Rev. Arthur Barrett who has been appointed the new Dean of Rapho
AFTER almost six years at Rossorry Parish Church, Enniskillen, Canon Arthur Barrett will move on to become the new Dean of Raphoe Cathedral, County Donegal.
Canon Barrett will also become the rector of the parishes of Raphoe, Raymochy and Clonleigh.
His final service in Rossorry will be on Easter Sunday before he takes on the new role two weeks later. Canon Barrett will move along with his wife Brigid and three children – twin boys Nathan and Charlie (20), both at university and Lucy, a year 10 student at Enniskillen Collegiate.
He told the Herald that he will leave Fermanagh with a heavy heart and fondly remember his time here.
“Obviously it is an upheaval for the whole family which makes a decision like this more difficult, but we trust in God that this is what he wants and things will work out. It won’t be easy, it will be very hard, hard leaving here, hard leaving friends, but we will move on. It is a different place and a new sphere of ministry, a new type of ministry for me, but we trusted this was what God is calling us to do.”
Originally from Dublin and ordained in 1997 he began his ministry with a curacy in Seagoe Parish, Portadown. He has since serve as rector in parishes in Dublin and County Sligo.
When asked about his highlights Canon Barrett admits it is difficult to pinpoint one area.
“There has been a lot, we have a big parish development plan and that is certainly a highlight.
“It is by no means complete, it is almost in its infancy, but it has been great to see people coming and gathering around that and the vision growing for the parish and people actually getting the vision.
It has been great to see people come into new positions of leadership within the parish, in different areas, in different organisations and to see our uniformed youth organisations growing and thriving.”
Other highlights include the growing cross-community relationship between Rossorry and the Graan and the Queen’s visit in 2012.
“It was one of those great moments in one’s life, for the town and the churches and the communities, it really was a fantastic event.”
What will he miss about Fermanagh?
“Well we will miss the rain obviously, because Donegal is a lovely dry place,” he joked. “We will miss the people, because wherever you go in life you get drawn close to people. There’s a deep connection there and it is hard to break that.”
“As everywhere you become involved in the life of people and the parishes, families and all aspects of life, be it the happy and the joyful to the sad and the traumatic and tragic and all places in between.”
Canon Barrett is pleased with the impact he has made since he arrived in 2008 and is confident the parishioners will build on what he has started.
“I believe the people now are taking control and ownership of the vision for the future of the parish and it’s great to see that happening. I know that when I go that will carry on.
He added: “It is a thriving parish, it is a growing parish.
“There’s a lot going on, there’s now a great lay leadership team within the parish and I would imagine it would be a very attractive parish for someone to come to.”
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