Cathedral and St Augustine’s welcome new Church of Ireland priest

St Columb’s Cathedral was the venue on Sunday for the ordination of Catherine Simpson.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Sep 2014, 17:30 BST
Ordination: Newly ordainted Rev Catherine Simpson pictured with Rishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good (right) and, from left: Catherine's father and mother, Samuel and Vida Simpson and her sister, Sarah Simpson.Ordination: Newly ordainted Rev Catherine Simpson pictured with Rishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good (right) and, from left: Catherine's father and mother, Samuel and Vida Simpson and her sister, Sarah Simpson.
Ordination: Newly ordainted Rev Catherine Simpson pictured with Rishop of Derry and Raphoe, Ken Good (right) and, from left: Catherine's father and mother, Samuel and Vida Simpson and her sister, Sarah Simpson.

Around 400 people gathered in the Cathedral for the service, including The Bishop of Meath and Kildare, Pat Storey, formerly Rector of St Augustine’s Church on the Walls.

Catherine is a third year student with the Theological Institute in Dublin and will spend this year as a Deacon intern with Rev Colin Welsh in Castledawson. Alongside completing her studies, Catherine will write a dissertation and assist in all areas of ministry in preparation for her life as a parish priest.

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Catherine’s parents Samuel and Vida, and her sister, Sarah, as well as other family members, attended the ceremony and there was a strong representation from Catherine’s home church of Portglenone and St Colmannels, Ahoghillm as well as many well wishers from the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe.

Rev Gary Miller, representing Portglenone parish, Bishop Storey, Catherine’s father and her friend, Alan Williamson, undertook the role of sponsors during the service, as they had played a key role in encouraging and supporting Catherine to make the decision to become a priest.

Rev Colin Welsh, from Castledawson, the Venerable Barry Dodds, retired Archdeacon of Belfast and Sarah Simpson read the Bible passages and the preacher at the service was Rev Diane Matchett, Rector of Castlerock, who said the service was a reminder that everyone had a role to play in the body of Christ, not just clergy.

Following the installation there were refreshments and speeches of welcome in St Augustine’s Parish Hall.

Over the last 12 years Rev Simpson has been a teacher in Lisburn, Ballymena, most recently at McKinney Primary School in Dundrod where she was vice-principle.

Related topics:Cathedral