Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland notes from the Irish Times
Christ Church Lecture Series
One of the more remarkable developments in the life of the Church in recent years has been the growing interest in cathedrals. This is particularly so in England as the current BBC 2 television series by Janet Street-Porter and the enduring popularity of live choral evensong on BBC Radio 2 amply demonstrate. As in England, so too in the Church of Ireland where visitor numbers are increasing and where there is a steady increase in congregations especially in those cathedrals with a choral tradition which appeals to the growing numbers who seek a less involved, more reflective style of worship. In recent years Irish cathedrals have developed a more pro-active ministry. New and innovative liturgies, concerts, choir CDs, societies of friends, publications and lecture series have all played a part in this as cathedrals, through worship, music and education have sought to embrace the wider world.
Another educational opportunity beckons this week as Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, begins a series of lunchtime lectures on the theme of the cathedral and its relationship with the development of Dublin. On Tuesday Profesor Anngret Simms (UCD) will speak on "Christ Church: A Cathedral Core for Medieval Dublin" and in the following weeks there will be lectures from Dr Colm Lennon (Department of Modern History, NUI-Maynooth), Dr Hugh Campbell (School of Architecture, UCD) and the architect, Mr Shane O'Toole. The series is sponsored by the Friends of Christ Church and admission is free.
Tonight at 8.15 pm (Saturday) the Three Faiths Forum of Ireland, representing Muslims, Christians and Jews, will have an open meeting in the Islamic Centre, Milltown Bridge, Dundrum, Dublin. Further details may be had from Canon Desmond Sinnamon at 01-298 5491.
Tomorrow (Sunday) RTE will broadcast a Service of the Word from the Chapel of Trinity College, Dublin. This will be a liturgical sequence on the theme of community led by the chaplain, Dr Alan McCormack, and the leader of the Corrymeela Community, the Revd Trevor Williams. The Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Revd Edward Darling, will preach in Templederry and Nenagh, while the Bishop of Tuam, Dr Richard Henderson, will visit Killala and Crossmolina. In St Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork the Dean, Dr Michael Jackson, will preach the first in a series of chapter sermons on the theme "The Church in the World Today" while in the evening, in Christ Church Cathedral, the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, will preside at the Candlemas celebration. The fourth in the Bach Festival 2000 series of concerts will be held in St Ann's Church, Dawson Street, Dublin, at 3.30 pm when the harpsichordist, Malcolm Proud, will be the recitalist.
The Cork Cloyne and Ross Clerical Conference begins on Wednesday and continues until Friday in Myross. The guest speaker is the former Dean of Vancouver and distinguished preacher, Dr Herbert O'Driscoll.
On Wednesday evening Mary Curtin of RTE will give a public lecture in the Ussher Theatre of Trinity College, Dublin, on "Christianity and the Media", and on Thursday, in the College Chapel, the Chapel Choir under the direction of Colm Carey, and with Carys Ann Lane (soprano) and Joanna Parker (violin), will give a concert of works by Handel, Bach and Vivaldi.
During February interviews and auditions will be held in Dublin for the Christ Church Cathedral Girls' Choir. Girls aged from eight to ten are sought although there may be places available for older girls with choral experience. For further details contact the Music Secretary, Chapter House, Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin 8 (tel. 01-677 8099). A CD by the Girls' Choir, entitled Ex Ore Innocentium, has recently been launched and is available from the cathedral at IR£11.99.