Dec 20 2022

Bishop Andrew’s Christmas message 2022

Christmas is a magical time of year for children – and even for many ‘older children’ among us – as they look forward to Christmas morning and discovering what presents they’ve got this year. Our tradition of giving gifts owes its origin to the account of the nativity in Matthew’s gospel. There we read how the Magi travelled from the east, searching for “the one who had been born king of the Jews”. They followed a star which led them to a house in Bethlehem. “They saw the…
Dec 02 2022

Special guest graces launch of St Canice’s Nativity Festival

The Rector of St Canice’s Church in Eglinton got robed for a special service, on Friday morning (December 2, 2022), but not in his usual garb. Rev Canon Paul Hoey, and Rector’s Churchwarden Elaine Way, dressed as Mary and Joseph for the launch of the parish’s three-day Nativity Festival. And they were joined by a…
Nov 28 2022

Church leaders meet President Higgins

The Leaders the of the Church of Ireland, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in Ireland met the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, today at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin. Afterwards, the Church Leaders issued the following statement: “We were delighted to accept the President’s invitation and very much welcomed…
Nov 18 2022

MU’s vocal opposition to domestic violence recognised

The impact of Mothers’ Union’s ’16 Days’ campaign in Ireland was acknowledged, recently, when MU’s Worldwide President, Sheran Harper, made a presentation to the President of Derry and Raphoe Mothers’ Union, Jacqui Armstrong, in recognition of her work – and MU’s – to counter domestic and gender-based violence. The presentation took place in St Macartin’s…
Nov 11 2022

Poppy net ‘launched’ in Ballykelly

The King’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Londonderry, Mrs Alison Millar, has formally launched the Parish of Tamlaghtfinlagan’s four-day long Festival of Remembrance in Ballykelly. It was standing room only in St Findluganus’ Church as the Rector, Rev Canon Harold Given, led the festival’s Opening Service at which music was provided by the North-West Choir. Canon Given…
Oct 28 2022

Late Queen’s “significant contribution” to peace building recalled

The Late Queen Elizabeth II’s “significant” contribution to reconciliation and peace building in Ireland was recalled on Thursday evening, 29th September, at a service in Londonderry. The tribute was paid by the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Rt Rev Andrew Forster, in his sermon at a diocesan and civic Service of Reflection and Thanksgiving for…
Oct 13 2022

Synod remembers Creeslough victims

The shadow of the Creeslough tragedy loomed large over the Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Synod, on Wednesday 12th October, as people remembered the victims and prayed for those affected by last Friday’s disaster, which claimed the lives of 10 people. Before delivering his Presidential Address, to the diocese’s first ‘in person’ synod in three years,…