23.08.2016
The Revd Nigel Pierpoint Reflects on the Epic Journey that has Led to his Ordination
On Sunday September 25 Archbishop Michael Jackson will preside over the ordination of the Revd Nigel Pierpoint and the Revd Kevin Conroy to the priesthood. The Revd Nigel Pierpoint is being ordained for Curacy in Taney Parish while the Revd Kevin Conroy is being ordained for Curacy in Dalkey. This week we feature articles written by them both as they look back on their time as Deacons and look forward to life in their parishes.
Nigel writes:
The process of my vocation has taken many years since I first went to meet the diocesan director of ordinands. Some 14 years after that initial meetingI am to be ordained priest on the 25th September this year.
Hard as it may seem, I have just completed three years of academic study in CITI to qualify with a masters in Theology (M.Th.), something I thought would never happen. This has culminated in me writing my dissertation. The complexity of juggling pastoral work and academic research and writing was made all the more easier as Canon Robert Warren, rector of Taney, and the Revd Cathy Hallissey, curate in Taney, encouraged me to take, and also allowed me the time required to research my topic and write my thesis. I owe them and my family who also supported me throughout my discernment and study a depth of gratitude, which words seem inadequate to portray.
I am a very pastoral person who has a compassionate heart towards those who are in need of a listening ear, who are suffering in any way, or who may be grieving. Being the person I am, the topic I chose for my thesis is titled, End of Life Care Within a Palliative Care Setting: A Consideration of the Theology and Praxis of Appropriate Pastoral Care. As part of my dissertation research, many parishioners from both my home parish in Killiney and Taney very kindly volunteered to be interviewed. This mixture of pastoral ministry and academic work was very rewarding as it allowed me to combine the various strands required to be an effective pastor. To the parishioners of both parishes I say a big ‘Thank You’ for welcoming me into your homes and communities, and for being so open and willing in discuss with me your personal life experience, especially concerning a loved ones passing.
My call to ordained ministry has come full circle. Firstly as a lay reader, and now to my priesting in September, all this, despite me telling myself that I was not good enough. God has his plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11), and he has opened the necessary doors to allow me to answer his call, and I continually give him thanks for that.
I was blessed to have served my deacon intern year in the company of the Revd Canon Robert Warren, mentor and friend in the parish of Taney, who allowed me the autonomy to ‘spread my ministerial wings’ and who has encouraged me all the way. Also the Revd Cathy Hallissey, colleague and friend who has supported me throughout my first year as we worked together, a year that seems to have just flown by. I very much look forward to returning to Taney in September to work with Robert, Cathy and the entire ministry team as we seek to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ and to further God’s kingdom. I hope and pray that in some small way, my ministry will bring honour and glory to God as I continue on what, so far, has been an epic journey.
Anne and I look forward to becoming part of the community of faith that is, ‘Taney Parish’.