By Paddy Walsh
THE key of his new ministry and the historic building he will preside in was handed over to the Rev. Adrian Dorrian at his Service of Institution in Conwal Parish Church in Letterkenny last Friday night.
He replaces as rector the Rev. David Houlton who retired from the position in June last.
A native of Groomsport, in the suburbs of Bangor, County Down, Rev. Dorrian was ordained in 2006 at the age of 24.
He has spent the past five years as vicar of the Lecale Area Mission Partnership (LAMP) in the Diocese of Down and Dromore having served there for a little over nine years.
His wife, Anne, worked as a teacher in two local schools in the Downpatrick area.
The sermon was preached
by Rev. Canon Gary McMurray.
When he was first ordained as a rector in 2009 he was believed to have been the youngest rector in Ireland at the time.
He and his spouse won’t be a stranger to Letterkenny or its environs. He has been a regular visitor to Donegal where family roots connect him even closer.
In his introductory remarks at the outset of the service, the Rt. Revd. Andrew Forster, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, described the arrival of their pending rector as an “answer to our prayers” and said Rev Dorrian and his wife, Anne, were being welcomed into the heart of a growing and vibrant town.
He spoke, too, of the wonderful legacy left by St. Columba and voiced the hope that the DNA of St. Columba, the evangelist and social activist, would be planted there.
The Rev Dorrian and his wife, Anne, would undoubtedly enjoy the hospitality to be found in Donegal.
He added welcome to the Municipal Mayor of the Letterkenny area, Cllr Gerry McMonagle and to all who had joined from the other Christian churches. “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
“There is a great sense of togetherness as we worship God and know his presence,” Bishop Forster remarked.
The choir in Conwal Parish Church.
The First Reading was delivered by Melanie Campbell while the Second Reading was by Craig Dorrian, nephew of the new Rector.
The Gospel Reading was read by the Very Revd Henry Hull.
In his sermon at the Institution, Revd Canon Gary McMurray, Rector of Richill, compared the service to a wedding where two parties were coming together for the official start of something new. He wished the new rector and the parish a long and happy marriage together,
Indicating that he had known the Rev. Dorrian for the past 25 years, Canon McMurray described him as “wonderful, amazing, faithful, caring, dedicated, knowledgeable, funny and friendly.”
He also referred to his musical abilities and his involvement in drama, youth work and his ministry.
He quoted from the scripture of John the Baptist 3:30. “Jesus Must Become Greater, I Must Become Less.”
Clergy who took part in the Service, from left Very Rev. Liz Fitzgerald, Rev. Jonathan Brown (Diocesan Registrar), Venerable David Huss (Archdeacon of Raphoe), Rt. Rev. Andrew Forster (Bishop of Derry and Raphoe), Ven. Robert Miller (Archdeacon of Derry) and Rev. Canon Gary McMurray (Preacher).
Following the service of Institution by Bishop Forster, the congregation offered their support and encouragement to the Rev. Dorrian and greeted him with a round of applause.
Members of the congregation and churchwardens presented the new Rector with various symbols of the teaching, pastoral and sacramental ministry of the incumbent including the Bible, a container of water, the Book of Common Prayer, bread and wine, a cruet of oil, a towel and the key of the church.
“Adrian, receive this key and let the doors of this place be open to all people,” the Bishop declared.
The new rector led the intercessions and thanksgivings of the Prayers of the People, praying that all would be witness to the Gospel in their community and the Christian tradition in Letterkenny, in Churchill and the whole area incorporating the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.
Rev. Dorrian said they were also mindful of so many places where division and destruction existed . “We pray today for the Holy Land, for Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
Mayor of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Cllr. Gerry McMonagle.
They also prayed for the leaders of the world and those who led and served them locally as elected representatives.
He offered prayers for the community in Letterkenny and throughout Donegal including those who visited and those who lived and functioned here.
In addition there were prayers for the hospital and schools that served them so faithfully.
A number of stirring hymns brought the spirit of song to the proceedings and at the conclusion of the service, the clerical representatives and the general congregation retired to the adjacent parish hall for refreshments.
The spiritual minds replenished, there they enjoyed some tasty fare washed down by coffee and tea.
Rev David Skuce, Canon of St. Eunan’s Cathedral, Raphoe, presided over a number of speeches including words of welcome to the incoming rector from Bishop Forster, local parish secretaries, Cynthia Fuery (Conwal) and Brian Bovaird (Gartan), the latter recalling asking the Rev. David Houlton on the occasion of his institution if he could dance indicating to him that the parish dance was coming up!
His question to Rev Dorrian was if he had ever dipped in water, reminding him of a New Year’s Day swim that might require his presence!
Rev.Dorrian’s stand-in predecessor, Rev, Judi McGaffin said wherever she went next it would be a hard act to follow and praised the staff at the local nursing and residential facilities, the students and staff of the Ballyraine and Gartan National Schools and the leaders of the other churches in the locality.
“I have no doubt you will enjoy a fruitful ministry here in Donegal,” she told Rev Dorrian.
Among those in the congregation was Dana Rosemary Scallon.
There were also the warmest of welcomes from representatives of the other Christian denominations including Monsignor Kevin Gillespie, Administrator, St. Eunan’s Cathedral across the road from Conwal Parish Church. He spoke of the “very positive relations” that existed between the local Christian communities and acknowledged the Rev. Dorrian’s predecessors, Rev. David Houlton and Rev. Stewart Wright.
Trinity Presbyterian Church Minister, Rev. Tommy Bruce echoed the sentiments while welcoming Rev Dorrian and his wife to the community. Fr. Ciaran Harkin, representing the Church of the Irish Martyrs, was also in attendance.
Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr. Gerry McMonagle said he and the Council looked forward to working with the new Rector.
“You will find Letterkenny a very community-oriented town,” he said.
Before Bishop Forster rounded off the speeches, Rev. Dorrian thanked everyone for their warm welcome, stating they were blessed to be in a place they knew was special.
“I look forward to working together with you all,” he added.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Anne Dorrian as the couple prepare to bloom in their new surroundings.
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