Honouring Nano Nagle

Cork, Ireland 1718-1784

Interfaith service at 777 Church Centre, 44th Street and 1st Avenue, New York 10017 9th December 2013 at 11.00 A.M.

Welcome and Introduction

Have you not heard his (God’s)silent steps?
He (God)comes, comes, ever comes.
Every moment and every age, every day and every night, he (God) comes, comes, ever comes.
Many a song have I sung in many a mood of mind,
but all their notes have always proclaimed,
He (God) comes, comes, ever comes.'
In the fragrant days of sunny April through the forest path, He (God) comes, comes, ever comes.
In the rainy gloom of July nights on the thundering chariot of clouds
He (God) comes, comes, ever comes.
In sorrow after sorrow it is his (God’s) stepsthat press upon my heart,
and it is the golden touch of his (God’s) feet that makes my joy to shine. Gitanjali or `song offerings' by RabindranathTagore (1861—1941)

Nano Nagle

“In the face of fear she chose to be daring,
in the face of anxiety, she chose to trust,
in the face of impossibility, she chose to begin. To universal misery she opposed ministry to persons,
To ignorance, knowledge,
To disillusionment, tenacity of purpose,
And to multiple vexations, singleness of heart.
Faced with failure, she held fast to hope,
Faced with death, she believed in a living future,
And programme for that future she gave in one word: Love”

DVD

Ritual to honour women and men who made difference in the lives of the vulnerable people

Song

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me. I am stronger for their courage, I am wiser for their words. I am lifted by their longing for a fair and brighter future. I am grateful for their vision,for their toiling on this earth.

We are standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before us. They are saints and they are humans,they are angels, they are friends. We can see beyond the strugglesand the troubles and the challenge, When we know that by our efforts things will be better in the end

Chorus:

They lift me higher than I could ever fly! Carrying my burdens away I imagine our world if they hadn’t tried, We wouldn’t be here celebrating today. We wouldn’t be so very blessed today.

I am standing on the shoulders of the ones who came before me. I am honored by their passion for our liberty. I will stand a little taller, I will work a little longer. And my shoulders will be there to hold the ones who follow me. Joyce Johnson Rouse (from Earth Mama: Love Large album)

Reflection: Patricia Anastasio pbvm, President of the Presentation women in New York

Keynote message: H.E. David Donoghue, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations

Words of appreciation: Sharon Fagan pbvm, Director, International Presentation Association

Prayer for a blessing:

May the blessing of light be upon us –

  • a blessing of light in our hearts, making them alert and responsive to the cries of Earth and the cries of those made poor;
  • a blessing of light in our eyes, opening them to the injustices around us;
  • a blessing of light in our minds, gifting us with an understanding of human hearts and social systems and how best to bring about God’s transformative dream for the whole of creation;
  • a blessing of light in our actions, witnessing God’s tender care for all, especially those who are most vulnerable and oppressed;
  • a blessing of light in our whole being, making us Children of God and People of Light.

Song:One Step Beyond

There was a time, such a time when hearts were hurting, Longing to find some peace of mind,Find an open door. I knew a time, such a time one heart kept searching, Trying to see, through darkness to free,A heart without it’s soul.

Chorus:Who will light the lantern and keep it burning bright? Who will search the darkness where shadows seek the light? Who will find the courage to sing a different song? Who will light the lantern and go one step beyond?

We knew a place, such a place in the future, Where someone is lost, Always a cost with uncertainties. We know a space, such a space in our future, Where love heals the pain,Love lights the flame Through the nights of years

Welcome to dine on the second floor please!