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New rector welcomed to Monaghan Group of Parishes

 


The clergy taking part in the Service of Institution.

The Monaghan Group of Parishes now have a new rector following the Institution of Revd Rodney Magennis at a service in St. Patrick’s Church, Monaghan led by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis.

Clergy and readers from throughout Clogher diocese along with parishioners from the three churches of St. Patrick’s, Monaghan; St. Dymphna’s, Tydavnet and St. Aiden’s, Kilmore and a large number of Revd Magennis’s former parishioners from Aghaderg, Donaghmore and Scarva in the Diocese of Down and Dromore gathered together for the service.

The service included a number of well-known hymns; “Lord of all hopefulness,” “I want to walk with Jesus Christ,” “What gift of grace is Jesus my redeemer,” “We love the place, O God,” “In Christ alone my hope is found,” “Will your anchor hold in the storms of life” and “We have a gospel to proclaim.” The organists were Lynn McBride and Ruby Heasty.

The Old Testament Reading, Epistle and Gospel readings were by Aisling McBride, Ronnie Wilkinson and Muriel Treacy and the preacher was Revd Ian Linton, Rector of Rathfriland Parish, where Revd Magennis attended in his youth.
The Institution was conducted by Bishop Ian Ellis, assisted by Archdeacon Paul Thompson and Canon John McClenaghan, Registrar.

A number of parishioners from the three parishes assisted in the Institution as Revd Magennis was led to the door, font, prayer desk, pulpit and the Lord’s Table.

Immediately following the service, a number of speeches were made in the church, firstly by a representative of Revd Magennis’s previous parishes.
Then Gareth Graham, Rector’s Churchwarden in St. Patrick’s, welcomed Revd Magennis and his wife, Ruth and thanked all those who had taken services and supported the congregations during the two-year vacancy and particularly, Rural Dean, Revd Tim Irvine. He said it was an exciting new chapter in the lives of their churches.

Revd Magennis then spoke to his new parishioners saying he was looking forward to working with them. He also thanked Revd Tim Irvine for his support leading up to the Institution and also to Bishop Ian for his nomination and welcome.

Father Leo Creelman, spoke on behalf of the other main churches in the Monaghan area and also on behalf of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Clogher, the Most Revd Larry Duffy, who also attended the service.

Bishop Ian Ellis thanked all those who had taken part in the service and those who had attended to welcome Revd Magennis. He thanked the combined choir which also included members of the Donagh Community Choir.

Everyone enjoyed tea and refreshments in the adjoining parish hall following the service.

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Revd Rodney Magennis and his wife Ruth with Churchwardens Gareth Graham and Ray Lalor.


Revd Rodney Magennis is presented to the congregation.