Christmas Day –

The weather wasn’t quite as awful as last year, but it was really cold.

It was so cold, it was impossible to heat old buildings.

The attendance in St Paul’s was small on Christmas eve. This wasn’t surprising as driving conditions were not good and temperaures were as low as -11C.

I Really admired those who got up and braved the cold for the early Service in old St Mary’s!

The journey to Fethard wasn’t as bad as I anticipated, but the gas boiler had frozen at the church. The congregation was the largest for some years and we really did “draw close” – as close as could, in the sanctuary, choir and at the front of the church. We didn’t delay. I hope it won’t put people off coming more often in future.

Old St Mary’s had an average Christmas days attendance, and the spirit was good.

Afterwards the Rector visited 3 people in the hospital.

During the previous week she brought holy Communion to those who are visited and receive Holy Communion at home during the year.

On St Stephen’s morning I drove to Tullaghmeelan feeling Spring had come.
The -11C of the day before had changed to + 8, and at one point for about a kilometre it was +9! The numbers in Tullaghmeen were small – it is always a challenge to get people to go to church two days running!!