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Saint Luke’s Home, Cork, celebrates its 150th anniversary

A Diocesan Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Sesquicentenary of the Foundation of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork, in 1872 was held at Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, on Tuesday, 18th October. Saint Luke’s is a voluntary organisation under the patronage of the Church of Ireland in Cork, Cloyne and Ross, and the Right Rev. Dr Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, serves as President. The home provides residential, respite and day care services for older people, with an emphasis on Alzheimer care and other forms of dementia.
Bishop Paul Colton preaching for the Service of Thanksgiving.
Bishop Paul Colton preaching for the Service of Thanksgiving.

The Dean of Cork, the Very Rev. Nigel Dunne, introduced the service by extending a welcome to the guests including the CEO of Saint Luke’s Home, Tony O’Brien, the Director of Nursing, Orla Coleman, Senators Jerry Buttimer and Tim Lombard, Cllr Derry Canty (representing the Lord Mayor of Cork), Cllr Ben Dalton O’Sullivan (representing the County Mayor), ecumenical guests, and representatives from the City Council, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Naval Service, and other Cork based charities and healthcare providers. 

The Rev. Meghan Farr, Chaplain of Saint Luke’s Home, and the Rev. Bruce Pierce, Director of Education at Saint Luke’s Home Education Centre, led the Prayers. Bishop Colton preached at the service. The music was provided by the School Choirs of the three Second–level Schools of the Diocese – Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College – under the direction of Peter Stobart. During the Silent Thanksgiving and Commemoration led by Bishop Colton, three representative students of the schools lit candles as an act of thanksgiving and remembrance. The Service was streamed online to the residents and staff at Saint Luke’s Home in Mahon.

The three Secondary School Choirs from Midleton College, Ashton School and Bandon Grammar School with Bishop Paul Colton, the Dean of Cork NIgel Dunne, and Peter Stobart (Director of Music) and Robbie Carroll (Assistant Director of Music).
The three Secondary School Choirs from Midleton College, Ashton School and Bandon Grammar School with Bishop Paul Colton, the Dean of Cork NIgel Dunne, and Peter Stobart (Director of Music) and Robbie Carroll (Assistant Director of Music).

Bishop Colton said: ‘The anniversary celebration of 150 years of Saint Luke’s Home, Cork on Saint Luke’s Day 2022 was a truly joyful occasion. We remembered our founder, Miss Frances Fitzgerald Gregg and all the unnamed people who, for 150 years, have supported and continue our work.  Our thanksgiving was hugely enriched by the singing of students from Ashton School, Bandon Grammar School and Midleton College. The act of remembrance was poignant. Most of all, this occasion gave me the opportunity, as President of the Charity and Home of the last 24 years, to say thank you to everyone who continues our caring work today.’

Tony O’Brien, CEO of Saint Luke’s Home, said: ‘This year is an important year for St. Luke’s Charity and Home as we celebrate our 150th anniversary. It is a significant achievement to continue to be a leader in the care of the older person. The Diocesan service of thanksgiving to mark this special occasion at the Cathedral Church of Saint Fin Barre was a wonderful way to thank all those who have been associated with Saint Luke’s during its 150 years of service to the Cork community.’

Students from the Secondary Schools processing into the Choir Stalls for the Service.
Students from the Secondary Schools processing into the Choir Stalls for the Service.
A full Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving.
A full Cathedral for the Service of Thanksgiving.

More photos are available at this link on the Cork, Cloyne and Ross website.

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