Christian Character the focus for St Patrick’s Day Celebrations
Pilgrims are warmly invited to The Diocese of Down and Dromore’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Monday 18 March at Down Cathedral and Saul.
The speaker at the Festival Service is Bishop Ken Clarke and the theme is ‘Character’ with a special emphasis on uniformed organisations. Bishop Ken has recently taken up the role of SAMS Mission Director after serving as Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh for almost 12 years.
Bishop Harold is also delighted to welcome Jasper Rutherford as the speaker at Saul. Jasper served in the diocese as youth ministry coordinator in Willowfield Parish before leaving for England to train with Church Army. He has returned to the new post of Outreach and Development Officer among young people and young adults in Ireland, working for both Summer Madness and Church Army.
The annual St Patrick’s Day event gathers hundreds of visitors, from Ireland and abroad. It begins at 9.15am with a service of Holy Communion at Saul Church, followed by a pilgrimage walk to Down Cathedral. The pilgrims are greeted at the bottom of the Mall then piped to the Cathedral doors and into the Festival Service at 11.45am. After the service, a wreath is laid at St Patrick’s grave by local ministers of all denominations before lunch is served to invited guests in the Cathedral grounds.
Please note the date of this year’s celebrations as 18 March.
Programme
9.15 am Holy Communion at Saul
Preacher: Jasper Rutherford (Outreach and Development Officer Church Army/Summer Madness)
10.15 am Pilgrimage from Saul to Downpatrick
11.45 am Festival Service in Down Cathedral
Preacher: Bishop Ken Clarke (Mission Director SAMS)
Wreath laying ceremony at St Patrick’s Grave
1.00 pm Irish stew lunch in the marquee
Transport to Saul
Please park along the Mall leading to the Cathedral in Downpatrick and board one of the private buses.Buses to the communion service depart between 8.30 and 9.00 am. The last bus for the 35 minute pilgrimage leaves at 10.00 am.