National event honouring organ donors in Mullingar for first time
More than 1,000 people from all over Ireland are expected to attend the Irish Kidney Association 38th Annual Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving at the Cathedral of Christ the King, on Saturday October 14.
The Service, which honours organ donors and celebrates their gift of life to others, will be recorded by Kairos for broadcast on RTÉ One on November 5.
For the first time since its inception, this unique inter-church service will be held in the midlands, and it will be the second time for the event to be held outside Dublin.
An occasion for both sadness and joy, it is open to individuals of all faiths, non-faiths including humanist, families of organ donors, grateful transplant recipients, and anyone interested in celebrating the precious gift of life.
This year’s service will be in-person again, after three years of a televised virtual event due to the pandemic.
Pre-Covid, the annual event typically drew close to 2,000 attendees.
The Irish Kidney Association’s national honorary chairman, Eddie Flood, a kidney transplant recipient from Killucan, will be the narrator at the service.
He said: “I am delighted that the service is coming to Mullingar. Being a transplant recipient myself, the event has for many years held a special place in my heart, and having it held here in my local town is an aspiration realised.
“The Irish Kidney Association are grateful to the Catholic Bishop of Meath, Most Reverend Thomas Deenihan, Very Reverend Phil Gaffney and chief celebrant at the service Reverend Barry White, for hosting us in the magnificent Cathedral in Mullingar Parish, and to co-celebrant Fr Stan Deegan, PP from my local parish, Killucan.
“Our thanks also to co-celebrant Reverend Canon Alastair Graham, Church of Ireland, and to Evangelist Mario Martins from Youth for Christ Ireland, as well as Louise Burchall, representing the Humanist Association of Ireland.
“It will be an opportunity to showcase the stunning cathedral and also the talented Mullingar Choral Society and local uilleann piper Aoife Nally. Together this will make what is already a special, unique event even more meaningful and memorable for our community.”
During the service, music and song are interspersed between symbolic processions and scripture, reflections and expressions of gratitude, selflessness, and faith in humanity.
Each member of the congregation will be provided with a candle for the symbolic Service of Light ceremony, led by members of the Transplant sports team, in memory of deceased donors who gave the gift of life to others.
For many organ donor families the service has become an anniversary to remember their loved ones, and for transplant recipients, the opportunity to honour and give thanks for the ‘gift of life’ they have received.
Families of deceased organ donors along with grateful transplant recipients who received deceased donors’ organs (including heart, lung, liver, kidney, and pancreas) will participate in reading and symbolic processional roles.
Since its inception 38 years ago, the service has become a hugely important event in the calendar of members of the organ donation and transplant community including medical professionals who work in this area.
The confidential database for organ donor families is held by Organ Donation Transplant Ireland (ODTI).
Dr Catherine Motherway, clinical lead, ODTI, and organ donor coordinators will also be taking part in the service.
All are welcome to attend the event. To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for all, the IKA request that individuals register in advance through the online registration system.
That will help organisers plan for the expected attendance and provide refreshments afterwards in the neighbouring hall at Coláiste Mhuire.
The congregation is asked to be seated by 1.50pm for the service, which begins at 2pm. To register visit www.ika.ie/service 2023, or email info@ika.ie or telephone 01-6205306.