BY MICHAEL BRESLIN
Friday night's annual cross-community service held in Rossorry Parish Church - it alternates between it and the Graan Monastery - featuring the respective pastors, Rt Rev Archdeacon Cecil Pringle and Fr Brian D'Arcy, CP - was the last of its kind for the two friends and near neighbours parish-wise.
For, as of now, Archdeacon Pringle is semi-retired and Fr D'Arcy's term as Rector of the Graan is due to finish at the end of June.
In his own case, he and Archdeacon Pringle had celebrated Christian Unity Week for the past six years: "We have come a great length since 1908 and, when I invited Archdeacon Pringle to speak in the Graan six years ago, it was a very big move indeed. Archdeacon Pringle responded with great generosity even though he may night have been sure how it would have been received by his congregation or mine".
Fr D'Arcy went on: "We were very lucky in that both congregations backed us so strongly in this, even though there were objections. We were absolutely clear that the Holy Spirit was guiding us and, when I went to preach in Rossorry, it was the first time in 100 years that the Rector of Old Rossorry and the Rector of the Graan were side by side at a religious service in their respective communities and had members of their communities in both churches.
"This was no small step. It was a risk at the time", Fr D'Arcy went on, 'and the fact it doesn't have the same risk today indicates how we have matured as people in that short period of six years".
In his own case, Fr D'Arcy is in his 41st year in the priesthood and, when asked why he and Archdeacon Pringle got on so well, he suggested their friendship was a good example of how God builds on reputation.
"Everything took off because we were friends", he explained.
"He was previously a Minister in Belnaleck (where Fr D'Arcy is from). I didn't know him but my father always said he was 'a terribly nice man', and that was the highest compliment you could be paid. So, I had no fear in approaching him, knowing he was a terribly nice man".
Turning to more weightier matters, Fr D'Arcy said he was too well aware of journeys still to be made, hence his admission in his sermon in Rossorry Parish Church last Friday that, 'the saddest part of my journey is that we cannot share the Eucharist'.
"I won't rest content till we have that, but there is a big chasm to be bridged and we don't want to risk the good we are doing by reaching too far. Part of leadership is that you move ahead but that you don't move that far ahead that there is nobody behind you".
With Fr D'Arcy's term as rector of the Graan coming to a close at the end of June, it will be up to the Passionist Congregation to decide whether or not he is reappointed. But, even if he is, he won't be sharing another annual inter-church service with Archdeacon Pringle.
Speaking to the 'Herald' on Monday, Archdeacon Pringle described Friday night's annual get-together as, 'a deeply moving spiritual experience'.
He went on: "Brian D'Arcy is such a gifted communicator, and one outstanding feature is his ability to maker complex things both simple and challenging.
"The one thing that occurred to me today is it really would have been an awful tragedy had we not had Friday night's experience over the past six years.
"So, I am grateful for him and for the people of the Graan who always come in such numbers, and it would also have been tragic if we hadn't the opportunity or the people of the Graan and from Old Rossorry to join in the readings and in the prayers. I think this is equally spiritual".
