02.06.2015
Cathedral is a Place of Sending – Christ Church Patronal Service Hears
The Patronal Festival of Christ Church Cathedral, was celebrated with a special Sung Eucharist on Trinity Sunday. The service was sung by the Cathedral Choir and the preacher was the former Archbishop of Dublin, the Rt Revd John Neill. The service was followed by the annual Friends of Christ Church Cathedral lunch in the Crypt.
In his sermon, Archbishop Neill drew from the reading from Isaiah [6: 1–8] and examined the cathedral’s role in sending people out to share the Good News and do God’s work. Cathedrals and sacred spaces were significant and special to many, he suggested adding that a cathedral was entrusted with offering the very best in worship and liturgy.
Above all, he stated, the cathedral was a “sending place”. Over the years many had heard the voice of God in the cathedral and responded, as Isaiah did “Here am I, send me,” he said.
“A cathedral is a place of sending. Those who are ordained there are sent out in ministry… But it is not only a place of sending for the ordained ministry,” Archbishop Neill commented explaining that many people from many different backgrounds used the cathedral and they too were send out in the name of God.
He said the dedication of the Holy Trinity was what the sending out was about. “It is God’s Spirit that leads us out of our comfort zone in service. But he does not leave us helpless, his Spirit is with us. Those who obey the call of the Father need to be aware that they are not sent into a vacuum bringing God with them. They are going out to where God is already working. This is the God who sends,” he said.
The Friends of Christ Church Cathedral held their annual salmon and strawberry lunch following the service. Afterwards their annual general meeting took place during which the Friends learned about the work of the organisation during the year and heard of plans for the year ahead.
Photo captions:
Top – The Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Very Revd Dermot Dunne and the former Archbishop of Dublin, the Rt Revd John Neill, following the cathedral’s patronal service.
Bottom: Friends of Christ Church Cathedral attending their annual lunch in the Crypt. L–R: Helen Purser, Ruth Kinsella, Lesley Rue and Michael Purser.
For more photos see the Dublin and Glendalough Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/849163391786373