Autumn is a busy time as people prepare for winter.
The Harvest has been good and, so, we should give thanks to the Lord for His
goodness.
The beginning of October is always the time that
Bishop and clergy meet for three days to pray, consult, debate and plan.
The conference is an opportunity for those in the
ordained ministry to be together for fellowship, learning and to discuss
matters that affect our diocese. For those new to the diocese it is an
opportunity to get to know their new colleagues and for us old-hands, it is a
time to catch-up and relax as well.
With increasing compliance in all our daily working
lives, the clergy are on the same learning curve. The new Charities Regulatory
Authority and the registration of each parish as a separate charity with its
own individual number and obligations has brought an enormous added burden to
clergy lives. The days of “doing our own thing” is gone and there is
little or no leeway. Every cent must be accounted for and accounts, probably
audited accounts, will add to our costs and create a different atmosphere in
what we do. The days when individuals could raise a few euro for a specific
cause may very well disappear in this new regime. Forms for grants now require
so much information, registration numbers, tax &vat compliance evidence and
now have multiple pages instead of the old single sheet that could be filled in
in a short break between tasks!
We need those of you who have specific skills more
than ever!!!!
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
and the room behind the organ have been thoroughly cleaned by some of your
fellow parishioners; keep it that way! Take away the rubbish left and endeavour
to leave none of your rubbish behind!
Whist Drive – Our next whist drive is on Friday, 13th October 2017 @ 8.00pm sharp. Donations of
prizes and contributions to supper as usual, please!
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!
Mothers
Union – We
do not have a branch in our parish. But the Rector is the Faith & Policy Co-ordinator in this Diocese and a
Diocesan Trustee.
From 25th November for 16 days we will
observe 16 days of activism against gender violence.
On
25th November @ 1.00pm, a candle will be lit and the Lords Prayer
said in Old St Mary's to begin the 16 days of activism. This is a global event.
An evening time of meditation will take place to pray for those who suffer
gender violence. This is horror is afflicted on both male & female and is
too prevalent in our society. It is appalling and each of us has a duty to do
all we can to prevent it and to support and help all who suffer in this way.
One of the things we can do is to help those who suffer in whatever way we can.
We
in Clonmel Union have, for the last few
years, donated excess Santa gifts and untouched food from parish events to the
Womens Refuge. We need to expand on this. Charity does begin at home. So wash
bags suited to men or women will be welcome – toothbrushes, soap, a comb, small
shampoo etc in a small bag/case will be welcome. They can be left in any of our
churches for me to collect, brought to Church or given to somebody who will
pass them on. It is hoped that we can facilitate those who seek access to help,
advice or reassurance during the 16 days. Support this effort. We never know
when we or one we love might need help!
Visitors – We have had a variety
of visitors during the Summer. Most came
seeking information from the registers. It's such a shame we are unable to keep
our doors open after 11,30am on weekdays in Clonmel and not at all at the
weekends. It is much the same at our other churches.
Christmas Fair – This will
take place at Old St Marys on Sunday, 10th December
from 1.30pm – Christmas trees (which you may order in advance), wreaths
and other Christmas gifts, cakes, buns,puddings, Santa Clause and various
stalls and fun items will be part of the event.
It is the duty
of each of us to support our parish in paying our dues to the wider Church,
supporting the ministry of our Church; particularly our Rector and being a
community of support for each other and fellowship. We are 5/6 separate groups
but one parish, one community of faith and one in Christ. None of our churches
are so far away from each other as to require of any of us an unacceptable
journey there. Donations towards stalls,
your presence, participation and fellowship are vital if we are to go forward
into the future.
This participation facilitates the certainty of your
“Church” being there for you on those occasions of joy and sorrow when each of
us expects a venue, liturgy, pastoral care and a welcome – all of this comes
from us being a community, fellowship and parish; it requires of all of us our
best efforts in worship, togetherness, loyalty and endeavour.
All are welcome and we should all be there to welcome
those who are searching, distressed and in need of a listening ear. Church
activities are not soley about Church going. The really important bits are the
“social” aspects and from that comes a desire to worship – it's all about being
together, supporting each other and coming to a desire to worship! So come along
and help us build a community spirit that will bring us to what the alaord
requires of us.
If you wish, stalls are available at €15. Most of all,
it important to be there; before to prepare and on the day to help!!
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.
Concerts -
Thursday, 14th December at 8pm – the Rugby Club will perform in Old St Mary's – their first show last year completely packed
Old St Marys with an attendance of 320 – so get your tickets early!
Confirmation – Takes place in
Lismore Cathedral on 26th November 2017 – we have one adult confirmand – all
are welcome to attend to show support!
