CNI -News Feb 11
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February 11 ! CNI Belfast Cathedral girl chorister records at St Paul’s ! Tania Murphy, a member of the Cathedral Girls’ Choir, has recently returned to St Paul’s Cathedral, London, to record a CD with St Paul's Cathedral Choir and choristers from other UK cathedrals. The Diamond Fund for Choristers CD will be released on March 17. This Fund was launched last April at a concert in St Paul’s to mark the Friends of Cathedral Music’s diamond jubilee. The concert brought together choristers [email protected] Page !1 February 11 representing 60 cathedrals along with the choir of St Paul’s for the first time ever Tania was selected by St Anne’s Master of the Choristers David Stevens to represent the Cathedral at the concert in St Paul’s on April 27 last year. The concert was presented by Classic FM’s Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, and held in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. After her visit to St Paul’s, Tania said she had formed new friendships with choristers from different parts of the country who shared the same interests, and described it as ‘definitely an experience which I will never forget!’ Tania has sung with the St Anne’s Choir for almost four years. “I love being a chorister of St Anne's Cathedral as I have always been intrigued by the concept of choral music and the resonating sound of the music in such a big cathedral as St Anne's,” she said. “Being a chorister has given me so many opportunities such as singing in Puccini's opera Turandot, singing with the St Anne's choir on a tour of Paris, and of course this wonderful opportunity of being able to sing in St Paul's Cathedral, London.” [email protected] Page !2 February 11 ! Social Action Award for Armagh Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade Members of St Saviour’s, Dobbin, and St Aidan’s, Grange, Companies, both from Armagh Diocese, were at Buckingham Palace recently to receive a Social Action Award from the Prince of Wales. Three leaders and six members from each Company made the journey to London [email protected] Page !3 February 11 accompanied by the Brigade’s Development Officer, Victoria Jackson, and Commanding Officer, Melvyn Lockhart. The Social action awards were organised by Youth United, an umbrella organisation that received a grant to create new places in uniformed youth organisations. The Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade’s Ulster Regiment increased its membership by more than 300 places in the last two years. The inaugural Youth United Social Action Awards, hosted by Prince Charles, celebrates the achievements of thousands of young people who have sought to bring about positive change to their local community. Members of the Dobbin and Grange CLCGB were recognised for their efforts in promoting awareness of the needs of the Leprosy Mission NI and raising money for this worthwhile organisation. The CLCGB has had close links with the Leprosy Mission NI for many years and has just agreed to raise enough money to provide a well for a very needy community. [email protected] Page !4 February 11 Rev Paul McAdam, Chaplain to the Grange Company, commented, ‘We had a fantastic trip to London. What an honour it was to meet Prince Charles at the Youth United Social Action Awards Ceremony.’ For more photos - https://www.facebook.com/ LoughgallandGrange/photos/? tab=album&album_id=1726570320987505 County Antrim Parish left more than half a million pounds in will A Catholic parish in Co Antrim has been left more than half a million pounds in a will. The remarkable act of generosity by Ballinderry man Peter McAreavey is thought to be one of the largest donations ever received within the Diocese of Down and Connor. Mr McAreavey was a life-long member of the parish of Glenavy and Killead and died peacefully in hospital in July 2015. A farmer, who also did some engineering work, he lived a modest lifestyle according to those who knew him. [email protected] Page !5 February 11 At Masses across the parish last weekend, a statement by Fr Colm McBride outlined the "extraordinary gift". "In the will Mr McAreavey instructed his executors that the residue of his estate was to be gifted to the parish of Glenavy and Killead to help pay off the parish building loan. With the condition that it was used solely for that purpose," it said. "On the second week of January this year the parish received a cheque for the sum of £554,000. It is an extraordinary and wonderful gift to our parish. This gift of over half a million pounds means that almost a third of our debt has been wiped out. "So as we begin a new financial year I'm happy to say that our debt now stands not at £1.68 million, but is now reduced to £1,135,000. The only way we can express our gratitude to Peter is to pray for his soul." A parishioner who knew Mr McAreavey well described him as "quiet, generous man". "He was just a genuinely generous man and was very kind to his family and friends and left the huge sum of money to the parish," he said. [email protected] Page !6 February 11 "He doted on his nieces and nephews and anyone who took time out of their day to visit him he remembered them in his will." In addition to the donation to his local parish, Mr McAreavey bequeathed £70,000 to the neighbouring St Clare's Community Centre in Glenavy. The centre, which was formerly the church hall, was given to the community around two years ago, with money raised locally through loans going towards improvements works. These loans were paid back through Mr McAreavey's donation. An undisclosed sum was also received by St Joseph's, Glenavy GAC, where Mr Areavey was a former player and member. Dublin C of I parish to close end of March The closure of the Parish of St George and St Thomas, Dublin has been announced by Dublin & Glendalough Glebes and Finance Committee on behalf the of Diocesan Councils. [email protected] Page !7 February 11 The Parish will cease to exist in April 2017 but the church on Cathal Bruagh Street, Dublin 1, will remain within the Church of Ireland. A statement issued by the diocese reads - In March 2015, the Glebes and Finance committee in response to a growing concern regarding the parish’s financial position, evidenced through their annual accounts (and confirmed by their accountant), met with the Rev. Obinna Ulogwara and the parish officers. Those present were given suggested ways in which they could raise additional regular funding to maintain ministry in the parish. In August 2016, the parish accountant informed the Archbishop that the parish would become insolvent by Spring of 2017 as no additional funding had been achieved. The Archdeacon of Dublin in consultation with the Parochial Organisation and Development Committee examined different options in an attempt to preserve this historic parish from insolvency or even bankruptcy. Unfortunately, no alternative was found, however it remained a concern of this committee that the church should not be sold off but remain a Church of Ireland presence in the heart of the city of Dublin. [email protected] Page !8 February 11 At a meeting of the Diocesan Councils in December 2016, it was unanimously agreed that the parish could no longer provide the necessary finance for ministry nor function on its own and that steps should be taken to amalgamate St George and St Thomas with another parish. It was also agreed not to sell the property and that the church building remain within the Church of Ireland. At a meeting with the Rev. Obinna, the Select Vestry, parishioners and other users of the church in mid–January and following much discussion, the Select Vestry put forward a formal proposal requesting the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough to take over administration of the parish with immediate effect and that the parish be amalgamated with another parish following the closing service on 23rd April 2017 at which the Archbishop will be the celebrant and preacher. Parishioners will be free to worship anywhere they choose, but it is hoped that when an amalgamation occurs, they will worship in their new church (receiving parish) which will be asked to include the title of St George and St Thomas. [email protected] Page !9 February 11 Throughout this entire process, the spiritual, pastoral and liturgical needs of the parishioners and the Rev. Obinna and his family, have been a major concern. The Archbishop and the Archdeacon have been in constant contact with the Rev. Obinna regarding his future ministry. Pastoral support for the Rev. Obinna is on– going. Major restoration works will be required on the roof of the Church so that it may be used in some new and innovative way in the future. C of I and Church Army’s Centre of Mission launched on Belfast’s Shankill Road Connect Base, the Diocese of Connor and Church Army’s North Belfast Centre of Mission in Shankill Road, was officially launched on Wednesday last. Mr Des Scott, Deputy Chief Executive of the Church Army, travelled from Sheffield for the opening. He said the Church Army was delighted to be part of the vision the diocese has for the area. [email protected] Page !10 February 11 & ! Lead Pioneer Evangelist Karen Webb welcomes guests to the launch of the Connor Diocese / Church Army Connect Base Centre of Mission.