The Annual Ecumenical Service of Reconciliation and Remembrance will be held in St Patrick's Cathedral on November 12th at 3.15 p.m. The preacher will be the Right Rev Christopher Dillon, OSB, the Abbot of Glenstal.
The President, Mrs McAleese, will attend, and representatives of embassies, the Royal British Legion and service men and women of two world wars. All are welcome. At this time poppies are sold and worn and the proceeds used to meet varied needs of service personnel and their dependants.
The origin of Poppy Day is of general interest: a combatant Canadian doctor, John McCrae, seeing the annual flowering of the scarlet poppy in France in the midst of the most concentrated and bloodiest fighting of the first World War (1914-18), found the flower a source of hope. McCrae wrote a poem: "In Flanders fields the poppies blow,/ Between the crosses row on row," etc.
An American with the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association), Moina Michael, was moved to buy poppies with money from colleagues. She wore one, sold the rest to friends and used the money to help service people in need. Her French colleague, Madame Guerin, had the idea of making artificial poppies and selling them, with the money helping ex-service people.
In turn, a Major George Howson, moved by the sight of the grievously wounded, formed the Disabled Society. The British Legion was formed. The first Poppy Day in Britain was held on November 11th, 1921.
It is believed half a million Irish enlisted in the first World War and that over 49,000 lost their lives in the conflict. And, it is inferred from next of kin, home addresses provided that 165,000 Irish from the Republic served in the second World War, between 12,000 and 14,000 of whom lost their lives.
To the dependants of those who lost their lives and to the disabled and any others with need, the Legion gives emergency financial help; provides personal and household goods; offers medical assistance; grants bursaries for third-level education; will advise on pensions and State welfare benefits; and seeks to meet any possible need of beneficiaries. Requests for help are made through local case workers and/or the Administrator, Royal British Legion, 26 South Frederick Street, Dublin.
Needs are proven and a means test may be applied.
Staff and volunteers arrange an Irish Poppy appeal during each October/November. A total of £93,961 was collected last year in the Republic. The amount given out was £153,400. The worldwide collection last year amounted to £16 million.
A Community Centenary Service of thanksgiving will be held in Howth Church on Friday November 10th at 8 p.m., when the congregation of Howth and Malahide will give thanks for blessings during a century of worship and witness. The guest preacher will be the moderator, the Right Rev Dr Trevor Morrow, of Lucan.
Mrs Margaret Myers, entrepreneur and director of the organisation Women Mean Business, has become the executive secretary of the Presbyterian Women's Association (PWA).
The PWA has an estimated membership of 16,000 and over 500 branches throughout Ireland. The association's primary aim is "to unite women of the church in the dedication of their lives to Jesus Christ and his service in the home, community, workplace and church". PWA helps to support over 80 Presbyterian missionaries in India, Jamaica, Malawi and Nepal, as well as 24 deaconesses and one woman worker in Ireland.
Mrs Myers was commissioned at the first service of its kind held in Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church on October 22nd. She says all her working life until now has been helping people maximise their potential. She also has a strong interest in Third World issues and believes her new role will provide an opportunity for both.
Mrs Myers believes the role of women has changed out of all recognition since PWA was established 100 years ago, and the PWA must reflect the changes so members may realise they have a vital part to play in the life of the church.
"Fundamentalism may be so blinded by belief in its own authenticity, and correctness that the lives and beliefs of others become nothing and the result may be intolerance, pogroms and even violence." Under the auspices of the Irish Mission Union and the Irish Council of Churches the subject of fundamentalism will be addressed by Dr John May, Irish School of Ecumenics and the Rev Michael Ingrave (Committee on Inter-Faith Relations) at Dalgan Park, Navan, on November 16th, 9.45 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. There will be workshops and an opportunity for general discussion. Costs £13 (£11 sterling). Contact IMU: 014965433.