Email change

The Rector has a new email address.. frydayb@gmail.com

Select Vestry –

The next meeting will take place in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard on Monday, 9th November 2009 @ 8.00pm – notices will not be posted to members before hand – so write it in on your kitchen calendar! The Rector will text those whose numbers she has a day or two before – if she does not have your mobile number, text her!

Service of Remembrance –

The annual remembrance of babies who have died in South Tipperary General Hospital will take place on Friday, 13th November @ 8.30pm. Parents, grandparents and other members of families who have suffered the death of a baby are welcome. The numbers have increased dramatically in recent years. For some, this is a very traumatic occasion. Staff and clergy try to make this a time for healing, remembrance and for mourning.

Carol Services 2009:

Sunday, 13th December - St. Paul’s, Cahir @ 7.30pm
Friday, 18th December – Old St. Mary’s @ 7.30pm
Sunday, 20th December - Holy Trinity, Fethard @ 7.30pm
Tuesday, 8th December – St Patrick’s, Marlfield @ 7.30pm

St Paul’s Church, Cahir-

As this issue is being printed, the parishioners of Cahir are preparing for their “Music for an Autumn Evening”. Proceeds of this musical evening will go to pay for the re-decoration of St. Paul’s Church.

Coffee Time –

This will be a “drop – in” type of morning and new faces are beginning to appear!! Your are invited – all of you – to drop into the Rectory on Saturday, 14th November 2009 between 10.00am – 12.30pm. The idea is to facilitate parishioners meeting each other over a cup of tea or coffee. There will be a biscuit and, if your lucky, maybe a scone and jam! There will be a jam-jar for anybody who might like to make a donation to the Hall Restoration Fund – no obligation! This invitation includes all of all ages

Whist Drives –

The 2nd Friday of each month from Friday, 9th September – 9th April 2010 @ 7.45pm in the school hall across the street from Old St. Mary’s is the place to be on those nights! Donations of prizes for the raffle and contributions to the supper, both in help and food, most welcome! These events contribute to our efforts to meet our Sustentation/Assessment commitment.
Friday, 13th November @ 7.45pm
Friday, 11th December @ 7.45pm (Christmas Drive)
Newcomers always welcome – beginners are welcomed and treated kindly!

Bible Club –

This is for the under 12s and will take place once a month in Old St. Mary’s on the 3rd Friday, 20th November from 7.00pm – 8.00pm. We will focus on preparation for the 4th Sunday Service of the Word – there will be stories, singing, colouring and fun. As the Rector has completed Safeguarding Trust training and is exempt from being barred from doing youth work as a member of the Panel, she will help on these evenings.

Singing Group –

Friday, 6th, 20th November @ 8.00pm in Old St. Mary’s – Unfortunately we had to cancel our session in October due to a diocesan meeting in the church.
New voices are always welcome –whether you want to sit near the organ or not! We practise well known hymns and learn new ones.

Theatre Evening-

Seven of us enjoyed the fun of Panto on 25th October in Carrick-on-Suir.

St Mary’s will be presenting “The Pirates of Penzance in the White Memorial Theatre, Clonmel in November – maybe we can get a group together on the Sunday night.

Baptisms –

Kris & Leon Rohrssen, 2 ½ year old twins of Folke and Annika were baptised
in St. Paul’s Church, Cahir on Sunday, 11th October. The boys took a very
active part in the Service; even nominating who would be baptised first. The
service was conducted in English and German and thank-you Lisa for playing
the organ.
Baptisms in our parish normally take place during Sunday morning worship and, usually, in the context of Holy Communion. To make arrangements, telephone the Rector. For adults and children old enough to answer for themselves, preparation classes are provided.

Confirmation 2010 -

I have some names for Confirmation in 2010 – classes will begin
immediately after Christmas. Parents and candidates should be aware of the rule recently introduced in our diocese that you are confirmed where you attend preparation classes – ie. Preparation in school leads to confirmation in school and preparation in your parish leads to confirmation in the designated church in your parish/diocese. There will be no option to do otherwise. The bishop would not be prepared to confirm where adequate preparation has not been undertaken. Once again, let me remind you that adult confirmation has become part of many Confirmation services in our diocese – so if you lost out in your earlier years, it is never too late. Adult Baptism has also become quite usual in the context of the “Confirmation season” – in this instance, it is the Bishop who baptises.
If you would like to be confirmed, please speak to me personally or by phone as soon as possible. I do prefer that young people ask to be confirmed themselves – after all, they are going to make the vows themselves – confirmation is so much more than an occasion that ,sometimes, appears to be regarded as a “social” occasion that must be done with no further consequences. – we need to move away from that kind of thinking.

St. Mary’s Parochial School

St. Mary’s Parochial School (sometimes called the Model School)
Plans are now being put in place towards gaining our second green flag – for energy.
Thank-you to parents who are prepared to help towards keeping the grass at the car park entrance tidy.
With regard to parking at the school entrance on Western Road – as with all public parking areas, nobody has a “right” to expect that spaces will be reserved for them. All street parking in areas with no restrictions is for everybody.

