14.03.2019
Blessing of the Shamrock in TU Dublin at Grangegorman
The annual Blessing of the Shamrock Service took place in St Laurence’s Church on TU Dublin’s City Campus (formerly DIT Grangegorman) today, Thursday March 14. Archbishop Michael Jackson presided and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin was represented by Fr Kieran McDermott.
The service was attended by students and staff of the Technical University along with people from the wider community including people who used to work in St Brendan’s Hospital which used to be on the site.
The service is organised by the TU Dublin Chaplaincy Team and after the shamrock was blessed by Archbishop Jackson it was distributed to those present.
In his address, Fr McDermott looked at the legacy of St Patrick. He said that as the shamrock is blessed, Christians are reminded of their Trinitarian baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He added that Christians are called to overcome their doubts and live their lives on the foundation of God.
A number of TU Dublin students who use the chaplaincy services were interviewed by Fr Alan Hilliard, coordinator of the Pastoral Care and Chaplaincy Service. They spoke of the influence of St Patrick in his own times and today and the challenges of finding faith for young people today.
