The girls of St. Mary’s School, Haddington Road, deserve huge praise for their great generosity in organising over 250 Christmas presents for the children of war-torn Kosovo.

As part of an Action Project for Junior Cert year, the seeds of enthusiasm were sown by Sr. Bernadette. The second year’s teacher, Sr. Ann, along with all of the class, set about gathering old shoe boxes.

These were used to hold and present their special gifts. Each box was beautifully wrapped and had a photograph of the sender as well as a special message for Christmas.

St. Brigid’s Primary school with the help of Sr. Marie Louise also joined in this wonderful expression of practical generosity.

Louise Ward from the main organisers was overwhelmed by the St. Mary’s girls generosity and the great support given by St. Brigid’s. The shoe box project has only started as a pilot project for three schools in Dublin this year. It is planned to bring more schools on stream next year.

After the gathering of all the presents in the Assembly Hall, the girls then proceeded to carry out their gifts to the waiting van, ready to transport the presents to Dublin Airport.

Special thanks to Joan and Louise for their great work and to Nicola and Gillian for their heart-warming send off for the project.

In a century and millennium full of strife and conflict, the Remembrance service on November 6th in the Star of the Sea, marked an aspirational statement for the next century.

Fr. Martin Cosrgove welcomed the congregations of St.Matthew’s Irishtown, Christchurch Sandymount and St. John’s Road to a service supported by the superb musical contribution of the Steadfast Brass band, under the baton of Mr. Best and comprising members of the Boys’ Brigade.
In his sermon, Rev. Donald Rodgers of Christchurch, Sandymount Green, posed the question of the cost-effectiveness of military expenditure when compared to the social needs of homelessness and disharmony in the environment of Dublin.

The standards of the United Nations Veteran’s Association and the Royal British Legion were presented by Noel Cullen and Charlie Robinson to Rev Richard Bertram of St. Matthew’s and Rev. Maurice Carey of St.John’s.

Readers at the service included Imelda Raleigh, Rodney Devitt and Patricia Kavanagh-Lynch from the Star of the Sea; Paul Walsh from St. Mathew’s; Tom Burke and Pat Hogarty from the Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association ; Jean Barrett from the Royal British Legion (Women’s Section). James Hickie read the oration from Bunyan’s ‘They shall not grow old’.

As this was the second remembrance service to be held, it also marked a positive statement that all traditions can work together and aspire to a more peaceful environment for the future. Sandymount, Irishtown and Ringsend, along with surrounding areas, in times of need, whether in 1914, 1918, 1939 – 1945 and subsequent periods, have made a positive contribution to the defence of liberty in the world and the protection of people at home.

If we as a community are to understand opposing viewpoints, then we must start by coming to grips with the misinformation of the past. For it is through reconciliation with the past that the future can be more peaceful.

The organisation of the Remembrance service would not have been possible without the determination and foresight of Patrick Hugh Lynch. He has provided the organisation and supporting skills for the past two years and hopes that in the next Millennium the service will be continued.

“May they walk in the Garden of everlasting sunshine.”

At the Service of Remembrance in Star of the Sea (see above left) are from left: Tom Burke, Jean Barrett, Rodney Devitt. Front: Imelda Raleigh, Pat Hogarty, James Hickey and Patricia Kavanagh Lynch.