21.08.2013
Rathfarnham’s New Intern Deacon Introduced
On September 22 four new Deacons will be ordained in Christ Church Cathedral. They will then become Intern Deacons in parishes in Dublin and Glendalough where they will work until next summer. This week each will be profiled in turn.
Eugene Griffin has just completed the four year part–time Mth course in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. He will be ordained on September 22 before serving as Deacon Intern in the parish of Rathfarnham, Dublin.
He has been married to Joanna for 20 years and they live in Foxrock. Although both of his parents are deceased, he receives great support and encouragement from family and friends.
Eugene is an accountant by profession and until recently he worked in the Mater Hospital. However, by inclination he is a musician and by vocation a Priest. His faith journey started while he was a Lay Vicar Choral in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, and says there is something very special about praising God through the medium of music. “It gets to the core of our relationship with God,” he comments.
“So why did I train for the Ordained Ministry? For as long as I can remember I have had an itch to serve God but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Gradually I started to explore my relationship with God and Church and woke up to the idea that I may have a vocation. I recognised that there was a thread running through my life of serving others in the work I had done,” Eugene explains.
“Some days I have to pinch myself that I will be ordained in September. The bright light of Ordination which was only a flicker a few years ago is getting brighter by the day! Yes the workload for the Masters in Theology has been heavy. Yes the training for ministry can be very involved. But even on the days when I am tearing my hair out, I never fail to be thankful to God for showing me the path on which I find myself,” he says.
Over the last four years he has undertaken placements in Trinity College Chapel, Monkstown, Kill o’ the Grange and Kilternan. “During the course of these placements I have been very privileged to be allowed enter into parishioners’ lives, trying on their shoes to feel where they pinch. Leading people in worship has enriched my spiritual life much more than words can ever describe,” he states.
He is now looking forward to serving and getting to know the clergy and people of Rathfarnham Parish.