The Tourist Office –

As I write this the tourist is office is on the move to the Mainguard – the move will be completed early next week, but the secretary & outreach worker will remain in the church. We now have an arrangement for some contribution to heat & light.

Repair Works & Invoices

Invoices –All proposed repairs etc., must be sanctioned by the Select Vestry and proper procedures followed. In emergencies the sanction of the Rector and/or treasurer is required. All invoices must be made out to “Clonmel Union of Parishes” and it is for the Treasurer alone to pay for sanctioned work and services. All cheques must be made out to “Clonmel Union of Parishes” – the banks have become extremely fussy and with the changes in Charities Legislation we will in future be subject to auditing and so our financial procedures must be carried out in proper order.

Gospel Choir Concert 11th November

St. Mary’s Church Ballintemple (Dundrum) recently had their tower re- roofed as an emergency safety measure. They are a very small rural congregation and I and the Rev Carter have a special interest in it!
Gospel Choir Concert in St. Mary’s Church, Ballintemple (Dundrum) on 11th November @ 8.00pm – Booking with the Rector.

St Mary’s Hall –

Our Fas workers are clearing out all the rubbish from the hall at the moment and will be giving it a coat (or two) of “magnolia” paint. The toilet renovation will be completed shortly and, although there is no heating, we will be able to use the premises for some activities. There are plans to finish the temporary repairs on the roof, which will give us some time to raise the funds for the major repair and renovation that is required.

Fas –

I’m sure you have been enjoying the brighter appearance of the grounds of Old St.
Mary’s. When Spring arrives the grounds should be a vision of crocuses, tulips and
daffodils – all part of the horticultural course our participants have been undertaking. Out thanks is due to the town gardener who has offered valuable advice. The trees along the railings have also been trimmed back to prevent branches falling on cars and pedestrians.

“Sunday Life” on Tipp Fm –

This programme of prayer, meditation and hymns is broadcast on Tipp Fm every Sunday mornign at 7.00am .
The Rector will next broadcast on Sunday, 8th November 2009 @7.00am.

Diocesan Synod –

Our diocesan Synod took place in the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford on 21st October. We were well represented and your giving of your time in the governance of your diocese is greatly appreciated. There is a slow but steady movement toward full unity of our large diocese. It was good to see members from Ferns contributing to the Cashel report and vice-versa. The new arrangement of praying, working and eating at the same table worked well. Two members from our link diocese of Sodor and Man attended, as did representatives of other Churches. It was a long day in which we did the business of the diocese, met old friends and got to know new people and all done in the right spirit. The Diocesan Council now does its work for the Synod at its meetings during the year.

Shrapnel Fund –

I know you haven’t forgotten about the shrapnel fund which is part of our initiative to pay off our debt. Bags of coins continue to come in. We have aked that as many of you as possible would put your loose change into a jam jar and give the proceeds to us to help with our effort to get rid of the debt. Shirley Clooney has taken charge of the counting etc. Over €1,000has now been given in this part of our project.

Hymnbooks & Prayerbooks –

There is a limited stock of hymnbooks and prayerbooks availabe at Old St Mary’s. cost €20 each. Every household should have, at least, one copy of each and, of course, a Bible.

Womens World Day of Prayer 2010 –

Friday, 5th March 2010 – St. Peter & St. Paul’s, Clonmel

Harvest Thanksgivings –

The Bishop celebrated a Harvest Eucharist in St. Paul’s Church,
Cahir on 11th October. The parishioners had decorated the church beautifully. Maureen Ahearne and her choir led the singing and sang during Communion. Thank-you to the decorators and to those who produced the refreshments afterwards in the Butler/Charteris Hall.
The Rev James Mulhall was the preacher in Tullameelan on 18th October. The church was full, the children brought up their baskets of fruit and vegetables and the church was beautifully decorated. The really impressive part of this celebration was the number of parishioners who shared in the decorating. Refreshments were provided by the parishioners in Knocklofty house Hotel by kind invitation. Thank-you everybody!

Confirmation 2010 –

It is time, once again, for us to inform the Bishop of the names of those wishing to be confirmed. I prefer that those wishing to be confirmed ask me themselves – confirmation is, after all, a time to make one’s commitment to Christ for one’s self. A telephone call, quick chat after church or, even, by email, is sufficient to get your name on the list. If you missed out when younger, it is never too late and it has become quite common for mature adults and young people to be prepared for confirmation together and to share in the same service. Dates for confirmation will be arranaged by the bishop in the coming weeks. Preparation classes are arranged to suit the candidates and the Rector/Curate.

Harvest Thanksgivings;

Sunday, 18th October – Tullaghmeelan – Rev James Mulhall NSM @ 3.00pm

Theatre Evening-

“Robinson Caruso” @ Strand Theatre, Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday evening, 25th October – Tickets €10 – booking with Rector.

Singing Group –

Friday, 16th & 30th October 2009 @ 8.15pm in Old St. Mary’s – the 16th will take place in the room above the tourist office as there is a diocesan meeting in the church - New voices are always welcome –whether you want to sit near the organ or not! We practise well known hymns etc and learn new ones.

