Presentation to Canon Eric Kingston
Canon Eric Kingston will retire on 1 October 2011 after 35 years as the Diocesan Curate. If your parish has had a vacancy or has needed cover due to sickness, it’s Eric you have to thank for making sure that your worship continued uninterrupted. Bishop Harold recently visited him and his wife Kathleen in their home in Ballynahinch with some tokens of appreciation for their faithful service to the diocese.
Eric was invited to be Diocesan Curate by Bishop George Quinn and, recalling all those years of service, he believes he made only “2 mistakes,” (although we don’t think they really count as mistakes – rather circumstances beyond Eric’s control). “There was one occasion, 5 years ago, when I had to get 24 different harvest preachers – which was probably about 60 calls!” he recalled.
Eric is a meticulous record keeper and the many arrangements he made over the years are kept in ‘the book’. Given the length of his tenure as Diocesan Curate, ‘the book’ could now be regarded as an historical document. As he brought it out and showed us the plan for the coming month his pleasure in serving the diocese in this way was evident.
“It’s been a wonderful thrill for me because I’ve kept in touch with many of the retired clergy. The men and ladies have been so faithful,” he said, “and when they say they’ll do a thing, they’ll do it and it’s done.”
A Cork man, born in Bantry and brought up in Bantry Parish, Eric met Kathleen when he helped out with the Methodist choir in Newry one Harvest. He was a late ordinand, joining the deaconate at the age of 45 in 1969 after 25 years in the printing industry.
Eric served curacies in the Diocese of Down, in St Patrick’s, Ballymacarrett and then in St Columba’s, Knock. He became incumbent of Annahilt (later joined with Magherahamlet) and saw it grow from 90 families to 180 families. He retired from full time parish ministry in 1993 and the couple enjoy travelling, reading, walking and bowls.
Throughout Eric’s ministry, Kathleen raised their two daughters and was very involved in Mother’s Union. She was Down and Dromore Diocesan President and for 6 years the All Ireland President (1983–89).
“I was President at a very exciting time, during the Centenary Year of Mothers’ Union in Ireland,” says Kathleen. “It was absolutely fantastic. I drove myself the length and breadth of Ireland and I’ve preached in every diocese in Ireland.” And with a twinkle in her eye, she went on to tell the story of the Sligo rector who declared that she was, “more famous than her husband!”. Kathleen retired from the All Ireland Council at the beginning of this year.
Eric has now retired from preaching and Kathleen enjoys having him sit with her in the pew, but he still helps out a little in Magheradroll. His rector there, Canon Warren Russell, will become the new Diocesan Curate.
See a few more photos in the gallery here.