18.03.2013
Dublin Council of Churches Service Celebrates Legacy of St Patrick
The words of St Patrick, Bible texts he loved and music and songs he inspired all combined to create a moving service to mark his feast day in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. St Patrick in His Own Words was organized by the Dublin Council of Churches to commemorate the gift of Christianity for Ireland and St Patrick’s contribution to it.
The ecumenical service was attended by leaders of the broad spectrum of Christian churches represented by the Dublin Council of Churches including the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson; the chairperson of the Irish Council of Churches, the Revd Fr Godfrey O’Donnell; and the chairperson of the Dublin Council of Churches, the Revd Mary Hunter.
The service was also attended by Elder Fu Xianwei, the Chairperson of National Committee of Three–Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China. Elder Fu leads 25 million Christians in China and was on a four–day visit to Ireland arranged by the Dublin University’s Far Eastern Mission and the Archbishop.
Traditional and modern music composed for St Patrick’s words was performed under the directorship of renowned harpist Claire O’Donnell, who was young musician of the year 2011.
The large congregation was welcomed by Revd Mary Hunter who reserved special mention for Elder Fu. She said the churches in China had faced difficulties which churches here could only imagine. To enthusiastic applause she assured Elder Fu of their prayers for all his endeavours.
Speaking through an interpreter, Elder Fu said he brought the greetings of 25 million Christians in China. He asked the congregation to keep the Church, especially the Church in China in their prayers and said they would work together for God’s Kingdom.
In her address, Ms Hunter said that the St Patrick’s Day service was becoming an annual event in the Dublin Council of Churches calendar. She thanked the Dean for the use of the historic cathedral and the musicians for their contribution to the service.