03.10.2025
‘See what the Spirit is doing and join in’ – New Rector Welcomed in Arklow
Torrential rain could not dampen the spirits of the people of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride as they flocked to St Saviour’s Church in Arklow last night (Thursday October 2) to warmly welcome their new Rector. The Revd Alistair Doyle was instituted as incumbent of the South East Glendalough parishes by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
Alistair’s wife Cecilia and their son Toby, along with other family members were joined by a large congregation which included many parishioners from Galway where Alistair served as Curate for four years. There were also parishioners from Alistair’s home parish of St Matthias’ in Killiney–Ballybrack, and Zion.
Adding to the warmth of the welcome was a great many people from the wider community in Arklow including the Moderator of Arklow Group of Parishes, Fr Pádraig O’Cochláin, Rev Fadzanayi Jongoro and the Revd Michael Anderson of Arklow Presbyterian Church. There were representatives of a wide range of local volunteer organisations and public representatives.
The sermon was preached by the Very Revd Lynda Peilow, Provost of Tuam, with whom Alistair served his curacy. She spoke about the difference between ‘fitting in’ and ‘belonging’. “We live in a time where belonging feels fragile,” she said pointing out that everything in current culture tells us we must fit in. “But fitting in is not the same as belonging. Belonging means showing up and being accepted as you are, for who you are, even if you are alone,” she commented.
“Fitting in means changing but belonging is being accepted. Before we belong anywhere else, we belong the God and that changes every situation and circumstance,” the preacher added referring to the Gospel reading [St John 14: 15–26 ‘You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.’] “The Church is not built by charisma or programmes. It is built by the Spirit and it is our job to see what the Spirit is doing and join in. When we abide with the Spirit we ask ourselves how do we join in with what God is doing,” she explained.
The new Rector comes with many gifts, Ms Peilow said, including love, kindness, humanity, energy, presence and his love for God. These gifts are not confined to the church building, she said observing that Alistair had known the name of every homeless person on Shop Street in Galway. He will also be a beacon in the wider community as connection and hospitality are in his nature. In Galway he was known as the Holy Roller because of his love of scooters, skate boards and mopeds which have resulted in the occasional injury. He is brave and courageous and unafraid of vulnerability, she added.
“He doesn’t just fit in, he belongs even if it means standing apart,” she stated asking parishioners to ground their hopes for Alistair’s ministry in prayer, patience and trust. “To the parishioners of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride, look after him in his first incumbency. You have a good priest here and I pray that you will love him, encourage him, support him and forgive him and remember that he is human. The Gospel says that the Holy Spirit is already here and guides us. This is not his ministry or our ministry. This is God’s ministry and we are custodians for a time. If we are rooted in love, God’s ministry here will flourish,” she concluded.
Following the service Rural Dean, the Revd Jack Kinkead told Alistair that he was coming to a place with dedicated parishioners. He paid tribute to the parish readers and the retired clergy who had taken many services and made special mention of the parish secretary Rosemary Paul and the church wardens for their team effort.
Archdeacon Ross Styles commended Alistair to the parish and asked that they walk alongside him to help the parish flourish. “This is a growing town in a beautiful part of the world and you have the right man for the job,” he said.
Fr O’Cochláin welcomed Alistair on behalf of the Catholic parish and looked forward to continuing the great relationship enjoyed by all the local churches. He added that there were many good people in Arklow and it was not a desert of faith.
Archbishop Jackson thanked everyone for their presence and for the effort that was put into preparing for the evening’s service. “In Alistair you have someone open hearted, versatile and skilled. He will continue to build on the work that has been done before and with those who are working here now and will look to the future. I encourage each of you in each of the three parishes to work together to make a real go of having a Rector in Alistair who will work generously with you,” he commented. He added that the community is important to the life of the parishes and Arklow is a place with great energy which would continue to grow.
The final words went to Alistair who said it was a joy to see so many people from so many facets of his life in the church. He thanked the preacher who, he said, had knocked him into shape over the last four years. He thanked parishioners of Arklow, Inch and Kilbride for making he and Cecilia and Toby feel so welcome, the glebe and church wardens for their preparations, and the nominators for choosing him. “I’ve never felt so welcome and I will hold you in my heart everyone,” he said.