CHURCH SERVICES October -November
|
2017
July/August
|
St Pauls, Cahir
9.30am
|
Holy Trinity
Fethard
9.30am
|
Old St Marys
Clonmel
8.30am
11.00am
|
Tullaghmeelan
11.00am
|
|
Oct
8th
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
|
Oct
15th
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in another church
|
|
Oct
22nd
|
H,C,
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service
of the Word
|
Worship
in another church
|
|
Oct
29th
|
H.C.
- Old St Marys @ 8.30am
Central
Service @ 11.00am in St Patricks, Innishlounaght (Marlfield)
|
|||
|
Nov
5th
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in another church
|
|
Nov
12th
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
|
Nov
19th
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in another church
|
|
Nov
26th
|
Central
Service for Advent Sunday in Old St Marys @ 11.00am
|
|||
Wednesday Service – Service at 10.30am in Old St Marys, Clonmel – Refreshments afterwards.
Lay
Readers
- On Advent Sunday 2017, the Bishop will
renew the licences of Lay Readers at a special act of worship in the evening in
St Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny – this
happens every 5 years when licences are renewed after a review. Those have
attained their 75th Birthday become “Readers Emeritus”; not retired,
but no longer tied to rotas! Also, Lay
Readers are not “2nd class”. They do a challenging course in
Christian Studies, undergo strict supervision, and undergo a process of discernment
before being accepted for training.
Your
Prayers –
Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need to pray, especially, for peace.
Dedication of a Civil Marriage – The Rector officiated at the Dedication of the Civil Marriage of Margo
Thomason & Chris Murphy on 20th September. This couple came all
the way from Oaklahoma, USA with their families for this special occasion.
Burials – We appear to have
made a breakthrough in the management of our burial grounds. After years of
burials taking place in our burial grounds without consultation or the payment
of burial/grave fees the funeral directors have begun to inform me of
forthcoming burials and information that facilitates a record of burial and the
payment of fees. The consequence of not following these procedures is that
those who return, years later, to gain information for their family trees have
no hope of finding information where there are no records!
Ordinations – Our congratulations
goes to the Rev Trevor Sargent, former polititian and leader of the Green party, who was ordained deacon by Bishop Michael in Shileaghlah Church on 26th
August 2017. He will serve in Tullow Parish. Is
If there is anybody who would like to explore a call to ordination the
first move is to have a chat with the Rector. The road to ordination is not an
easy one, but if the Lord calls it is our duty to respond! It's not easy to
make the first move, but doing so is always best.
New Ministry – On Friday, 13th October 017, the Revd James
Mulhall will be welcomed as Priest-in-Charge of Kells Parish. He will be
part-time and will continue in his role as Childrens' MinistryOfficer. The role
of child protection is an onerous one and requires of the person a knowledge and
apptitude that not is not given to all of us. He is admirably able and trained
for this task! We wish him well and it woud be good for, at least, some of us
to be in Kells to support him and wish him God's blessing in this new venture.
For him Suzanne, Jacob & Hannah.
Repairs & Upgrading – Thank-you
to those who have supported our biodiversity project at Old St Mary's, Clonmel.
The churchyard has been transformed. We need more plants and more people to
maintain the beds and pots. The doors of Old St Mary's have been painted and
the carpet has been cleaned. Our efforts have been affirmed in the recent Co
Council report.
Parochial School - We welcomed Ms
McGrath as our new Learning Support teacher on 28th August. This new
post enriches the life of our school. The kitchen is now also a classroom. We
welcome our new pupils and look forward to the adventures and learning opportunities
of the coming year.
Clogheen
Schoolhouse – This
building and its adjacent piece of land was leased to a local family for many
years. It has now become the property of the said family after many years of
negotiation and frustration. At this point we appear to have sorted issues that
have bothered the Select Vestry for many years and which should never have been
an issue!
Sunday Life -This is an hour-long
programme on Tipp Fm 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
- 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 or by providing flowers, foliage and vegetables the better. Contact
the Rector with your offers, please.
Singing Group – We will meet
to sing, plan and enjoy music on Friday, 20th October, Friday, 3rd
November & Friday, 17th November @8pm. We sing for one hour!
All welcome!
Parking – If you wish to
park at the church during the week you need a permit which is a donation €20
for a year, The permit design changes each year and the clampers are aware of
this!! You are not guaranteed a space! Please, do not pass your expired permit
on to friends and family. If you do you will put them in a position where they
will be clamped.. The parish does not benefit from people being clamped. There
are spaces available inside the barrier that are operated electronically for
those who use the parking daily in relation to their work. Enquiries to
Bernard. The spaces up against the church are for the Rector and for those who have business to meet church with
the Rector only! The Rector and their visitor need a permit or a notice on the windscreen indicating we are on
business within
the church, please do not block these spaces! Parking is free on
Saturdays & Sunday mornings up to the end of worship! You should be aware
that the gates are locked at 5pm Monday - Friday ( or when the last person from
the Medical Centre goes home! )
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