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News
New rector instituted to Grouped Parishes of Cleenish and Mullaghdun
Revd Canon Jennifer McWhirter and the Bishop of Clogher and clergy.
The Institution of the Revd Canon Jennifer McWhirter as Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Cleenish and Mullaghdun in Clogher Diocese by the Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis took place in Cleenish Parish Church, Bellanaleck on Thursday, 16 February.
Revd Canon McWhirter had been Rector of the Aughaval Group of Parishes close to Westport, Co. Mayo in the Diocese of Tuam before taking up her new appointment. Her husband, Revd Stephen McWhirter was recently instituted Rector of Rossorry Parish.
During the service, a number of parishioners from both churches led prayers during the Act of Institution. These included Caroline Watterson, Ava Connolly, Julian Thornton, Ivy Humphries and Margaret Crawford.
The readings were by Rowena Sheridan and Robert Watterson, Parish Readers and Revd Maureen Desborough.
The hymns sung were; “Lead us, Heavenly Father Lead us,” “Immortal Invisible, God only wise,” “Dear Lord and Father of mankind” and “Forth, in thy name, O Lord I go.” The organist was Mrs Joan Brownlee.
The sermon was given by Revd Alan Synnott, Rector of Camlough (Bessbrook), Mullaglass and Ballymoyer Union in Diocese of Armagh.
The churchwardens are; Mrs Rosemary Forde, Mr. Leslie Nixon, Mrs Heather Carson and Mr. Dessie Coalter.
The church was filled to capacity with an overflow watching proceedings as they were relayed to the Parish Hall and where a tea reception was provided afterwards. Speakers representing Revd Canon McWhirter’s previous parishes and her new parishes as well as community representatives addressed those gathered.
Revd Canon McWhirter, a native of Co. Antrim, was ordained as a Deacon in 2004 and as a Priest in 2005. After serving as Curate Assistant in St. Anne’ Cathedral, Belfast and assistant Priest in St. Nicholas Parish, Belfast; she spent some time as Rector of the United Parishes of Templepatrick and Donegore before taking on a role as Church of Ireland Co-ordinator of CME at the Theological Institutein Dublin as well as Co-ordinator of Internship Pastoral Studies. She then took up her post as Rector in the Diocese of Tuam where she was involved in many spheres of parish and diocesan work.
She was installed as a Chapter Canon of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in January this year.
Revd Canon McWhirter and Revd Stephen McWhirter have a daughter, Kizzy.