I
would like to thank the outgoing members of our school Board of Management who
have completed their term of office. During their time on the board; they have
been diligent in all matters proscribed for the proper management of our
schools so that all students receive the best possible education. There have
been challenges but during this term of office we received the use of the small
“shed” as an office for the Principal; Ms Wallace.
Being
a member of the Board brings many challenges and in the past years all have
worked together to ensure a pleasant working/teaching/learning environment for
all; both teachers and ancillary staff.
Our
Parochial School offers the best education possible for each pupil. It has a
Church of Ireland ethos; but is open and inclusive to all.
Ms
Wallace and Mrs Brennan are excellent teachers. They are supported by Joan, our
secretary and a number of people who come in regularly to enrich the curriculum
with all manner of extra-curricular activities.
The
school is a hive of activity and I wonder how so much get done within the days.
There
is encouragement and support in learning.
Our
patron is the Diocesan bishop; The Right Rev Michael Burrows who is such a
support and guide.
Wednesday
morning begin with assembly when we
learn, discuss and worship.
A
Board of Management will be elected in the coming weeks. It will consist of the
Patron's nominee who is usually the Chairperson, parent representation and
parish representation. Meetings usually take place immediately after school, at
least, four times per years. If you are ask to consider going forward for
election to the Board; please consider it seriously. We have been supported by
parish, community and parents at a very high level always and the experience
can be said to be good!
Barbara
Cleaning &
Decorating our churches - Part of being a parishioner is looking after our
churches, churchyards and other properties.
It
is customary to decorate our churches for special occasions such as Harvest
Thanksgivings, Christmas and Easter. It is also parishioners’ responsibility to
clean our churches or to ensure it is done. These times of coming together
enable us to get to know each other and to be integrated into parish life.
The
days when those long established in the parish, who “knew” how to do things,
has passed. Now we welcome everybody to be part of the family of faith, to make
their contribution in their own way. It can be a pot/bunch of flowers, a short
time preparing for a special occasion or bringing a contribution towards the
refreshments we provide at the end of special and regular worship Services. We
have a cleaning rota which needs updating! So volunteers, please!!
CHURCH
SERVICES
Date
|
Holy
Trinity
9.30am
|
St
Marys
8.30am
11.00am
|
St
Paul's
9.30am
|
Tullameelan
11.00am
|
3rd
November
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No
Service
|
10th
Nov
|
M.P
|
HC
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
17th
Nov
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No
Service
|
24th
Nov
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service
of the Word
|
M.P.
|
No
Service
|
1st
December
|
Central
Service in Old St Marys @ 11.00am
|
Wednesday Worship – Takes place at
10.30am and is a celebration of the Holy Communion with tea/coffee afterwards.
Sunday Life – This hour long
programme is broadcast on TippFm on Sunday mornings from 7 – 8am. It is presented
by local clergy and, usually, consists of music, readings and chat.
Confirmation 2020 – This is the time of
year when the Bishop begins to set the dates for Confirmations in our Diocese.
The usual age for candidates is over 12yrs. If you have not been Baptised you
may ask for Baptism and Confirmation at the same time if you are over the above
age. You can be baptised at any age!
Classes/Conversations
begin in Autumn in this Parish with the Baptisms/Confirmations taking place
when the Bishop chooses; always on a Sunday. So, if you can speak to me before
the beginning of October a date can be set at the Clergy Conference. I prefer
that the candidates ask me rather than parents!
Fees – Fees for special
occasions have always been in place for the use of churches, organists, graves
and certificates. We do not charge for Baptisms in this parish. There are fees
for new graves, re-opening of graves and weddings. In the case of Baptism it is
traditional to give a “gift-offering”.
These
fees go towards the upkeep of our historic buildings. Fees are set by the
Select Vestry.
The
Parochial School –
This is our parish school and is situated in the old Model School on Western Road. We have two
fulltime classroom teachers, a fulltime teacher whose duties are to help pupils
in those subjects they find a little difficult and a secretary. The Board of
Management is made up of the Chairperson who is the Rector, parishioners and
parents. The school welcomes all children. It under Church of Ireland
management and the ethos of the school is Anglican/Church of Ireland.
Whist
Drives –
begin on Friday, 8th November 2019 in the Sisters of Charity School -opposite Old St Mary's @
7.45pm sharp.
All
welcome
Concert – The Garda Band will perform
in the Minella Hotel on Thursday, 5th December – Tickets to be
bought in advance.
Disestablishment 150 -
It
is 150 years since the Church of Ireland became disestablished from the Church
of England. A Service to commemorate this import event will take place in St
Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin on Saturday, 23rd November 2019 @ 3pm –
admission tickets available from caoimhe.leppard@rcbdub.org.
Carol Services 2019
8th December -St Paul's, Cahir @ 7.30pm
12th
December – Tullaghmeelan @ 8.00pm
15th
December – The Abbey Church,
Fethard @ 7.30pm
20 th
December – Old St Marys Clonmel@ 7.30pm
22nd
December – Holy Trinity, Fethard @7.30pm
Diocesan
Commission
– Following the deliberation of the special commission in our diocese a little
while ago; the diocesan synod has now implemented the process to be followed.
It will involve a visit from the members of the commission to every parish to
review it's needs and going forward into the future.
This
is not about closing churches; but rather a review of where we are and how we
can go forward into the future better equipped and with confidence in our
service to the Lord..
All
aspects of parish life will be assessed. It will be comprehensive in its
probing. The actual process will become apparent quite soon.
Cleaning
& Flower Rota
– This appear to have “fallen apart”. Every church needs cleaning weekly and
flowers for the altar with it. It is yet another way of participating in parish
life. So, I intend designating somebody to put in place a new rota in the coming
weeks.
Readings
– Thank-you
to those take part in the reading rota in Clonmel; especially Shirley who
allocates readings to very willing people! It can be scary to actually volunteer
or be “volunteered”! It certainly helps people to attend worship!
In the coming months I intend creating a
prayer rota where people will either lead from a prayerbook/script. Those
participating will be encouraged to write their own prayer which will be
included during their leadership.
Thank-you
also to those who read in our other churches and to those who, when nobody
turns up to lead worship, step up to ensure all present can fulfil their Sunday
obligation!