Tuesday 31 July 2007
On
June 10 a group of 67 parishioners from Magherall spent the
day on Rathlin Island. The group included pensioners,
families with toddlers and some Polish students led by Tony
from Lisburn Cathedral.
After an 8am start the group,
travelling by coach and car, reached Ballycastle for the 10
am ferry to Rathlin.
The boat was packed, but the half hour
voyage was incident free as the sea was as calm as a mill
pond.
First port of call was St Thomas Church
of Ireland for the Holy Communion Service conducted by
rector of Magherall, the Rev Nicholas Dark. Tony from
Lisburn Cathedral was invited by the Rev Dark to assist with
the Communion.
The
little church was packed to capacity which was a change for
the Islanders as there would usually only be only a small
number present.
The service was both spiritual and
uplifting, and the final hymn, 'How great Thou art' summed
it the joy of the day as the Magheragall and Rathlin
parishioners celebrated God's greatness, goodness and gift
of glorious weather.
After the service Mr Ian Park then
pointed out the different walks that were available. There
was something to suit everyone from families with children,
to pensioners to the very fit. The group split up for
picnics and set off on a variety of walks around the island,
and those who stayed behind enjoyed 'people watching' while
the children played in the park.
The group enjoyed refreshments in a
caf' before catching the 5.30pm ferry back to Ballycastle.
21/07/2007
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