Whist Drives –

Our first whist drive made a good start to the season. Held the 2nd Friday of each month from Friday, 9th September – 9th April 2010 @ 7.45pm in the school hall across the street from Old St. Mary’s is the place to be on those nights!

Donations of prizes for the raffle and contributions to the supper, both in help and food, most welcome! These events contribute to our efforts to meet our Sustentation/Assessment commitment.
Friday, 13th November @ 7.45pm
Friday, 11th December @ 7.45pm (Christmas Drive)
Newcomers always welcome – beginners are welcomed and treated kindly!

Coffee Time –

This will be a “drop – in” type of morning and new faces are beginning to appear!! Your are invited – all of you – to drop into the Rectory on Saturday, 14th November 2009 between 10.00am – 12.30pm. The idea is to facilitate parishioners meeting each other over a cup of tea or coffee. There will be a biscuit and, if your lucky, maybe a scone and jam! There will be a jam-jar for anybody who might like to make a donation to the Hall Restoration Fund – no obligation! This invitation includes all of all ages

Helping Others –

St. Mary’s Church Ballintemple (Dundrum) recently had their tower re- roofed as an emergency safety measure. They are a very small rural congregation and I and the Rev Carter have a special interest in it!
Gospel Choir Concert in St. Mary’s Church, Ballintemple (Dundrum) on 11th November @ 8.00pm – Booking to the Rector. (note change of date)

Bereavement –

We sympathise with Anne and Bob Savage who have both been bereaved.
Anne’s mum died at the age of 93 years and bob’s nephew was killed in a
road accident, both in England. May they rest in peace

St. Mary’s Parochial School (sometimes called the Model School) –

Having taken a very active part in the Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Old St. Mary’s, the schoolchildren brought their baskets of fruit and vegetables to Mariancourt the following Monday morning.
Thank-you to Rev James who visited the school in preparation for the 4th Sunday Service in September – the children loved his time with them and his lesson on St. Michael and All Angels.

Break-in at Holy Trinity –

The church was broken into sometime during the night of 30th September. Having removed part of a window in the vestry, the culprits sprayed foam from a fire extinguisher on almost all surface and then sprinkled petrol & oil on wooden surfaces. Thankfully no matches we lit. Thank-you to Brian Palmer who organised for cleaners to clean up the mess in time for the Harvest Thanksgiving.

Harvest Thanksgiving -

Thank-you to those who decorated Old St. Mary’s Clonmel and Holy Trinity Fethard for the Harvest Thanksgiving Services we have had so far.
The congregation in Old St. Mary’s was over 200 and in Holy Trinity, 85. Both churches were beautifully decorated for the occasion.
The choirs of St. Mary’s, Irishtown, St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s and St. Olivers were present in Clonmel. The friars from the Franiscans took part in the worship. Archdeacon Murray preached a though provoking sermon with many challenges in it.
The Dean of Lismore, the Very Rev Paul Draper preached another challenging sermon in Holy Trinity. The curate, Fr Anthony MacSweeny and Fr John from the Augustinians attended and took part.
On both occasions, refreshments were served by parishioners. Thank-you, everybody for your efforts.

Fas –

The new arrangement at Old St. Mary’s is going very well. There are 5 participants, but when the scheme to which they have been assigned rolls over at the end of October, one of these men will end his time with Fas. His replacement will be chosen from Cahir (under the Clonmel St Vincent de Paul Scheme) and will work at St. Paul’s and Kilcommon under a Cahir scheme.
There is no Fas scheme in the Tullaghmeelan area, so we will be making arrangements to help them in the coming year to maintain the church and grounds

Select Vestry –

The next meeting will take place in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard Monday, 9th November 2009 @ 8.00pm – notices will not be posted to members before hand – so write it in on your kitchen calendar! The Rector will text those whose numbers she has a day or two before – if she does not have your mobile number, please text her!

Treasurer –

Caroline Quaid is settling into her new role as Parish Treasurer. She is putting in place some measures that will ensure that your contributions are acknowledged promptly and that lodgements etc are seen to efficiently. The Select Vestry, at its last meeting, decided that there should be only one current account for the day-to-day running of the parish. We will continue to have local accounts for building, restoration and repairs – these funded from fundraising.

“Sunday Life” on Tipp Fm –

This programme of prayer, meditation and hymns is broadcast on Tipp Fm every Sunday mornign at 7.00am .
The Rector will next broadcast on Sunday, 8th November 2009 @7.00am

Organ Marathon –

The final sum raised by the bishop form his Organ Marathon is €56,292 . Our diocesan Outreach Project in Seoul, South Korea, which assists in the ministry to Anglicans in the that areas by the Ven. Paul Mooney, former Archdeacon of Ferns, Bishops Appeal, the Church of Ireland aid agency, Protestant Aid will benefit for this amazing effort. As a result, our bishop doesn’t seem inclined to sing “Come, ye thankful people, come,” at the moment!!! Thank-you to all who supported this effort.