IRISH NEWS BULLETIN

Cancelled or postponed events

Connor Mothers’ Union’s annual Festival Service, due to take place in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Sunday March 15, has been postponed.

Patrick’s Mysterious Adventure Public Day which was due to take place in Belfast Cathedral on March 17 has been cancelled. The organisers have taken this decision following the cancellation of Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day Parade by Belfast City Council because of concerns around spreading Coronavirus. At this stage the exhibition for invited local schools is due to go ahead from March 18-20.

The Friends’ of Clogher Cathedral Service to be held on Sunday 22nd March has now been cancelled due to the present health crisis.

Tearfund’s Faith at the Musicals events in Causeway Coast Vineyard, Coleraine (March 13) and Carnmoney Presbyterian (March 14)
Graham Kendrick Concert in Mossley Parish (March 20)
Devine Healing Ministries 8pm service in St Anne’s (March 20)
1Way youth event in Lisburn Cathedral (March 13)
Friday morning Tots’ group in St Bartholomew’s, Stranmillis
Ballymena Parish Quiz (March 17)
St Paul’s, Lisburn, all youth organisations and annual displays until September
St Mark’s, Ballymacash, Saturday Club (March 14)

Most public Masses in Ireland may not go ahead over coronavirus
The Irish Catholic
[[] https://www.irishcatholic.com/most-public-masses-in-ireland-cancelled-over-coronavirus/ ]

Services cancelled in Cashel Diocese

In a pastoral letter to the parishioners and clergy of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory, Bishop Michael Burrowes has written –

“In the light of the statement of An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD yesterday, 12th March 2020, the bishops of the Church of Ireland, having consulted with each other, are expecting all members of the Church of Ireland in the Republic of Ireland to comply fully with the requests being made by the Government.

“In the light of the request that there should be no indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, and in order to err firmly on the side of caution, I now albeit with a heavy heart request the cancellation of the normal schedule of Church Services in this diocese at least until 29th March, the date announced by the Government. These arrangements will be reviewed by me thereafter, taking the advice of other bishops. The request with respect to gatherings of over 100 people extends to public gatherings for occasional offices such as Baptism for the time being; I have suspended all plans for the holding of Confirmations for the present. “
More at – [[] http://cashel.anglican.org/covid-19-bishop-burrows-statement-today/ ]

Change to Downpatrick Cathedral’s St Patrick’s Day programme

The St Patrick’s Day programme has been changed in the light of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is intended to go ahead with the service at Saul, the prayer pilgrimage and the Festival Service but as a precautionary measure lunch in the marquee is cancelled. Services and times, see –
[[] https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2020/03/changes-to-our-st-patricks-day-programme ]

Sources for Worship at home

If you are unable to get to Church tomorrow in the wake of recent restrictions on indoor gatherings, you might like to tune in or watch some of the following

St Patrick’s Cathedral video stream
All choral services are streamed live. Please note: audio will only be available for these services. Details of music sung at these services can be found on the Music List page.
[] https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/worship/video-stream/
[]
Parish churches in the Diocese of Derry with live Mass broadcasts
[[] https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/parish-mass-online ]

Radio

CUH102FM on Sunday at 9.15 a.m. when the Church of Ireland Healthcare Chaplain, at Cork University Hospital, Canon Dr Daniel Nuzum will broadcast a Service. You can tune in on the internet/online
[[] https://tunein.com/radio/CUH-fm-Hospital-Radio-1020-s230824/ ]

Resources for Sunday 15 March – The United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough (Church of Ireland)
[[] https://dublin.anglican.org/news/2020/03/13/resources-for-sunday-15-march?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook ]

PCI issues Coronavirus guidance to ministers

Following the UK government’s announcement on Thursday, that it was moving from a ‘containment phase’ to a ‘delay phase’, and the Irish government’s announcement in relation to public gatherings as a result of the Coronavirus-COVID 19 emergency, the Moderator or the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI), Rt Rev Dr William Henry (photo above), and the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev Trevor Gribben, have written to PCI ministers to advise, guide and update them.

In a separate statement, Rev Trevor Gribben said, “As an all-Ireland church we are monitoring closely this evolving situation across the island. Guided throughout by the public health authorities in both jurisdictions, we will also be keeping our approach under active review. Last week we issued some general guidance to ministers and congregations emphasising a common sense approach and advising that the most important thing that can be done is to follow all the public health guidance that is provided by the authorities.

“At the same time, in the interests of the health and wellbeing of our residents and staff, our Council for Social Witness followed the advice given by the majority of our Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland and restricted visitor access to all our homes and care services. This also included our supported housing scheme in Dublin. While our new guidelines are necessary, we sincerely hope that families and friends of the loved ones that we care for will understand and support that decision and work with us.

“In our letters today we wanted to assure our ministers of our personal prayers as they minister and give leadership in their congregations and communities. At a time of heightened anxiety for many in our congregations, their ongoing pastoral care, whether face-to-face, or by phone, is of tremendous significance. The ministry of prayer, as we carry one another’s burdens, has huge significance at such a time as this.

“We also stressed that it is vital that we follow the advice and comply with the specific recommendations given by the HSE in the Republic of Ireland and Public Health Agency (PCA) in Northern Ireland. For instance, in relation to the Taoiseach’s guidance that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 500 should not take place, we emphasised the need for this to be followed in all circumstances. This at present does not apply to our congregations in Northern Ireland,” Mr Gribben said.

Their letters to ministers concluded by saying, “This is a rapidly changing situation. It is therefore important to stress that congregations should follow all public health guidance provided by state authorities.

“Finally, in moments like these we are reminded of the powerful words of the Psalmist in Psalm 46:1-5, which reminds us of the refuge and the strength we find in the Lord. As we look to God, and encourage others to find their hope in Him, let us help and pray for one another.”

Ronnie Lee to be remembered at Belfast concert

The 75th Anniversary Concert, of Grosvenor Grammar School (former GHS), will be held in the Ulster Hall, Belfast – Wednesday 18th March, 7.30pm.

The celebrated School Choir, plus ‘Grosvenor’ and ‘Renaissance’ will be taking part, along with many former pupils.

Don’t miss the opportunity to buy your very own copy of “Echoes of a Distant Music”, a life of Ronnie Lee, for many years Grosvenor’s own “music man” will be on sale at the event.

The Love Britain + Ireland Awards – nominate now!

There is no one better to know of the great work that Christians are carrying out in communities all across the country than the people who live in those communities.

Have you nominated your local community organisation yet?

The organisers are looking for Christian organisations working with the elderly and disadvantaged as well as with children and young people. Which organisations are actively building up the community and bringing people together? Who is actively making a difference in the life of the community and demonstrating the love of Jesus?

The Love Britain + Ireland Awards 2019 were the largest to date, with more than 500 entries, and included regional heats. It was wonderful to hear from so many Christian organisations from all over the United Kingdom and Ireland which are making a valuable difference to the lives of people in their communities.

You can find information about all of the regional finalists, the national shortlists and the winners of the Love Britain + Ireland Awards on these pages –

[[] https://www.premier.org.uk/Projects/Love-Britain-Ireland-Awards?utm_]

Rector of the Irish College

The Rector of the Irish College, Rome, Msgr Ciaran O Carroll has been appointed as Episcopal Vicar for Priests in the Dublin Archdiocese. Fr Paul Finnerty is Acting Rector and Fr John Coughlan is the new Vice Rector of the College.

God in creation

..where we have been tempted to give up, grant us strength and faith to face the day;
where we have grown anxious about the future, give us courage to plant the seeds of tomorrow in acts of radical love today.