16.01.2016
Donoughmore, Donard and Dunlavin Set Sail on New Journey With New Rector
Parishioners in the West Glendalough group of parishes of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin have welcomed a new dawn with the arrival of their new Rector. Archbishop Michael Jackson presided at the institution of the Revd Neal O’Raw in Donoughmore Church last night (Friday 15 January).
Despite the freezing conditions the welcome was warm for Neal and his wife Siobhan and their family as parishioners filled the little church to greet their new Rector. Neal, a keen sailor who hails from the north side of Dublin and comes to Glendalough via the west of Ireland, pledged to sail with his new parishioners whether the waters are stormy or calm.
The sermon was preached by the Dean of Tuam, the Very Revd Alistair Grimason, who began with a line from a Nina Simone song: “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. And I’m feelin’ good”. This was true, he said, for Neal and Siobhán and their sons Árainn, Alan and Eoin; for Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin; and for the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.
Outlining Neal’s career to date, Dean Grimason said he had cut his teeth in ministry on the far side of the River Shannon. He brought with him vast experience of working in a rural area and knowledge of the workings of a diocese. Being a ‘Northsider’, the Dean said that Neal brought with him a directness and honesty as well as a depth of generosity, empathy and compassion that was often missing in today’s individualistic world.
Addressing the parishioners he asked what kind of people they were. He said ministry was a collaborative mission and not something to be done by the Rector alone. He said it was right and proper to celebrate Neal’s arrival and it was wonderful to see a full church as everyone came out to “get a look at the new man”. But he said Sunday was special.
“Don’t stop coming to church just because you’ve satisfied your curiosity this evening. Weekly Sunday worship is the heart and soul of each parish. It is where relationships are formed, morale is lifted and friendships are made… Sunday worship is fundamental to the life of Christians,” the Dean said.
He suggested that the Church today faced challenges but that it had done since the very beginning and throughout its history. “[The Church] has flourished on a grand scale or it has struggled. But it is still here. And that is through the resolve of people who have stood firm in their faith,” he stated adding that that faith was founded on the rock of Jesus Christ.
Speaking after the service Edward Allan addressed the congregation on behalf of the parishes. He thanked everyone who had helped keep the parish going during the vacancy. Echoing Dean Grimason’s sermon he said that the Rector was not in sole charge of the parish but must equip and empower the laity to reach out to others. He pledged the support of the vestries and urged parishioners to ensure that he and his family felt they were part of the parish community.
The Rural Dean and Rector of Blessington, the Revd Leonard Ruddock, had been in charge of the parish during the vacancy. He paid tribute to the people of the parish and all who had worked hard and diligently over the last 18 months to ensure that the parish thrived.
Neal said that he and Siobhán had been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people since their arrival. He thanked the Archbishop and the Archdeacon for having faith in him and all who had worked tirelessly to prepare for his arrival and for the service. “I have an ocean going boat. While the boat is large the tiller is small and I hang on to it like mad. I intend to hang on to you like mad. With Jesus as our rock we will go through the waters together whether they are stormy or calm,” he said.
Archbishop Jackson thanked all the members of the parish who had been faithful and patient while there was no Rector. He said that during the vacancy their faith had strengthened and it was something they could now give back to God and share with their new Rector. He thanked all who had tended to the witness of the parishes. He also expressed gratitude to the previous Rector, the Revd Olive Henderson for all the love and dedication she had shown the parish and wished her and her husband Ernest well. He told Neal that the people of the parish would quickly become friends and said they wished him a fair wind.
Photo captions:
Top – Archbishop Michael Jackson congratulates the Revd Neal O’Raw following his institution as Rector of Donoughmore and Donard with Dunlavin.
Middle – Clergy and church wardens in Donoughmore Church for the institution.
Bottom – The Revd Neal O’Raw and his wife Siobhán with two of their sons and their partners.