Sunday 2 Feb 2025 was an ecumenically significant and moving day for Westport Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic communities alike, when for the first time and memorably, the congregation of Holy Trinity Church of Ireland Church celebrated Holy Communion in St. Mary’s Church on the Mall.
In honour of St. Brigid’s Day, a special setting of the Birr Mass was performed in St. Brigid’s cathedral, Kildare as part of the cathedral’s Patronal Festival last Sunday. Written by Birr Choral Society member Peter Whyte to mark 50 years of the Choral Society, the Birr Mass is dedicated to the Society and its director, Michael Hanna, and scored for four–part choir, organ, trumpet and clarinet.
St Brigid of Kildare lived from 450–524 AD and is one of the great triad of Irish saints, alongside St Patrick and St Columba/Colmcille. The trio are celebrated as the key figures who spread Christianity throughout Ireland in the fifth and sixth centuries. The remains of all three are said to be buried together at Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Co Down.
Representatives of 108 local charities received a share of the £200,000 raised by the 2024 Black Santa Appeal when they gathered in Belfast Cathedral on February 2 for the annual Good Samaritans Service.
As many counties were left reeling from the effects of Storm Éowyn last Friday, the reality of damage to property and infrastructure only became clear over the weekend. Some of the worst affected areas were along the western and north–western coasts, and the midlands. In many areas, the lack of running water and electricity has hampered clean–up operations, with many homes and businesses facing long delays for repairs.
The Standing Committee of the General Synod met on Tuesday, 28th January 2025, in an online format.
On Sunday 9th February, 3.15pm, the Archbishop of Armagh, Most Rev John McDowell and members of his Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice invite you to join them for Choral Evensong in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin to mark Racial Justice Sunday.
