Annual Service of Remembrance held at Westminster Cathedral, London

On Friday 3 November, 2023, the Chaplaincy held a moving gathering in of remembrance for those members and friends of the Chaplaincy who have died in the past year. As in previous years, this was held at Westminster Cathedral in St Patrick's Chapel, with its beautiful decoration of 30 different kinds of Irish marble and its memorials to the 16 Irish Regiments.

The service, was led by a great friend of the Chaplaincy, Bishop Paul McAleenan, lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees with oversight of all matters concerning Ethnic Chaplaincies.

In the Prayers of the Faith we recalled all aspects of the Chaplaincy's work: with the elderly who are sick and alone, with those in prison and their families and with the Irish Traveller community and the discrimination they suffer.

As Paul Raymond, Seniors Manager for the Chaplaincy read out the names of those who have died, members of the congregation came forward to light candles in their memory. This was followed by a reflective time with music played by Marion Hill.

As well as friends and supporters of the Chaplaincy, we were joined by a representative from the Irish Embassy, Council of Irish County Associations London (CICA) Caritas Westminster, the Columbans in Britain and staff from Nazareth House.

Here is a copy of the service sheet.

Bishop Paul McAllenan

Candles in memory of the dead