Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

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2 On the second Sunday after the Epiphany (17 th January), we had a visit from Bishop Harold. During his address, he said something I had never really thought about before without the Epiphany, the wonderful events of that first Christmas Day would have largely gone unnoticed. In much the same way, the joy of Easter Day could not have happened without the agony of Good Friday. Easter Day is the day we celebrate Christ s glorious resurrection, but do we mark our Lord s pain on Good Friday and relive those sorrowful days leading up to the cross during Holy Week. Holy Week Services in the Cathedral provide us with the opportunity to travel step by step with our Lord on his painful and lonely journey to the cross. Meeting together Monday right through until Friday can help bring that first Holy Week and our own Holy Week together as though we were there with him ourselves... Were you there when they crucified my Lord? Were you there when they nailed him to the tree? Were you there when they pierced him in the side? Were you there when the sun refused to shine? Were you there when they laid him in the tomb? Were you there when God raised him from the dead? Let s be there with our Lord in his sufferings as we meet together during Holy Week 8.00 p.m. Monday Friday and as together we celebrate his day of triumph Easter Day a.m Cathedral Life

3 Bishop Harold Miller will host the annual Down & Dromore St Patrick s Day Celebrations at Saul Church and Down Cathedral on Thursday 17th March. The theme this year is In the Footsteps of Patrick Proclaiming Christ and at the Festival Service we will commission our first group of Diocesan Evangelists. Bishop Harold will give the address. Programme 9.15 a.m: Holy Communion at Saul Preacher: Captain George Newell (Church Army) a.m: Pilgrimage from Saul to Downpatrick a.m: Festival Service in Down Cathedral Preacher: The Rt Revd Harold Miller (Bishop of Down & Dromore) Wreath laying ceremony at St Patrick s Grave EASTER AT THE CATHEDRAL SPECIAL SERVICES IN HOLY WEEK Monday 21st March to Wednesday 23rd March Each evening at 8.00 p.m. Maundy Thursday, 24th March 8.00 p.m. Holy Communion Good Friday, 25th March a.m. Children's Service Hot Cross Buns to follow 8.00 p.m. A Service of Reflection 1.15 p.m: Irish stew lunch in marquee Transport to Saul From 8:00 a.m. private buses will leave from the Mall for the Communion Service and pilgrimage. The last bus for the Communion Service leaves at 8.45 a.m. The last bus for the pilgrimage leaves at 9.45 a.m. The last bus from Saul to the Cathedral leaves at a.m. CHRIST IS RISEN Easter Sunday, 27th March 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion a.m. Easter Celebration with Holy Communion 6.00 p.m. Easter Praise Service March

4 On Monday 15th February seven members of the Mothers Union travelled to Gilford to hear our Bishop s wife, Liz Miller speak of her faith and of her many trials and troubles. This was extremely interesting and a most enjoyable evening of fellowship was had by all. Not forgetting the wonderful supper which was served by the Gilford Mothers Union members. Women's World day of Prayer This year the Women's World Day of Prayer is being hosted by First Dromore Presbyterian Non-Subscribing Church, Rampart Street on Friday 4th March at 8.00 p.m. and has been prepared by the Christian women of Cuba. Please note this is not a Mothers' Union event and all ladies in the church are strongly encouraged to attend. If all the good people were clever, And all clever people were good, The world would be nicer than ever We thought that it possibly could. But somehow tis seldom or never The two hit it off as they should, The good are so harsh to the clever, The clever, so rude to the good! So friends, let it be our endeavour, To make each by each understood; For few can be good, like the clever, Or clever, so well as the good. Poem kindly provided by Alistair Scott MU Meeting The March meeting on Wednesday 23rd will be held following the Holy Week Service at 7:30 p.m. Please plan to attend Cathedral Life

5 This year Action Cancer Mothers Day Walk will take place on Saturday 5th March within the beautiful grounds of Hillsborough Forest Park. The walk is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and show your support for someone affected by cancer or walk in memory of a loved one who cannot be with you this Mothers Day. The walk will start at a.m. registration is from 9.45 a.m. The 1.5 mile route is suitable for all, including buggies. Everyone who signs up for the Mothers Day Walk will be given a well-deserved goodie bag sponsored by SuperValu, and treated to mid-morning tea/coffee, scones and shortbread in the Plough Inn. All monies raised will fund lifesaving services in Northern Ireland including breast screening, Big Bus mobile unit, M.O.T. Health checks, as well as complementary therapy and counselling support, so your fundraising is most greatly appreciated. For an information pack call or register online at With this month s Magazine you ought to h a v e r e c e i v e d a n e n v e l o p e marked Outreach Fund March 2016: For Maridi Partnership Projects. The intention is that parishioners, who wish to, can support the financing of a student Pastor in the second and final year of training at Chaima Theological Institute, Sudan. Year one of the student's training has been financed from funds in the Outreach Account for Maridi Partnership Projects. Your support is invited by the Select Vestry for this project. The addition of your FWO number or name helps us record your donation. Further to the February edition of the Cathedral Life, Tommy and Pearl Wilson are pleased to report that the total raised for the Leprosy Mission has increased to Sincere thanks to those who generously contributed. The appeal for used postage stamps for the benefit of the Leprosy Mission has been greatly supported. Sincere thanks to all who supported this appeal. The box is still in the Church porch for anyone who has used postage stamps. March

