Philip, a native of Co. Armagh, was educated at Portadown College and Queen’s University Belfast, prior to attending the Church of Ireland Theological College in Dublin. He was ordained deacon in 1995 to serve as curate-assistant to the Parish of St. Mark’s Ballymacash, Lisburn and was priested in 1996.

During his time in Lisburn, alongside parish ministry, he was heavily involved in all aspects of Youth Work and amongst other things, pioneered special "Young Adult" services in which the young people of the parish helped to devise the liturgy and lead the worship and music.

Ecumenism Vital

Philip will always treasure his time in St. Marks as a rich learning experience and moved as curate assistant to the Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, Galway, in 1998. He says that at first there was quite a culture shock moving from ministry in the North to the South, but he found it a positive one.

"Galway," he states, "afforded me far greater opportunity to become involved in ecumenical activities. I worked closely with the Jesuits, Augustinians, Poor Clares and other clergy in various projects, services, and school events. The experience and spiritual awareness that I gained through this is something that I hope to continue in my new ministry as Youth Officer ....... The days are gone when churches can get away with, for want of a better word, a "sinn fein" policy and we are ignoring the Gospel message if we try to do things on our own."

He reckons that this is especially applicable with teenagers and twenty-somethings, who often do not have the same cultural or spiritual "hang ups" that have existed in the past.

A Keen Musician

A keen musician, Philip happily engages in everything from classical to rock to Irish traditional music. He cites his most "Obsessive instrument" as Uilleann pipes, and is also proficient on Guitar, classical flute and tin whistle. He is looking forward to joining in the "seisuns" in Kilkenny and the musicianship certainly comes in handy in his work with young people, as there’s nothing like a "sing-song" to bring people together!!!

In June of last Year, he played flute and pipes at Summer Madness, an annual event at Gosford, Co. Armagh and the largest Christian youth festival in Ireland. Often he will bring the flute, guitar and pipes to a Church service, just in case the organist wants a Sunday off! He is also interested in early medieval music, and was heavily involved in "Galway early Music" and its subsidiary ensembles.

A Challenge to be looked forward to

Philip’s new position is a challenge, but one to which he looks forward. "There is huge potential within the dioceses in its work with the young. The clergy and lay people of the diocese realise this, and they have been very supportive. The trick is going to be tapping into the interest and energy of our youth before they give up on what is often seen as a very grey and lifeless institution!"

With a geographical area as far afield as Baltinglass, Enniscorthy, Clonmel, Waterford, Ferns, Portlaoise, Cashel, and Kilkenny, Philip will certainly have his work cut out for him. He recognises that it will be no easy task. Nevertheless, it is certain that with the support of the clergy and people, allied to his own innate enthusiasm and creativity, he will find his new role as youth officer a fulfilling one and of service to the young people of the Dioceses

Philip can be reached atCashel and Ossory Diocesan Youth Officer