19.10.2021
Services of Light to honour lives lost during pandemic in Dublin & Glendalough
Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on November 14. St Saviour’s Church, Arklow on November 28.
Two Services of Light acknowledging the impact of the pandemic on loss and bereavement are being held in the United Dioceses in November.
The first service for prayer and reflection will take place in Christ Church Cathedral on Remembrance Sunday, November 14 at 3.30pm and will include Duruflé’s Requiem sung by the cathedral choir. The second service will be in St Saviour’s Church, Arklow, on Sunday November 28 at 3pm.
Both services will include the reading of names of those who have passed away since the start of the pandemic and the lighting of candles in their memory. The services are a recognition of the severe impact coronavirus restrictions have had on the grieving process, including the usual funeral rites which have had to be greatly curtailed.
In order for all who have passed away to be honoured, Rectors/clergy are being asked to send in the names of those who have died in their parishes since restrictions began to either the Revd Abigail Sines abigail@christchurch.ie (Dublin Diocese) or the Ven Neal O’Raw revdoraw@gmail.com (Glendalough Diocese) by the Saturday before each service.
Clergy are invited to attend and robe (choir dress) and representatives of the families of all the deceased are also invited to attend and to light a candle in memory of their loved ones.
For those who are struggling to comes to terms with their loss, the Dublin Bereavement Support Service provides free, professional and confidential support www.bereavementsupport.ie
Meanwhile, this Thursday night, October 21, the Diocesan Council for Mission is hosting a webinar entitled ‘Invisible Pain’. This hour–long event should be beneficial to clergy who are caring for bereaved people in exceptionally difficult circumstances, as well as those who have lost loved ones during covid restrictions and have not had a chance to grieve or lament appropriately. Anyone can book a place by emailing dgcouncilformission@gmail.com