21.07.2014
Greystones Parishioners Celebrate 150 Years With Flowers and Praise
Stunning floral arrangements abounded in St Patrick’s Church, Greystones, as part of the parish’s 150th anniversary celebrations. A flower festival which took place in the church and its grounds culminated in a service of thanksgiving and praise yesterday (Sunday July 20) to mark 150 years of worship in the parish community.
The service was attended by Archbishop Michael Jackson as well as Fr Liam Belton and Fr Denis Quinn of the Holy Rosary Church in Greystones and members of the CSSM team (who are currently in Greystones for the 118th year bringing Christian celebration to local children). A number of local public representatives and staff from St Patrick’s NS and Templecarrig School were also in attendance.
The huge congregation was welcomed by the Rector, the Revd David Mungavin. He praised the hard working organiser of the flower festival, Flo Fennell, and all who helped to put the three–day event together.
Sarah Murphy gave short history of the church and parish which was created following an influx of people to Greystones when the railway line to the town was built in the 1850s and in the summer people arrived to take the sea air.
The church in Delgany struggled to accommodate the increasing numbers and the La Touche family (who also built Christ Church, Delgany) offered to build a new church in Greystones. On July 19 1864 a service of consecration was held in the church presided over by Archbishop Chenevix Trench for which a special train was laid on from Bray.
In his sermon, Archbishop Jackson observed that the parish had decided to mark the 150th anniversary with style and colour and share the celebration with the community of Greystones.
He said that parish communities carried a tr adition of witness and faith and added: “People who form parishes are already in and of the community and are in a position to reach out and to welcome, as you in this community of Greystones have done consistently and continue to do right until today. This festival bears testimony to your willingness and your witness and your welcome”.
The Archbishop said that a flower festival often allowed people to see parts of their faith in imaginative ways. “It is the sustained inspiration that has brought us to this happy and colourful day. It is the work and witness of others before us that we mark and celebrate,” he said.
During the service the new St Patrick’s Church, Greystones, smartphone app was officially unveiled. Church in Your Pocket offers a chance to connect with God each day. Receive daily Bible readings, devotional reflections and prayer guides, as well as a special section with devotionals written just for kids.
Ken Gibson introduced the new app. He said that Church in Your Pocket could be accessed every day for a small verse, reflection or prayer for the day. He pointed out that the parish was celebrating its 150th anniversary because a community of faith grew up and the church was founded. “It’s entirely appropriate that we as a community of faith would want to read God’s word wherever we are,” he stated.
Archbishop Jackson praised the app which he said “does not contradict the tradition; it simply gives it new shape and new voice”. He hoped that parishioners commuting in and out of Dublin on the train would use the app and if asked by fellow passengers what they are reading “they might confidently say: ‘Well, actually, I am praying’.”
The app is available for Android or Apple phones. It can be downloaded at Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.barefootinteractive.stpatricksgreystones or Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/church-in-your-pocket/id898234350?ls=1&mt=8
To read the full text of Archbishop Jackson’s sermon click here.
Photo captions: Top – Organisers of the flower festival are pictured with the Archbishop. L–r – Billy Markham, the Revd David Mungavin, Flo Fennell, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Peter Butler and Frank Connolly.
Bottom: The choir of St Patrick’s Church were in full colour as well as full voice for the festival service.