New Rector takes up the reins for Offaly group of parishes

THE Service of Institution of the Reverend Arthur Minion as Incumbent of the Birr Group of Parishes (Birr, Lorrha, Dorrha and Lockeen) took place in Saint Brendan's Church of Ireland, Birr recently

The Institution ceremony was overseen by the Archbishop of Dublin, Bishop of Glendalough, Primate of Ireland and Metropolitan, the Most Reverend Dr Michael Jackson.

Speaking to the congregation at the beginning of the service, Archbishop Jackson said it was a great pleasure to be present this evening at a full church with no need for masks (if people didn't want to wear masks), something which most people had been looking forward to for two years.

He hoped and prayed that the congregation would care for Arthur and that he would care for them.

In his sermon the Very Reverend Tom W. Gordon, Dean of Leighlin, thanked his Grace for the invite to speak. Rev Gordon knew Arthur a long time, as student, as colleague, “and above all as a friend.”

He said the Churches are living through a time of vast challenge and change. Churches, he pointed out, no longer have a monopoly on meaning. Their authority has greatly diminished. Far less people look to them to see how they should lead their lives.

Rev Gordon pointed out that there's a complex culture in the Church of Ireland which revolves around many different events and organisations, around events like synods and many different types of committees. He sometimes felt if, amidst all this organising things and getting things right, a more imaginative and creative attitude was sometimes overlooked.

He suggested that more imagination and creativity might be needed in tackling the challenges facing the Church of Ireland, and the other churches in the country, in the contemporary world.

Today, he pointed out, was all about warmly welcoming Arthur and his wife Susan to their new parish, their new ministry.
He briefly discussed the reading which was from the Book of Genesis and described 90 year old Sarah giving birth to Isaac.

There's a lovely line in the passage in which Sarah describes her happiness and joy on giving birth to a child: “God has brought me laughter,” she says, “and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Reverend Gordon said Sarah's warm, happy laughter shows a kind and decent person, someone who is truly religious, as opposed to stern people focused on rigid religious custom.

Arthur, said Reverend Tom, is someone who likes to laugh, as much as is appropriate. He is not one of those who takes his role or his church too seriously.

He referred to the second reading, the wonderful Parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke's Gospel with its timeless message of forgiveness for sinners. The Prodigal Son has led a dissolute, reckless life of drinking, gambling and sleeping with prostitutes. Eventually he has spent every penny and is living on the wrong side of the tracks; and yet, when he returns home to his father, “he is met with a lavish hospitality that is jaw dropping.”

The parable is also a tale about the importance of hospitality and possessing a hospitable nature.

“Jesus is so often a person of rich hospitality. An attitude of hospitality to others (familiars and strangers alike) is at the heart of Christian ministry and Christian life. It is not an afterthought, on the outer edges, but it is the essence of what it is to be a true Christian. Arthur and Susan are people of great generosity and profound hospitality. They offer ministry at its most generous. Arthur is also a person of great kindness. I mean the word kindness in its deepest meaning, an attitude of empathy and understanding towards other people's difficulties and challenges. Arthur's ministry is no sterile custom. It is a ministry of warmth and humanity, inspired by Christ's example.”

Following the Institution ceremony, members of the parishes brought forward symbols of the teaching, pastoral, and sacramental ministry of an incumbent. The symbolic objects were water, a bible, a stole, prayer book, oil, towel, chalice and paten.

As they were presented the Archbishop said to Arthur: “Take this water, and baptise in the name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Take this Bible, and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Receive this stole, and be a pastor and a priest among your flock. Accept this prayer book and be a person of prayer among your people. Use this oil, and be a healer of the sick. Receive this towel and be a servant and a support to those in need and in trouble. Take this chalice and paten, and be among us to break the bread and bless the cup.”

Audrey Colton, principal of Oxmantown School, said there's a strong link between the school and the C of I church, with the staff and pupils often using the church. She hoped Arthur and Susan will be happy in Birr.

Suzanne Corcoran representing the Lorrha parish said there's a long ecclesiastical history in Lorrha, going back about 1500 years, “but recently we have been sheep without a shepherd; we are vulnerable and there's a danger we might wander off, lost; we are very glad to have a shepherd once again and we are looking forward to following a guide once again.”

Roy Gill of the Dorrha parish offered the Minions a very warm welcome and wished them many happy years in Birr.
Peter Whyte, representing Lockeen, said he has known Arthur and Susan for many years. “We are gaining not one but two great people. We look forward to working with them and wish them every blessing.”

Paul Johnson, representing Birr parish, said the people of Birr look forward to collaborating with the Minions and getting to know them better.

Fr Tom Hogan, representing the ecumenical communities, said as gaeilge that he was 'an áthas' to be present and he wished the Minions 'buíochas'. Fr Tom said he loved the name of the Minions new home, place of the oak. “We in the Roman Catholic Church and in the Methodist Church look forward very much to working with you both.”

He wished them 'beir bua'.
Cllr Peter Ormond, representing the municipal community, said it was an honour as Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District to be present. He knew the Minions will be warmly welcomed into their new parish. Cllr Ormond said he has known Arthur for many years and he's a great priest. “I know that the people of Wexford were very sad to see him go.” He added that Arthur's regular religious services on Facebook were a great boon during Covid Lockdowns.

Lady Rosse made a presentation of flowers to Susan.

Archbishop Jackson said this was a great evening for the parish and it was wonderful to be part of it. He thanked Reverend Gordon for his insightful sermon, “which reminded us that Lent need not be lugubrious even if is penitential.”

He complimented everyone who spoke, and joked, “The speeches were exemplary in their brevity!”

Rev Minion thanked Rev. Gordon for his kind words. He joked that he was glad that Rev. Tom didn't push the prodigal son analogy too far! He reminded everybody that some years ago he had served a ministry for a number of years in Shinrone.

“I have great love and affection for the people of Offaly.” One of the first events he attended when he first moved to Shinrone many years ago was Cllr Ormond's wedding. He said when he's living in a place he likes to submerge himself in its life as much as he is able. He promised to gently and humbly lead the sheep.

He thanked the evening's musicmakers, including Seán Ryan (tin whistle) and Ciara Ryan (harp), organist Enda O'Connor, and the Birr Choral Society under the direction of Michael Hanna.

He welcomed his family members who were present including John, Maria, Jennifer, Aunt Frieda and Susan's parents. He warmly welcomed all relatives and friends and apologised if he had forgotten to name anybody - “Those who we have forgotten do thee O Lord remember”.

After the Institution everyone was invited to attend a Reception in Dooly's Hotel, Birr.