 |
 |
News
Ecumenical Prayer Service for Pentecost takes place at St. Molua’s Church
The large crowd who attended the outdoor service at St. Molua's on Pentecost Sunday.
St.Molua’s Church of Ireland in the Parish of Magheracloone, near Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan in Clogher Diocese hosted this year’s Ecumenical Prayer Service for Pentecost on Sunday, 9th June which was well attended by around 150 people.
Bishop Lawrence Duffy and Bishop John McDowell who led the service.
The church in the townland of Camaghy is named after the ancient patron of the parish whose feast day is still marked with a service on the Sunday close to the Feast Day of 4th August.
Both Bishops of Clogher, the Right Revd John McDowell and Most Revd Lawrence Duffy took part in the outdoor service which also featured singing from Cantemus Chamber Choir and a reflection on Pentecost by Lauren McCullins, a teenage member of St. Finbarr’s Church of Ireland in Carrickmacross.
The service which took place in warm sunshine was introduced by Bishop John McDowell who welcomed everyone to the church which was built in 1824 and is now one of a number of churches in the group known as Carrickmacross Union, Magheracloone and Ardragh where the Rector is Revd Colin McConaghie.
Readings for Pentecost were by Eileen Gallagher and Caroline Merrin.
The address was given by Bishop Lawrence Duffy who said he was delighted to return to his roots in Magheracloone, noting the great history of St. Molua’s Church.
Clergy taking part in the service.
He said: “Our Churches have so much in common - our belief and faith in one God, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in his death and resurrection; we baptise in the name of the Trinity and we all try our best to live by the command to love one another.
“The challenge in all our churches is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ today - to be a person of faith, hope and love.
“On the first Pentecost, despite the variation of languages, we are told that the disciples all understood each other. Our common language is love - it is a language that is understood by all. The Holy Spirit is our guide and our teacher. May the Holy Spirit lead us all to the fullness of truth and faith.”
Other participants were local clergy, Revd Colin McConaghie, Rector of Carrickmacross Union, Magheracloone and Ardragh and Monsignor Joseph McGuinness, Parish Priest in Carrickmacross.
Bishop Lawrence Duffy giving the address.
The hymns were; “Lord of the Church, we pray for our renewing,” “Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me” and “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart.” The accompanist was Lorna Lewis.
Following the service, everyone was entertained to afternoon tea served by the ladies from Carrickmacross Union, Magheracloone and Ardragh.
Eileen Gallagher who gave the reading from Isaiah.
Caroline Merrin who gave the second reading from Acts.
Cantemus Chamber Choir singing at the Pentecost Service.