Charity
Console Celebration of Light Ceremony 2015
Ruth Kelly, Treasurer Friends of Console Limerick, Margaret Tierney Console Director of business for Ireland and UK and Lynda McAvinue, Chairperson Friends of Console.
The annual Console Celebration of Light Ceremony will take place at 4pm on November 29 in Limerick this year.
Set in the peaceful surroundings of the St Augustine’s church on O’Connell Street the Console Christmas Celebration of Light commemorates lives that have been lost through suicide. This is one of the most important events in Console’s calendar, inviting families and friends to come together in solidarity to remember the lives of their friends and loved ones.
It is an evening of song, music, poetry and reflection which includes the lighting of candles and a minute’s silence in the presence of others to remember those who are no longer with us on life’s journey.
Lynda McAvinue, Chairperson of Friends of Console said: “It is for people who have been bereaved by suicide but everyone is welcome. It is a really nice space, you go in and the place is in darkness then at some stage everyone lights their candles. It is an event to bring people together and raise awareness.”
Margaret Tierney, Console Director of Business Development for Ireland and the UK said: “The Christmas Celebration of Light Ceremony is where people come together to commemorate their family, friends and/or work colleagues who have died by suicide. During the year people may not be able to attend counselling and they see this as an ideal opportunity to share the same pain they are going through and they receive some comfort from the Celebration of Light service. It is a minute of silence, the lighting of candles, poetry, readings and music.”
Anyone affected by suicide is welcome to make contact with the Console Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service for support, or to learn about what services might be available to them in your relevant County. The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Officer can meet with a bereaved family (at their request) as a group or individually.
Visit the Console website here.
Follow Console on Facebook and Twitter here and here.
Console limerick have an individual Facebook page here.
Read more about Console here.