By Alan Healy

More than five hundred people Glendermott Parish Church to witness the ordination of five new priests the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.

The five new priests, Rev Liz Fitzgerald, Rev Nigel Cairns, Rev Rhys Jones, Rev Jonathan McFarland and Rev Robert Wray, were ordained by Bishop Ken Good and will serve in the diocese.

The collection at the ordination service, which usually goes to the Diocesan Ministry Fund, was instead offered help victims of the recent flooding in Glendermott Parish.

The local communities of Drumahoe and Tullyally were among the areas worst affected by last month’s severe floods.

Bishop Good said that he hoped the gesture would be a ‘recognition of their desire to bless and care’ for families who had suffered because of the flooding and to show them compassion.

In his Sermon for the ordinations, the Dean of Raphoe, Very Rev Arthur Barrett said that he’d been privileged to spend time with the ‘soon-to-be-priests’ on their pre-ordination retreat.

“During our times of sharing in worship and prayer and chat and an awful lot of laughter together, it seemed to me, and I don’t think I’m breaking any confidences when I say that one way or another all five, I think, share a similar kind of reticence: ‘Why me, Lord?’ “So if I’m right, and you are asking the question, ‘Why me?’, please do not fear it because you are in great company. Many of the greatest prophets of the Bible were exactly the same,” he added.

A large number of clergy from throughout the diocese and beyond attended Sunday’s service, many participating in the laying on of hands.

The first reading was performed by Rev Cairns’ daughter Megan; Albert Smallwoods, MBE, read the second reading and the Rector of Clooney, Rev David McBeth, read the Gospel. The organist was Derek Collins, Robert Goodman played the trumpet and the choir of St Columb’s Cathedral performed throughout the service. Afterwards the congregation crossed Church Brae to Glendermott Parish Hall for refreshments and speeches.

Bishop Good also thanked the local Rector, Rev Robert Boyd, for organising the large and complex Ordination Service so successfully.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.