August September Newsletter
I do hope you you have either taken a little time off
or intend to do so before the days begin to shorten. It is important that
everybody has some change of scenery at least once a year.
It must be of concern to all of us that our world
appears to have become increasingly violent and that changes have and are
taking place that should concern us all.
Brexit in the UK must be a concern to all of us in
both the economic field and in relation to our particularly unique relationship
with the North of Ireland and the UK. Should the UK break away from the EU, the
border between the South and North of our island will be one between a Eu and
non-EU country. No matter what
arrangements can be made, many aspects of our lives and of our economy will
change. We have experienced a great amount change on this island during the
last 100 years. Perhaps the momentous was the Good Friday Agreement; which
brought a peace that enabled us, on both sides of the border to come to
understanding each other a better. It also brought free movement between the
two jurisdictions; something few of us would want to lose. But it is the ending
of most of the violence, disruption and dreadful loss of innocent lives, on
both sides of the Border that we should most gratefully appreciate today. We do
need to realise that what we have on this island is a somewhat uneasy peace.
Talk of a united Ireland emerging in the present situation should be viewed
with caution.
When we see the devastation of suicide bombings, war
and terroists attacks in other places, we should thank God we have not been
affected. But it was so recent that we awoke morning after morning, to news
of similar attrocities on our own
island. History brings all sorts of attitudes, asperations and consequences to
the present. But it is communities working together who decide whether our
lives are peaceful and fruitful. Individuals through their contribution can
strengthen or, through their turning their backs on others, destroy.
We are an island community that is multicultural in
all aspects today and together we can together build on what we have achieved
if we have the will to do it.
Barbara
Green
Flag
The
4th Green Flag, for travel, was raised before the school year ended.
We
now move on to number 5!
Parish BBQ
The sun shone and the food was plentiful and delicious
as we had
hoped. Everybody appeared to enjoy the afternoon. It
was good to have support from our neighbouring parish of Fiddown.
The
Junction Festival
Clonmel is buzzed with activity at a host of
venues as the Junction Festival took place. Old St Mary's, once again, provided
a venue for a number of events. This year, the Festival, under new management,
introduced new activities & shows in new venues. Five events took place in
Old St Mary's and included a wide variety of events that included a wide range
of musical genre. The silent film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” from 11pm – 1am
on the Friday/Saturday night attracted a good audience. The accompaniament was
provided by the organ rather than a piano – very effective!
Sunday Life
This is an hour-long programme on TippFm which is
broadcast from 7- 8am on Sunday
mornings. It usually comprises music, reading and interviews. We keep it light
as most of our listeners have just woken up!
Your
Prayers
Please
remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need
to pray, especially, for peace. The terrorist must not paralyse us into fear
and inaction. It is through the example
of those who show the love for each other, no matter who they are, what they
have done or what, particularly, they have done to us, that ultimately will
bring to all of us a beter, calmer and more peaceful life.
Whist
Drives
New
season begins on Friday, 9th September @ 8.00pm sharp – so hone you
whisting skills during the coming weeks!
The Regulatory Authority
We have added one charitable trust to the Church
of
Ireland block registration (on the advise of the
Authority) and I will be required to attach the accounts for that charity to
our parish accounts when they are submitted to the diocese – these accounts
will not be an actual part of our parish accounts! Yes, it's all rules,
regulations, compliance and accountability!
Wednesday
Weekday Service
Service at
10.30am in Old St Marys –
All welcome
Select Vestry Meeting
Will take
place in St Paul's Church, Cahir on Friday,
2nd
September 2016 – please respond to Bernard's
reminder with “yes” or “no
Holy Baptism
Georgia Gloria Pullar was Baptised in Old St Marys on
16th July. She and her parents travelled from Scotland for the
occasion. Mum & Dad were married in Old St Mary's two years ago and thought
it a good idea to have their little daughter baptised in the church in which
they had married.
Holy Matrimony
Sarah Ryan, Fethard & Steve Mascrod, Australia
were married in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard on 30th June 2016. The
Rector was assisted by Fr Denis O'Connor, Castleknock, Dublin and Canon Fr Tom
Breen, Fethard. Steve is descended from the Langley family of Fethard and his
great, great, great grandmother is buried under the slab behind the organ in
the church. The couple plan to live in London. We wish them health, happiness
and a long life together!
Bereavements
We sympathise with the Outram family on the death of
Cliff, after an illness. He was cremated at the Island, Cork. May he
rest in peace.
Our sympathy goes to Trevor Melbourne and his family
on the death of his mother, Lottie, Littleton.
