The Grouped Parishes of Sandford and St Philip’s Milltown, Dublin, hosted the Climate Justice Candle from Thursday 9 May until Sunday 26 May 2024 during which time it was the focus of a number of serivces
and events.
The candle was incorporated into the Alexandra College End of Year service on 9 May (Ascension Thursday) when Canon Gyles spoke to the students and staff about Eco-Congregation Ireland and the Shine a Light on Climate Justice campaign. It continued to shine that morning during the celebration of the Feast of the Ascension, which included prayers for the environment.
The candle came into focus again at a special service led by the Confirmation Candidates on 12 May. During their preparation for Confirmation, the candidates had spent a class considering climate
change.
On Friday 24 May the children from Sandford Parish National School visited Sandford Church for their school assembly, during which Canon Gyles spoke about Eco-Congregation Ireland and the ways in which our parishes are taking action to help the environment, after which we heard from the Green Schools Committee about the ‘green’ work the children are doing in the school. We then sang ‘All Things
Weird and Wonderful!’
Our final service during which the candle shone was our End of Choir Year Service on 26 May.
We hope that during these few weeks the candle will have served its purpose in shining some light on climate justice as we, individually and as a parish community, continue to work towards climate justice, safeguarding the rights of the most vulnerable and sharing the burdens and benefits of climate change and its impacts.