Flame of hope from Palestine burns in Monkstown

Tuesday December 22nd 2015

The flame of hope burns in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Monkstown.

A flame of hope first lit by a child in Palestine and passed to an Israeli Boy Scout at the border before travelling through various countries reached the Church of the Good Shepherd in Monkstown on Monday December 21.

The Rev Arlene Moore, Priest-in-Charge of the Church of the Good Shepherd, explained: “Tonight we received the flame from St Oliver Plunkett’s RC parish as Deboragh Webb brought it to our Blue Christmas service.

“It was then used to light the candle on the Communion Table and those of the Advent wreath. Prayers were said for those who have suffered loss of any kind, especially bereavement, that they may know the light of hope in their darkness this St Thomas’ Day.

“We also prayed as one for peace in our homes, peace in our own land of Northern Ireland and for peace in the Middle East and the work of Canon Andrew White and FRRME.

“At the end of the service the congregation filed up to the front whilst singing Silent Night to light their individual candles from it and take the light of hope into the darkness of the night and the community of Monkstown, or home to wherever they came from.”

Arlene added: “My candle will burn in its lantern and be used at all services over Christmas. Feel free to bring a lantern to one of our services and take a light to your home and family this Christmas.”