Research, Parish Records & Genealogy

The Rector has custody of all parish records, some of which go back to the 17th century. These include Old St. Mary's. Clonmel Parish, Holy Trinity, Fethard Parish, St. Paul's, Cahir Parish and St. Patricks, Inislonaght ( Marlfield) Parish. To make an appointment to view them or to inquire about our research arrangements, contact the Rector via email or the listed phone number.

International research queries are best made through the email address.

Your email should include your full name, the family name you wish to research, your phone and email contact details and the nature of your query. frydaybatgmail.com

please replace at with the correct symbol to activate email

Marlfield –

During the last number of weeks members of the Tipperary Voluntary Organisation, Marlfield residents group and parish members have been cleaning the area around Marlfield Church remains part of our parish property. Ivy has been removed from headstones, briars have been cleared and all burials in this area with headstones are now visible. Further work to bring this area to a state that can be easily maintained will take place in the coming weeks. Thank-you to those who have participated.

Whist Drives –

We look forward to our next season.

It has been suggested that a better
way to learn to play whist might be to welcome newcomers to our regular drives and that a volunteer/s might teach learners during the whist drive at a separate table with a group of regular players sharing the teaching role during the night.

Friday, 14th September 2012 @ 7.45pm in the Sisters of charity Hall, Mary Street, Clonmel (opposite old St Mary’s.)
Friday, 9th November 2012 @ 7.45pm Monster Whist Drive at usual venue.
All proceeds of whist drives go to Assessment.

Singing Group –

Friday, 7th & Wednesday, 26th Spetember in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 8pm
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!

Holy Baptism -

Sadie Ruth, infant daughter of Paul O’Meara & Sarah Johnston, Annsgift,
was baptised in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard on Sunday, 5th August 2012.
This was the 1st Baptism in the new Baptistry.

Bereavements –

Alma Pierce had spent the last few years in the care of the staff of Bramleigh House NH, Cahir. She died peacefully 23rd July. Her funeral took place to the Island Cork where her nephew, the Rev Bruce, officiated.

We sympathise with Christine Clarke on the death of her mother, at a very advanced age, in England. May they rest in peace.

Visitors –

The number of visitors is up on last year. One of our Tus participants has trained
and is doing a really good job at St Paul’s, Cahir. We are working towards having Old St Mary’s open for longer hours and having people to guide people around.

Confirmation 2013 –

It is now time to put your name forward if you wish to be confirmed in 2013. The Bishop decides on the dates for Confirmation in the Diocese during the coming weeks. Please let me know as soon as possible as once dates & venues are assigned they normally cannot be changed.

Bible Class –

I have been asked to provide a means whereby children of our Church attending non-Church of Ireland schools can learn about their faith.

I think, perhaps, that a weekday late-afternoon/early evening may be more convenient for families. The venue would be the Rectory or we could use family homes in rotation. No matter where, I would need, at least, one other adult to attend with me in order to comply with Safguarding Trust.

Please, make contact if you would like your child to be part of this – this is going to begin in October 2012 and each session would last no more than 45 minutes - email frydayb@gmail.com or text/ring 0862750735.

Bible Study –

For the adults Bible Study will take place in Advent (December) and, hopefully will become a regular wekkly/fornightly/monthly activity in our parish – once again we can choose to meet in the Rectory or in peoples’ homes – churches are too cold for ocncentration and enthusiasm!

Forward Planning

Sunday, 9th September – Antiques Roadshow (valuation day with a representative of Sheppard’s, Durrow) at Annsgift, Fethard, by kind permission of Coolmore Stud-
€5 admission per car €5 for one valuation, 3 for €10 -1-5pm

Wednesday, 17th October – Catherine Leonard & Hugh Tinney in concert in Old St mary's Clonmel

Friday, 26th October – Banna Cluain Meala in concert in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 8pm


Friday, 9th November – Monster Whist Drive in Sisters of Charity Hall, Mary Street, Clonmel @ 8.pm

Ordinations in Diocese:

Rev Helen Oxley was ordained priest in Leighlin Cathedral on 28th June – she is a teacher and serves in the Non-Stipendiary Ministry in the Bagnelstown Union of Parishes

On Friday, 31st August the Revs James (Jim) Wallace & Rev Nicola Halford will ordained priest. They have completed their intern year as deacons and Rev Jim will become Curate of Waterford Union and Rev Nicola will serve as Curate in Wexford Union.

