18/06/2026
People from all over Dublin and Glendalough converged on Christ Church Cathedral Dublin on Saturday June 6 to witness the commissioning of seven new Diocesan Lay Readers and one new Parish Reader.
Becky Heaslip of CORE Saint Catherine's Church, Andrea Black of Holy Trinity Church Rathmines; Beatrice Somers of the Christ Church Cathedral Group of Parishes, Joanne Kenny of St. John the Evangelist, Coolock, Nyaradzo Mutangirwa of Athy Church of Ireland, Kris McCaffrey of Clontarf Parish, Church of Saint John the Baptist and Paddy Halligan of Timolin, Castledermot and Killeagh (Narraghmore, Timolin, Castledermot & Kinneagh CofI Parish) were commissioned as Diocesan Lay Readers by Archbishop Michael Jackson.
The Archbishop also commissioned John Alexander of Zion Parish Church as a Parish Reader.
Family and friends of the lay readers were joined by their Rectors and many members of their parish families to fill Christ Church Cathedral for a joyful and uplifting service.
The sermon was preached by Canon Prof Anne Lodge, one of the joint Wardens of Readers for Dublin and Glendalough. She noted that after the service each of the candidates would leave the cathedral “commissioned and licensed to serve – like a sort of religious 007”.
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