We extend our sympathy to the family and friends of
Sam Taylor who died in a farming accident. He was a native of Newcastle, UK.
His remains will be repatriated to the UK in the coming week.. A short service
was conducted by the Rector in Donoughoe's Funeral Home. We offer our sympathy
to his partner, baby son, and family.
We sympathise with Shirley Clooney whose sister,
Barbara, died after a lengthy illness in England.
May they rest in peace.
Congratulations
To Shirley Clooney who became a granny again with the
birth of Liam
Schools' Service
What a wonderful day! Over 300 children from our area
of the diocese, with teachers and helpers took part in our Diocesan Schools'
Festival Service. There was drama, poetry, readings, lots of singing & an
amazing “sermon” by Michael O'Meara, Diocesan Reader. It was followed by lunch
and, then activites, games and the icecream van! Thank-you to Miss Wallace, Mrs
Brennan, Joan, the parents and everybody who helped!
Belle
Voci
This
lovely choir had their end of season concert in Old St Mary's on 27th May 2016, with a large audience present
End of Year Celebration
Our end -of-year presentation gave the school
children
the opportunity to show family and friends some of the
extra-curricular activities they took part in during the school year. 6th
class received their diplomas and and each child received their end-of-year
certificate.
Funky Kids
The pupils of the Parochial School put on this show of
dance and song on 15th June. It was amazing; with some adults
providing support. We have some really talented youngsters who loved every
minute of it. Well done!
Funday at Fethard
This took place on 12th June and was a huge
success; in spite
of the rain and wind. The exhibition in the Tholsel
of fashion created from waste products
was amazing. The duck race on the river attracted a huge crowd and the many
stalls and entertainments on the riverbank were well attended . Thank-you to
the parishioners who provided refreshments in the church and churchyard. .
Commemoration
The
Rector took part in the parade and unveiling of a memorial plaque to those who
were mobilised in Easter Week 1916. They did not see service, but their
training stood them well a few years later. The nieces and nephew of two of the
40 laid a wreath during the ceremony in Emmet Place.
Mrs H Carter has volunteered to have her mobile number put on display on our noticeboard at St Paul's so
that visitors can have access to St Paul's.
Summer Concerts
3rd August – The Koln Philharmonia will
play in old St Mary's. S
27th August – RIAM Harpists Concert in Holy
Trinity, Fethard from 6-10pm.
Singing group
Will meet in Old St Marys on Friday, 12th
and 19th August and Thursday, 1st September 2016. All
welcome – this is an opportunity to learn new hymns and sing old ones. Some
wonder why a choir sits in front of the organ in church and not behind the
congrgation – the organist actually sits in a situation where the noise of the
organ makes it difficult to hear those some distance away and it is important
that he/she can hear those leading the singingand stay with them.
Harvest Thanksgivings 2016
Sunday,
18th September – Tullaghmeelan @ 3.30pm
Sunday,
18th September – Holy Trinity, Fethard @ 7.30pm
Sunday,
25th September – St Paul's, Cahir @ 7.30pm
Friday, 30 September – Old St Mary's, Clonmel @7.30pm
Christmas Fair
Our annual Fair will take place in Old St Marys on
Saturday, 3rd
December 2016. Santa & the magician are booked. We
hope to change the format in some ways and are looking for ideas and help in
the organising and staging of the event. This is our major fundraising event
and needs us all to row in and work for the benefit of our parish!
Repairs & Renovations at Holy Trinity
There will be scaffolding in the alley entrance to Holy Trinity, Fethard, from 14th August for six
weeks. This is to enable contractors to reinstate the old window arrangement in
the Tholsel wall bounding the alley and to remove the present chimney and
replace it one that will match that on the other end of the building. It will
mean that vehicles will not have access to the chruchyard during the duration
of the works.
Burial Ground Grants
These grants were discontinued some years ago and
have been re-introduced for this year.
We have the care and maintenance of seven burialgrounds and have been given
grants towards the care & maintenance of five of them. This does not free
us from our obligation to the other two. To enable a better and more care of
all these important sites, we have decided to buy machinery and tools that will
be used on all sites as appropriate. We are required to provide evidence of how
we use these grants at the end of the year (on a form with receipts for all
payments). It should be noted that the maintenance and care of family burial
sites is the responsibility of those families and that, in particular, the
maintenance and care of memorials and kerbs rests with the family and not the
parish.
Greeting Cards
Greeting cards with pictures of all our 5 churches are
available in each church at €2 each. The inside is blank to facilitate personal
greetings.
