2008 Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving

A very special word of thanks to the Irish Kidney Association and all involved in the Annual Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving, held in Dublin on October 4th, 2008

This annual event is an extraordinarily comforting and humbling occasion, bringing all strands of the organ donation community together to honour and remember those very special people who have donated their organs so that others may live.

The service was attended by people who traveled to Dublin from all corners of the country including families of organ donors, transplant recipients, patients, carers and the medical profession involved in organ transplantation. 

Each of these groups participated in the Service which incorporated inspirational readings and reflections, prayers, hymns and a procession to the altar carrying Candles, Forget-Me-Not Flowers, the Organ Donor Card and The Book of Remembrance.   The very moving Service of Light was led by members of Transplant Team Ireland, and all present were invited to place their lighted candle and the name of their loved one at the altar, symbolizing our celebration of life both on this earth and in the hereafter.

The homily during this ecumenical service was given by Fr. Donie Hogan.Regional Director,  St. Columbans who spoke movingly and personally about his own sister’s experience as a lung transplant recipient.                                                     

                                                                                                                                                          
                                                                           



These are two of the reflections read during the Service, offering encouragement and hope to us all on our individual journeys