Diocesan News19 Mar 12

Local Churches and GAA Join for St Patrick’s Eve supper in Garvagh

The TBF & KL Thompson Ministries, Garvagh was the setting for an innovative St Patrick’s Eve Supper. In this opening remarks, Executive Director Ronnie McKee welcomed guests, friends and public representatives to an evening that celebrated the life, work and legacy of the Godly man who first brought Christianity to Ireland.

Key note speaker Brian Ervine, a former leader of the Progressive Unionist Party congratulated the Challenge Garvagh Committee on a hosting such an inclusive celebration, and to Coleraine Borough Council for part funding the event. The event was also supported by the Diocesan Volunteering Project (funded by the Department for Social Development).

He continued ‘St Patrick was man whose faith in Jesus Christ continues to transcend any tradition or denomination that would seek to claim him. What was Patrick’s greatest legacy? It was his preaching of Christ crucified, buried risen and coming again, and the importance of a personal relationship with Him.’

The evening included an exhibition of traditional Irish dancing by the talented John Mitchel’s GAC Glenullin dancers, a harp solo by accomplished harpist Alice McFaul and a spirited rendering by the St Paul’s Parish Praise Group, of Patrick’s testimonial hymn Be thou my vision.

In his closing remarks, event organiser, the Revd Paul Whittaker, thanked Mr Ervine, the artists, and all who had worked to make the event possible. Paul Whittaker concluded ‘The real challenge for the churches in Ireland today, is to recognise the power of God to transform people’s lives as he did the life of our patron saint. What Patrick brought to Ireland is still accessible to all.’

ENDS