Mags Gargan
Respondents in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin expressed strong desire to connect with African Catholics living in Ireland. The African Chaplaincy in the Archdiocese of Dublin celebrated its 10-year anniversary over the weekend with music, praise and worship.
The celebrations began on Saturday with a choral night in Westmanstown Conference Centre, Blanchardstown which featured praise and worship full of African flavour, in thanksgiving for the life of the chaplaincy in the Irish Church.
The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Diarmuid Martin was the chief officiating minister at a Mass on Sunday in St Peter’s Church, Phibsborough for over five hundred members of the chaplaincy and several other members of the Irish community with Mass Centres in Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Lucan, Phibsborough, Swords and Tallaght.
Colourful
Fr Cornelius Nwaogwugwu CM of the African Chaplaincy Office told The Irish Catholic he was “thrilled” with how well the celebrations went. “They were very colourful, there was good attendance and participation and a great sense of community, joy and celebration of the 10 good years of the African chaplaincy, representing African traditions and spirit, and showcasing our language and culture,” he said.
“We are very grateful for the support from the Irish community and the work of the Irish missionaries. We are the fruit of their labour and celebrate the Faith that they passed on.”
The African chaplaincy will hold its annual Harvest Thanksgiving at the National Show Centre, Cloghran Roundabout, Swords, Co. Dublin on Sunday, September 17 at 12.30pm. The theme is Harvest of Praise & Thanksgiving (Psalm 106:1).