This is the last newsletter of 2018. It has been an
extremely busy year and also, for a number of families in our parish, a sad
time with the demise of so many of our parishioners. A number of families have left
the parish because of work/other commitments.
Please note the change of landline number for the
Rectory – still best to ring my mobile!
At the moment there appears to be no candidates for
Confirmation in 2019. The dates have been set for the diocese; so if anybody
wishes to be confirmed you need to speak with me.
There will be a number of weddings in 2019 and we
wish those preparing for their weddings well.
One of my best moments was when children in our
school became concerned because, for a number of reasons, we did not have
school participation on the 4th Sunday!
My big concern is for the reluctance on the part of
parishioners to attend 5th Sunday Services or, indeed, those Sundays/weekdays
when there might be a central Service for a particular reason. It also concerns
me that, apart from a few, there is a reluctance to come together and to
worship together. We have been a “union” of parishes, officially, for 30yrs!!!
I hope I am not alone in wondering why some have never been at worship in any
other church in the parish apart from the one they regularly worship in! This
lack of enthusiasm to be together worries me.
It’s time to leave the past behind. We have five
beautiful churches within a reasonable distance of each other – if I were to
ask you to describes the inside of each of them – could you? Barbara
Bereavements
–
Henry Jeffrey (Harry) Ponsonby died peacefully at
home, on 5th November 2018, after a very long illness, borne with
fortitude. He was cared for with love and diligence by his wife, Rosemary,
family and carers. His Funeral Service took place in Holy Trinity Church,
Fethard in the presence of a capacity congregation of family and friends. As
was his wish; burial took place in Kilcooley Churchyard after prayer in the church
in which he was Baptised. Our sincere sympathy goes to Rosemary, his children
and grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Brian Sayer’s ashes were interred in Duhill cemetery
in the presence of his widow, Maria, and son
on 9th November 2018.
Colin Warren, Fethard died on 21st
November 2018. His Funeral Service took place in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard
on 9th November 2018. Cremation took place at the Island, Cork.
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 will hold a
concert in Old St Mary’s on Wednesday, 19th December 2018 @ 8.00pm.
It is important to book your tickets for this event well in advance!
Hospital/Nursing
Home Plea – The rector is not
informed of the admittance of parishioners into nursing homes/ hospitals or
care centres by staff. It is those close and familys 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. Please keep it
in mind to keep me informed!
Whist
Drives –
Friday, 14th
December 2018 in the Sister of Charity Hall,
Mary Street, Clonmel.
Fundraising
– The core group who support fundraising on
everybody’s behalf is small. This is also true in many aspects of parish life.
We no longer have a debt; but we struggle to stay afloat!! We completed the
payment of our Assessment in October 2018 and 2019 Assessment is due on 1st
January 2019.
The time has come for us to come together, to work
together and to do what a parish is supposed to do, be together and know each
other.
The envelope scheme is working well , however it
might be noted it is designed for the envelopes to be filled every week whether
you are in church or not. The envelopes are not just for the “Sunday
Collection”; They are meant to also contribute towards both maintenance of the
Fabric(buildings including the Rectory), the clergy stipend; which does not
come from central funds but you, charity donations (such as Bishops Appeal).
This is supplemented by “Thankofferings” for Baptism, fees for weddings,
funeral/burials in our graveyards and fundraising. The said fundraising has a
“social” aspect in that it bring us together!!
We need to complete the repair of our hall and regain
the use of it. We own it and, so, are not eligible for Church grants for it. The
difficulty with other grants is that payment of grant is subject to
presentation of receipts. Our parking donations are our mainstay at the moment.
For those who subscribe and give €250 or more over
the year, there is the Tax Relief scheme if you pay tax – this works in the parish’s favour in that
for subscriptions of €250 or more you can apply for the relief which goes, not
to you, but to the parish/charity. We have a number of parishioners who take
part in this scheme and it would be great if more could consider doing so – it
is a revenue way of supporting Charities – we are an independent charity – We
upload our parish accounts unto the CRA where anybody can view them!! All is
open and transparent nowadays.
CHURCH SERVICES
|
2018
Nov - Dec
|
St Pauls
Cahir
9.30am
|
Holy Trinity
Fethard
9.30am
|
Old St Marys
Clonmel
8.30am
11.00am
|
Tullaghmeelan
11.00am
|
|
2nd
Dec
Advent
1
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship in other church
|
|
9th
Dec
Advent
2
|
Carols
@ 7.00pm
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
|
16th
Dec
Advent
3
|
M.P
|
Carols
@ 7.00pm
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
|
19th
Dec
Wed
|
Carol
Service in Tullaghmeelan Church @ 7.00pm
|
|||
|
21st
Dec
Friday
|
Carols in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 7.30pm
|
|||
|
23rd
Dec
Advent
4
|
8.30am – H.C. Old St
Marys, Clonmel
9.30 am – M.P. Holy Trinity, Fethard
11.00 am – M.P. – Old St
Marys
|
|||
|
24th
Dec
Christmas
Eve
|
1st
Eucharist of Christmas in St Paul’s, Cahir
|
|||
|
Tuesday
25th Dec
Christmas
|
No
Service
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
|
30th
Dec
|
Service of Thanksgiving,
Remembrance and @11.00am Dedication in St Patrick’s Church, Inishlounaght
(Marlfield)
|
|||
Select Vestry –
Will meet in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel on Friday, 30th November 2018 @
8.00pm.
Much
of the Agenda will relate to our Safeguarding Trust and Data Protection
responsibilities. Our Risk Assessment
has been sent to Canon James with our Parish Statement of Compliance. Much time
will be given by the new Safeguarding Committee, in the coming months, to
compliance. I am a member of this new committee.
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.
Sunday
School/ Childrens Club – I would like to try again to introduce
some form of children “youth “club” in the parish. It would involve an input of
once a week or so. If we were lucky enough to have a really good response it
might not be an every week input! I would like to have a conversation with
possible volunteers after Christmas if I get positive responses to this idea.
Training, vetting and all that is required under Safeguarding Trust will, of
course, apply.
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.
Bio-Diversity
– This
project is ongoing and we welcome plants & bulbs to fill the beds. The rose
bed is progressing really well.
