If you're not Irish .....
If you're not Irish come into the Parlour, there is a welcome there for you, too! This invitation ties into Bishop Harold’s theme for St Patrick’s Day 2006 – “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes”. Each year a different theme enables Bishop Harold to invite people from various sections of the community. This year he invited people of other nationalities and ethnic backgrounds who have come to live and work in Northern Ireland. The nationalities represented at the Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations in Saul and Down Cathedral included people from Europe, the continents of Africa, North and South America, South East Asia and New Zealand – a truly international gathering!
Dr David Shepherd, who is Canadian and came to Northern Ireland in 2005 to take up the position of Principal at Belfast Bible College, gave the address at the Holy Communion service in Saul Church. David is the author of two books and numerous biblical studies. The theme of his address was ‘Why cross cultures with the cross?’
Bishop Harold, accompanied by Councillor Carmel O’Boyle (Chair of Down District Council) led the annual pilgrimage from Saul Church to Down Cathedral where they were greeted in the Nathex with traditional Irish music performed by Sullivan Upper Traditional Folk Group. During the festival service the specially invited guests and those who regularly attend the St Patrick’s Day services heard the guest preacher, the Rev Roy Searle, President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, speak of ‘The nature of God whom Patrick served and the power of God’s story that Patrick shared’. He went on to say that, “Through Patrick’s mission hundreds of churches were planted and over 150 tribes came to embrace the Christian faith. Ireland became a ‘cradle of Christianity’ and from these shores Celtic monks and missionaries wandered for the love of Christ across the European continent leaving a lasting legacy of faith, learning and a ‘Christianised’ civilisation. The gospel was good news to a culture in change – it still is and its message brings hope and transformation in a changing contemporary society.”
Roy is no stranger to these shores. He is a leader of the Northumbria Community, a Christian Community of believers drawn from Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox and unchurched backgrounds. He will be coming to live near Downpatrick later this year where he will be spending time writing and supporting individuals, churches and the Northumbria Community in Ireland. Some members of the Community, who were in the locality on retreat, were able to join in the celebrations.
Mr Michael McCracken, Down Cathedral Organist and the Junior Choir led the worship, with a ‘reflection’ between the reading and sermon played on the violin by Julie Bell. Members of the African Christian Fellowship, the Belfast Chinese Church and a representative from Youth with a Mission, also participated in the service.
Eleven clergy and laity from our link diocese of Albany, New York were also at the services and pilgrimage. They had been on a week’s visit and were hosted by parishioners in the diocese. Their itinerary included a residential conference with clergy and laity from parishes in Down & Dromore; a Narnia tour of east Belfast and an Irish Night in Orangefield parish church. Other specially invited guests included a party of young American people who had come to work on a Habitat for Humanity project, and local clergy from other denominations.
Following the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Saint Patrick’s grave guests were entertained to a buffet lunch in the adjoining marquee with musical entertainment provided by Sullivan Upper Traditional Folk Group.