05.03.2025
New Rector of Delgany will have ‘a significant and God inspired impact’
Parishioners of Christ Church Delgany turned out in great numbers yesterday evening (Tuesday March 4) to give a warm welcome to their new Rector. The Revd Natasha Quinn–Thomas was instituted by Archbishop Michael Jackson who thanked Natasha for her willingness to serve and thanked the people of Delgany for making the evening possible.
Among the large congregation was Natasha’s partner, Peter Cassidy, many clerical colleagues from across Dublin and Glendalough and numerous supporters from the Parish of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla, where she served her Curacy in the Church of Ireland following her arrival from the Diocese of St Asaph in North Wales. Also in attendance was the Rt Revd Kenneth Kearon, former Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe who lives in the parish.
The sermon was delivered by the Rector of Castleknock, the Revd Colin McConaghie, who said that while he would miss Natasha as a colleague and friend, it was a wonderful appointment. “Her presence will have a significant and God inspired impact upon this place. She will sit with you in times of sadness, laugh with you in times of joy and inspire you to serve others emulating the love of God through her enthusiasm and innovation,” he stated.
Coming to Ireland from Wales it was tempting to draw parallels between Natasha and St Patrick, he said. However, as she was arriving via Castleknock it was more appropriate to liken her to St Brigid. (The parish church in Castleknock is dedicated to St Brigid.) Brigid, the preacher said, was determined to live out her faith at a time when it was not always the done thing for a woman. Natasha has also shown determination. While in a convent school, she felt her calling at an early age and despite being told ordination was not possible and she should find other ways to serve, she was determined to follow her calling and serve in the courts of God [Psalm 84: 10].
He described the gifts Natasha would bring to Delgany – her profound pastoral care as could be attested to by parishioners of his parish; her wonderful innovation which would result in new ministries they had never even dreamed of; her passion for learning as she has just completed her Masters and was now undertaking her PhD; her nurturing and inspiring others to grow in faith and to serve God; and her gifted preaching.
“Natasha will bring many gifts to the parish of Delgany but I remind you that church ministry is not all about the Incumbent… Good people of Delgany, your new Rector needs support and encouragement. It would be easy to look at Natasha and say ‘she is a young woman, people will flock to church’. But this is not a one person show. She is not a one person trick. She cannot do this alone,” he stated.
Referring to last Sunday’s reading about the Transfiguration, he added: “The challenge to all of us is: Are we expecting to be moved by God when we come to worship or gather in this place? Or are we happy to just sit on the sidelines? Are we willing to do our part?”
He urged parishioners to get to know Natasha and let her get to know them. They needed to work together and trust each other.
Speaking after the service Archdeacon of Glendalough Ross Styles thanked everyone who had worked so hard to make the evening possible. He said the parish was blessed to have Natasha.
Welcoming their new Rector on behalf of the parish, Gordon Elliott said it was a momentous evening for Delgany and they looked forward to getting to know Natasha and working with her.
Archbishop Jackson paid tribute to the former Rector, the Revd Nigel Waugh for everything he had contributed to the life of the parish. He said Nigel had spent a long time in the parish while Natasha had just arrived and he encouraged those present to recall the words of the preacher and take time to get to know each other.
The final word went to Natasha who said she had never been as nervous as when she walked into the full church for her institution that evening. She was ordained during Covid with nobody present and she preferred not to be the centre of attention. She said she had been made to feel very welcome since moving to Ireland a year and a half ago, firstly in Castleknock and now in Delgany.
“It is a pleasure to have served in Castleknock and going forward I hope that there will be a legacy of my ministry there… I am new to the business of being a Rector so please be gentle with me,” she said adding her thanks to the Archbishop for supporting her ministry and thanking Colin for his support. She also thanked Delgany’s parish secretary, Miranda, for her effort in putting the order of service together and those who arranged the flowers, particularly the daffodils which she hoped were in honour of St David’s Day.
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