Irish Times Notes
Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’
Black Santa Appeals
The 49th annual Belfast Black Santa Appeal will have a particular focus on supporting charities working to support people with Motor Neuron Disease, those with Multiple Sclerosis, and children with arthritis. The 2025 sit–out will this year run from Monday 15 December to Wednesday 24 December, when the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd Stephen Forde, will once again take to the steps of St Anne’s cathedral daily to raise funds to support local and international charities. He will be assisted by the Bishop of Down & Dromore, the Rt Revd David McClay, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd George Davison, and the Cathedral Chapter. Dean Forde said: “As I continue the legacy created by Dean Sammy Crooks in 1976, when 49 years ago he held the first Dean of Belfast’s Christmas Appeal, I know that once more the people of Belfast and far beyond will take this Appeal to their hearts and you will be as generous as ever.”
On Tuesday at 1pm the Dublin Black Santa Appeal at St Ann’s church in Dawson Street will be launched. The event will be attended by the Archbishop of Dublin & Glendalough, the Most Reverend Michael Jackson, and the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam – along with children from Kildare Place National School. This year the appeal runs up until Christmas Eve, with volunteers collecting donations for charity outside of the church on Dawson Street. To bring additional festive cheer there will also be a number of choirs coming to sing carols at lunchtime.
At the 11am Sung Eucharist in Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, on Sunday, the Advent sermon will be given by the Revd David White, Rector of Zion. Prior to ordination, he trained and worked as a horticulturalist at the National Botanic Gardens. His book, The Gardened Soul: The Emotional Connection to More has recently been published by Wipf & Stock.
Take a break from Christmas shopping in Dublin to hear a selection of seasonal favourites sung by local school choirs in Christ Church cathedral’s free ‘Shoppers’ Carols’ concerts at 1.30pm on Monday with the Eureka Kells Choir and on Tuesday with the Mount Carmel Choir.
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd John McDowell, has announced that Canon Nicola Halford, Rector of Enniscorthy & Monart in the Diocese of Ferns, at the invitation of the House of Bishops, has accepted the position of Central Director of Ordinands. Canon Halford will take over from the Very Revd Linda Peilow, Provost of Galway, with immediate effect. Making the announcement on behalf of the House of Bishops, Archbishop McDowell thanked Provost Peilow for her work as Central Director of Ordinands since taking up the post in November 2021. “Provost Lynda Peilow brought her natural warmth, sharp insights and enthusiasm to this challenging role which requires a rare mixture of gentle encouragement and wise discernment,” he remarked.
Published in the Friday edition of The Irish Times