CANDLELIGHT PROCESSION PLANNED THIS SUNDAY
Candlelight procession planned this Sunday
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THOUSANDS are expected to take part in a special candlelight procession through the streets of Omagh this Sunday evening, in memory of the victims of the August bombing.
The 'Walk of Light' -organised by Omagh Church Forum - is expected to attract large numbers to a cross-community carol service at the Courthouse.
Those taking part will assemble at Drumragh Car Park at 7pm, before making their way past the site of the bombing in Market Street, to the service in High Street.
Anyone who may find it too distressing to pass through Market Street has been asked by organisers to join the service via Bridge Street.
Passing the spot where 29 men, women and children died and hundreds more were injured, a period of silent prayer will be observed.
Among those leading the procession will be local school children, clergy and some of those seriously injured in the bomb attack.
In an effort to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the gathering, churches in the area have re-arranged their traditional Christmas carol services to facilitate the event.
Earlier in the day, ITV's 'Morning Worship' will feature a special ceremony broadcast from St Columba's Church of Ireland, during which groups from all sections of the community will join together in a unique programme of music and prayer.
The service is part of a 90-minute special featuring 'Christmas in Omagh,' which will be shown nationwide.
Beginning at 11am, the programme will include a shortened version of UTV's 'Insight' special on the victims of the bombing -which has been shortlisted for a major television award in London in January.
Originally broadcast just weeks after the tragedy, the show portrayed personal accounts of human suffering and resilience following the tragedy.
Speaking this week, the show's senior producer Michael Beattie paid tribute to those who took part in the programme.
Describing the interviews as being "amongst the most powerful in any programme I've made," he added that the fact that 'Insight' had been nominated, was due more to the input of the victims than the programme makers themselves.
"I can assure you there were a great many tears in the edit suite as we put the programme together" he added.
Interviews for the show were conducted by Conor Macauley, while Sunday's show will be introduced by Lynda Bryans and Mike Nesbitt.
Following the screening, the carol service from St Columba's will include a 75-strong choir made up of representatives from all the main churches in the area.
The choir will be conducted by the church's choirmistress, Elizabeth Johnston, and accompanied by organist, Andrew Millar, Head of Music at the Academy.
The congregation will be made up of those bereaved by the bombing, as well as many of the injured.
Other groups taking part include Omagh Community Youth Choir - under the direction of Darryl Simpson who will perform the title song from the 'Across the Bridge of Hope' album.
And a children's choir drawn from primary schools in the area and under the direction of Stephanie Gardner and Sheena Herron, will also take part in the ceremony.
The Hazel Wand Theatre Company, instructed by Sr Aengus Fitzpatrick, will perform a special dance-drama, while members of the Sacred Heart Church's folk group and 13-year-old Loreto Convent pupil, Elaine McAllister, will also perform during the programme.
Parish Priest, Fr Michael Keaveny and Church of Ireland Minister, Canon Charles Leeke will perform the welcome ceremony during the Benediction.
This week, Canon Leeke said he hoped the weekend's events would be well supported as they gave the people an opportunity to reach out during the season of goodwill.
"The theme of the programme is from darkness into light, the same theme which runs through all events which have been arranged throughout the Christmas period in the town" he added.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
THOUSANDS are expected to take part in a special candlelight procession through the streets of Omagh this Sunday evening, in memory of the victims of the August bombing.
The 'Walk of Light' -organised by Omagh Church Forum - is expected to attract large numbers to a cross-community carol service at the Courthouse.
Those taking part will assemble at Drumragh Car Park at 7pm, before making their way past the site of the bombing in Market Street, to the service in High Street.
Anyone who may find it too distressing to pass through Market Street has been asked by organisers to join the service via Bridge Street.
Passing the spot where 29 men, women and children died and hundreds more were injured, a period of silent prayer will be observed.
Among those leading the procession will be local school children, clergy and some of those seriously injured in the bomb attack.
In an effort to allow as many people as possible the opportunity to attend the gathering, churches in the area have re-arranged their traditional Christmas carol services to facilitate the event.
Earlier in the day, ITV's 'Morning Worship' will feature a special ceremony broadcast from St Columba's Church of Ireland, during which groups from all sections of the community will join together in a unique programme of music and prayer.
The service is part of a 90-minute special featuring 'Christmas in Omagh,' which will be shown nationwide.
Beginning at 11am, the programme will include a shortened version of UTV's 'Insight' special on the victims of the bombing -which has been shortlisted for a major television award in London in January.
Originally broadcast just weeks after the tragedy, the show portrayed personal accounts of human suffering and resilience following the tragedy.
Speaking this week, the show's senior producer Michael Beattie paid tribute to those who took part in the programme.
Describing the interviews as being "amongst the most powerful in any programme I've made," he added that the fact that 'Insight' had been nominated, was due more to the input of the victims than the programme makers themselves.
"I can assure you there were a great many tears in the edit suite as we put the programme together" he added.
Interviews for the show were conducted by Conor Macauley, while Sunday's show will be introduced by Lynda Bryans and Mike Nesbitt.
Following the screening, the carol service from St Columba's will include a 75-strong choir made up of representatives from all the main churches in the area.
The choir will be conducted by the church's choirmistress, Elizabeth Johnston, and accompanied by organist, Andrew Millar, Head of Music at the Academy.
The congregation will be made up of those bereaved by the bombing, as well as many of the injured.
Other groups taking part include Omagh Community Youth Choir - under the direction of Darryl Simpson who will perform the title song from the 'Across the Bridge of Hope' album.
And a children's choir drawn from primary schools in the area and under the direction of Stephanie Gardner and Sheena Herron, will also take part in the ceremony.
The Hazel Wand Theatre Company, instructed by Sr Aengus Fitzpatrick, will perform a special dance-drama, while members of the Sacred Heart Church's folk group and 13-year-old Loreto Convent pupil, Elaine McAllister, will also perform during the programme.
Parish Priest, Fr Michael Keaveny and Church of Ireland Minister, Canon Charles Leeke will perform the welcome ceremony during the Benediction.
This week, Canon Leeke said he hoped the weekend's events would be well supported as they gave the people an opportunity to reach out during the season of goodwill.
"The theme of the programme is from darkness into light, the same theme which runs through all events which have been arranged throughout the Christmas period in the town" he added.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0701
Published Date: 17-Dec-98
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