A piece of history was made in St Eunan’s Cathedral Raphoe, this evening, as the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe’s “newest priests” were ordained to the priesthood in the Ordained Local Ministry (O.L.M.) by Rt Rev Andrew Forster.
It was “a privilege and joy” the Bishop said, to be with Rev Brian Robinson and Rev Sean McClafferty, on St Barnabas’ Day, for “this very significant and special occasion”.
It was standing room only in the cathedral as family members, friends and parishioners from the various parishes in which the two men served previously as deacons came along to share that joy that Bishop Andrew spoke about and to lend the two new priests their support. The service was especially important for their home parishes, the Bishop said, “where your faith has been nurtured and where that vocation was born and grew to bring you to this point of ordination.”
Among those looking on with interest in the church were Rev Eleanor Craig, Rev Linda Hughes and Rev Gillian Millar who will be ordained to the priesthood – also in the Ordained Local Ministry – in St Patrick’s Church in Kilrea on Sunday 29th June, and Glendermott and New Buildings Church of Ireland’s new curate, James Shiels, who will be ordained to the diaconate in Glendermott Parish Church next Sunday 15th June.
Wednesday evening’s service was led by Bishop Andrew, who was assisted by the Dean of Raphoe, Very Rev Liz Fitzgerald, the Archdeacon of Raphoe, Ven. David Huss and the Archdeacon of Derry, Ven. Robert Miller.
In his sermon, the Bishop said it was a significant and special occasion for the whole church of Jesus Christ. He said Ordained Local Ministry was a new form of ministry that had been absolutely blessed by the Holy Spirit.
Turning to the two ordinands, Bishop Andrew said: “Today is both a milestone in your personal discipleship and it’s also a signpost for the ministry that lies ahead of you. Today as we ordain you in the name of Jesus, be assured of our prayers and support for the ministry that stretches ahead of you.”
This evening’s was the first of three ordination services in the diocese in just over a fortnight, and the Bishop said he wondered what the advice he could give was for people being ordained. “It’s pretty basic advice,” he said, “it’s pretty obvious advice, and it’s the advice I’m sure that your ordained colleagues in the front rows here would say to you this evening, and it’s this: to pray, to keep praying, and whenever you feel you’re exhausted in prayer, pray again.
“Keep praying. Pray for yourself, pray for your family, pray for the people you serve. Pray for others. Keep praying. Because it’s in our own prayers that we find our spiritual life enlivened and strengthened, and it’s within our own prayers that we come to discover the heart of God for those whom we serve in ministry.”
Music for this evening’s service was provided by the Cathedral Choir, accompanied by organist Renee Goudie and afterwards refreshments were served in the Cathedral Hall, a short walk away from St Eunan’s.
