The Irish Kidney Association

The 24th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving was held in Corpus Christi Church, Drumcondra, Dublin 9 on Saturday 10th October for the ninth successive year.  We estimate that there were 2,000 people present – the biggest attendance ever.

Patricia May, National Chairman, welcomed all present.  The Service was multi-denominational and representatives from various churches attended, namely our loyal clergy, Fr William King PP, Archdeacon Gordon Linney, Rev Alan Boal and Rev Willie Black.  The principal celebrant was Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and his colleague, Fr Damian McNeice also assisted. 

In the opening procession, the Cross was brought to the Altar by Tony Gavigan (a Donor Family and Transplant Recipient).  The Candles were carried by Christina Bunyan (a Donor Family representative) and Mary Murphy (a Donor Family representative) and Christy McLoughlin (a kidney transplant recipient for 37 years) carried the Book of the Gospel.

Mark Murphy, IKA Chief Executive, narrated the Service.

The Readings were delivered by Mr David Hickey, Director of Transplantation, Beaumont Hospital and Archdeacon Gordon Linney. 

The Procession of gifts commenced with Geraldine Jenkins (a Living Donor Family representative) and Florence McElroy (a Donor Family Representative) bringing up the candles, whilst the ‘Forget-Me-Not’ flowers were brought to the altar by Patricia McKenzie (a Kidney Transplant Representative).  The Organ Donor Card and the Book of Remembrance were carried by Elizabeth Jones (a Donor Family representative) and Catherine Walsh (a Donor Family Representative). 

The Gospel was read by Fr William King and the Archbishop delivered an excellent Homily.  The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Emer Costello was the guest of honour and she attended with her husband, Deputy Joe Costello TD.  Indeed we learnt that her husband has had personal family connections with transplantation.

Transplant Team Ireland athletes led the Service of Light with the Team Captain, Michael Dwyer lighting the first candle from the Paschal Flame.

The Reflections were read by Rev William Black, Aileen Counihan (Transplant Coordinator, Beaumont Hospital), Rev Alan Boal and Aoife Coffey (Liver Transplant Coordinator, St Vincent’s Hospital).    The Prayers of Thanksgiving were read by Valerie Brady, Terry Mangan, (Chairman of the Irish Donor Network and President of the European Heart and Lung Transplant Federation) and Jim Queally (a Donor Family Representative).  The Closing Prayer was read by Angela McKinney

We would like to thank St Mary’s Church Choir, from Clonmel, who were conducted by Eileen Murray with Jane Kennedy as Organist and their Soloist, Marie Phelan for their participation once again.

The presence of the Books of Remembrance and the opportunity for the donor families to view their loved one’s names in the Roll of Honour, following the Service, creates an emotional aura around the whole church.  The presence of transplant recipients, donor relatives and friends, all under the one roof, touches the whole congregation.

We would like to thank Angela, Pat and the parish for their kindness and consideration in making their Church and facilities available to us again this year.  We extend thanks also to Ms Clare Galvin, Principal of the local school for the continued use of the school car park and the custodians of the Community and Scout Halls which facilitate the provision of refreshments following the Service. 

We would like to acknowledge and thank the Board Members, volunteers and IKA Staff for their willing participation and the hard work that is involved with the organisation of this unique ceremony.  Finally, we would like to thank the IKA Liturgy Committee – Vera Frisby (Chairman), Angela McKinney, Ellen Flanagan, Peggy Eustace and Lorraine Costello for their commitment and dedication to producing a magnificent Service once again.