September 2015 NEWSLINK The Magazine of the Church of Ireland United Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert INSIDE Introducing Rev Phyllis Jones p.3 Mary, symbol of learning & worship Sister of Martha, busy with much serving Kilkishen Cultural Centre opened p.15 Simon Lumby: God is Infinite p.17 Adrian Hewson: St Ailbe of Emly p.21 Bishop Kenneth writes p.3 Salters Sterling: View from the Pew p.6 Care for Creation: p.7 Children’s Ministry Network p.11 Summer Fun for Kerry children p.18 Summer Fun with UDYC p.19 Reports from Jerusalem p.33 Stained glass by Catherine Amelia O’Brien in St. Columba's Church, Ennis. including Methodist Flowers by Harriet Phelan at the National Flower Festival, Ennis 19-21 June 2015. District News p. 31 1 ISSN. 0790-4517 www.limerick.anglican.org WILSON’S HOSPITAL SCHOOL CO-EDUCATIONAL BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL Under the patronage of Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland • Outstanding academic record and progression to Third Level • Convenient yet rural location set on 200 acres, just off the M4/N4, less than 10 minutes west of Mullingar • 450 pupils (300 boarders; 150 Day pupils) • Pastoral Care, school nurses and doctor, 24 hour supervision including active night time care • Bedrooms contain 3 or 4 beds • School Chaplain, Sunday night Chapel service, Morning Assembly, Award-Winning Choir • Lifelong friendships established • Five day teaching week – extensive weekend recreational programme • Choice of 20 subjects to Leaving Certificate level • Staff supervise all study. Emphasis on career guidance. Academic focus • New classroom block officially opened August 2013 • New sports pitches officially opened April 2014 • Wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational activities, team and individual sports • Seven day boarding fee: €7,767 (less than €150 payable with max. SEC grant) • Extensive programme of grants, bursaries and scholarships For further information and prospectus, contact The Principal, Mrs Rosemary Maxwell-Eager, BA(Mod), HDE, MEd. WILSON’S HOSPITAL SCHOOL, MULTYFARNHAM, CO. WESTMEATH www.whs.ie Tel: 044 - 9371115 Fax: 044 - 9371563 Email: [email protected] 2 Bishop Kenneth writes The news over the summer has been dominated by the situation to leave misery, deprivation about migrants in the Mediterranean and, to a lesser extent, the or starvation or terror behind situation in Calais. them. The situation in the Mediterranean is very complex, and we have With our own history of famine to commend our own Naval Service for their work in rescuing so in the 19th century, crossing many from certain drownings in ramshackle vessels. The crews of the Atlantic in “coffin ships”, we our naval ships are daily facing situations of death and suffering, should be especially sympathetic. including very young children, which no amount of training can They were escaping hunger and prepare anyone for. The work is unrelenting, no sooner has one starvation in Ireland and hoping rescue been completed successfully than they have to head out to for, and often achieving a better sea again, not knowing what sort of situation will confront them. future for themselves and their families. The fact that criminal gangs of traffickers are making millions out of this is especially galling. To trade in human misery and We as a nation have a long history of economic migration, and suffering is despicable, and to place migrants in overcrowded and up to very recently, successive governments appealed to the U.S. unseaworthy boats, knowing they face almost certain death if they Government to consider the cases of Irish illegal immigrants in the are not rescued is beyond any form of decency or humanity. Some U.S. sympathetically. of the migrants are economic migrants, simply wanting to come to No one knows how this situation in the Mediterranean will end Europe for a better life and flee hardship and misery back home. – but simplistic solutions are often heartless, and unbecoming of Many more are fleeing terror and persecution in the Middle East a Christian society and a European Union which makes much of from ISIS and other terrorist groups, and are separated from or have its Christian heritage. For ourselves, we can simply hope and pray lost family members and friends. for those caught up in this ongoing tragedy, ensure that our own Our government has sought to respond positively, by sending attitudes are not expressions of hate and prejudice, and look to our two naval vessels, and also by accepting genuine refugees into own past as Irish people, as we pray for a better way forward. this country. Our President has strongly criticised the European Sincerely, response as inadequate and minimal and he is correct in so doing. +Kenneth. Despite the complexity of the situation and the difficulty of finding