Diocesan News
St Brigid’s Day service launches a new diocesan project with Habitat for Humanity
There was standing room only in St Brigid’s Cathedral on Sunday the 1st of February as we gathered to mark the Patronal Festival of St Brigid. The service also marked the launch of a new Diocesan project with Habitat for Humanity – ‘Building Hope… Brick by Brick’.
The service was presided over by Bishop Pat Storey and lead by the Very Reverend Isobel Jackson, Dean of St Brigid’s Cathedral. In her welcome, Dean Isobel noted that when St Brigid was asked to choose a beatitude to guide her ministry she chose Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7). The Christian calling is to love mercy and act justly and so St Brigid’s Day is a fitting service for the launch of a new Diocesan partnership with Habitat for Humanity – an organisation working for justice among the poorest communities in the world.
The address at the service was given by Jenny Williams, Chief Executive of Habitat for Humanity Ireland, and was based on the gospel reading, Luke 1: 46–55, the Magnificat. Jenny Williams said that Mary’s song was full of truth about the nature of God and His plans for His people. She said it was a radical prayer that proclaims a social revolution – the proud will be brought down and the humble will be lifted up, a political revolution – powers will be defeated and the oppressed will be given fullness of life and an economic revolution – the hungry will be fed and wealth shared. She said that the Magnificat reminds us that in order to build God’s Kingdom we need to say ‘Yes’ to joining in His plans. Just as Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant’, each of us need to be willing to say yes to a God who is always faithful.
The address ended with a description of the work of Habitat for Humanity – both globally and locally –putting God’s love into action and working so that everybody has a decent place to live.
The partnership between Habitat for Humanity and the Diocese of Meath and Kildare will raise funds to buy bricks which will be used to build homes and latrines in Malawi. Malawi is consistently ranked as one of the poorest countries in the world.
Bricks cost 1 euro.
It takes 1,200 bricks to build a three–roomed home and 300 bricks to build a latrine. Every brick represents hope for the future through homes or school based which will transform the lives of families and communities in Malawi.
The service was followed by a wonderful tea in the Cathedral transept and an opportunity to find out more about the work of Habitat for Humanity in Ireland.
Diocesan Communications Officer, Meath & Kildare
086 342 0299
Mrs Jenny Horner
[email protected]