Members of the Parochial School Board of Management: -

A reminder –
That the 2nd Board Training modules will be presented by Bishop Michael & Canon Fryday in the Millrace Hotel, Bunclody, Co Wexford on
3rd Ocotber from 4.30pm – 9.30pm and will be repeated the following night, the 4th October at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel, Abbeyleix, Co Laois.
Modules – Financial Matter & the Role of the Treasurer, Child Protection – legal issues
Members should try to attend at the centre of their choice or convenience and so complete all four modules.

Junction Festival Concert –

Lizl Attl came from Austria to work her musical wonders
again this year. She gathers people who love to sing and over 10 days teaches them a wide variety of pieces. They practice for 3 hours per day and the resuly is absolutely amazing. Old St Mary’s was well filled for a concert that was truly memorable. We look forward to nest year.

Our Debt –

Gone!!!! I have written to those who have so generously enabled us to clear this burden. I am most grateful for your generosity.

We still need support for our commitment to keeping a Rector in the parish – our church is fully self-financing and that is a huge burden that can be made a little easier for everybody if everybody commits themselves. If not, your parish will cease to be an independent parish! Your letter of thanks will contain a standing order/direct debit form, which, I hope, you will not regard as being too cheeky!

Safeguarding Trust & Youth Work –

The membership of the panel will change shortly after new members are vetted by the Gardai & trained. In a recent survey on youth work in our diocese we drew blanks in almost all areas
We need volunteers to get some youth activities going. I have thought a lot about this during the past weeks and have come to the conclusion that the best way forward would be to offer Sunday School once a month during Service –we could if we get volunteers to do this have Sunday School in one church every Sunday during the month.
To do this we need, at least, four people to volunteer, train, do their Safguarding Trust training , Garda Vetting and be willing to move around the parish or we would need three volunteers in each church to ensure we always have 2. The training does take time
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 participate in worship

Envelopes -

These can be used for your collection or Assessment, but to be effective and
worthwhile, you do need to put something in every week! Most people have got the hang of this. If you want your ocntribution to go to a specific area of parish funds, writ iton the envelope. Boxes of envelopes are at the back of Old St Mary’s – take one, write your name and the number on the box on the piece of paper on the box and your contributions will be recorded.

Tullaghmeelan –

What an improvement withthe Organ! The notes play and the various extras work. The
next stage of work on the organ will be done in the coming weeks.

Bag-Packs –

We are now on the “cancellation” lists at Dunnes Stores, which mesns if
another charity cancels their bag-pack we could be called to fill the gap.

Sunday Life –

Every Sunday morning @ 7.00am, presented by clergy of South Tipperary– music, readings & meditation.

Bishop Michael’s Bishops Appeal Collection –

During the last five years Bishop Michael
has embarked on novel ways of raising funds for those in need in other parts of the world. Well, he is off on his travels around the diocese again! This timethe project is “Educate for Life” and it seeks to build schools etc in Burundi & Rwanda (Africa) He will visit the parish on Saturday, 13th October @ 4.30pm – The venue will be St Paul’s Church, Cahir.

Flood Lighting at Old St Mary’s –

Thank-you to Bob Williams, George Hogg, Bob Savage & Bernard Prendergast for their many hours working on the floodlighting at Old St Mary’s. We Are now fully lit-up!

School Applications –

The next date for application for entry inot the Parochial School is March 2013 – however new families to the parish should contact the school at 0526127876

Green Parish Matters –

In Clonmel we have a recycling system – read the signs beside the sink and follow the instructions – NO FOOD IN ANY BIN OR BAG, PLEASE!