May has been a very busy month. The General Easter vestry took place on Friday, 3^rd May 2019.  Attendance was poor – a situation mirrored in other places in our diocese. Easter was very late this year and, it seems, that for some events of a more summery climate had kicked in.

The special Pentecost Eve service details are in this newsletter. This will be “broadcast” electronically. It may very well give us a sense of times how worship may be presented in the future!

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland took place in Derry this year. It was a long drive; but pleasant as both journeys took place in sunny weather.

A special Synod will take place in the coming weeks to consider the future of our diocese. We will look at how we do things t the moment and consider changes. There is a new spirit at the moment and I hope many of you will embrace our efforts to bring what we do into a new and exciting place.

                                     Barbara

St Patrick's Church, Inishlounaght (Marlfield) – We have shared this 

church with the parishioners of St Mary's, Irishtown for some years. It began at a time when they needed more space for worship. Times have changed and numbers at worship have decreased. As of the beginning of May, this church has fully reverted to us. The practical aspect of this was the transference of the electricity bill to our account.

Safeguarding Trust – A diocesan panel has been formed and those of us 

been undergoing intensive training with the help of professional in that field. . This will enable the diocese to present the training of parish panels, parishioners and other training events. It will have oversight of the programme.

Bereavement - Francis (Frank) Sparrow died in Sacre Coeur, Tipperary

town on 12^th May after a long period in care. His funeral Service took place in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard on 19^th May. Burial took place in Cooleagh; A medieval church site north of Fethard and next door to his home at St Johnstown. Our sympathy goes to his sisters and their families in the UK and the Thompson family of Golden, Co Tipperary. May he rest in peace.

Holy Matrimony – Richard Thomson-Moore and Anna Coakes were 

united in Holy Matrimony in Holy Trinity Chaurch, Fethard on Saturday, 25^th May 2019 in the presence of a full church. Anna's family travelled from Australia for this happy occasion. We wish them a long and happy marriage at Barne.

Sunday Life – On TippFm on Sunday mornings @ 7.00am.

Select Vestry Meeting – Friday, 14^th June 2019 @ 8.00pm

                                         in Old St Marys.

Schools Festival Service – This Service takes place in three venues in the 

Diocese each year on the 2^nd Friday in June. So this year, our school will attend at Waterford Cathedral on Friday, 14^th June 2019 @ 11.00am.

EIO Surveys – Holy Trinity, Fethard and Old St Mary's have now been 

surveyed by our insurance company. The other churches in the parish will be surveyed in the coming months.

Chapter Duty in St Canice's, Kilkenny – It is the custom from medieval 

times that members of the Cathedral Chapter preaches once per year. I will preach in St Canice's Cathedral at the 11.30 Eucharist on Sunday, 23^rd June 2019.

Other General Synod News – The Pastoral Services relating to sensitive 

family care a in relation to stillbirths and infant mortality were passed and becam part of our prayerbook at Synod. There are pastorally sensitive services, prayers etc outlined to help clergy with those times when families are in the depths of sorrow and loss.

Koln Philharmonia – Will perform in Old St Marys on Wednesday, 7^th August @8.00pm.

Harvest Thanksgivings -

Sunday, 1^st September 2019 in Cahir @ 7.30pm

Sunday, 8^th September 2019 – Tullaghmeelan @3.30pm

Sunday, 15^th September 2019 – Fethard @ 7.30pm

Friday, 20^th September 2019 – Clonmel @ 7.30pm

Sunday Afternoon Musictime – Members of rhe Concert Band of Banna 

Cluain Meala entertained a full church at Old St Mary's on Sunday, 26^th May 2019. Their hall was full of voting boxes, they needed to practice and so this event took place. There was a retiring collection as people left the church in aid of our efforts to raise enough to renovate our hall. The box, filled with notes and coins in it, amounted to €1405 when counted!!.

Lay Readers/Clergy – I attended a meeting of the Diocesan Wardens of Readers this week. A number of other dioceses are now following the course our diocese has used for some time. There is concern that the new Ordained Local Ministry will impact on our teams of Diocesan Readers. The OLM will consist of parishioners who will persue the new course for this ministry and serve in their own localities/parishes.  There is a concern that many of our present Diocesan Readers will seek ordination to this ministry and so reduce the availability of lay readers for conducting worship around our diocese. There are signs that this is already happening. We will always rely on both ministries Sunday by Sunday.

We find ourselves, also, in a position where more and more parishes are unable to fund ordained Rectors/Curates etc. in their parishes.

It is important that we have sufficient clergy/ readers in order to provide. worship Sunday by Sunday. The age profile of clergy in most dioceses is rising. The Church of Ireland is in a somewhat better place in this matter than some other Churches. A chat with the Rector is the 1^st port of call!

The Readers course in our Diocese is delivered locally within the Diocese. Once again, the Rector is there to receive those who would like more information!

Wednesdays – Holy Communion @ 10.30am – this will not take palce 

                         on Wednesday, 5^th June 2019

Saturday, 8^th June 2019 – In every parish in our diocese a special 

Pentecost Service will take place on the evening before on the Eve of Pentecost. The Service will be conducted by the Bishop; transmitted on a screen. Lay Reader, Mike O'Meara will lead in Old St Mary's @ 8.00pm.  Please do attend this special event which is the beginning of a new era in our Diocese.

 Parish BBQ - June 30th @ 1.30pm at the Rectory - cost €15 per adult; children 14yrs and younger free.
More details and to give idea on numbers, contact the rector.
Some help with setting up would be appreciated. Please contact the rector if you can help. This is a parish fundraising event which benefits our whole parish. Looking forward to a good attendance.

Celtic Choristers – This group of singers entertained a sizeable audience in Old St Mary's on 4^th May 2019. It was organised by Maureen Purcell.