Carrigaline Parish has been engaged in a process of moving towards becoming a more ecologically engaged church community by taking practical actions. The ECI Endeavour Certificate has been awarded to acknowledge that as a church community they have made good progress, although they acknowledge that a lot remains to be done. Parishioners wanted to share this achievement with everyone on our Facebook page on St Brigid’s Day, along with this reflection:
St. Brigid is the second patron saint of Ireland, whose feast day is her birthday – the first day of spring, 1st February (Lá Fhéile Bhride). Brigid is also known as Muire na nGael or “Mary of the Gael,” which means Our Lady of the Irish.
As we celebrate the first day of Spring today, let us remember St. Brigid, who always worked for peace. Brigid was wonderfully-attuned to the season and cycles of nature. It is no accident that today many groups, like Carrigaline Parish Care of the Earth Group is concerned about the environment and work together on small actions that show respect and reverence to the wonder of creation. We were delighted to receive our Endeavour Award by Eco-Congregation Ireland in the past number of weeks.
Prayer to St. Brigid
Brigid,
You were a woman of peace.
You brought harmony where there was conflict.
You brought light to the darkness.
You brought hope to the downcast.
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious,
and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.
Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.
Strengthen what is weak within us.
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.
Amen.