01.10.2015
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Seeks Volunteers for Visitor Chaplaincy Programme
Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is a popular destination for tourists visiting Dublin. The Cathedral is steeped in 800 years of history and hosts a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions, as well as a renowned choral foundation and rich musical tradition. Almost 500,000 people visit Saint Patrick’s each year and the Cathedral is keen to ensure adequate and appropriate pastoral care is offered to those visiting this ancient house of prayer and pilgrimage.
Saint Patrick’s is establishing a chaplaincy programme for its visitors. The Cathedral invites applications from all people, either lay or ordained, who wish to volunteer by regularly spending some time in the Cathedral interacting with visitors and responding to their enquiries and pastoral needs. Chaplains will also help to witness to the cathedral’s essential vocation as a church, and will be able to explain to visitors the story and life of the Church of Ireland.The chaplains will be available to those visiting the cathedral and will offer an additional ministry to those already offered at Saint Patrick’s. It is hoped that this service will enhance the visitor’s experience.
Ideal candidates should be passionate about people and sensitive to people’s needs. Training will be provided for all those wishing to serve as chaplains, and support will be available to continuing volunteers.
If you are interested in becoming a chaplain at the cathedral please email Eimhin Walsh at community@stpatrickscathedral.ie or telephone him at 01 453 9472 who can give more information.