MEMBERS of a youth choir will set the seed for hope in churches this weekend, to create public awareness of children who are experiencing a difficult time.
The young people of Londubh Youth Choir and Celtic Ensemble have chosen lavender, a healing and native plant, to place in churches in Clarecastle, Ballyea, Ennis, Quin, Roslevan and Shannon.
They will also present symbols of hope, love, courage, friendship and knowledge, which were made recently for the Youth Helps Youth project at these churches this weekend.
They will team the symbols with encouraging quotes put together by the youth, such as ‘A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself’, ‘Don’t lose hope, you’ll never know what tomorrow will bring’ and ‘Once you choose hope, anything is possible’.
These will be placed around the lavender plant, along with a healing prayer during the launch.
The lavender plant is a symbol of growth, nature and the healing that will take place when young people get the support that they need.
The youth will express their thoughts and feelings on how it’s important to support each other and to share and use our talents as best one can.
Under the direction of musical directors, Claire Connellan and Tim Collins, the two groups are preparing for a concert, in aid of the Children’s Grief Centre, which is located in Limerick.
The concert is due to take place on December 3 in Clarecastle Church.
The Children’s Grief Centre reaches out to young people suffering loss, supporting them through art and play therapy, in Clare, Limerick and Tipperary.
Members of Londubh Youth Choir and Celtic Ensemble will be available after the allocated mass to meet with the congregation and tell them about this fundraising concert that the youth are working towards.
According to Bishop Fintan Monahan, this is a most welcome initiative in the diocese.
“Following on the success of the recent Youth Fest in St Flannan’s College, there is a great interest in increasing the involvement of young people in church-based activities.
“This is a great opportunity for that to happen. Best wishes to all involved in the launch of the ‘Healing Plant Project’ this weekend. It is thoroughly deserving of our support and backing for such a worthy cause,” he said.
Dan Danaher
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.