27.06.2022
New garden of remembrance consecrated and gifts dedicated in Rathfarnham
Parishioners in Rathfarnham gathered yesterday morning (Sunday June 26) to celebrate the completion of a trio of projects. Archbishop Michael Jackson consecrated the church’s beautiful new garden of remembrance and dedicated the new eco–boiler and video streaming system. Both the eco boiler and the video streaming system were achieved as a result of donations in memory of parishioners.
Members of the Wilkinson family bought the video streaming equipment in memory of David and Gary Wilkinson. The donation which funded the eco–boiler was made anonymously. A team of parishioners formed the garden of remembrance subcommittee and oversaw the project which has created a beautiful contemplative space in the church yard for the interment of ashes.
Among those present at the service was local TD and Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora Colm Brophy. The prayers of dedication were all written with the help of sixth class from Rathfarnham Parish National School.
In his sermon, Archbishop Michael Jackson said that there was no readily available formula or prescription for coming to terms with grief and loss. But gradually, he observed, two journeys meet – the journey of letting go and the journey of keeping going. He said that those who had given gifts and who had contributed to the garden of remembrance were to be thanked.
“You who have given gifts for dedication today and who have enabled the construction of a Garden of Remembrance right beside this long–standing parish church at the heart of this vastly expanded village community are to be thanked, applauded and honoured for what you have done. You had no need to do this but you have done it and, in doing it you have shared with the rest of us your grief. But you have also shared with us other qualities and other things too. Giving is voluntary; and there never is a requirement to give. We are here to dedicate together the Garden of Remembrance, the eco–boiler and the audio visual system. Each in a special and unique way expresses the intention of this parish, its rector and its people, in looking upwards to God and outwards to society,” the Archbishop stated.
He said that three words came to mind: faith, hope and generosity. The faith, he said was faith in the future and that generations to come would use the gifts enabling the memory of those who have been lost to live on. Hope opened windows and let fresh air in. He added that there was hope in community belonging and community enjoyment. Generosity went beyond financial generosity and showed generosity of heart to do a public thing to the glory of God and in memory of known and loved individuals, he said.
“We rejoice to dedicate together gifts today. We rejoice to have been brought together by those who have given them for use and for community and for memory. We rejoice to worship with those who are with us in this church and with us by video–link; this double congregation is a reminder that God is not confined by walls, that God is out and about already in the parts of the world where we are not and cannot be and all of you who are beyond this church building are as welcome as all of you who are within this church building,” Archbishop Jackson concluded.
The Archbishop unveiled three plaques to mark the occasion and the sun shone on the congregation after the service as they gathered for refreshments in the church yard.
