“I thank you dear Jesus for these marvellous parishes,” Rev Janet Broderick prayed in Portnoo, on Friday evening (March 6th, 2026), “all so unique in their worship of you, each community dwelling and yet all of us as one.”
The Rev Broderick was speaking in Inniskeel Parish Church at the Service of Introduction which formally and belatedly welcomed her to the group of five churches which she is now leading as Priest-in-charge.
Members of the congregations that comprise the Ardara, Glencolumbkille, Glenties, Inniskeel and Lettermacaward Group of parishes were in church to see Bishop Andrew Forster present Rev Broderick with the licence permitting her to exercise her ministry in the church.
Bishop Andrew led this evening’s service, at which he was assisted by the Diocesan Registrar, Rev Jonathan Brown (who oversaw the legal aspects of this evening’s proceedings), and the Archdeacon of Raphoe, Ven. David Huss, who preached the sermon. Clergy and Lay Readers from throughout the Diocese of Raphoe were in church to support the recently-appointed Priest-in-charge and they were joined by clergy from other Christian denominations in southwest Donegal.
Welcoming the congregation, representatives of other churches and Rev Janet, Bishop Andrew said he hoped that the evening would be as special for the new minister as it was for everyone gathered in church as part of the family of God. “We are delighted that you are here, Janet. We believe that God has sent you to us and we know that God will bless you as you serve amongst us.”
Bishop Andrew prompted laughter from those in church when he referred to a major event elsewhere which coincided with this evening’s service. “The journey of faith is also a journey of sacrifice,” the Bishop said, “and tonight there’s a sense of sacrifice because in about five minutes time, Ireland will play Wales, and here we are. So, this is down to you, Janet!”
In his sermon, Archdeacon Huss paid tribute to local parishioners for all of their prayer, faith, hard work, good humour and patience during the 12 month vacancy. “Many people stepped up to take on extra work and extra responsibility during this time,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful spirit of hope-filled faithfulness which has really shone through in any of the times that I have come to visit the parishes during the vacancy, and it’s been wonderful to behold.” The preacher also acknowledged the hard work of lay readers, parish readers, retired clergy and those who had travelled sometimes considerable distances to take services in the Group.
“Now,” he told the congregation, “you’re blessed to have your own priest right here among you, not instead of the other workers – because they continue to be vital, and teamwork is going to be an essential thing going forward in this parish setting – but you have a pastor and a guide and someone who will support you and help you in your life with Christ. You are particularly blessed to have a pastor with great experience, with deep discipleship, who has a fresh pair of eyes but also a very longstanding connection with this great part of the world that we love so much, here in southwest Donegal.
“This is a part of the world that has been indelibly touched by Christ for a millennium and a half,” Archdeacon Huss said, “since the days when Conal and Colmcille and others walked these hills and valleys and islands. I don’t know whether that brings a feeling of pressure, from the great legacy that has gone before. I think it brings a great sense of reassurance that the Lord has been working here for one-thousand-five-hundred years, and I think he still has more things he wants to do around these parts. It’s not over yet – far from it!”
This evening’s Scripture readings were shared by Chloe Hanlon and Georgina Millar. After the service, those present – among them a former Rector of the Ardara Group, Rev Canon John Deane – walked the short distance to the parish hall for refreshments and fellowship, and to meet Rev Broderick’s surprise ‘supper guest’ – her pet dog, Moishe.
