Rev Yvonne Hutchinson was ordained deacon on 20 September, in St Brigid’s Cathedral, Kildare.
- Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Coolbanagher, Co. Laois, the eldest of six children. I am married to Willie and we have three children, Philip who lives in Seoul, South Korea, Lynne and Gary and one grandson Dylan who all live in Tullamore.
I have worked in the hospitality industry all my working life (with a short venture into the HSE). I even had my own restaurant for four years. I then went on to study for a degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations and am now working as a HR manager, still in hospitality and it is a job that I love.
2. What is your home parish and what involvement do you have in it (or the dioceses)?
My parish is Tullamore and I have been on select vestry, served as church warden, ran Sunday school, looked after the social committee (with a lot of help) for a number of years and then became a parish reader. I was commissioned as a Diocesan reader in 2019 and from there I went on to study for ordination as part of OLM. I have been on Diocesan Synod, Diocesan Council and General Synod for a number of years.
3. Can you tell us a little about your journey to ordination (from the call to the training etc)
I had felt that God was calling me to ministry for a while but I ignored it, coming up with lots of excuses to do so. Then one day I mentioned it to Canon Isaac Delamere and then the journey to Diocesan reader began and from there to ordination. My parents had a major impact on my journey. They both had a strong faith and in particular my mother who also had a very strong belief in prayer and anyone who knows me will tell you that I also have that belief.
4. How will you be exercising your ministry in the near future and what are you most looking forward to?
I am delighted that I will be ministering in Tullamore Union and I look forward to getting more involved in the pastoral and mission part of ministry.
