12.06.2017
Voyage’s End – Canon Neil McEndoo Retires After 35 Years in Rathmines with Harold’s Cross
Parishioners of Rathmines with Harold’s Cross filled Holy Trinity Church on Trinity Sunday (June 11) to bid a fond farewell to their Rector of 35 years. Canon Neil McEndoo led his final service as Rector and Holy Trinity’s traditional congregation and its fresh expressions congregation were joined by Archbishop Michael Jackson for the occasion which also marked the 189th anniversary of the consecration of the church. Also assisting was the Vicar, the Revd Rob Jones and lay reader, Edward Lewis.
In his final sermon, Canon McEndoo looked back over his wide ranging ministry in the parish and thanked everyone who had supported and encouraged him since his arrival in Harold’s Cross just over 35 years ago and Rathmines over 32 years ago.
Detailing the voyage they had been on together, the Rector spoke of the history of the parish, the closure of the church in Harold’s Cross in 2001 and its sale to the Russian Orthodox Church and the uniting of the two parishes and he paid tribute to the parishioners who took and supported the decision. He highlighted the repairs and redevelopment of Holy Trinity Church to become a multi purpose parish centre in 1990 and said that the work carried out then is still attracting attention today.
Turning to the parish’s fresh expressions service Canon McEndoo said: “Having spent money on our buildings it became time to invest in people, and so the ‘Fresh expressions’ service was begun six years ago. Over those years it has grown and has now become an integral part of the parish … I suggested at the Easter Vestry that looking back on all that we have achieved together, and having worked together to achieve it, I can discern the guidance of God’s Spirit in all of that. There were differences of opinion, but no major disagreements, and that can only have come about because what we were doing, and continue to do, has been done under the prayerful guidance of God’s Spirit on all of us. That is something I will never forget. That is also why I thank all in the parish who have supported and encouraged the work here”.
He also looked back on his work as chaplain to the Church of Ireland College of Education and said it gave him the opportunity to work with great staff and dedicated students. He highlighted the support and encouragement he had received from the Sisters of Charity through his work in the Hospice and said he was saddened to see them being denigrated in public having seen their dedicated work looking after people who were terminally ill or suffering long term illness.
On the 189th anniversary of the consecration of the church he said that the building reflected the changes in the area. It was built in a field and the township of Rathmines grew around it.
Canon McEndoo said he was leaving the parish with very mixed feelings and in the hope that he had served the parish to the best of his ability and with the help, guidance and assistance of many faithful people.
A special lunch followed the service and was organised by church warden, Isobel Henderson. Speaking after lunch, Archbishop Jackson thanked Canon McEndoo for a long and faithful ministry during which he had presided over change and transformation in both Harold’s Cross and Rathmines Parishes. He applauded his capacity to enable people to see change as a pathway from the present to the future and also his ability to maintain the regularity of parish life and ministry. He spoke warmly of the spiritual energy he put into the Hospice in Harold’s Cross and for his patient ministry there over many years. He concluded by wishing his all that is best for the months and years ahead.