The new Archdeacon pictured with his sister Penny at St Edan’s Cathedral, Ferns.
(Photo Pat O’Connor)
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St EDAN’S CATHEDRAL, FERNS
INSTALLATION OF ARCHDEACON, CHANCELLOR AND TREASURER
SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2015
The new Archdeacon with the two new canons along with the Dean and the Bishop.
On this auspicious first Sunday in September history was made when the Reverend Robert Gray, rector of Ardamine Group, also became the Venerable Robert Gray, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Cashel, Ferns, Waterford and Lismore. This new position he now shares the United Diocese with the Venerable Andrew Orr, Archdeacon of Ossory and Leighlin.
Also at the service the Revd Canon Mark Hayden was installed as Chancellor and the Revd Canon Arthur Minion as Treasurer, both of the Diocese of Ferns.
The Service was conducted by the Dean of Ferns, the Very Revd Dr Paul Mooney, the guest preacher was the Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick and the Blessing was given by the Bishop, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows.
The Registrar was the Revd Tim Irvine, Vicar of Kilkenny. The organist was Sheila Milne and various people provided an impromptu backing choir which added to the singing.
The lessons were read by Lesley Bailey and the Revd Margaret Sykes and Ivan Dungan read the Gospel.
Archdeacon Bob Gray in his new stall
The Installations:
These took place following the processional hymn and the welcome by the Dean and began with the Bishop’s Mandate being read. That being accomplished, the Registrar, the Revd Tim Irvine gave the mandate to the Dean.
The Dean, following the letter of appointment, installed the three canons in turn by taking each by their right hand and placing them in their appointed stalls, stating that ‘I receive and install into the real, actual and corporal possession thereof, and I shall ever defend them so installed, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.’
The Ven. Bob Gray with his guest preacher the Revd Nigel Fitzpatrick.
The address was given by the Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick who based his sermon on the furnishings of the Vestry of the four main churches. The Revd Nigel Kirkpatrick, from Belfast will be remembered from last year when he and the Revd Andrew McCroskery toured Ireland cathedral by cathedral on their motor cycles, fund-raising for Bishops’ Appeal.
The Occasional Prayers were taken by the Precentor of Ferns, the Revd Canon Roger Harmsworth.
The congregation especially held the Horan family in their thoughts and for those recently involved in the fishing tragedy in Kilmore Quay near the Saltee Islands.
These took place following the processional hymn and the welcome by the Dean and began with the Bishop’s Mandate being read. That being accomplished, the Registrar, the Revd Tim Irvine gave the mandate to the Dean.
The Dean, following the letter of appointment, installed the three canons in turn by taking each by their right hand and placing them in their appointed stalls, stating that ‘I receive and install into the real, actual and corporal possession thereof, and I shall ever defend them so installed, in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.’
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