First
of all, I would like to thank those of you who, on the Sunday before my special
Birthday, gave me a wonderful surprise party after Church in Old St Mary's –
the cake , voucher and flowers were wonderful, unexpected and
overwhelming. To those of you who
facilitated the presence of old friends, Thank-you!
The
actual weekend was amazing and wonderful with my whole family present.
Our
former Curate, the Rev James is moving on to become Priest-in-Charge of Kells
Union of Parishes in October. Kells is one of those parishes that has chosen
not to have a Rector because they have insufficient numbers to raise the
assessment. We are not far behind them, but the diocese has decided that we
will have a Rector into the future because of the importance of our heritage
and situation geographically. We can, if we choose, to help this generosity by
reviewing certain aspects of our view of
our place and responsibility within our parish and the diocese!
We
are in a time of reflection and decision for the future. The older among us
come from an old attitude and tradition and, some of us, at least, have “moved
on”.
Those
in the middle age are of a time of transition and our young go out into the
world, as we did not, and so bring to us a very different situation and
dynamic. I would like us to sit down together as a parish and union and talk
about this. I do not think that this should be my initiative, but think that we
must be open to a new way forward; free of the constraining mores of the past.
Our
first challenge is the Union of parishes. Some have embraced it and some,
understandably, cling to what is no longer viable. Language, practice, law and
practice have changed by decree of General Synod, clerical obedience has not and social and common practice have
left us behind in many ways but God's law, obedience to Him and our obligation
to do His will have not.
I
have no desire for revolution but it is time to meet, discuss and, as a parish
community, to reflect and talk with each other; something we have never done
and which we should have done at each and every change in our evolution into
the entity we are on paper, but not in reality!! Comments & suggestions
very welcome
Yours
in Christ
Barbara
Cleaning
& Flowers in our Churches – Please remember to do what you have volunteered for. And please take your rubbish
away with you . The boiler room has been thoroughly cleaned by some of your
fellow parishioners; keep it that way!
Envelopes & Assessment – This scheme only works if every envelope is filled whether you are in
Church or not! If you need to indicate where the contents of an envelope needs
to go; please write “collect” or “Asses” on the back of the envelope. Please,
do not attach other pieces of paper which can come loose!
St Paul's –
The Friends of St Canice's Cathedral will visit St Paul's on Saturday, 26th
August. The Rector will give a short talk about St Paul's and the group will
share in a short form of Evening Prayer. A donation will be made to the St
Paul's Restoration Fund.
Select
Vestry Meeting – Will take place in Old St Mary's Church, Clonmel on Friday 15th
September 2017 @ 8.00pm – You will receive a reminder by text some days before,
please reply to it!
Concerts - The Koln Philharmonia performed in Old St Mary's on Tuesday, 8th
August before the largest attendance so far in the
three years they have visited us. Their musical excellence and their relaxed
approach to playing the best of classical music is now attracting large
audiences on our island!
Whist Drive – The season will open with a drive on Friday, 8th
September
@ 8.00pm in the Sisters of Charity School Hall. Unfortunately a number of our regulars have died in recent years and it
is with sadness that we record the death of Joan Dougan; a regular and loyal
supporter of our parish. We extend our sympathy to the Dougan and Davern
families.
Dean of Cashel – Dean Field
has undergone major surgery in the last weeks. He is making an excellent
recovery and we look forward to welcoming our very supportive neighbour back
into his pulpit in the near future. Parishioners may not be aware of the close
relationship between our adjoining parishes and the support and fellowship
Rectors gain and relie on from each other; not least in their willingness to
provide cover for each other for holidays, emergencies
Kilbehenny – During the last year
our relationship with Kilbehenny (which is part of our parish and has
been somewhat neglected, principally because there is no church building there), has become an actual part of our parish life. This has happened with
the encouragement of the local parish priest, Fr Kelly. It is the last portion
of Emly diocese in our united diocese; it got forgotten when the diocese of
Emly was assigned to Limerick Diocese some years ago. The actual pastoral work
in done by the Rev Tom Sherlock who is retired and looks after the residents of
Kingston College in Mitchelstown. On Tuesday last, Fr Kelly, the Rev Tom and I
led local people in a short act of worship in the old cemetery; which, whether
it is actual or not, they regard as being part of our parish. The next time we
have an “event” in this part of our parish, I hope I will be joined by some of
you!
