St. Macartin's Cathedral
Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
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The Church of Ireland - part of the Anglican Communion
Services & Meetings
(last updated 9th April 2009)
 

                                                                                                                Rev. Canon Brian Courtney BD MA

 
 
                                                   Four Evangelists, One Gospel

I visited the opticians recently and as most of you will know, one of the tests you get there involves identifying which of two sets of circles is clearest. The optician adds a series of lenses and wants to know if you find the object sharper with them or without them. During the Sunday mornings in Lent we have been thinking about the distinctive features of each of the four Gospels. We are blessed to have four different yet similar views of the life and work of
Jesus providing us with different lenses with which to see more clearly why He came, what He did and what it means for us.

In all four accounts of His life we see that the ministry of Jesus has a purpose, He does not simply wander through Galilee teaching and healing, He has a destination in view, Jerusalem; He does not just randomly perform miracles or expel demons, He has a destiny to fulfil, giving his life as a ransom for many. Meeting with Him changes people’s lives – a widow’s sorrow is transformed, a greedy man becomes generous, a prostitute is given dignity, the lost are searched out, the hungry are given food, those who follow him find hope and a place in God’s kingdom.

Holy Week approaches when we would in heart and mind journey again to Jerusalem, make that journey so that as you see the providence and purpose of God in the life of Jesus you might see that providence and purpose worked out in the world of today and in your life today. Don’t waste this season, take the journey so that you might meet afresh with the Lord and know his grace amid your trials and sorrows, and know His forgiveness for your sins and His redeeming hope for your life.

Canon Reggie Twaddell is our guest preacher for Holy Week; the series of united services begin on Palm Sunday evening at seven o’clock in the Presbyterian Church, continuing at 8.00 pm in the Cathedral from Monday to Good
Friday and concluding with Easter evening praise at seven o’clock in the Methodist Church. Canon Twaddell worked as a teacher prior to being ordained and served in several parishes before retiring after a long and faithful
incumbency in the large parish of Portadown.

In a changing world where we no longer speak about things being as safe as the Bank of England it is good to have the built in reminder that Holy Week and Easter bring of the eternal and unchanging message of the Cross and Resurrection. Together let us take the opportunity this special season brings to look again to the One the Gospels focus on, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Canon Brian Courtney, until recently our  Rector, with his former curate, Rev. Ian Linton who is now Rector of the Drumcliffe Group of Parishes in Sligo.
Rev. Betty Thompson, in loco rectoris until a new Rector is appointed pictured with her husband,
Dean Raymond Thompson
Ms Beth Rennick, Church Secretary
Mr Jack Watson, our long term Verger and Lay Reader
Pictured with Bishop Michael Jackson and Canon Courtney is Rev. Charles Eames on the occasion of his ordination in 2008
Aerial view of the Cathedral taken in 2005 by local photographer Bill McBurnie
Enniskillen in 1890 with St Macartin's Cathedral in the background - and NO traffic wardens!
Modern day Enniskillen: Where to park? In the Cathedral car park of course!
A fine mural on display in the Hilliard Room
This mural, a scene from Devenish Island is also in the Hilliard Room
The Cathedral's Former Rectors
Dr. William Holmes
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In Enniskillen Methodist Church on 12th April 2009 during the last joint Easter Sunday evening service at which the Rector would officiate, he was presented with a gift from the the town's Methodist and Presbyterian churches. He is pictured with his wife, Valerie together with the Rev. Ken Robinson (Methodist) and Rev. David Cupples (Presbyrterian). The framed sketches depict the three main protestant churches in Enniskillen.