29.08.2022
Warm Whitechurch welcome at institution of new Rector
A new chapter in the life of Whitechurch Parish began on Friday evening (August 26) with the institution of the Revd David Bowles as Rector. Parishioners were joined by family and friends from all over Ireland to fill the church and welcome David and his wife Michelle and their children Harry and Hannah.
The new Rector was instituted by Archbishop Michael Jackson who said it was a joy to see a church full to capacity after such a long time living in the ecclesiastical wilderness. He added that it was a testimony to the welcome the family would receive in Whitechurch.
David’s institution marks a return to Dublin after seven years of ministry in the Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross. He was Curate Assistant in Douglas Union of Parishes from 2015 to 2019 when he was appointed half time Priest in Charge of Moviddy Union of Parishes and half time Health Care Chaplain in Cork University Hospital and the Bons Secours Hospital in Cork city. He was joined on Friday evening by many clerical colleagues from Cork, Cloyne and Ross as well as colleagues from Dublin and Glendalough and those involved in youth ministry as he was on the Diocesan Youth Council.
The preacher was Canon Dr Daniel Nuzum who served with David in Cork, Cloyne and Ross as well as in healthcare chaplaincy. Taking as his text the Gospel reading of the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids [Matthew 25: 1–13], Canon Nuzum told the congregation of the 10 life sized statues, depicting the Ten Bridesmaids at the west door of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork.
He asked listeners where they might find themselves in the parable noting that he often found himself identifying with the wise bridesmaids who took flasks of oil with them for their lamps. He liked to think of himself as wise and well prepared and it served the unprepared bridesmaids right. But he said this was an easy trap to fall into. “I have found over the passage of time that Jesus’s love is not found in that space,” he stated. He said that this parable was a humbling parable for Christian ministry and was “a powerful reminder that in ministry we will always be found among the wise and the foolish”. He suggested that when we are tempted to stock up our own private oil cans like the wise bridesmaids we are called to resist the urge and look outwards.
As David prepared to begin in ministry and worship in Whitechurch, Canon Nuzum recalled the words of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, who died last week, who urged prayer, not for moral purpose but for a living link with Christ. He described David’s sense of fun, his kindness and compassion and his commitment to all he does while living Gospel values. He added that while in Cork, David never sullied himself with a Munster jersey.
Welcoming David and his family to Whitechurch, Church Warden Stephen Anderson, said that the institution was a joyous moment in the life of the parish. He hoped the family would settle in well and said parishioners were looking forward to getting to know them and build relationships and friendships.
Moviddy parishioner, John Dennis, paid tribute to David’s vibrant approach to his role and described him as enthusiastic and willing to embrace outdoor activities. He said his ministry which was based on strong relationships with his parishioners. He told parishioners of Whitechurch that he would be a priest of compassion while also warning them of his fondness of Marmite.
Archbishop Michael Jackson said that David and his family were coming to a parish with a strong sense of community where there was also a wider sense of the church. He said there was a vibrant national school and the connection of the school and parish had been treasured. He added that the church was in extremely good order.
The final word went to David who said that this was an exciting time for the family as they returned to Dublin but it was bittersweet as they had had seven wonderful years in Cork. He thanked all who had journeyed up and thanked Michelle, Harry and Hannah for their support. He looked forward to getting to know everyone in the parish and promised to teach everyone about the different types of Marmite. “It’s been an absolute joy to see a full church and long may it last,” he concluded.
