Feb 24 2022

Prayers in a time of war in the Ukraine

The Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, has commended new prayer resources, ‘Prayers in a Time of War in the Ukraine’, which have been produced by the Church of Ireland’s Liturgical Advisory Committee. “I am sure many of us were distressed on waking up this morning,” Bishop Andrew said, “to learn the…

Feb 24 2022

Gala Concert: MozART at St Columb’s Cathedral

St Columb’s School of Music is holding a Gala Concert in Saint Columb’s Cathedral on Saturday 5th March. The guest performers are MozART Group – a cabaret and comedy string quartet based in Warsaw, Poland. The Group are known for their unique approach to classical music and this will be their first visit to Northern Ireland. Tickets can…

Feb 20 2022

British Legion honours Donaghmore parishioner

A Donegal Church of Ireland parishioner was presented with one of the Royal British Legion Republic of Ireland’s highest honours, on Sunday 20th February, when her fundraising efforts on behalf of the charity – spanning over half a century – were recognised in her local church in Castlefinn. The Irish Free State Salver – a…

Feb 19 2022

In-person activities resume after two-year Covid break

Thirty young people from six different parishes took part in an ‘in-person’ Confirmation Day event at the Acorn Centre (St Peter’s Church) in Londonderry on Saturday. It was the first such get together since the pandemic started two years ago. The event was organised by the Diocesan Youth Officer, Claire Hinchliff. Claire was assisted by…

Feb 04 2022

Death of Mrs Madge Martin

The death has taken place of Mrs Margaret Ellen (Madge) Martin, wife of the late Rev Canon John Martin, who was a former Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Cumber Upper, Cumber Lower, Learmount, and Banagher. Mrs Martin died peacefully at Brooklands Nursing Home, in Magherafelt, on Wednesday. She is survived by the couple’s son,…

Jan 30 2022

Commemorative plaque dedicated in memory of Bishop James Mehaffey

Relatives of the late former Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Dr James Mehaffey, attended a Service in St Columb’s Cathedral, this morning, during which a plaque was dedicated to the late bishop’s memory. The dedication was performed by one of his successors, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, as the former bishop’s widow, Mrs Thelma…

Jan 21 2022

New Rector in Drumachose

The Parish of Drumachose, in Limavady, has a new incumbent. Rev Canon Aonghus Mayes was instituted as Rector of the Parish at a Service in Christ Church, Limavady on Friday 21st January. He succeeds Rev Canon Sam McVeigh who retired in January last year after a 30-year incumbency. The Service of Institution was led by…

Jan 18 2022

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Bishop Andrew Forster and Bishop Donal McKeown led members of different Christian denominations on Londonderry’s west bank in a prayer walk around the iconic city walls, on Tuesday 18th January, to mark the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2022 is ‘We saw his star in the east’. The…

Dec 24 2021

Bishop Andrew’s Christmas Message 2021

Recently, at the Joint Emergency Services Carol Service in St Columb’s Cathedral, we gave thanks for the paramedics, firefighters, police officers and Foyle Search and Rescue volunteers who work so hard to keep us safe. The omicron variant was already loose in the community, and some felt deflated or worried, even frightened. Suddenly, though, as…