Select Vestry Meeting –

Next meeting –Ash Wednesday @ 7.30pm in St Paul's Cahir – those who have responsibilty for the 3 Fs should be glad to worship together and commit their work to God. The Service is, of course, open to everybody!

Please, if you cannot attend phone/email your apology at least 24hrs beforehand to the Secretary.

Singing Group –

Fridays, 17th February & 2nd March 8pm at Old St Mary's Church of Ireland Clonmel
- New voices are always welcome –whether you want to sit near the organ or not! We practise well known hymns etc and learn new ones – the addition of bass/alto etc would enhance our efforts!

Bishop’s Visit –

Bishop Michael will join us for our services in Holy Week – further details in the next newsletter

Welcome! –

To Zara Harte, newborn daughter of Alan & Andrea.
Congratulations!

Confirmation –

If you are about 12 years or older and would like to be Confirmed in 2012,
It is now time to talk to the rector – telephone or talk at church. Four young people have already signed up! Classes will begin on Saturday, 18th February @ 11.00am.
Confirmation will take place in Piltown Church on Sunday, 17th June 2012

Hospital Chaplaincy –

Followinng a further meeting with STGH's CEO, the Church of Ireland will share the hospital chapel with the Roman Catholiic Church. Both chaplains will co-ordinate services and other areas of chaplaincy work so that the patients and their relatives will benefit from the best spiritual care we can provide. In order that we can provide the best opportunities for patients to worship God while in the hospital, I will need some of you to be prepared to join in worship in the chapel so that when there is only one or a few patients they will have company.
The committee I sit on will in the near future renovate the mortuary with monies raised through fundraising by friends of the hospital.

School Applications –

Applications for enrolment in St Mary’s Parochial School, Western Road, Clonmel must be in before 1st March 2012 – to apply telephone the school at 0526127876 and speak to Joan or Ms Wallace.

This is our parochial school (national school), under Church of Ireland (Anglican communion/episcopalian) management.

Grants from the Secondary Education Committee –

This committee operates under the auspices of the Church of Ireland and administers the government block grant granted to “Protestant” secondary schools. Application under this scheme should be with Mr David Wynne (01 4975034 or secgrant@iol.ie) before 28th February 2012 – for further information talk to the school you your child will attend from September 2012 or the Rector.

Tús –

Tubrid Churchyard & Tullaghorton (Castlegrace) will be part of Tus programme shortly. The possible inclusion of Tullaghmeelan in this scheme is still under consideration.

Windy Weather –

Part of one of the holoaks at St Paul's fell during the windy weather we had recently. No damage was done to either the recently renovated Glengall memorial or the church; but it was a close call! It is hoped that sale of the timber will cover the costs involved.

Whist Drives –

The season is progressing well with lots of people enjoying an evening’s relaxation & social interaction once a month. Donations of prizes welcome! All welcome!
Friday, 10th February 2011 @ 7.45pm
Friday, 9th March 2011 @ 7.45pm

Concerts

Friday, 23rd March in Old St Mary’s, Church of Ireland parish Church, Clonmel

Callino Quartet with clarinet @ 8.00pm

Safeguarding Trust & Youth Work –

Our triennial evaluation of our panel & our compliance with Safeguarding Trust has taken place and we have a little tidying up to do, but we are compliant. The membership of the panel will change shortly after new members are vetted by the Gardai & trained. But in those areas where we were questioned about youth work we had mostly blanks. We need volunteers to get some youth activities going.

If you are interested in helping set up Sunday School or some other type of activity for our young people, talk to the Rector. We have the facilities in Clonmel, Cahir & limited facilities in Fethard – we need help, but most of all we need to bring our children together to learn, play and become enthusiastic members of our Church – come on volunter, encourage your friends to join you and make our parish a more lively and friendlier place for our young people!

I have been sending text messages reminding parents of the 4th Sunday family service, but I don’t have a mobile number for every family – text me at 0862750735 or email me at frydayb@gmail.com and your family will receive a monthly encouragement to wroship!

Use of Our Churches –

During the last month, the Sisters of Charity National School has used Old St Mary's on 5 mornings to do project work in art, language, history and stainned glass. A number students from Loreto transition year have come with parents to learn about the history of the church and, particularly, to learn about its architecture and stained glass

Lyric Fm -

Many people enjoy listening to Lyric Fm, particularly in the car. Niall Carroll, Clonmel hopes to record 2 programmes for this radio station in Old St Mary's later in the year in honour of William Vincent Wallace's (composer of Mauritania), centenary. It owuld be a free concert and we would receive a fee. The evening would be in 2 parts, each of which would be broadcast as separate programmes.

Mothering Sunday –

This will be celebrated on 18th March. Last year this service was a “Songs of Praise” so it will be again this year. If you would like to have your favourite hymn sung, text/email it to me, giving the 1st line or any line that indicates what the hymn is – those not chosen, will be sung on Sundays during the year – an incentive to attend!

Cancer Care Bus –

For those who need to travel to received treatment, the lack of publictransport in rural Ireland poses major problems.

Here in South Tipperary, we are fortunate in having a dedicated voluntary group who fundraise to provide the vehicles and drive the vehiclesthemselves to enable people to get their lifesaving treatment. Canon Brendan Crowley and I blessed the latest addition to the fleet oon 24th January; a people carrier