On Wednesday, 20th December all Mount Sackville Community gathered at St Mary of the Angels Church for our annual Christmas Carol Service. The Capuchins invited us to their church to celebrate Christmas with prayer, music, poetry and to reflect on the most important messages for this time of year.
Sarah McMenamin, 6th year, welcomed all the students, families and staff and invited everyone to spend a moment in prayer and in song as we journey towards Christmas. She pointed to the crib at the alter that was created to focus our attention on the crib in Bethlehem 2023. This year there are no festivities in Bethlehem and we stand in solidarity with all of the displaced and broken dreams that lie in the hearts of all who suffer crimes of war. We see a manger placed in the midst of rubble and the manger is dressed with newspapers that tell the world of the suffering in our world. Jesus in in the midst of the suffering while the world is preparing for the festivities ... The colours of gold, frankincense and myrrh symbolise our efforts and hard work this December to share and offer love and support to others for Christmas. We follow in the footsteps of the Wise men, we journey in faith, hope and love with our whole hearts directed towards ‘the other’. Within out crib we see the light of hope, the hope that is heralded in the nativity scene, the hope that nestles in between the virtues of our ethos, the hope that our Mount Sackville community joined with the amazing community of Capuchins, can and will bring to all.
A representation of students from all year groups, members of the staff and parents community read a selection of poetry, scripture and reflections, while the Junior and Senior Choir filled the church with their beautiful voices signing carols. We began the service with Once in a Royal David City lead by Erin Watters, 1st Year and followed by the choirs and congregation. After welcome and introduction the Senior Choir sang Angels' Carol by John Rutter. Next Sinead Melville, 2nd Year, and Mr Mc Kenna read Christmas Travellers by Dr Ralph F. Wilson. We heard a beautiful rendition of The Huron Carol by the Junior Choir before being transported to a straw-lined manger in Nancy Buckley's poem Wonder read by Natasha Targosz, 5th Year. We all join to sign O Come All Ye Faithful and then were seated to hear Senior Choir outstanding performance of Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. Mr Puszczewicz read that "onto us a child is born" Isaiah 9 and Junior Choir sang Away in a Manger. Robyn Kelly, 1st Year, read The World I lie in by Mary Oliver before we all joined to sign Joy to the World. The second scripture reading reminded us of Mary meeting the angel, Luke 1, and was read by Annabel Keating, 2nd Year. Ms Begley read a poem from Medieval Ireland as Mary foresees the future suffering of her infant son and dialogues with him about it. Mr McDonald arranged the performance of Carol of the Bells by the Senior Choir. Grace Fawley, 4th Year read from Luke 2 and O Holy Night was performed by Hannah Lawless, Sophie Walsh, Ella McCarthy, Ruby Jones and Georgia Kenny. There was an Irish reading by Ms Dowling and Junior Choir performed Suantrai Chriost. Mr Leonard representing the parents read Give the Gift of Jesus by Deborah Ann Belka.
Brother Richard read the Gospel from John 1 as St John unfolds the great mystery of the Incarnation. He spoke beautifully of the Christmas messages of peace and love. His words rang like Carol bells and resonated in our souls. We will all be looking for the angel near Grafton Street now and will feel the love as the light up the Christmas trees in our homes. Brother Richard also stressed that the Church of St Mary of Angels is open to anyone looking for prayer, shelter and compassion and added that many are seeking support from the friars at this time of year. We were proud to fundraise for the Capuchin Day Centre this year. Those donations mean so much and enable the brothers to provide vouchers for Christmas for those in need.
A huge gratitude to Brother Richard and the Capuchins for their invitation; to Dr Walsh, Ms O'Flaherty and all the Religious Education teachers for making this service such a special experience for everyone; to Ms Gannon and Ms Mulvey for leading our Junior and Senior Choirs. Finally, an extensive appreciation to all Mount Sackville community for their generous donations in aid of the Capuchin Day Centre.