Short reflection from Bishop Michael Burrows,
Diocese of Cashel Ferns and Ossory,
17th October 2020
A union of parishes ( Church of Ireland ) that includes: The Church of St. Mary the Virgin Church/Old St Mary's ( Clonmel Parish ), Mary Street, Clonmel; Holy Trinity, Fethard (Fethard Parish); St. Paul's, Cahir(Cahir Parish); St. Patrick's, Inislonaght(Marlfield Parish); Tullaghmeelan (Knocklofty Parish)
Short reflection from Bishop Michael Burrows,
Diocese of Cashel Ferns and Ossory,
17th October 2020
Short reflection from Bishop Michael Burrows,
Diocese of Cashel Ferns and Ossory,
10th October 2020
Retirement We wish Mrs Barbara Brennan a happy, fruitful and well earned retirement from her long service as a teacher in our Parochial School. Barbara is a native of Clonmel and has lived here for most of her life. Her contribution to life in the Parochial School has always been in the interest of every pupil who attended there. Her talents and skills were always used for the benefit of others. She, also, has a deep and active faith.
We
welcome Miss Hogan who will be the new teacher in our junior room! She has been
present in our school during the early weeks of the new school year. This has
worked very well as she became acquainted with our school.
The
early weeks of this new school year has required much work and diligence in
preparing and continuing to keep all staff and pupils safe.
A
big “Thank-you” to Bernard Prendergast in his role in helping to prepare for
opening the school and helping us all, who are involved, to ensure safety for
all and encouragement to do what needed and still needs to be done Barbara!
Sunday Worship
– We have no extra help with worship at the moment due to unavailability of
Diocesan readers. Just to mention that it is the Rector/Incumbent who decides
whether worship is Holy Communion or a Service of the Word at any time!
Morning/Evening Prayer is the “Office” read/said by priests daily. Most of us
older people were told to attend for Holy Communion monthly after our
Confirmation! That was minimum and gave some the idea that more often was not
recommended!
We
all always need nourishment both spiritual and bodily to keep us going!
Since this Newsletter was first published the country has gone to level 3 restrictions, there can be no in church worship till we return to a least level 2 restrictions. Podcast Services are available online weekly.
Baptisms –
John
Brereton was Baptised in Old St Mary’s on 5th September.
Odhran
Sean Mathews and his twin brother, Donnacha George Mathews
were
Baptised in St Paul’s Church, Cahir on the 12th September.
Social Afternoon – A small group of
parishioners met in the open air on
sunny
afternoon for coffee and a chat at the Garden Centre. There was distancing and
it really lifted spirits.
Treasurer – Thank-you to our
parish Treasurer who has completed our Parish Accounts. It is very late in the
year but Covid prevented so much from being done on time. If you have not made your contribution to the
Assessment; please do so asap. The Assessment is our giving to the upkeep and
care of our Church, both parochial and diocesan. It is the generous giving of
the people that pays our bills and provides for our parish needs, parish and
diocesan clergy and diocesan office.
Social
Gatherings – Unfortunately as things stand there appears to be
little hope of being able to be together
to relax and communicate while playing whist or taking part in other activities
that involve groups of people being together for some time yet! But do keep in
contact with friends and family remotely! We all need to others in our lives to
remain healthy!
Confirmation
– This was postponed because of Covid- 19. It was held
on Sunday, 4th October 2020 and the Service w in Holy Trinity
Fethard, at 7.30pm. Congratulations to all.
Harvest
Thanksgivings – These took place as our Sunday morning Services
during the month! Not really what we are used to but an effort to mark the
season!
Podcast
Services – These will continue on Soundcloud, with links
available on Parish website and social media pages weekly. It seemed not the
right thing to stop them as many housebound people were accessing them and
still are! Please remember the link can be shared by text, email, whatsapp to
those who may not be on Facebook, or are less confident on the web.
Church
Cleaning – We have made progress with setting up our
rotas for reading on Sundays, sitting on the Select Vestry and involvement in
parish life .
If everybody did a small bit, the burden would be
eased and we would all have a better appreciation of our buildings and places
of worship.
Everybody is welcome to participate in reading at
worship, providing flowers, decorating for special occasions and partaking in
activities from time to time.
Social Afternoon – A small group of
parishioners met in the open air on a lovely
sunny afternoon for coffee and a chat at the Garden Centre. There was
distancing and it really lifted spirits.
Please
note all services have moved back online while we are under Level 3
restrictions, from Midnight the 6th October 2020