28.08.2014
Deacon Intern Cathy Hallissey – Great Joy and Enthusiasm for What Lies Ahead in Kilternan Parish and Beyond
On Sunday September 21 five new Deacons will be ordained in Christ Church Cathedral. They are Kevin Conroy, David Martin, Alan Breen, Abigail Sines and Cathy Hallissey and they will be Intern Deacons in parishes in Dublin and Glendalough where they will work until next summer. Each has written a piece about themselves and each day this week they will be profiled in turn.
Cathy Hallissey (Kilternan)
“I am Dublin born and raised (in Glenageary) and a member of the Church of Ireland all my life. My father, Walter Carter was an active member of the vestry and warden to several Rectors in St Ann’s church since 1962 and I grew up attending St Ann’s with him. I went to The High School in Rathgar for my secondary education and, following a secretarial course, began my working career as Secretary/Administrator in the area of recruitment and for Aer Lingus.
“I gave up work when my second child (of three) was born and had been a full–time home–maker for fifteen years prior to venturing into training for the ordained ministry. I have three teenagers – Claire (19), Robert (17) and Lizzie (15) and am happily married for twenty years to my husband Eddie. Our family have been active members of Taney Parish in Dundrum for the past 15 years. Taney have been most supportive in my journey to ordained ministry.
“Although steeped in the Anglican tradition, my experience of ‘calling’ towards the Ordained Ministry only became apparent ten years ago. Quite simply it wouldn’t let me go and, despite my initial reaction as feeling unable or unworthy, it persisted. I completed the Archbishop’s course in Theology (2008–2010) and continued on to complete the Foundation Course and obtain a Professional Certificate in Ministry through the University of Chester (2011). Having been accepted through the selection conference to train for the ordained ministry, I began my Master of Theology course in CITI in 2012 and have completed same this Easter (barr my dissertation due in April 2015).
“For my deaconate, I will be under the care and wisdom of Canon David Moynan, Rector of Kilternan Parish. As I currently live in Dundrum this is very close to home.
“There is a wonderful sense of being ‘home’ now in my training and hopes for the future in God’s service. During my two years study, my heart has been greatly moved in the area of reconciliation and forgiveness. My dissertation hopes to explore the psychology of hurt and the transformative power of God. I have been writing music since I was a teenager and, during the past few years, have begun to write songs and plays for children, bringing the scriptures to life, it would be my hope to bring some of that ‘life’ to the children of Kilternan school in assembly and through Church services. Children’s ministry holds a special place in my heart. I welcome the opportunity of learning from David, the dignity of accompanying the aged people in nursing care at the end of their lives.
“There is a sense of joy and enthusiasm in my hopes for what lies ahead. People are at the heart of myself and the greatest and most humbling privilege is to be taken into their lives. There has never been a greater need for a deeper understanding of God’s presence and compassion, never a greater need for acceptance of the ‘other’ and the realisation of God’s constant presence and transformative power in a broken world. I pray that through His grace, I may be afforded an opportunity to serve him for the rest of my life.”