Presidential invite for St Nicholas’ parishioners

Wednesday May 16th 2007

The Rev Grace Clunie and parishioners from St Nicholas’ Parish Church have been invited to visit the home of Irish President Mary McAleese on May 31.

They will be among a group of representatives from five churches in South Belfast taking part in the visit to the President’s residence Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin.

The invitation came after the five churches – St Nicholas' and St. John's Church of Ireland, Lisburn Road Methodist Church, Windsor Presbyterian Church and St Brigid's Catholic Church – shared a Lent series this year.

Over five evenings they invited high profile church leaders to address the meetings – Bishop Donal McKeown of the Catholic Church; the Rt Rev Dr David Clarke, Prebyterian Moderator; the Rev Robert Cooper, President designate of the Methodist Church, The Most Rev. Richard Clarke, Church of Ireland Bishop of Meath and Kildare, and one evening focused on younger people of all traditions.

Rev Clunie, rector of St Nicholas’, said: “It was truly an excellent series. One of those who attended works on the staff of Aras an Uachtarain with President Mary McAleese, and when she heard about the series, she invited representatives of the five churches to come and meet her in Dublin.”

On May 31 the group of clergy and parishioners will be given a tour of Aras an Uachtarain, and will have afternoon tea with President McAleese.