South Belfast parishes visit the President

Friday June 15th 2007

Arthur McCartney, St John's Malone, meets President McAleese. St Nicholas and St John's Malone parishes were among five churches in south Belfast to visit Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of Irish President Mary McAleese recently.

The five churches organised a series of meetings during Lent, and at each meeting a senior representative of each denomination gave their life story. One evening was devoted to two young people.

The meetings were held in the new halls belonging to St Brigid's Roman Catholic Church, and the other churches involved were St Brigid's, South Belfast Methodist and Windsor Presbyterian.

Each speaker gave his personal background, what formed his faith and how he arrived where he is today. Worship each evening was led by one of the churches involved.

Representatives of St Nicholas' Parish Church with the President. Arising out of the series, Professor Denis Moloney, a member of the Council of State (Ireland) and a member of St Brigid's thought it would be beneficial for members of the churches to have a day out together and he organised the visit to Áras an Uachtaráin on May 31.