20.09.2024
‘Find the holiness in everything you do in this place’ – New Rector Welcomed to Bray
The parish of Bray embarked on a new chapter in its long history yesterday evening (Thursday September 19) as parishioners of the seaside town gave a warm welcome to their new Rector. The Revd Leonard Madden was instituted in Christ Church Bray by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson.
Delighted parishioners were joined for the Service of Institution by Leonard’s wife Dr Catherine Smith, representatives of other churches in the area and representatives of the local civic community. Clerical colleagues came from Dublin and Glendalough and Leonard’s former diocese of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe among others.
Opening the service, Archbishop Jackson noted that both Leonard and Catherine were well known in Dublin and Glendalough, Leonard having served his deacon intern year in Blessington and Catherine through her work previously in Church House and currently with the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland. The Archbishop also welcomed the Revd Lindsay Llewellyn–MacDuff to the dioceses as she was formally licensed before the service for her post as Dean’s Vicar in Christ Church Cathedral.
The preacher was the Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, with whom Leonard served his curacy. He noted that the walls of the beautiful church had absorbed the prayers, thoughts and praises of countless generations and Christ Church had witnessed the growth and development of Bray. Previous clergy had made valuable contributions to the life of the church and now another piece of history was being added to that rich tapestry.
The Dean said that most churches and cathedrals had a ‘unique selling point’ and referred to a church in north Belfast where the words ‘feed my sheep’ were inscribed on the book rest in the pulpit – visible only to the preacher. He said he was not referring to the ovine residents of the Wicklow Mountains or suggesting that Leonard should head off to buy animal feed in the morning.
“The call of anyone to minister in a particular place is to feed the sheep – liturgically, spiritually, pastorally. This is what we are here to witness tonight as the Archbishop entrusts Leonard with the care of God’s flock in this place,” he said.
Dean Sloane said ministry was a profound joy but also a profound responsibility. It was multifaceted and often involved more than was taught in the theological institute. “But in all of it there should be some sense of the holiness in the call to sacred ministry. So Leonard when you find yourself alone stacking chairs in the parish hall when everyone else has gone home, never say ‘I wasn’t ordained for this’. Find the holiness in everything you do, great and small, in this place. I hope and pray that your ministry here will be joyous and filled with many moments of joyous holiness,” he said.
While the rector has duties and responsibilities, the Dean noted that he could not do everything in splendid isolation. The parishioners of Bray were also entrusted with duties and responsibilities. He congratulated the parish nominators, despite the fact they had stolen Leonard from Limerick. However, he said that this was only the start and that all the parishioners, along with their new Rector, were about the commence a new chapter in the history of the parish. “This evening you now have a new shepherd. You are about to embark on a new journey, a journey no doubt that will be filled with many new experiences… This is a journey that all of you must travel together, rector and parishioners working together. You are now yoke and oxen,” he contended urging them to pray for and support their rector.
Leonard had exercised a rich and varied ministry in Limerick City parish for the past three years, he said. His many gifts would become apparent to parishioners quickly. “His huge heart, his huge capacity for pastoral care, his careful ordering of the liturgy, his depth of scholarship, his unique charism of ministering to all ages, and his wonderful sense of humour. All these gifts and much more will help you together to continue to grow into a holy temple,” he commented.
A reception followed the service in St Andrew’s National School. The large crowd was welcomed by principal Daphne Wood who outlined the history of the unique school which has trustees from the Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian community under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. She welcomed Leonard to Bray and looked forward to renewing the close ties between the parish and school.
Archbishop Jackson thanked everyone for the work they had done in preparation for the institution and the public representatives and representatives of other churches who attended. He thanked Dean Sloane for preaching and said he had every confidence that Leonard and Catherine would be welcomed and taken into the hearts of the people of Bray. He also recalled the ministry of the Revd Baden Stanley and paid tribute to all the work he did as rector.
Welcoming Leonard and Catherine on behalf of the parish, David Reynolds reiterated the tributes to all involved in the preparations for the evening. He also thanked everyone who contributed to keeping the parish ‘alive and kicking’. He said that in the church there was a list of incumbents dating back to 1284. “There is a long history and a clear identity… Tonight is historic but it is also part of the long game,” he commented. He said Leonard and Catherine were coming to a vibrant and forward looking community and said they had been waiting and praying for this moment.
Co–chair of Bray Churches Together Peter Growney welcomed Leonard and Catherine on behalf of all the local churches and wished them many happy years among them.
The final words of the night went to Leonard who thanked everyone for their warm welcome to the parish and the community. “Catherine and I have been very excited to come to Bray and build on the ministry that has taken place here over many years,” he said looking forward to getting to know everyone.
There are more photos on our Facebook page.
