02.09.2015
The Revd Cathy Hallissey – Intern Year Opened Many Doors as She Prepares for Curacy in Home Parish
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.
“The more I move through the process of training for Ordination, the more I become aware of how God moves in completely unexpected ways, often challenging us and often surprising us with doors that open into remarkable situations and lives. This past year as Intern Deacon in Kilternan Parish has been one such year of revelation. I was welcomed by the community of faith in Kilternan last September and this warmth and support have upheld me in my training over the past year. Kilternan’s Rector, Canon David Moynan has become an invaluable mentor and friend, providing guidance, wisdom and accompanying me through all aspects of pastoral care. He has valued my ministry as his own and welcomed individual input into worship which has enabled personal growth and learning. I am most grateful to David, Isabel and the people of Kilternan Parish for their generosity and support.
“Balancing between pastoral training and dissertation writing during the past year was challenging and I am grateful to David and my family for the support and time given to achieve what was required. Three years ago, I felt strongly drawn towards the whole area of reconciliation and the process of forgiveness. It has been an evolution of ideas, Spirit–guided I believe, and culminating in a piece of work titled Speaking the Language of Hurt which attempts first steps at understanding the psychology of human hurt and the process involved in healing. This has begun what I hope to be a life–time’s learning in how we as church can accompany people in their hurt with patience and understanding, drawing them towards the presence of God in their lives through honest and authentic communication with Him.
“A door was opened which was most relevant to this work in February this year, when David and I travelled to India. Our two week trip incorporated visits to schools and hospitals on behalf of Dublin University Mission to Chota Nagpur (DUMCN) and the Leprosy Mission (TLM). I had not experienced such a raw distinction between wealth and poverty as upon the streets of New Dehli, nor had I witnessed a genuine level of gratitude and graciousness as within the children and staff of the schools visited in Hazarabag. In TLM hospital in Naini, state of the art technology and medical expertise is actively restoring those suffering from the physical effects of Leprosy, but what stole my heart completely was the focus on education and outreach within the neighbouring villages. The opening up of understanding about leprosy is beginning to remove the stigma connected with the disease which has prevented leprosy sufferers from coming forward. This recognition of the dignity of personhood which seeks the restoration of an individual beneath the prohibitive layers the world can place upon them, lies at the very heart of Christ’s ministry and message.
“On a very personal level, this past year has opened my heart to God in ways that have made me acknowledge myself as I truly am. To stand in the light of God’s accepting gaze as our authentic selves is perhaps the greatest challenge of all. Yet to empty ourselves is to allow ourselves to be filled again. What comes of this is two–fold. Firstly, I know that as I proceed I cleave to God more and more, for I have never been more convinced that it is his strength that enables me and not my own. Secondly there has arisen within an increasing hunger to know God through a deeper spiritual connection, contemplative prayer and sitting in the stillness of God’s peace.
“I am most excited to begin my curacy in Christ Church Taney in September. For me, it is going home to a parish and people that lie very close to my heart and I’m most grateful to Robert Warren for this appointment and the opportunity to work in such a vibrant community.
“At the end of three years of academia, my sincere gratitude is extended to the lecturers and staff in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute for their constant support and guidance to us all. It has been my privilege to learn and I look forward to the new journey which is about to begin.”