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News
New rector instituted to Rossorry Parish
The clergy who participated in the institution of Revd Stephen McWhirter.
The institution of the Revd Stephen McWhirter as Rector of Rossorry Parish in Clogher Diocese took place on Thursday, 3rd November in Rossorry Parish Church on the outskirts or Enniskillen.
The Revd McWhirter had previously been Archdeacon of Tuam, Killala and Achonry in the west of Ireland.
The Service of Institution was due to be conducted by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis but as a result of the death of his mother, Alice, he was unable to attend and the Dean of Clogher, the Very Revd Kenneth Hall, of St. Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, appointed Bishop’s Commissary, led the service.
The preacher was the former Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, the Right Revd Patrick Rooke.
Dean Hall was assisted by the Acting Rural Dean, the Revd John Woods and the Diocesan Registrar, the Revd John McClenaghan.
The lessons were read by Victoria Johnston, Nick Hambly and Sarah Maguire and the hymns were; “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,” “Dear Lord and Father of mankind,” “For all the saints, who from their labours rest,” “Eternal Father, strong to save,” “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,” and “We have a gospel to proclaim.” The organist was Mrs. Catherine Irwin.
The collection was for the Clogher Ministry Fund which facilitates the development of lay and ordained ministry in the Diocese.
During the Act of Institution, a number of parishioners took part as the new rector was taken to various parts of the church; Garry Clarke representing 1st Rossorry Scout Group; Aimee Turner from the Confirmation Class, Avril Armstrong from Rossorry Guides, Lorraine Simpson from Rossorry Mothers’ Union and Hilary Pringle from Rossorry Prayer Group.
Following the service, the congregation was entertained to tea in the parish hall where a number of speeches of welcome were made chaired by Acting Rural Dean, Revd. John Woods.
Firstly, Norman Reid from the Ballina group of parishes spoke of their sadness losing Revd, McWhirter, where he had developed parish ministry among the many churches in the group during his work over the past seven and a half years.
Words of welcome came from Mrs Dorothy Wilson, Secretary of Rossorry parish as well as local ministers; Revd Lorna Dreaning from Enniskillen Methodist Church, Revd David Cupples of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church and Monsignor Peter O’Reilly from St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church.
Revd McWhirter then spoke thanking everyone for their support and announced that he would be staying in the church from 7am on Saturday until the Sunday morning service at 10am to greet people.
Summing up the evening, Dean Kenneth Hall thanked everyone for arranging the service.
Revd McWhirter was accompanied by his wife, Revd Canon Jen McWhirter and their daughter, Kizzy.
Revd McWhirter grew up in the Parish of Bangor Abbey and has always been involved in the life of the church, having attended Sunday School, all sections of the Scout Group and singing as a chorister in the Church Choir as well as being a Sunday School teacher and youth leader.
He served in a number of Church of Ireland Parishes in Belfast, Portadown and Lisburn while training for ministry. His latest position was Rector of the Killala Group which incorporates the Kilmoremoy Union and the Killala Union. This Group comprises of seven churches following the coastline of Killala Bay.”
Revd McWhirter has many interests outside church, enjoying reading and walking as well as participating in country sports. He also paints having a passion for modern art and has other home-based pastimes