19 March 2009
Happy St. Patrick’s Day (a little late)! I’ve never been someone really into celebrating St. Patty’s day – I mean, in the states it’s pretty much just a big drinking holiday. Don’t get me wrong, it is here as well (as one of my friends here put it, “every holiday here is a drinking holiday”), but I thought it would be nice to celebrate the spiritual side of St. Patrick’s day since I am actually in the same part of the world where Patrick ministered. So, I went with Megan (another YAV) to the town of Downpatrick early in the morning to attend a church service at Saul church, which is located on the hill where it is believed Patrick planted his first church. The service was beautiful and very moving. The church is really tiny, and there so many people there that some folks had to sit in the isle and stand outside. Then we all lined up and went on a pilgrimage from Saul church to Down Cathedral, stopping along the way to pray for the youth, the leaders, and violence in the nation.
At Down Catherdral (where some people think St. Patrick was buried), Megan and I met up with the other volunteers (who weren’t willing to get up so early to go to the first service) and we attended another worship service there. That service was more community-oriented and had a more celebratory feel to it. They gave out prizes to kids from local primary schools who drew pictures in honor of the day, there were Irish dancers, they had choirs from local schools sing. The best part was that we got goody bags with big cookies in them! After the service, we lunch outside the cathedral – stew and apple. Then we hurried down to the main road in Downpatrick to watch the parade. Not the best I’ve ever seen, but it was okay. We had fun cheering enthusiastically.
In the evening, Kevin and I went to a party at the 174 Trust for the disability clubs, that was fun too – lots of food and fun. So, I didn’t have any Guinness, but I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. It was probably the best St. Patrick’s day I’ve ever had.
RSS Feed