Last year’s St Iberius Field Day at Johnstown Castle
St. Iberius Field Day cancelled but public still give generously
Church of Ireland rector Reverend Arthur Minion said he was ‘gutted’ by the forced cancellation this year of St. Iberius Field Day but has been overwhelmed by the spontaneous generosity of parishioners and members of the public who have made cash donations to compensate for the absence of the major fundraising event, Maria Pepper writes in the Wexford People
The popular annual field day in the grounds of Johnstown Castle, usually brings in about €20,000 for vital restoration and maintenance work on historic St. Iberius Church on Wexford’s Main Street.
The cancellation due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions left the parish committee wondering how to make up the shortfall, with work due to start soon on a new wheelchair access to the church entrance.
‘We were wondering should be try to organise an alternative fundraiser but people have been more than generous in giving donations. We received some very generous donations. We have had several thousand Euros come in’, said Rev. Minion.
Many of the donors are Church of Ireland parishioners who would have baked cakes or sponsored prizes and they decided to work out what they would have been out of pocket and donate that amount in cash instead while members of the general public who would have attended the field day also gave donations.
‘Members of the public have been very good. Only this morning an elderly lady sent in €50 to me’, said Reverend Minion.
‘From the day it was cancelled, we were worried about what we would do but of their own volition, people have been very generous. We thought about having online donations but there are so many of them that we didn’t want to be putting pressure on people.’
It’s the first time that St. Iberius Field Day has been cancelled since it started in 1988, although it was postponed on a few occasions due to bad weather.
‘We never cancelled before, to my knowledge. I was gutted. I went out to Johnstown that morning to have a walk around. The weather was fantastic that day which made people even more nostalgic for the event’, he said.
Work is due to start in the autumn on the new wheelchair access which will also allow pedestrians to avoid the church steps in a project which is being overseen by engineer Dermot Nolan, contractor Ciaran Kelly and architect David O’ Brien.
Archdeacon Wayne Carney, a priest, a friend and a colleague
The death has occurred of the Venerable Wayne Carney, the Archdeacon of Killaloe and Rector of Birr.
He passed away unexpectedly yesterday (10th August) at home.
Condolences have been expressed and tributes paid too Archdeacon Carney from a variety of friends and colleagues.
Bishop of Limerick
Bishop Kenneth Kearon said: “It’s impossible to describe the shock and sadness we all feel at Wayne’s sudden passing. He was a good and loyal friend, a true pastor and an able and caring Archdeacon.
“He will be greatly missed by the church communities in Birr and beyond where his ecumenical commitment and community engagement was well known. He served his diocese in many roles and was widely known and respected throughout the church and in wider society.
“Please do pray for his wife Norma-Jean, their daughter Kathleen (in France) and son Brian (in Canada) and their families, and Wayne’s wider family at this sad time. May he rest in peace.”
Dean & Chapter of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
It was with the deepest sadness and regret that the Dean & Chapter of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, learnt of the sudden death on Monday 10 August 2020 of their esteemed colleague and friend, the Venerable Wayne Carney, who was Prebendary of Taney. He was a priest of the highest calibre and an outstanding pastor to his parishioners in Birr, County Offaly, where he served as Rector. Condolences are expressed to his wife, and family, and also to his parishioners and friends. May he rest in peace.
Canon Stephen Neill
Very saddened by the news yesterday of the death of my good friend and former diocesan neighbour and colleague Wayne Carney (Rector of Birr and Archdeacon of Limerick and Killaloe) Wayne came to the diocese of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert from Canada in the mid 90s and when I left the diocese five years ago he and I were the longest serving clergy in the United Diocese (apart from retired colleagues). He was wise counsel, a gifted preacher and a caring pastor especially to the younger generations – he and I always got on and while we were not in as regular contact in recent years we remained friends and today with so many others I give thanks for his life and pray comfort for his wife Norma-Jean his children Brian and Kathleen and their families. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
Canon Patrick Comerford’ tribute is at –
[[] https://www.patrickcomerford.com/2020/08/archdeacon-wayne-carney-1952-2020.html?spref=fb ]
Wayne was ordained in 1984 in Canada and came to Ireland in 1995, first as Rector in the Clonfert Group of Parishes. He was appointed Archdeacon of Killaloe in 2002 and was installed as Rector of Birr in 2003. He has been a member of the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral since 2012.
The Dean of Killaloe, the Very Revd Rod Smyth, is working with the family on the funeral arrangements which will be announced later.
Gleanings
Kilfenora Cathedral was dedicated to St. Fachtnan & built in about 1189 on the site of an early monastery. My husband’s 8 times g. grandfather, the Rev. Neptune Blood was Dean of Kilfenora from 1663-1692. The Blood monument on south wall lists 7 of his children who died young. Blood had previously been Archdeacon of Kilfenora since 1641…He was named Neptune because he was born at sea!
10 Aug 1639: John Corbet, Laudian refugee from Scotland, makes a sworn statement against Archibald Adair, Bishop of Killala & Achonry, which leads to the latter’s deprivation as a favourer of the Scots National Covenant (John Armagh). Despite his favourtism towards the Scots and non conformists, Adair wouldn’t be out of a job for long. In July 1641 he was translated to the bishopric of Waterford and Lismore. He died in #Bristol in 1647.
Pointers to prayer
Today we give thanks for volunteers. Since Covid-19 began millions of people have volunteered time and energy to help their communities. God, we thank you for their hard work and compassion and pray this kindness will spread throughout our neighbourhoods
God in creation
Errigal
Photo by Alistair Hamill
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