Limerick families honour loved ones at Irish Kidney Association Service of Remembrance
Annual ceremony sees 1,600 people attend, remembering late organ donors and transplant recipients
A SERVICE honouring late organ donors and transplant recipients saw Limerick families gather to remember their lost loved ones.
The 39th annual Irish Kidney Association Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving saw hundreds of families attend, including that of Margaret and Ger Reidy from Loughill and their son Cian, to remember their deceased organ donor daughter Miriam.
Celebrants Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Auxiliary Bishop Paul Dempsey, Rev Damian Murray, Humanist Moya Corcoran, Rev Robert Smyth PP
As well as this, Dublin native Barry McDonnell who lives on the Ennis Road, was remembering his late sister Anne who passed away when she was 30.
Mr McDonnell had a special role at the ceremony, as he joined other donor families in taking part in the readings and processions part of the day.
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“This unique Service is an important occasion for remembering deceased loved ones who have in their death given the gift of life to others.
“With leaders from the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, and the Islamic faith in Ireland, along with Humanist involvement, the Service brings together people of all beliefs, united in their support for organ donation as the ultimate act of humanity.
“It transcends individual spiritual beliefs, fostering a sense of shared community and mutual support in honouring the life-giving gift of organ donation.”
An estimated 1,600 people from across Ireland and beyond converged in the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, Dublin 9, on Saturday, October 12 for the ceremony.
The Service will be broadcast on RTÉ One on November 17, at 11am.