6 On Friday 5th February, all 10 staff members of Via Wings braved the elements and stepped out 'in their shoes' for just one night. We came up with the idea to raise awareness of 'homelessness in our community. So many of our service users live in houses colder inside than out, with no possessions only the clothes they stand in and some basic amenities. Over the past year we have taken part in several home refurbishment projects where we have gone in and transformed houses into homes. This is the repeated phrase when we finish a home makeover; 'Thank you, you have turned my house into a home, allowing me to have friends over.' Thus, breaking isolation and the cycle of poverty. of having a visit by Bishop Harold. As a group of staff we would like to say thank you to you all. We were really encouraged that the local community do support us in what we are doing. We raised a total of 2,580 which will go towards our home refurbishments in the future. The sleeping bags, coats and blankets we delivered to Belfast to Help 4 Homeless Belfast who work with men and women on the streets of our city. They were very thankful for our van full of donations. You guys are doing great work, keep it up! We are still getting in money donations, so if you would like to donate to the cause either find us on just giving on Via Wings Staff Sleep Out or call into Hope & Soul. On Friday night we were totally overwhelmed at the support of the local community and the people who came down and gave us blankets, coats, and sleeping bags, those who gave us money and those who just came for some moral support and to help the night go in. We also had the privilege 6... Cathedral Life

7 I have been reading a new publication by the historian Jonathan Barton on the Plantation of Ulster. It is a very interesting read and touches on the lives of many of our forefathers. The book tells, in great detail, how land was seized by the Lord Deputy of Ireland, Sir Arthur Chichester for the Crown. When James (the sixth of Scotland) became James the first of England, Scotland and Ireland on the 15th November 1604 he started taking a more active concern in the affairs of Ulster. Of course, like all rulers his interest was influenced by how much money he could raise. Nothing changes from the time God told Samuel to tell the Isrealites what to expect from a King. (1st Samuel chapter 8) Chichester acting under instruction from King James, and with the help of Sir John Davies (the Irish Attorney-General at the time) drew up plans to PLANT much of Ulster with Scottish and English peoples, who were God fearing, hard working, and Law abiding. Existing wealthy land owners and other people of authority, would become undertakers and plant out or sub-let portions of land, for rent. These planted people would (by their example of living) influence the native Irish, and show them the truth of how to live in the Protestant religion. The establishment of the Church of Ireland was to play a very important role in this plantation. Each new landlord had responsibility to establish a town and build a church. A minimum of 60 acres was assigned to each church to support a Rector, although many Bishops got or took much more. Scandal existed in the church even then. In 1611 John Todd, Bishop of Down and Connor and Dromore had attempted to separate himself from his wife, by gathering false testimony against her. The English Council of Bishops heard of his behaviour, and he had to flee to Scotland to attempt to escape punishment. King James believed true religion is better planted by the word than by the sword but to make sure everyone heard the word, it was made law that everyone HAD to attend church the Church of Ireland. Tithing was common place, especially around Dromore where the church had possession of much land. In the late 1500 s and early 1600 s Bishop James Dundas used money raised by fines, for non-attendance and other misdemeanours, to carry out church repairs at both Kilmore and Dromore. At this time church and state were totally inter-linked. Later Bishop Buckworth ( ) had to carry out further repairs at Dromore, he also used recusant fines to pay for the work. King James did much good both in Ireland and England (the first complete translation of the Bible into English was under his direction, and he also was responsible for the renaming of Dromore Cathedral and re-establishing the See as the Cathedral Church of Christ the Redeemer). But to get some understanding of life at that time the words of Sir Parr Lane, which appeared in a news-sheet at the time show just how tough life was: Religion must be squared by the word, and that must be maintained by the sword. Food for thought! How times have changed in 400 years!!! Alistair Scott March

8 A short tribute to a sweet mother who is suffering from dementia. The writer, a daughter, obviously loves her mother very much and is repaying her mother s love and kindness. A mother who may not remember me, but that s okay. She s still a sweet and smiling person that I call Mother. I ll never forget my mother s hands. When I was a child, her hands were young and smooth, and now worn and blemished, but beautiful. My mother s hands were always there. These hands have held her babies and wrapped them with love. These hands tied our shoes, buttoned our dresses, held our hands as we crossed the street. These hands were cool on our fevered brow during those childhood illnesses. These hands picked us up when we fell. They soothed the many hurts of life. Then came the time these hands held her grandchildren when they wanted to play. Through the journey of life, my parents held tightly to each other s hand, letting go, only when separated by death. I know she s looking to hold her husband s hand once again, and soon the time will come. And I know I ll always remember my mother s hands. These hands have written letters, dialled the phone, worked crossword puzzles, sewn our clothes, crocheted baby blankets, cooked meals, washed dishes, brushed hair. I hope that the portrait will always remind the child that, throughout their life the mother, and/or father, will always have been there to encourage, support and lift up again when they fall. They'll never be too old to need their mother. Poem and photo kindly provided by Drew McWilliams Photographer 8... Cathedral Life