Route 66 – Bishop Michael is
about to embark on another of his novel enterprises; geared towards raising
funds to enable people in the Third World to have the opportunity to be
empowered through literacy; particularly women. So on 26th
September, he will be in our school at 1.00pm and in Old St Mary's @ 1.30pm. He
will give a short talk on one of the books of the Bible and collect our
contributions to
what is a very worthy cause – literacy is vital in the
empowerment of people to better themselves:especially wemon; who like Irish
women until very recent times are regarded as mere appendages of their male
relatives. So, be in either place, and
help enable those in our world; especially women, to gain the skills that they
can pass on to their children that will lead to freedom from dependancy on
those whose aim is only to enslave and dominate and will lead to freedom to
find useful employment and the freedom to enable themselves towards a better
and more independent life.
Singing
Group – This
small group of people who meet to learn, practice and plan music for Services
in Old St Mary's would love to be joined by people from other parts of our
parish. We meet about twice a month, learn new hymns, belt out familiar one,
have fun and form a group that already represents a number of parts of our
united parish, Music is a wonderful way to bring unity among people, to break
down barriers and to find a common cause and mutuality. You are not required to
read music or to be totally tone-perfect. So come along and spend no longer than
an hour twice a month in leading us towards a closer semblance of the choirs of
heaven!
Christmas
Fair – A meeting will take place in the Rectory on Tuesday of this week @
8.00pm – We need to become serious about raising funds to maintain our parish
and we need to do this together.
CHURCH SERVICES
2017
July/August
|
St Pauls, Cahir
9.30am
|
Holy Trinity
Fethard
9.30am
|
Old St Marys
Clonmel
8.30am
11.00am
|
Tullaghmeelan
11.00am
|
Sept 3rd
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Sept
10th
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
Sept
17th
|
M.P.
|
H.T@
7.30PM
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Sept
24th
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service
of the Word
|
Worship
in other church
|
Oct
1st
|
H.T.
@
7.30PM
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Oct
6th
Fri
|
Harvest
Thanksgiving in Old St Mary's @ 7.30pm
|
|||
Oct
8th
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
H.T.
@ 3.00pm
|
Oct
15th
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Weekday Service – No Service on Wednesdays 6th &
13th September
Service at
10.30am in Old St Marys –
Refreshments afterwards
Your
Prayers –
Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need to pray, especially, for peace.
Ordination – Trevor Sargent,
former leader of the Green Party, will be ordained Deacon by Bishop Michael in
Shillelagh Church on Saturday, 26th August 2017 and will serve his
curacy in Tullow Parish. Please pray for those who will be ordained deacon or
priest in the coming months to serve in our Church. We are so privileged that
we have people responding to God's call to ministry. Our sharing with them in
worship and praise is the essential community act of our shared faith Sunday by
Sunday and on all occasions when we are called to worship in times of sorrow
& in joy and on a regular basis week by week. When we gather as a
worshipping community, we become a real and true community. All are welcome!
Burials – We have a number of
churchyards attached, in some cases, to redundant churches. Burials have been
taking place in these sites without being recorded by us or any burial fees
being paid. During the last month, somebody did go to the County Council to get
permission to extend a family burial plot in Ardfinnan. The Co Council informed
the lady of our ownership of the churchyard and arrangements have been made in
the proper way for the extension of the family plot.
RTE Broadcast – On Sunday, 20th
August RTE Television broadcast as Service of the Word celebrating Lay Ministry
in our Diocese. The Service was led by Mr Ger James, our youngest lay reader,
and people who do all sorts of things in the parishes of our diocese; on
Diocesan Synod & Council and on the General Synod, presented symbols of
their ministry and took part in the Service. As Diocesan Warden of Readers, the
Diocesan Communications Officer, Margerat Hawkins, and I spent some months
gathering the participants, writing the script and liaising with Bishop Michael
and RTE. We rehearsed with RTE in St Mary;s, Carlow and travelled to the studios
to record the Act of Worship. The willingness of so many to participate, to
give of their time and talents for our diocese and Church was impressive and
should be mirrored in our parish – ministry is the work of all of us in sharing
and participating for the good of all within our parish boundaries to the glory
and praise of God our Father and for the caring, sharing of our life of faith
with each other!
