Irish news digest

Work re-starts on St Patrick’s Cathedral

There is delight that the roof works will resume this coming Monday, 18 May. Clancy will fully implement the SOPs required to open safely and get this essential project back on track, enabling us to secure the future of the Cathedral for generations to come. To read about where the project was before work was paused visit
[ https://www.stpatrickscathedral.ie/an-historic-day ]

Mount Merrion Church is local hub for Coronavirus response

Mount Merrion Parish Church is the local hub for the East Belfast Coronavirus Community Support network and works with Marlene Dodds from the Cregagh Community Association in coordinating help to those in need.

Rector, Revd Adrian Green, tells us more about the church’s role over the weeks of lockdown.

“During the crisis we have played our part in delivering food parcels each week. This is in addition to doing messages and collecting prescriptions and other essential items for the vulnerable and housebound. Through the support of various agencies we have also been able to provide gas and electric top ups.

“This has been a real community effort with donations coming from individuals, groups, local shops and businesses, schools, council and churches, as well as statutory agencies. It’s so encouraging to see everyone working as one for a common purpose.

“In addition, the church hall is open every fortnight on a Friday and Saturday to allow parents of children attending Cregagh Primary School to collect their children’s home–schooling packs. The school identified that many children did not have access to the internet or devices on which to complete work online.

“When we consider the nature of our triune God, it is clear that we were created to be in community and so our vision as a church has always been to be an integral part of, and provide a service to, our local area.”

Rachel Colligan (Diocesan Evangelist and pictured above) has been part of the team making up food parcels and helping to deliver them. She explains why she wanted to be involved:

“We are called as a church to help the needy and the poor. I believe the church should be the first place people think of when they need help – somewhere people can feel safe, not judged and shown love.

“Especially in this time, people need to know they are not alone, that we are here, that we care and we want to help. It really doesn’t cost us much to show a little love but it can make such a difference to their day or week.

“It’s overwhelming the amount of people that have come together from our community that want to help and show love to the rest of our community it’s so humbling.”

Joanne Snodden also helps to deliver 30 food and essential items parcels every Friday.

“It gives me a reason to get up, dressed and get out there,” Joanne explained. “We put the parcels together in Mount Merrion Church and then normally divide the runs up so you take about six each.

“Last Friday when I dropped off a parcel with one wee man he just burst into tears he was so happy.

“My daughter was in the car at the time and she asked me why he was crying, so I had to explain it was because he was thankful as he can’t get out himself.

“This has also been a chance for her to learn the importance of helping others.”

‘Virtual’ soup lunch for Christian Aid in Ballyclare

As the parishioners of the United Parish of Ballynure & Ballyeaston (Ballyclare) were not able to carry out their normal collection for Christian Aid Week due to the coronavirus lockdown, they decided to do something different instead.

Typically, a soup and bread lunch was also organised during Christian Aid Week within the parish to raise money, and so it was decided to have a ‘virtual soup lunch,’ enjoyed by people in their own homes.

All those participating shared a photograph of their lunch and parishioners were encouraged to donate to Christian Aid online.

Points for Prayer

As the focus moves from containment of the coronavirus to responsible lifting of lockdown restrictions, pray that decision makers will offer good leadership and that society will follow necessary ongoing restrictions with patience and perseverance

There is much sadness throughout the world at the loss of loved ones, as well as loss of precious aspects of life – pray today that each individual will know the truth that God cares for them personally and not just as part of a crowd.

God in Creation