An ecumenical service with a difference will be broadcast on RTE and UTV tomorrow night. Guns Into Ploughshares was recorded at St Columba's Church in Derry last night and during the service a unique sculpture was unveiled.
It is made from guns welded into "an image of uselessness" surmounted by a dove. The programme is on RTE 1 at 11 p.m. and at 11.15 p.m. on UTV.
A more unusual broadcast takes place when the Christmas Eve services at St Michael's, Sixmilecross, and St Columbkille's, Termonmaguirke, both in Co Tyrone, will be on the Internet worldwide tomorrow.
The rector of Sixmilecross, the Rev David Johnston, said: "Millions of people use the Internet every day. Out there are many people with connections to the parishes of Sixmilecross and Termonmaguirke. This is one way for them to keep in touch, even though they may be thousands of miles away . . .
"The technical quality may not be brilliant, but that's not so important when you're on the other side of the world wanting a reminder of home. And someone across the street who can't get out could also benefit."
St Michael's service begins at 10.30 a.m. and St Columbkille's at noon. Further information is available at www.sixmilecross. armagh.anglican.org
Midnight Mass will be celebrated by the Catholic primate, Dr Sean Brady, at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, tomorrow night. In Dublin tomorrow mor ning, Christmas carols will be sung at the Pro-Cathedral, beginning at 9.30 a.m. The Mass at 11 a.m. will also be sung by the Palestrina choir. A new crib will be opened at the cathedral tomorrow.
The Mass of Christmas Night will be celebrated at the Pro Cathedral by the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Desmond Connell, from 10 p.m. The Lord Mayor, Mr Maurice Ahern, members of Dublin City Council and of the Diplomatic Corps will attend. Dr Connell will celebrate Mass on Christmas Day, sung by the Palestrina choir, at 11 a.m.
At Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, Midnight Eucharist will be celebrated by Archbishop Walton Empey, beginning at 11.59 p.m. The preacher will be Dean John Paterson. On Christmas Day, the Sung Eucharist at 11 a.m. will be celebrated by Dean Paterson, with Archbishop Empey preaching.
The setting will be Mozart's Missa in C (Orgelsolo).
At St Patrick's Cathedral to morrow, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, to be broadcast on RTE radio, begins at 4 p.m. Admission is by ticket. Holy Eucharist will take place at 8.30 a.m. on Christmas Day followed by the Festival Eucharist at 11.15 a.m. The preacher will be Dean Robert MacCarthy.
At Our Lady of the Rosary church in Harold's Cross, Dublin, the Millennium Story of the First Christmas continues to January 10th. It features a large nativity scene and a display of Bethlehem's social history.