Feile Cluain Meala – This annual event goes from strength to strength.
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 greeting.Good afternoon!
Bio-Diversity Project – Thank-you
to those who have supported our biodiversity project at Old St Mary's. The
churchyard has been
transformed. We need more plants and more
people to maintain the beds and pots. Autumn is the best time to dig up
portions of large clumps of perennials! Take note of the plants that attract bees
and insects, take the spade and slice a small part off, put it in a bucket with
a little water to keep it bright and alert and leave it on the church doorstep
or in the porch or, better still bring the spade with you and plant it! To
enable success, each congregation should assign a small area in which they can
develop, at least, a small area that is insect - friendly.
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!
HARVEST THANKSGIVINGS 2017 -
- Cahir – Sunday, 1st October @ 7.30pm
- Clonmel – Friday, 6th October @ 7.30pm
- Fethard – Sunday, 17th September @7,30pm – Preacher Mr Mike O'Meara
- Tullameelan – Sunday, 8th October @ 3.00pm
Please take note that churches are decorated by
parishioners for these Services and the more that take part in the actual
decorating and/or by providing flowers, foliage and vegetables the better.
Contact the Rector with your offers, please.
Harvest Supper – This has been
postponed due to lack of
expressions of interest. Such a pity!
Visitors – Our latest visitor was the grand-daughter of
George Doyle, a parishioner of Old St Mary's who served in the South African
Constabulary during WW1 and was killed in line of duty. I love this part of my
work. It gives me the opportunity to be part of the worldwide Anglican
Communion of which we are part. I often wonder if I would travel to the place
of my ancestors in the way in which many of our visitors do
Parish Records – Most of the
contents of our registers are now on computer and I have offered a copy of our database to the RCB Library so that those who
come to our country to trace their roots and do not have the time to travel to
Clonmel can access their family history. We are having difficulty in copying
from my computer to the library computer; it seems their system is not up-to-date!
Mothers
Union – Global Moment & Activism against Gender Violence – for 16 days,
following the 25th November 2017 onwards, Old St Marys will be the
centre for prayer, meditation and reflection. Gender violence is one of the
most awful things that can happen to human beings. Too often we see this as
being inflicted by men on women; but the reality is that it happens the other
way as well. It demeans, destroys and ruins the lives of perpetrator and
victim. As Faith & Policy Co-ordinator for Mothers Union in our Diocese, I
will be setting up Old St Marys as a place where all can come to reflect,
meditate and, hopefully, find a listening ear. We will begin with the “Global
Moment” on Saturday, 25th November when a candle will be lit at
1.00pm in Old St Marys, a short prayer will be said and, in silence, we can,
together, join our silent prayer with those doing the same worldwide. There
will be an evening reflection during the 16 days and as a practical gesture,
may I ask as many of you as possible to put together a “wash-bag” containing
items such as, toothbrush and paste, washcloth, comb and other items that would
be useful for distribution by the Women’s Refuge and St Vincent de Paul – you
may leave your contribution, at any time between now and then, in Old St Marys
from 9.00 – 11.30am Monday to Friday in the space behind the organ and in any
of our churches on Sunday mornings or give them to somebody who will pass it on
or ring me and it will be collected. Our Christian duty is to help in as many
ways as we can.
Our
School – When
our school opens for the beginning of the new school year this week, we will
become a three-teacher school. Our third, and new teacher, will take up the
position of “Learning Support Teacher”; a new permanent post which we will
share with the Gaelscoil. We will be the
“lead” school with eighteen hours and the
Gaelscoil will have Ms Noreen McGrath for the balance of seven hours per week.
This is a landmark moment in the history of our school where numbers will be, in
the coming year, slightly larger than ever before. With a little effort and
support we could reach the magic 40 pupils for 2 years and become a fulltime
three teacher school. For those who wish their children, Baptised in the Church
of Ireland, to be educated in their
nearest Church of Ireland Primary School, there is financial assistance
available to help with transport costs and, where there is either a service to
another school with vacant seats or sufficient numbers on a route to the school
a service may be provided. Our two permanent fulltime teachers; with the
support of our amazing secretary, Joan, and our parents of many years are to be
congratulated on their diligence, professionalism and excellence in all they
have done and do to prepare our young people for the best possible future.
