Three presbyters ordained for curacies in the diocese
Families, supporters and sponsors gathered in Down Cathedral on Sunday (27 August) to celebrate with our three newly ordained presbyters.
Bishop Harold ordained Revd Christopher St John, Revd Mark Gallagher and Revd Stuart Moles, and our Bible Week speaker, The Most Revd Greg Venables, gave the address at the service.
Bishop Greg preached on the Gospel reading in John 20 when Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room. It was, he said, “an encounter which offers a message of hope to all who are fearful, anxious and confused”.
Speaking to the ordinands, the bishop reminded them that God, who sends them, gives them peace, purpose and power. As they served as ambassadors of the Kingdom, he urged them to put their relationship with God above all other things as Jesus’ presence would make all the difference to their ministries.
The presbyters
Mark Gallagher was ordained for the curacy of Bangor Abbey. Mark grew up in St. Andrew’s Killyman, just outside Dungannon, and before training for ordained ministry, was a research scientist. He completed his deacon internship in Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh with Archdeacon Brian Harper.
Christoper St John was ordained for the curacy of Dundela. Chris grew up in Newtownabbey and before training for ordination he worked in public protection, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and teaching others in these spheres. Chris served his deacon intern year in Holy Trinity Woodburn where his training rector was Revd Alan McCann.
Stuart Moles is from Lurgan. Before training, Stuart was a youth worker for over 8 years and prior to this studied theology at Queen’s University Belfast. He spent his deacon intern year in St Patrick’s Greystones (Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough) with Canon David Mungavin.
Click on the links below to find our more about the presbyters, each of whom is serving in Down and Dromore for the first time:
Christopher St. John
Mark Gallagher
Stuart Moles
View a photo gallery of the ordination service.