14.12.2015
Bringing God’s Light Into Our Communities – First Come&C Service Takes Place in Castleknock
Allowing God’s light to shine in our communities was the focus of the first service of Dublin and Glendalough’s Year of Come&C. Entitled ‘Living in the Light’, the service was held in Castleknock Community College in Dublin 15 on Saturday afternoon (December 12). The event was the first of a series of services which will take place throughout 2016 in various locations.
Designed both to reflect and celebrate the communities in which they are held and to allow people from all over the dioceses to get to know each other better, the services will present opportunities for different types of worship in different places.
Throughout the year the services, along with other events and initiatives, will enable people to live out their faith in new and vibrant ways that will compliment what they do on Sundays and in their own parishes. People are invited to Come&C how they can develop and share their faith in their own parishes and in their communities.
The first service gave a flavour of life and faith in action in culturally diverse Castleknock. There was testimony, interactive prayer and contributions from representatives of other faith communities. An Tánaiste, Joan Burton, dropped in and left her thumb print on the Tree of Hope which was part of the interactive prayer. Each person present placed their thumb or handprint on the tree, the outline of which was created by young people from the parish. The Tree of Hope will be brought to the other services during the coming year.
Introducing the service, the Revd Eugene Griffin, Curate of Castleknock, noted that the area had grown beyond all recognition but while people were living closer together there was often less connection between neighbours and those of other faiths.
Among those telling their stories of how they bring light into the lives of others were Bernard and Marie Neary who spoke of their ongoing work with the people of Madagascar. Through their charity, DEIS Madagascar, the couple volunteer in homes every year. The charity also supports the education of five children and is building a two classroom school. “We have learned so much from our friends in Madagascar. We also learn to appreciate what we have,” Marie explained.
Bringing light to families locally, Joan Ashmore, spoke of her work with the Home–Start charity which supports families to give children the best start in life. In particular they offer support to mums who are suffering stress which could result in their children being taken in to care. “It’s the gift of time and taking time to travel the road with parents… We do our bit in Dublin 15 supporting up to 60 families each year and if we change the life of one child, then it is worth it,” she said.
The Revd Obinna Ulogwara, Dublin and Glendalough’s Chaplain to the International Community, said the chaplaincy supports people of all faiths who arrive in this country and reaches out to many families and communities. “These people enrich us as a Church and a nation. Whatever name we give them – economic migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants, foreigners – they have a way of enriching us with what they bring. The first refugees will come to Ireland very soon and among them will be nurses, doctors, solicitors, professionals. They don’t come empty handed. All they need is support from us to help them to integrate,” he stated.
During the service there were contributions from other Faith traditions. Jenny Lin read from the Buddhist tradition and Bhavya Mugawar read from the Hindu tradition. Both are students of Castleknock Community College.
The service was organised by the Revd Eugene Griffin, the Revd Alan Breen, the Revd Abigail Sines and Philip McKinley.
See more photos from the service at: https://www.facebook.com/DublinandGlendalough/posts/932768786759166