Review Notes (September 2010)
Church Review Notes (September 2010)
The Right Reverend Donald Caird
This month marks a significant milestone in the life and ministry of Bishop Donald Caird. On 29 September, Michaelmas Day, Bishop Caird celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of his ordination, the fortieth anniversary of his consecration as bishop and the twenty-fifth anniversary of his election to the archbishopric of Dublin & bishopric of Glendalough. All three events were celebrated here at Christ Church cathedral. Bishop Caird was ordained in 1950, consecrated bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe in 1970, translated in 1976 to the see of Meath and Kildare and elected archbishop of Dublin and bishop of Glendalough in 1985 where he served until his retirement in 1996. These significant anniversaries in the life of one of our dear pastors in the church will be marked by the celebration of Choral Evensong at 15.30 on Sunday 3 October next at which there will be a sermon and after which there will be a reception in the crypt of the cathedral. Everyone is welcome to come to the service and reception.
National Heritage Week 2010
National Heritage Week 2010 took place all over Ireland from 21 - 29 August, with events in Christ Church Cathedral running from Monday 23 - Saturday 28 August 2010. Tours of the cathedral took place daily at 11.00, with specialist tours at 13.15. Topics covered included medieval and Victorian architecture; stained glass; cathedral manuscripts; the musical history of the cathedral as well as a tour of the belfry. Heritage Week has been a great success in the cathedral, and we would like to thank all those who gave tours including Dr Mike O’Neill, Mrs Lesley Whiteside, Dr Kenneth Milne, Dr Raymond Refaussé, Mr Leslie Taylor and Ms Sue Hemmens.
Culture Night
This years Culture night will take place on Friday 24 September from 6 to 10pm. Cultural Night is now an annual phenomenon when heritage sites across the country are open to the public for free. Last year four thousand people were admitted to Christ Church on Culture Night which is the largest number of visitors we have had in such a short time frame. This is a chance for the people of Dublin and beyond to come to Dublin and visit national treasures without incurring admission charges. This is a chance for all those who have never been to Christ Church to come and see it for the treasure it is.
Cathedral Choir
The cathedral choir returns on the 1 September after the summer recess. We welcome all new members to the choir and wish it every blessing as it begins a new year. The cathedral girls' choir will also begin in September and will sing the Wednesday evening choral evensongs during term time accompanied by the expanded choral scholars. The main cathedral choir will sing choral evensong on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons as well as singing at the Sunday morning eucharists. Both choirs will also be involved in other musical performances throughout the year.
Friends of Christ Church Cathedral
The Friends of the cathedral is a group of people from across the dioceses and Ireland who support the life and work of the cathedral. The Friends’ Committee is a small group who meet on a monthly basis in the cathedral and whose chairman is the dean. The Friends of the cathedral has been and is an invaluable support to the life of the cathedral through its involvement in cathedral activities and its financial support of many projects in the cathedral. The Friends are involved in the arranging of flowers in the cathedral and the provision of coffee after the Sunday morning service. The Friends are also responsible for the provision of new chairs in the cathedral as well as the conservation of the monuments in the cathedral and the crypt. These are but a few of the myriad of activities that the Friends are involved and for which the cathedral authorities are most grateful. You are encouraged to support the work of the Friends by becoming a member. The annual subscription is twenty Euro. The Friends produce a newsletter every quarter which details the life and events of the cathedral. To join the Friends would be a noble act in support of the cathedral life. If you are interested in joining please telephone the membership secretary, Ms Lesley Rue on 01 6778099.
New Residential Priest Vicar
The Revd Garth Bunting has been appointed Residential Priest Vicar at the cathedral. A native of Donaghadee in county Down he was ordained deacon in 1999 and served as curate-assistant in the Parish of Clooney with Strathfoyle in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe until 2002 having been ordained priest in 2000. Garth's first incumbency was served in the Grouped Parishes of Leckpatrick and Dunnalong, also in Derry and Raphoe. Garth was appointed incumbent of Belfast: Upper Malone in the Diocese of Connor in 2006 where he faced the task of joining it to Belfast: Finaghy. They became a group of parishes in 2009. Garth completed his theological training in 1999 at the then Church of Ireland Theological College now named the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Garth has just completed an MA in Applied Christian Spirituality at the Milltown Institute in Dublin. Bringing a wealth of parochial experience to this new role at the cathedral Garth's qualification in spiritual direction and reflective practice will serve well in establishing a new outreach ministry to the cathedral and the diocese. Garth begins his ministry with us this month. His installation as residential priest vicar will take place during choral evensong on Sunday 19 September at 15.30.