First
of all, my apologies to those who did not receive a newsletter last month. I,
unfortunately, had a bug that laid me low for some time!
As
we enter the 2nd month of the new year; it seems that time is
passing faster than ever.
Please
read your newsletter carefully and be aware that all may take part in our
parish activities. Everybody is welcome!
Our
plan is to be more active this year and going forward.
Like
every parish, we need to fundraise and we need help with that. No matter what
is planned; there is always a welcome and place for all who volunteer. And be
aware that your contribution, no matter hoe small or big, is always
appreciated.
My
landline has been misbehaving for some time and, so far, all efforts have
failed to put things right. I hope that that issue will be put right this week!
Most of the time; my mobile phone is the best way to find me!
There
is a meeting in the Rectory on Tuesday, 5th February 2018 @ 8pm
to make plans for our events this year.
Some
of the material in this newsletter is from the January edition for those who
got “left behind” last month!
Barbara
Sunday Life – This Christian
programme on Tipp Fm is broadcast from 7
– 8am on Sunday mornings and is presented by clergy of South Tipperary.
Concerts – Clonmel Rugby Club
concert was, as usual, held in a church filled to capacity. For some of us it
was a very busy evening with too much going on, but, all the same, manageable!
Tullameelan – The evening of carol
singing in Tullameelan church took place in a full church, by candlelight. It
was magical with wonderful decorations and lovely music. Well done to those who
organised the evening, to Dr David Butler & Liam Hunter for providing
accompaniment for the singers.
Hospital/Nursing Home
Plea – I
am not automatically informed of the admittance of parishioners into nursing
homes/ hospitals or care centres by staff. It is your responsibility to tell me
when a family member has been admitted to any such facility. I receive a
printout of “Protestant” patients when I visit the hospital in Clonmel. Those
on the list have indicated their religion/faith when admitted. I usually visit
the local hospital twice a week. I only visit nursing homes etc when I know a
parishioner or somebody from another parish has been admitted. So, please, keep
me informed!
Select Vestry – The
next meeting will take place on, Friday,
22nd March 2019 in Old St Mary's. In order to be elected a member of
the Select Vestry; which has responsibility for the 3Fs (Finance, Fabric &
Furnishings); you need to have contributed to the finances of the parish
through collections, assessment or donation. These offerings must be
identifiable through your name being “associated” with the “giving”. In other
words it can be presented in an envelope wtih your name/number on it, by cheque
or direct debit. Speak to the Rector or Treasurer about it.
Whist Drives – Friday, 8th
February 2019 in the Sisters of Charity Hall, Mary Street, Clonmel @ 8.00pm.
All are welcome regardless of proficiency. Donations of prizes and help with
the supper also welcome – please talk to Bob or Bernard.
Refreshments – We have tea/coffee
and some biscuits/buns after church in Clonmel most Sundays. We also have
refreshments after special Services. The goodies traditionally come from
parishioners. Your contribution will always be gratefully received.
CHURCH
SERVICES
Date
|
Cahir
|
Clonmel
|
Fethard
|
Tullameelan
|
Time
|
9.30am
|
8.30am
11.00am
|
9.30am
|
11.00am
|
10th
Feb
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
M.P
|
H.C.
|
17th
Feb
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
Worship in other
church
|
24th
Feb
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
Service of the word
|
M.P
|
Worship in other
church
|
3rd March
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
Worship in other
church
|
10th
March
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
17th
March
|
M.P
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
Worship in other
church
|
24th
March
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
Service of the Word
|
M.P.
|
Worship in other
church
|
31st
March
|
8.30am – Holy
Communion in Old St Marys
11.00am Parish
Eucharist in St Patrick's Church, Inishlounaght (Marlfield)
|
|||
Safeguarding Trust – There are policies required for all aspects of this. Every aspect
of Church life is covered! The one regarding photography is that none of us may
take a photograph of a minor (under 18yrs) without the permission of a
parent/guardian. The publication of photographs is covered under Data
Protection. Yes, the world has changed and we must also change!! It’s not
something dreamed up by “the Church” or any other organisation; it is for the
protection of minors and vulnerable adults and seeks to ensure the safety of
all!! In the coming weeks and months there will be further information.
Bio-Diversity – This project is
ongoing and we welcome plants & bulbs to fill the beds. The rose bed is progressing really
well.
“Thank – You” – To our Churchwardens who
ensured that our churches were fit for worship during 2018. To our organists
Pierce & David, to those who read at worship, to those who lead singing, to
those who clean our churches and provide lovely flower arrangements to brighten
our view forward, to those who give of time, energy, wisdom and support to
ministry within our parish without any expectation of praise!
