Diocesan News
Ecumenical Carol Service in St. Crumnathy's Cathedral Achonry
ECUMENICAL CAROL SERVICE IN ST CRUMNATHY'S CATHEDRAL, ACHONRY
An Ecumenical Carol Service is being held on Thursday 23rd December 2004 at 8 p.m. in St. Crumnathy's Cathedral, Achonry.
This is the first time that the cathedral building has been used since it was deconsecrated in 1998.
After deconsecration the building was renovated with Heritage Council funds with the intention of using it for ecumenical events.
The service will be by candlelight and will be made up of readings, meditations and carols and will include the annunciation, the birth, the visit of the shepherds and wise men and the traditional Christmas Gospel from the First Chapter of St John. The meditations are written from the point of view of Mary, Joseph and the shepherds etc., giving depth to the readings that precede them and hopefully bring the story of Christ’s birth alive in a new way. These will be interspersed with carols, some of the traditional old favourites like Hark the herald angels sing, O little town of Bethlehem and, O, come all ye faithful, and some more modern hymns such as The Virgin Mary had a baby boy. The readings and meditations will be shared between the congregations represented there, led by clergy and laity, and hopefully across the age spectrum. It is hoped that we will continue with refreshments after the service.
Bishop Richard Henderson Bishop of Tuam Killala and Achonry will be the preacher and Bishop Flynn, Bishop of Achonry will read the gospel.
Though the building has been deconsecrated, it is a sacred place and it has always been the intention that it be used for ecumenical events, maybe as an ecumenical place of retreat or pilgrimage, sooner rather than later. As Christmas is a symbol of new life and hope, it was thought that this was an ideal time to begin the dialogue with our brothers and sisters in Christ and also to let members of the faith community that worshipped there know that it has not been abandoned and forgotten about, but hopefully the start of a new chapter in the spiritual journey of Achonry diocese.
THE DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
The Rectory
Skreen
Co. Sligo
Tel: 071 9166941
Fax: 071 9166989
Email: Tuam, KIllala and Achonry Communications Officer
DCO: The Revd Aean Ferguson