Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
CITI Course
A total of 40 students will be in attendance for the commencement of the sixth cycle of the ‘Certificate in Christian Theology and Practice’ which begins this weekend at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. The programme, entitled ‘Fit for the Purpose’, takes as its theme a personal and biblical exploration of various matters to do with vocation. The lead facilitators are Canon Dr Christina Baxter, former Principal of St John’s College Nottingham, and Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, Director of CITI. The group facilitators are Revd Ruth Noble, Revd Danielle McCullagh, Revd Kyle Flanigan and Mr Andrew McNeile. Students embarking on the Certificate course fall into four different categories – those who may be considering selection towards stipendiary ministry training, those who have been selected for Ordained Local Ministry, those in training as Diocesan Readers, and those who simply wish to deepen their own understanding of the Christian faith.
Sandford parish church, Ranelagh, will host a Christmas concert tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 7.30pm. The Inishlacken String Quartet will present an inclusive celebration of carols, songs and winter reflections, with friends and special guests. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
At the 11am Sung Eucharist in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, on the Sundays of Advent there will be guest preachers. At the invitation of the Dean, the rota has been arranged by the theologian, Dr Margaret Daly–Denton. She has chosen people who will be able to share with the congregation how the Season of Advent speaks to them as people committed to the healing and flourishing of the earth. The preacher on the first Sunday in Advent will be Canon Trevor Sargent, Rector of Bunclody in the Diocese of Ferns, and a former Green Party TD and Government Minister.
This Sunday is Advent Sunday and at 11.00am, the Chaplaincy of Trinity College Dublin and the Choir of the Chapel will lead worship on RTÉ One television and Radio 1 Extra. The service will be a liturgy of the word for Advent Sunday and will explore some of the themes of the Advent season in word and music. The officiant and preacher at the service will be the Dean of Residence and Chaplain of Trinity College Dublin, Canon Paul Arbuthnot, and the Chapel Choir will be directed by Callum Byrne. The programme can be played back after broadcast on the RTÉ Player at www.rte.ie/player
The 2025/2026 organ recital series will continue in St Patrick’s cathedral, Armagh, when Martin White will give the third recital on Sunday at 4.15pm. Martin was appointed Director of Music of St Patrick’s Cathedral in 1968, a post which he held until his retirement in 2002. In recognition of his contribution to worship in the Cathedral, he was made a Lay Canon in 2004. The recital will include works by J. S. Bach, G. F. Handel and Olivier Messiaen. Martin will also play one of his own compositions.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times