Wexford Borough Council and The Royal British Legion of Wexford

ECUMENICAL DEDICATION CEREMONY OF REMEMBRANCE AND WREATHLAYING

To the sacred memory of all Wexfordmen who sacrificed their lives in defence of freedom 1914 -1918 

Redmond Square, Wexford 23rd June 2013

OFFICIATING CLERGY Rev. Fr. James Fegan; Rev. Arthur Minnion

MUSIC BY Anthony Nolan

Pipers from New Ross Pipe Band, Éanna McKenna and Michael Londra 

ORDER OF SERVICE

PARADE OF STANDARDS

************

WELCOMING ADDRESS

His Worship the Mayor of Wexford

Councillor Jim Allen

(Please Stand)

************

THE BIDDING PRAYER

Rev. Fr. James Fegan

Rev. Arthur Minnion

We are here in the presence of God: To remember with thanksgiving and

sorrow those whose lives, in world wars and conflicts past and present, have

been given and taken away in the cause of justice and freedom:

To pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain, continue to suffer the

consequences of fighting and terror, and to commit ourselves, young and old

to work in penitence and faith for reconciliation between the nations of our

troubled world so that, under God, people of every race and creed may be at

peace.

These thoughts and prayers we offer now in the words that Jesus taught us:

ALL

Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name;

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory,

For ever and ever – Amen.

“O LORD MY GOD, HOW GREAT THOU ART”

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made,

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed!

Chorus:

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:

How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander,

and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze;

Chorus

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

sent Him to die I scarce can take it in

That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin;

Chorus

(Swedish Folk Song “O Store Gud” Translated by Stuart K Hine 1899)

(Please Sit)

************

THE LESSON

Brendan Howlin T.D.

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform

“Jesus said; this is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you.

There is no greater love than this; that a man should lay down his life for his

friends; you are my friends, if you do what I command you, I call you servants

no longer; a servant does not know what his master is about. I have called you

my friends, because I have disclosed to you everything that I heard from my

Father. You did not choose me: I chose you. I appointed you to go on and bear

fruit, fruit that shall last: so that the Father may give you all that you ask in my

name. This is my commandment to you: Love one another.”

 

(St. John-Chap 15 – Verses 12 to 17)

 

(Please Stand)

 

“CHRIST BE BESIDE ME”

(St. Patrick’s Breastplate)

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me King of my heart;

Christ be within me, Christ be below me,

Christ be above me never to part.

Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand,

Christ all around me, shield in my strife;

Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting,

Christ in my rising, light of my life.

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me,

Christ be behind me King of my heart;

Christ be within me, Christ be below me,

Christ be above me never to part.

 

Ancient Irish Text Attributed to St. Patrick-Translated by Mary Byrne (1880-1931)

 

Adapted by Rev J Quinn SJ-Traditional Irish Melody

 

PRAYERS

Rev. Fr. James Fegan

Rev. Arthur Minnion

 

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict and ask that God may give us peace: 

For the service of men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God: May God give peace –

God give peace.

For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief

and the sadness of our loss: May God give peace –

God give peace.

For all members of Armed Forces, whether peace keeping or peace making

who are in danger this day, remembering families, friends and all who pray

for their safe return: May God give peace –

God give peace.

For civilians whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in

penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity: May God give peace –

God give peace.

For peace-makers and peace-keepers, who seek to keep this world secure

and free: May God give peace –

God give peace.

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership whether political,

military or religious; asking that they be blessed with gifs of wisdom and

resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace: May God give peace –

God give peace.

O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we

cherish and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes

above the torment of this broken world and grant us the grace to pray for

those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in

your future; for you are the source of life and hope.

Amen.

************

THE ACT OF REMEMBRANCE

Rev. Fr. James Fegan

Rev. Arthur Minnion

Teach us Good Lord to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to

count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek

for rest; to labour and not to seek reward, save that of knowing we do Thy

will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Please sit)

************

THE WREATH LAYING CEREMONY  

***********

LAMENT