Thanksgiving for the Gift of Sport
- Mar 20,2012
Annual Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving for the Gift of Sport
Sixty-three years ago the first service of thanksgiving for the gift of sport took place in Dublin . in 1949 in St Peter's Church, Aungier Street, long since demolished.
The idea for holding such a service arose following discussions between the Revd George Crummy and Bob Graves, the Irish rugby international. Since then the service has developed into an annual ecumenical event, held in the evenings, to allow for maximum attendance from the sporting fraternity
This year the Service will be held in St Ann's Church on Dawson Street on Sunday 25 March at 7-30pm
The service continues to be the focus of thanksgiving for all men, women and young people whose lives have been enriched and blessed by the gift of sport; whether through active participation, patronage or through the media of radio, television or attendance at sporting events and fixtures. Over the years many prominent sportspersons of note have spoken at the service and this year the address will be given by Tommy Carr the former Gaelic player for Dublin and All Star winner in1991. He has also managed a number of other county GAA teams since his retirement as a player.
The collection is donated each year to a charity and this year Pieta House has been chosen. Pieta is involved in assisting in the tragic area of suicide and self harm. Unfortunately those who participate in sport are not immune from such tragedy and sadness as most recently highlighted by the death of Garry Speed in the UK.
Everybody is welcome to attend the Service.
For further information contact Robert Prole, member of the ASU (Association of Schools' Unions ) Service Organising Committee. Tel; 01 2889565 or rdeprole@eircom.net