Dublin parish funds hospital theatres in Uganda, Omagh Flower Festival, Dublin Culture Trail, Church action on poverty, Rediscovering St Patrick, Stained glass artist honoured
Dublin parish funds hospital theatres in Uganda
Earlier this month Gary Dowd and Michael Webb, parishioners of Glenageary, traveled to North Kigezi diocese for the opening and blessing of new operating theatres at Kisiizi hospital. The theatres were funded by the parishioners and friends of St. Paul’s Church Glenageary, and were constructed under the supervision of David Barrett, an engineer from St. Paul’s.
The new block includes four new operating theatres with ancillary accommodation for staff and equipment. The theatres will be equipped with medical equipment from Northern Ireland – shipped at the expense of parishioners of Rathmichael Church – and the Countess of Chester Hospital in the UK. The blessing was conducted by Bishop EdwardMuhima, Bishop of North Kigezi diocese who is also chairman of the hospital board.
Two young parishioners, Tom Arnold and Sam Webb, also traveled for the occasion. They will help teach in the local primary school and have made a video of the occasion as part of their Transition Year projects.
In addition to providing funds to construct the theatres, St Paul’s have also funded the training of a Ugandan doctor as an additional surgeon at the hospital. Dr. Robert Mugarua has almost completed his first year of his three-year surgeon training.
Omagh Flower Festival
Next weekend, Fri 27 – Sun 30 May, “Radiating Christ” is the theme of a Flower festival in St.Columba’s Church, Omagh. Group bookings etc: drumraghflowerfestival@gmail.com
Further details at: www.drumragh.derry.anglican.org
Dublin Culture Trail
The Dublin Culture Trail which was launched earlier this year is an interactive, virtual trail that opens up a unique window into the world of culture in some of Dublin’s finest visitor attractions including the two C of I cathedrals..
Dublin Culture Trail takes you on a journey of discovery and adventure through stunning videos and photographs of Dublin’s museums, galleries, historic buildings and cultural centres and introduces you to the people and artists who make it all happen. Located in the heart of Dublin city and within a short walking distance of each other, the venues on the Dublin Culture Trail will give you a sense of the city’s distinct history, heritage, tradition and vibrant contemporary cultural life.
The Dublin Culture Trail and the downloadable app is designed to help you learn more about the cultural life in the city and plan your own unique cultural trail, whether you are a resident or visiting from outside the city. We hope you enjoy your experience!
http://dublinculturetrail.ie/Default.aspx
Church action on poverty
Since the recession hit, a third of families are now spending more each month than they have coming into their households. 4 in 10 people across the UK are worried about their debt, five million are permanently overdrawn, and 22% will carry a credit card debt throughout 2011. Legal loan sharks are taking advantage of a lack of access to credit faced by many of these consumers as they try to make ends meet, lending them money on which they charge interest rates of up to 4,000% or more.
Rev. Dr. Scott Peddie, Chair, Church Action on Poverty, says, “As part of a Church Action on Poverty UK-wide campaign you can e-mail your MP asking him/her to support legal measures which would regulate these companies and stop them from exploiting vulnerable people.
“Please take two minutes to email your MP! Just click on this link and Church Action on Poverty will do the rest for you!”
Rediscovering St Patrick
A book launch was hosted in the Deanery by the Dean of St. Patrick’s, Very Rev Dr Robert McCarthy earlier this year. The Rev. Marcus Losack, a graduate in theology from Christ’s College, Cambridge, and the Irish School of Ecuenics, is the author of Rediscovering St Patrick. He served as a curate and rector in the Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough and in the Middle East, in Libya and Jerusalem. Since 1995 he has been Executive Director of Ceile De and is perhaps best know for his book, Glendalough. A Celtic Pilgrimage, which was written with Michael Rogers and published in 1996.
The new book is the continuation of the investigation into St. Patrick’s family origins and the mystery of his true identity. Did St Patrick come to Ireland from Britain – or ‘France’? This book is the fruit of four years extensive research. It combines a scholarly, historical enquiry with story-telling. The book also captures a sense of St Patrick’s deep, personal spirituality and the true inspiration behind his great legacy. The reader is invited to embark on a sacred quest, entering a labyrinth of legend and tradition to share in the adventure of an exciting historic discovery. Step by step, as the journey unfolds, we find ourselves drawn into an even greater mystery. St Patrick’s life and our lives, his story and our story – are inextricably intertwined.
The book is on sale at the Cathedral shop in both hardback and paperback at a cost of €30 and €20 respectively.
A second launch will be held at the conference on Celtic Spirituaity in Armagh today.
Stained glass artist
On Wednesday evening at 50 Marlborough Park, Belfast, a memorial plague to the stained glass artist, Wilhelmina Geddes (1887-1955) will be unveiled and this will be followed by a lecture in the Faculty of Art and Design, York Street, by Dr Nicola Gordon Bowe from NCAD. Among Geddes’ best known Church of Ireland commissions are windows in St John’s Malone, and in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street.