Press Releases
ARMAGH CELEBRATES "THE TOUCH OF GOD"
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh was a sea of colour on Friday night past (27th September) as people from right across the diocese packed the Cathedral for a great service of celebration and dedication under the theme "The Touch of God". It gave the diocesan family the opportunity to meet together in the context of worship, to thank God for his mercies in the past and at its conclusion gave all present the opportunity to rededicate their lives for His service in the future.
At the very beginning of the service there was a procession of over forty banners representing the various parishes in the diocese. Much time and effort had gone into the creation of these great works of art and each one had been lovingly made by members of the parish which it represented.
In the course of the service five people were interviewed by Mr Paul Clarke of Ulster Television on how the touch of God affected their lives. Each of the five then in turn read a short passage from the Bible which had particular significance to them and the congregation then joined them in the singing of their favourite hymn.
The five interviewed were Michael Hamilton, a law graduate, now completing his PhD in public order law at the University of Ulster. Michael was involved in the setting up of a Sunday School in the Cathedral, where he has been a member of the Choir for sixteen years and is an active member of the Diocesan Youth Council. Margaret Wilson a nursing sister from Armagh City chose "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation" as her favourite hymn and spoke of the three years she spent working in Lesotho, South Africa, with the leprosy mission.
Gerald Macartney with thirty years of community service under his belt, is a final year student at the theological college and spoke of his call to the ordained ministry. The Revd Joyce Moore is an auxiliary priest who is currently the curate assistant in the Parochial Group of Camlough and Mullaglass and is also a Maths teacher in Dundalk Grammar School. Joyce talked of the two sides of her working life and how Christianity could be expressed in the classroom. The last of the five interviewed was the former Bishop of Connor, the Right Revd Dr Samuel Poyntz, who reflected on his ministry as a priest and bishop and on life in retirement.
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, led the final act of affirmation and dedication when the whole congregation joined together in prayer concluding in the words "send me forth to live a new life in your service".
At the end of the service the banners were carried out through the west doors of the cathedral to be returned for display in their own parishes. All left the Cathedral with the words of the last hymn ringing in their ears "Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today."
A selection of banners on display
Further information from:
THE DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
St. Michael's Rectory
66 Main Street
Castlecaulfield
Dungannon
Co. Tyrone
BT70 3NP
Tel: 028 8776 1214
Fax: 028 8776 9095
Email:Armagh Diocesan Communications Officer
DCO: The Revd Shane Forster