The Rt. Revd. Kenneth Kearon an appropriate political response, we must always remember Bishop of Limerick & Killaloe that whatever the reason for leaving their own country, Rian Roe, Adare, Co. Limerick at the heart of these situations are individuals, members of Tel: + 353 (0)61 396244 families, with hopes and dreams for the future, and a desire Email: [email protected] New Priest-in-Charge for Camp & Dingle that provides sheltered Editor: Rev Phyllis Jones has been appointed Priest-in-Charge for Camp & Dingle in the Tralee & Dingle Unions of Parishes. She and accommodation for the active her husband Keith plan to move to Ireland from Bournemouth elderly. We have so many happy later in September. She has written the following to introduce memories of our residents who herself to the United Dioceses. became our extended family. I believe my calling to the ministry I have lived in Bournemouth on the south coast of England for most grew clearer from my time at of my life. I was born and grew up in Wallisdown and the Church of Abbeyfield and in 2002, I left St. Mark, Talbot Village was the parish church where I was baptised, to begin my training for the confirmed and married. Keith and I met when I was still at school and we were married very young. We have four children, Mark, Ordained Ministry. Rev Phyllis Jones Martin, Tina and Samantha and six grandsons; and, in June of this We moved back to live in Talbot year, we were blessed with a great grand-daughter, Esme. Village and I was ordained at Martin came to visit Ireland over 20 years ago and fell in love with Salisbury Cathedral in 2005. I was licensed to St. Mark’s as a self- the beauty of Co. Kerry and decided this was where he wanted to supporting parish priest, whilst continuing to work part-time as a live. Seventeen years ago our daughter Samantha also came to funeral arranger. Ireland, where she met and married her husband Con. Together with sons Calum, Fraser and Hamish, they all live in Ballyheigue, Five years ago I was granted permission to solemnise the marriage which is why Keith and I have travelled to visit them as often as of my daughter Samantha to Con at Kilgobbin, and since then have we can and have come to know and receive a warm welcome by so had the pleasure of presiding at services both at St. John's and many, including the congregation at St. John's. Ballymacelligott. We feel we already have so many friends in the My work was mainly clerical until 1994 when I became a residential area and are really looking forward to living in such a beautiful part House Manager within The Abbeyfield Society – an organisation of Ireland and being part of the community. 2 3 Editorial – Pilgrimage Newslink Pilgrimage seems to be everywhere just now. My neighbour is Newslink is the diocesan magazine for the United Diocese of walking the Camino from Biarritz to Santiago de Compostela. The Limerick, Killaloe & Ardfert, which also includes the historic dioceses arrival of the first planeload of pilgrims from New York at Knock of Aghadoe, Clonfert, Emly, Kilfenora and Kilmacduagh. For further Airport has been in the news. The World Council of Churches is information about the United Dioceses see the diocesan web site: inviting Christians of different traditions to come together in a www.limerick.anglican.org. Pilgrimage of Justice & Peace (see page 7). And in our own United Newslink also covers Methodist Midlands and Southern District Dioceses, Rev Simon Lumby is fostering St Mary’s Church, Killarney Circuits within the boundaries of the Church of Ireland Diocese. – the Church of the Sloes – as a spiritual node in a network of pilgrimage trails (see page 8), while Canon Bob Hanna will shortly Editor lead Bishop Kenneth on a camino by car around Christian sites in In addition to news from parishes, schools and diocesan Co Clare (see page 25). organisations, the Editor is delighted to receive articles and letters I sense that pilgrimage – spiritual tourism – is developing a renewed for publication, as well as suggestions as to how Newslink may be importance for Christians of all traditions in the 21st century. It had improved. been at the heart of Christian life in the Middle Ages, as the Hajj Please note: names and addresses of contributors must be given, still is for Muslims, but dwindled over recent centuries. Now along and all letters printed will include name and address unless with many others I feel drawn to the idea myself. Pilgrimage is a otherwise agreed with the Editor. All material dealing with parish/ metaphor for life’s spiritual journey. On pilgrimage I can escape the circuit matters must first be cleared with the Minister concerned. mundane and the humdrum. Perhaps on pilgrimage I may encounter immanent deity in the wild and the ancient, the unfamiliar and the Contact details: beautiful, and the strangers I meet.