A Special Celebratory event, held in September in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin, was attended by women and men from all over Ireland. The Chairwoman of the World Day of Prayer International Committee, Annette Poitier, came from the Bahamas to give the meditation, the World Day of Prayer International Executive Director, Eileen King, came from the USA and brought greetings from the world movement. The two European members on the World Executive committee brought greetings from many of the European countries. There were other international guests as well as Church leaders (or their representatives) from the Christian denominations from whom the Irish national committee is drawn.

The theme of the celebration was Let Your Light Shine. 75 candles of different sizes, shapes and colours were lit at various points during the afternoon. These symbolised not only the 75 years of WDP in Ireland but also the diversity of the women who take part each year both in Ireland and around the world.

The celebration finished with afternoon tea and the cutting of the anniversary cake by the World Chairwoman and the Executive Director and the incoming and outgoing National Presidents.

The National Committee organised a televised version of the 2009 service prepared by the Christian women of Papua New Guinea on the theme of “In Christ there are many members, but one Body”. Central to the service was a bilum on the cross. For theservice in the RTE studio a genuine bilum was provided by the nun who gave the meditation and who had worked for over 20 years in PNG.