Report and photographs courtesy of Loraine Watt
St Patrick’s, Ballymena, hosted a special Diamond Jubilee Service for the various district councils in Co Antrim on Sunday April 29.
The church was packed with mayors and other dignitaries from across the county, along with representatives of various organisations. Schoolchildren from post primary schools in the Ballymena Learning Community formed a guard of honour with the various flags of the Commonwealth.
Ballycastle High School and Cross & Passion College Junior Choir and a group called Adoro sang the anthems. Lessons were read by Mrs Joan Christie, the Lord Lieutenant for Co Antrim, and the Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor Hubert Nicholl.
Fr Delargy, Parish of Kirkconriola, led Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession, the Rev Dr Donald Watts, Clerk and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland preached the sermon while the Rev Jack Moore, Antrim Methodist Church, led the Prayers of Intercession based on the symbols of the Coronation .
The concluding prayer and Benediction were delivered by the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy.
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