Diocesan News
New Deacons Urged to Look on Challenges as God–Given Opportunities
Archbishop Michael Jackson ordained five men and women to the Diaconate in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on Sunday 21st September 2014. The Revd Kevin Conroy, the Revd David Martin, the Revd Alan Breen, the Revd Abigail Sines and the Revd Cathy Hallissey were ordained before a large crowd of family and friends as well as clergy and members of their parishes.
Also present were well wishers from the parishes of Stillorgan, Howth, Greystones, Glenageary and Kilternan in which they will serve as Intern Deacons until next summer.
The sermon was preached by the Revd Gary Dowd, Rector of St Paul’s, Glenageary. He reflected on the changing nature of the church, its ministry and its mission. He said that while many tried to resist and impede change, he believed that the church is in a period of transition ‘as we struggle to deal with the gradual realisation that much of what served us so well in the past in terms of structure and practice, has to be shed or radically reformed, so that the church has the freedom to minister more dynamically and effectively’.
He observed that the five candidates for ordination came from diverse backgrounds and suggested that this could be a sign that the old boundaries and divisions within the institutional church were crumbling.
He reminded the candidates that God had called them to serve and said that serving others was at the heart of all ministry. He also urged them to maintain the sense of excitement and enthusiasm that they felt in advance of their ordination.
He said that the church and the candidates would face challenges and uncertainty ahead ‘but instead of becoming increasingly disillusioned, lethargic and cynical we must look on the current challenges we face as a church as a God given opportunity to offer the good news of Jesus Christ to the world in new, fresh and dynamic ways. As God is still calling diverse and gifted people to serve the church, we should be facing the future filled with hope and optimism.’
Photo above: Newly ordained Deacons – the Revd Alan Breen, the Revd Cathy Hallissey, the Revd Abigail Sines, the Revd Kevin Conroy and the Revd David Martin with Archbishop Michael Jackson
Diocesan Communications Officer, Dublin & Glendalough
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Lynn Glanville
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