DD RELIGION: A former primary school teacher from County Down has been appointed Curate of the United Parishes of Moville, Donagh, Culdaff and Cloncha in County Donegal.
The Reverend Suzanne Cousins will take up her new duties after she is ordained priest in the Church of Ireland, on September 4.
The Rev Cousins, who grew up near Comber, in County Down, has been Deacon Intern at St Mark’s, Newtonards for the last eight months, while she completes her full-time training and formation for the priesthood.
She lives in Newcastle with her husband Alan, who works as Irish Mobiliser for Africa Inland Mission. The couple have three grown-up children.
Alan’s previous job took the couple to South Africa, where Suzanne worked as a volunteer teacher in a Children’s Village for AIDS-affected children. She has also held full- and part-time teaching posts in Northern Ireland and the Republic, and worked as a Special Needs classroom assistant.
The County Down woman says she sees the mission of the Church as being about healing, wholeness and salvation, of individuals and communities.
“I see strength in the vision for ‘Small, strong churches’ and that this is a helpful, positive and realistic vision for the Church in large parts of Ireland. I am inspired by the vision for ‘Small things done with great love’ (Mother Teresa).”
Mrs Cousins says her personal priorities in ministry include pastoral care – especially through parish visiting and hospital visiting. Her hobbies include walking, playing the guitar, the Irish language and scuba-diving.
Welcoming the appointment, the Archdeacon of Derry, Ven Robert Miller, said: “On behalf of all clergy and parishioners in the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, I extend a warm welcome to Rev Suzanne and Alan. This appointment is tremendous news for the Parishes of Moville, Donagh, Culdaff and Cloncha, and great news for the Diocese as a whole.
“I know from talking to them how eagerly her parishioners are looking forward to the new Curate’s arrival in Inishowen. Rev Suzanne will bring a wealth of experience to Moville, which will benefit her new parishioners and the wider community. This is a time of great opportunity in our Diocese. Suzanne has a great deal to offer in her ministry and I look forward to serving with her.”
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