the 12 Parishes who got involved and who made a great effort to collect 367 selection boxes. These were given to the inmates, families of inmates in visits and children of some inmates who had left the prison over the Christmas period. The boys will receive their gifts this year from the Roman Catholic Chaplaincy budget, via the generosity of St Vincent de Paul. This year, on behalf of the Combined Chaplaincy team, I have decided to make a special effort for the ladies in Ash House; the only women’s prison facility in N.Ireland. Last year I had a small budget from some local MU members for gifts for the girls and was grateful to Liz Miller for coming in at Christmas to give out the gifts. Together with Sister Oonah, the Roman Catholic Women’s Chaplain, I am hoping to give the ladies a decent Christmas gift. We are going to provide a gift from M&S, so that the ladies feel valued, remembered and loved by God’s people. The gifts are given from the Chaplains to the girls with a simple gift tag saying: ‘Wishing you God’s blessing from the Chaplains on behalf of their church communities’. We need to raise around £420 for these gifts; any excess of monies received would go into the st Vincent de Paul account which is used by all the church traditions to fund necessities for the inmates throughout the year. If you, or anyone in your Parish would be willing to make a donation towards this project, the Chaplains at Hydebank would be greatly encouraged and blessed to have your partnership in this ministry. We would need the monies by Friday 7 December.
Cheques will be paid directly to Hydebank, and the monies diverted from there to Sister Oonah for this project. Each cheque will be acknowledged by Christine in the Hydebank Prison Accounts Department.
I look forward to hearing from you in the next few days.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone: 07764277771 or email: revwillie@drumbegparish.org
MEDIA REVIEW
Survey of GCSE results in NI
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/blow-for-john-odowd-as-number-of-pupils-on-five-good-gcses-falls-16243735.html
Slow movement towards single education authority in NI
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/education/new-single-education-body-esa-hit-by-fresh-delay-16244254.html
Significant number want more liberal abortion policy in NI
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/abortion-45-want-a-liberalisation-of-the-law-in-northern-ireland-16244251.html
Belfast Telegraph editorial comment on poll on abortion
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/viewpoint/editors-viewpoint-politicians-should-look-closely-at-poll-16244040.html
CS Lewis should be commemorated in Belfast
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/belfast-urged-to-mark-cs-lewis-50th-anniversary-16243739.html
Young people mainly visit their GP for mental health issues
Depression, anxiety, family conflict, suicidal thoughts and ADHD were the most common issues cited by young people to GPs in the Mid-West.
http://www.thejournal.ie/young-people-mostly-visit-gps-for-mental-health-issues-696107-Nov2012/