Ministry – The Church of
Ireland, over the years, has promoted the belief that ministry is the work of
all believers. We all bring something to worship, praise, pastoral needs and
support. We are all called to serve the Lord and there are many ways in which
lay people can be active and contribute. Reading in church, singing along with
everybody else, sitting on committees, doing very practical things that perhaps
they do not regard as “ministry.
And
some are called by God to the ministries of Bishop, Priest or Deacon. This is,
perhaps, the most difficult to get one’s head around, to actually do something
about it; like having a chat with the Rector (if it is there, it will not go
away!)
As
the Diocesan Warden of Readers, I am always on the look-out for potential Lay
Readers! The course can be challenging, take up quite a lot of time but is very
rewarding in many ways. The reality is we, at this time, need to recruit!
There
is also, the new OLM; which is for those who have a calling to ordination but
for all sorts of reasons feel that ordination to the fulltime ministry is not
for them.
Ordained
Local Ministry
is for those who will serve in their own parishes. Serving your own family,
friends, work colleagues is challenging; but it does work. I served my own former fellow parishioners at
the beginning of my ministry. I remain astounded that those who were my fellow
parishioners one minute became my parishioners as result of my being ordained
and it worked.
This
will possibly affect the supply of lay readers; but it is intended that
somebody in this ministry will only serve in their own parishes with no
prospect of being moved/moving around the parishes outside their own one!!
The
Junction Festival-
Will take place in early March and there will be concerts in Old St Mary
on three days:8th, 9th & 10th March 2019.
Singing
Group – This
is a group of parishioners who love to sing and lead the singing in Old St
Mary's. They meet once or twice a month to choose hymns for worship and learn
new hymns; to the extend that the range of hymns sung in this church has
increased; from a very small repertoire to a very wide and
varied one today. This group is not exclusive to Old St Mary's! All are
welcome. We meet at 8.00pm and finish at 9.00pm sharp!
Our
next evening is Friday, 15th February 2019 @ 8.00pm. There is no
need to bring anything other than yourself!
Passion
Play –
Our diocesan communications Officer, Margaret Hawkins, is always dreaming up
new ways of expressing our faith and sharing it with the world. The latest
enterprise is a Passion Play. So, having volunteered, I am under orders not to
cut or restyle my hair until after the filming on 17th February. The
men may not shave!!
Filming
will take place in Wexford and a date for it's presentation will be published
later. Margaret is one of those energetic people with many talents! She has
sung her report to Diocesan Synod. I should have two spare seats in my car on
17th. So if you would like to be part of the crowd, just let me know
asap and let the hair grow!!!
Tax
Relief Forms – If
you donated a sum in excess of €250 in 2018 to parish finances and that donation
was given in a way that identified you as the donor (this is where the envelope
system helps) and pay tax on your earnings you are eligible to fill out one of
the forms designed for this purpose and benefit your parish finances in the
government initiative that benefits charitable bodies. We are a charity in our
own right and are compliant with all that that entails. We relie on this scheme
in our striving to meet our assessment. This year we are expected to raise
€58,000 toward diocesan expenses (apart from heat, light and repairs etc);
especially in the area of maintaining ministry in our parish! When you fill out
one of these forms you benefit the parish's financial circumstances. Those of
you who subscribed in 2018 in a way in which your donations were identifiable
will receive receipts to that effect and, if your giving was over €250, a form
will be attached. The other condition with this is that you have paid income
tax.
Progress - For those of you who
know about the former orchard at St Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny and the
efforts, over many years, to transform it into a carpark for the cathedral;
there is good news! Permission has been granted for approximately 26 parking
spaces. They will only be available for those attending worship or special
events in the cathedral. Also, the areas where there fruit trees are to be
restored as they were long ago!
Cleaning
& Flowers in Old St Marys – If you have forgotten when your turn is; please
refer to the list in the porch!
And
a big”Thank-you” to those who help us to care for and beautify our church in
Clonmel. Parishioners in our other churches might consider doing similar. When
we have Easter, Christmas or Harvest we decorate our churches. This is usually
done by a very small group. We all expect it to happen; but we all need to
contribute and help out!! And that extends to the refreshments we all love to
share!
Sunday,
24th March – Bishop Michael will celebrate the Eucharist in St Paul's,
Cahir at 9.30am and in Old St Mary's, Clonmel at 11.00am.
