18.01.2021
New Rector of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride Begins Ministry with Online Institution
Parishioners of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride gathered around their screens on Friday evening (January 15) for the institution of their new Rector, the Revd Arthur Barrett. The institution was conducted in St Saviour’s Church, Arklow, by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Due to Covid restrictions, there could be no congregation in the church and the service was livestreamed into people’s homes the length and breath of the country. Arthur was joined in the church by his wife, Brigid and their family. The Revd Kevin Conroy, who has been serving the parish, and his wife Olive were also present along with the Archdeacon of Glendalough, the Ven Neal O’Raw.
The church wardens, two from each parish, witnessed Arthur reading his declaration in the parish centre.
Introducing the service, Archbishop Jackson welcomed the physical and virtual congregation and hoped that Arthur and Brigid would be deeply happy in their new parish. He said he was delighted that people were able to join the service online. “Our restrictions and in many ways our confinements have made it very difficult for people to have that sense of community and sense of gathering because gathering is something that we are no longer able to do safely… But over the last number of months clergy in the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin have done really good things to enable worship to continue and people to be part of it,” he said.
He also thanked Kevin and Olive for the work they do, have done and continue to do in the parish and paid tribute to them for the ministry they and their family offer. He thanked the previous Rector, Canon Nigel Sherwood, for his service to the parish and the dioceses. He described him as a tireless pastoral clergyman who gave of everything of himself. The Archbishop thanked Archdeacon Neal O’Raw for his preparation of the service.
The preacher was the Very Revd Arfon Williams, Dean of Elphin and Ardagh, who delivered his sermon remotely. Having known Arthur for 20 years, he commended him heartily to the parishioners of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride. He said both Arthur and Brigid bring tremendous gifts to the parish.
“Arthur is a diligent priest and pastor. He has admirable gifts that he brings to your parish from years of experience from the west of Ireland and Dublin. He will be a competent pastor, will bring his own brand of spirituality to the parish and will lead you in an effective way. Brigid will be a stalwart and will exercise her own ministry… I know that they have responded to God’s call upon their lives as you must respond to God’s call on your lives at the beginning of their ministry,” he said.
Dean Williams commended Arthur to the prayers of parishioners and the wider Church. Referring to the reading from St Paul to the Ephesians [Chapters 3 and 4], he wondered what God wanted of his people during these times as we enter 2021 in a pandemic. He suggested that the answers could be found in St Paul’s letter in his call for unity, for people to love one another and be faithful to God’s call.
Bringing the service to a close, Archbishop Jackson prayed for all who were suffering in these difficult times. He prayed for the policy makers, researchers and those working on the frontline. As Arthur and his family arrive in their new parish at a difficult time, he asked that God give them grace in the care of themselves and others and patience as they begin afresh.
In the week that Ireland was rocked by the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, he prayed for all who were most deeply affected by the commission’s findings and gave thanks for the courage of those who made the report possible.
If you missed the service on Friday night you can watch it back here.
