Rain doesn’t stop pray
Patrick didn’t turn the stone on Monday 18 March and it was a cold and wet St Patrick’s celebration for the Diocese of Down and Dromore. That however, didn’t stop praying pilgrims walking from Saul Church to Down Cathedral, nor did it deter worshippers from the Festival Service.
‘Character’ was the theme for the day and both our guest speakers called the church not only to purity of heart but to be the chief place where godly character was formed.
Mission Director of SAMS UK & Ireland, Bishop Ken Clarke, called Christian leaders to a self–examination which was, “serious, intentional, in–depth (and) ruthless”.
A new wave of mission, such as followed the life and witness of Patrick, would not happen, he said, “without a heart change in the lives of Christian leaders and purity and integrity at the heart of the Church.”
Taking Proverbs 4: 23 as his text in Down Cathedral, he reflected on the consequences of leaders failing to live with integrity and purity – of failing to ‘guard their hearts’:
“Imagine how different the headlines in recent years would have been if leaders from all walks of life had heeded this wisdom,” he said.
“As a society we have become so obsessed with image and celebrity that we have a serious lack of focus on character and truthfulness – the kind of people we are on the inside.
“Patrick was an ‘inside person’ …With his conversion to Christ came a new heart. He was literally changed from the inside out”.
Thus transformed and empowered, Patrick challenged the forces of darkness in Ireland and started a holy fire that spread the Gospel across the land.
“I pray that we will light fires in our generation which will enrich and transform lives, churches and communities in 21st Century Ireland,” he said.
The day began with Holy Communion in Saul Church where the preacher and pilgrimage leader was Jasper Rutherford. Jasper is a gifted leader and evangelist who works for Church Army and Summer Madness in Ireland as Outreach and Development Officer among young people and young adults.
Jasper spoke about the church’s role in character formation, saying that, “the most important service the church does for any society is to be a community capable of developing people of virtue – of character”.
Pilgrims of a variety of ages and nationalities joined the walk from Saul to the Cathedral including a group visiting from Down and Dromore’s link Diocese of Albany, New York.
“This has been a wonderful experience for us,” said Dennis Crimi from Albany. “I have just loved the spontaneity of the whole day.
“If you ask most Americans what they know about St Patrick they will say green beer and parades and maybe that he chased the snakes out of Ireland but that’s about it. Coming here for us has been a terrific way of learning more about St Patrick.”
“We have so enjoyed hearing about Patrick’s mission and I’m going to bring that back to our church,” said his wife, Revd Lynne Crimi, Deacon in Christ Church, Ballston Spa.
In keeping with the theme and in recognition of their valuable character–building role among young people, our Church–based uniformed organisations were specially invited. Representatives of the Church Girls’ Brigade, Church Lads’ Brigade, Guides and Boys’ Brigade formed a guard of honour as the pilgrimage arrived at the Cathedral.
For the first time the diocese welcomed to the Festival Service a group of Psalm Drummers led by Simon Edwards. They issued the call to worship and then responded to the address with a piece specially composed for the occasion. Psalm Drummers is an international network of Christian drummers and percussionists who use their skills to share their faith in a wide variety of settings. Their contribution was stirring and energetic and complimented the choir and organ led by Michael McCracken.
After the service, which concluded with the hymn St Patrick’s Breastplate, our uniformed representatives again formed a guard of honour, this time out to St Patrick’s grave.
With local clergy and dignitaries present, Bishop Harold invited Jasper and representatives of 24–7 Prayer, Alpha and New Wine to lay the wreath.
Finally, invited guests were able to enjoy the customary Irish stew and apple tart lunch in the Cathedral grounds to the strains of excellent live Irish music from Sullivan School Traditional Group.
View the photo gallery here.