Pastoral Care
Bereavement is an unfortunate reality that all members of the Defence Forces and their families will face at some point in their lives. Becoming aware of the effects of bereavement can help us come to terms with the notion of death and increase our own understanding of the emotional consequences of loss in others....
Read MoreThis upgrade of the Mingy Prayerbook was published in 2015. It contains prayers and reflections for all personnel at various stages of life and duty. Prayerbooks are available from all Defence Forces chaplains for serving and retired personnel. See the interview above for details of the new Mingy Prayerbook and its value to the military community and their families.......
Read MorePictured above is the prayer card distributed by Msgr Eoin Thynne to UNIFIL personnel on his recent visit to the Area of Operations. It featured a detail from the stained glass window crafted by Evie Hone which is in the Garrison Church at Cathal Brugha Barracks. More information on Evie Hone’s work is available......
Read MoreOn behalf of the Defence Forces Chaplaincy Service I am delighted An Cosantóir* has again afforded me the opportunity to send Christmas greetings to you, the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann and your families. Having commemorated the centennial anniversary of the commencement of World War 1, where men and women gave their lives......
Read MoreThanks to the DF Audio Visual School for their good work in preparing the videos below from the Carol Service held at Arbour Hill on 10 December 2014 Some of the pieces available through the DF Youtube Channel include: Flowers of the Forest – Pipes & Army No 1 Band In Flanders Fields – Comdt Ronan Dillon......
Read MoreLife is Precious – Pass it On! At the age of 28, Paul Giblin was diagnosed with refractory Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2012. In recent months, following his fourth batch of chemotherapy, Paul and his friends have been raising awareness of the Irish Unrelated Bone Marrow Registry in recent weeks. The IUBMR is part of The Irish......
Read MoreLt Cian Clancy (1 Artillery Regiment) describes a truce in the trenches during Christmas 1915. This song captures the uniting power of the most popular of all Christmas carols. It reminds us that a ceasefire allows the humanity and innate kindness of good people to shine in a time of darkness. Perhaps the sentiments expressed here by Cian......
Read MoreSeasonal favourites including “Little Drummer Boy”, “Jingle Bells” and “God Rest ye merry, Gentlemen” were provided by the Pipers from the DF School of Music during the 2014 Carol Service at Arbour Hill. “The Little Drummer Boy” speaks of a child’s wish to provide an uplifting melody for the Christchild while “God rest ye merry,......
Read MoreThe annual Defence Forces Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 10 December in Arbour Hill Church. The ceremony will begin at 20:00hrs. The Army No 1 Band will be joined by soprano Celine Byrne, the Mornington Singers and by the Galway Tenors for an evening of seasonal music, prayer and reflection. This year’s theme is......
Read More23 October is the Feast of St John of Capistrano* – the patron saint of Military Chaplains. Today is a suitable occasion to thank our Defence Forces colleagues, friends and the extended military community for your prayers and prompts which help us in our work. Please continue to remember us in our work at home and overseas. Cardinal......
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