10.03.2026
New Holy Communion Table Dedicated in Booterstown
On Sunday March 1, the Second Sunday in Lent, Archbishop Michael Jackson confirmed 16 candidates in St Philip and St James’ Church in Booterstown. He also dedicated a new Holy Communion table given in memory of Mrs Sue Mc Donnell by her husband John, their children Ross and Fiona, and family. As well as being secretary to the Select Vestry and a Parochial Nominator, Sue administered the chalice at services of Holy Communion in the parish, so the Communion Table was an appropriate gift to the parish in her memory.
Sue, who died in July 2014, is missed every day by her family and also by her church family in St Philip and St James’.
The Holy Communion table was designed and made by ICS Furniture. The central panel depicts the parish logo which is based on the logo of Booterstown National School and which was designed by the 5th and 6th Classes in 2014.
The cross is at the centre of the parishes and the school. The dove depicts the Holy Spirit and Peace. The Bible depicts the Bible and books for learning. The acorn symbolises growth and the clasped hands in the shape of a heart symbolises love, care and compassion.
“The table is exquisitely carved in Irish oak and I should encourage anyone who is interested in seeing it to make arrangements with the rector, the Revd Canon Gillian Wharton, to do so,” the Archbishop commented.
The readings for the service were Genesis 12.1–4 and St John 3.1–17. The Archbishop spoke of the willingness of Abram to respond to the invitation by God to go and to settle in another country which spoke of trust and adventure as also did the challenge laid down by Jesus to Nicodemus in his needing to be born again, born from above, born spiritually in order fully to belong to the kingdom of God as Jesus was offering it to him and to others.
The Archbishop connected these themes through the words of dedication and thanksgiving to both the confirmation and the Holy Communion table. He also suggested that the Holy Communion table is the place to which we return again and again for dedication, consecration and sanctification.