9 Across 1 Made from the fruit of the vine, symbol of the blood of Christ (4) 3 You are to set an ambush behind the city. Don t go very far from it. All of you be on (Joshua 8:4) (3,5) 8 Seep (4) 9 Celebrated by Jesus on the night of his betrayal (Luke 22:15) (8) 11 One of the supposed sites of Christ s burial place in Jerusalem (6,4) 14 A city on a hill be hidden (Matthew 5:14) (6) 15 He inherited Elijah s mantle (2 Kings 2:12 13) (6) 17 Where Jesus prayed Not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:36, 39) (10) 20 Only in his home town and in his is a prophet without honour (Matthew 13:57) (3,5) 21 Sail (anag.) (4) 22 How Jesus was punished before his crucifixion (Matthew 27:26) (8) 23 Eye sore (4) Down 1 Can t grow (anag.) (5,3) 2 A servant girl to Peter, You also were with that, Jesus (Mark 14:67) (8) 4 Well-being (Proverbs 3:8) (6) 5 Pentecostal denomination, of God (10) 6 One of the obvious acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19, 21) (4) 7 I preached that they should repent and to God (Acts 26:20) (4) 10, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me (John 14:19) (6,4) 12 He betrayed Jesus: Judas (Luke 6:16) (8) 13 Jesus to Peter: of my sheep (John 21:16) (4,4) 16 The centurion said, Surely this man was of God (Mark 15:39) (3,3) 18 Baked bread (Mark 8:14) (4) 19 Blessing and honour, glory and power, be Him (Handel s Messiah) (4) Answers on page 11 March

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11 6th 13th 20th 27th Flowers Sara McCorkell Mrs D Burns In Memory of Mr & Mrs J Burns Mrs H Reid Easter Day Select Vestry Crèche S Shepherd D Abraham H Forsythe H Patterson R Porter C Scott No Creche available Refreshments The Men C Barr S Shepherd N Green M Bradshaw M Brown K Buchanan Sound B Mackey S Newell H Wallace B Mackey Reader 8.30 A Scott L Bland Reader H Scott C Mackey J McCorkell service Reader 6.00 P Cherry B McCallum H Forsythe G Lough Thank you for your willingness to serve in these ways. If you are unable to fulfil your role on a particular Sunday, please arrange a swap and let the relevant co-ordinator know. If you would like to join the current list of helpers or would like more information about what is involved, please give your name and contact details to Jill in the Church Office - Tel Crèche: Helen Forsythe Refreshments: Colin Barr Readers: Office Flowers for March arranged by Mrs Sara McCorkell Monthly Flower Lists contact Caroline Wallace March

12 General Fund 2015/ /15 Week 40 3 rd 1, , Week th 1, , Week th 1, Week th 1, , Week st 1, , Total to date 59, , Development Fund Month 10 January Total to date 8, , It takes more than health and money to be happy in old age: you need good relationships with friends and (hopefully) your family. A recent report by the Centre for Ageing Better has found that strong social connections are vital to people in old age, who otherwise may find themselves alone and struggling, worried and disconnected from others. If you are getting older, and feeling a bit lonely, our Church would love to welcome you Cathedral Life

13 7.30 p.m. Lenten Service Cathedral Praise Holy Communion 6.00 Evening Epilogue Service 7.00 Café Church in Cathedral Hall 7.30 p.m. Lenten Service 8.30 Holy Communion Cathedral Praise Morning Prayer 6.00 Evening Epilogue Service 7.30 p.m. Lenten Service Cathedral Praise with Holy Communion Morning Prayer 6.00 Holy Communion 8.00 p.m. Holy Week Service 8.00 p.m. Holy Week Service 8.00 p.m. Holy Week Service 8.00 p.m. Holy Communion Good Friday Children s Service 8.00 p.m. A Service of Reflection 8.30 Holy Communion Celebrate Easter Together with Holy Communion 6.00 Easter Praise Service March

14 March Diary Dates Wednesday 2nd 7.30 Midweek Lenten Service Cathedral Friday 4th 8.00 Women s World Day of Prayer First Presbyterian Non-Subscribing Wednesday 9th 7.30 Midweek Lenten Service Cathedral Wednesday 9th 8.20 Parish Prayer Clayton Hall Wednesday 16th 7.30 Midweek Lenten Service Cathedral Thursday 17th St Patrick s Day Celebrations Downpatrick Wednesday 23rd 8.15 Mothers Union Meeting Clayton Hall Thursday 24th Cathedral Life Team Clayton Hall Friday 25th 9.30 Blood Transfusion Service Cathedral Hall Blood Transfusion Service Friday 25th March (Good Friday). Please note the session will start at 9.30 a.m. and finish at 3.30 p.m Cathedral Life

15 Dromore Cathedral is the Parish Church serving the Dromore and Kinallen areas and a Cathedral of the Diocese of Down and Dromore in the Church of Ireland. Registered with The Charity Commission for NI - NIC101679