04.09.2015
The Revd Alan Breen – Privileged to Walk Alongside Parishioners in Greystones and Staff and Students of Temple Carrig School
On Sunday 27 September four Deacons will be ordained to the Priesthood by Archbishop Michael Jackson. The Revd Ruth O‘Kelly will be ordained for a curacy in Rathfarnham parish, the Revd Cathy Hallissey will be ordained for Christ Church, Taney, the Revd Abigail Sines will be ordained for the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes and the Revd Alan Breen is being ordained for St Patrick‘s Parish in Greystones. This week, each in turn will write about their experience over the last year as Deacon Interns and their hopes for the future as they enter the priesthood.
“I love stories. I love the character development, the scene settings, the journey that takes place from the beginning to the end. Every person has a story to be lived and to be told. I am really enjoying my story at present. I am about to be Curate in St Patrick’s Parish in Greystones and Chaplain in Temple Carrig Secondary School. To get to this part of the story, lots of adventures have taken place. Last year I completed my dissertation “21st Century Parables: God’s Voice in Modern Day Cinema”, with the help of David Shepherd my supervisor. In completing this I also completed my time in CITI which was for me a wonderful experience with the staff, lecturers, and fellow students. Much fun was had and my time in college has been invaluable.
“God’s call on my life has always been clear to me even if at times I didn’t understand it. Coming to this place in my life in taking up this new position is very exciting. Having been in Greystones last year as deacon and to now return as curate is a huge privilege and I’m very excited for the time ahead. I have learnt so much from the Revd David Mungavin and I’m looking forward to partnering with him again as we journey with people and bring Jesus’ love, compassion and forgiveness to those that desire it. My passion for seeing people live out the call that God has on their lives and journeying with them in that process has not diminished. As I have stated before, the more I see and experience the love that God the Father has for me and the example Jesus is for my life, the more I desire to see Holy Spirit work among his church and for people in our nation to come into a real relationship with God, through all that Jesus has done for us. This is as true for where I will be serving as Chaplain. I am very excited about working alongside Principal Alan Cox and the rest of the amazing staff in Temple Carrig. The opportunity of walking alongside staff and students each day is a humble privilege. I look forward to the new opportunities that will arise in the school.
“I don’t believe God ever intended there to be a divide between the sacred and the secular. A sacred space is where God is present. My hope and prayer is that people will sense God’s presence as they seek Him out. In John 10:10 Jesus states ‘the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come so that you may have life, and have it to the full.’ I fully believe this to be true, not that life is easy and perfect when you have a relationship with Jesus, but it is full! This is the joy of being a disciple of Jesus and it is my desire for others to be a disciple too. The support I have had in this journey has been great. I have to give special thanks to my amazing wife! She is and has been a phenomenal support throughout this whole process and an incredible strength for me and our children on this journey.
“My family and I look forward to see what God has in store for us in all that we are involved with and we would very much appreciate your prayers. Blessings.”