One
month of 2020 has passed very quickly! As the evenings become brighter and we
have more light hours the garden beckons and the grass-cutting season is
imminent.
I
would like to see more of you participating in parish life. It’s not all about
attending Church on Sunday morning; it is about building a community where we
have fellowship and friendship.
We
appear to have made some progress in this already this year.
We
have a rather dilapidated hall; which needs renovation. We put a new roof on it
some years ago and seem not to have had the energy to bring it back to being an
asset to parish and community life. All it takes is a coming together with a
goal in sight; a goal which would not only benefit our parish life but also the
wider population.
Let
us build on the coffee morning last year when we came together and raised a
considerable amount for our hall. Another coffee morning is being planned; but
we need to do more.
We
cannot leave this to one or two; but let us come together as a united parish,
sit down and plan and from that enrich our parish life and community so the we
can truly say; “We are a united parish”.
Barbara
Select
Vestry – This is a group of people who are elected at the
General Easter Vestry to make decisions for the life of our parish. The
General Easter Vestry is open to everybody; it can be a good way of learning
about the parish you have become a member of. Everybody over the age of 18yrs
has a right to be elected to the Select Vestry! Why not come along on 17th
April 2020; if for no other reason than to learn about how our parish is
governed. They “manage” our finances, oversee and make decisions for the upkeep
of our buildings and their contents; known as “Three Fs; which are Fabric
(buildings), Furnishings and Finance and
this is what the Select Vestry’s brief is! So, in order to do all of
this it collaborates with the Diocesan Rural Deans, the Diocesan Architect and
our Councils and Synods. We have some vacancies; so if you would like to be
better involved in the life of our parish or to learn more about the parish to
which you belong; why not come along on 17th April 2020 to Old St
Marys @ 8.00pm; if for no other reason than to learn about how our parish is
governed.
Reading
in Church – 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 prayer book/script. Those participating will be encouraged to write
their own prayers which will be included during their leadership.
Thank-you
also to those who read in our churches and to those who, when nobody turns up
to lead worship, step up to ensure all present can fulfil their Sunday
obligation!
If
you would like to be part of any of these teams; just ask. Training will be
provided.
Mary
Cunningham – Our sincere sympathy goes to Mary’s family. Mary arrived
in this parish some years ago with her family.
She immediately embraced our culture and life. She
transformed Tullameelan with her energy, faith and desire to make it the best
place of worship in the parish. Her last “gift” was the 1st Carol
Service in that church before Christmas 2019. The whole community was involved!
It was an amazing evening. She unfortunately, spent her last Christmas in
hospital and the care she received in South Tipperary General Hospital was
excellent. Her funeral Service took place in a full church and cremation took
place in Cork. To David and her family we offer our sincere and heartfelt
sympathy. She will be remembered in Tullameelan every time we look at the
wooden cross she gifted for the altar. May she rest in peace and rise in glory
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. We still await our
date!
This
will also require a coming together to review that recommended.
Rural Deanery
Inspections – These
should occur annually; but have not for some time. They involve the Rural Dean
arriving at the Rectory to be greeted by the Rector and Glebewardens. The Dean
brings a collection of forms and information; such as a complete list of all
the “silver” in the parish safe, forms to record the condition of each building
in the parish; churches, halls, rectory and any other property. In the case of
the “church plate”(the “silver”) the RCB keeps a record of everything that
should be in the safe!! These will take place between now and Easter! It
usually takes all day for each parish and the Rector and Glebewardens need to
be available if possible!! I am a Rural Dean and, so will be “missing” for some
days in the coming month.
CHURCH SERVICES
February 2020
|
Date
|
Holy Trinity
Fethard
9.30am
|
Old St Marys
Clonmel
8.30am
11.00am
|
St Paul's
Cahir
9.30am
|
Tullameelan
Knocklofty
11.00am
|
|
2nd
February
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No Service
|
|
9th
February
|
M.P
|
HC
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
|
16th
February
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No Service
|
|
23rd
February
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service of the Word
|
M.P.
|
No Service
|
|
1st
March
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No Service
|
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.
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!
Confirmation – Confirmation will
take place for our Union of Parishes in
Tullameelan Church on Sunday, 19th April 2020 @11.00am.
The
only other Service in the parish on that morning will be Holy Communion @8.30am
in Old St Marys. Confirmation is an important event in life of Church members and,
as, fellow parishioners, we have a duty to be there and to support our young
candidates.
There
is still time to have preparation and to be confirmed if you have not been
already. It’s never too late! All you need to do is ask or telephone the
Rector.
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” immediately after the Baptism . These
fees go towards the upkeep of our historic buildings and other parish expenses.
Fees are set by the Select Vestry. Payment in the case of funerals should be
given to the undertaker and for weddings in advance.
Weddings – There are fees for
this special occasion in peoples’ lives, and they should be paid before the
wedding takes place. You need to give, at
least, three months notice to the civil registrar at the County Clinic in order
that the civil papers can be issued.
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 is under Church of Ireland management and the ethos of the
school is Anglican/Church of Ireland. For enrolments please contact the Parochial
School: Ms Rosemary Wallace (Principal) Tel 052 6127876
Whist
Drives –These
evenings take place on the 2nd Friday of the month from October to
March in the Sisters of Charity School -opposite Old St Mary's @ 7.45pm sharp. All
welcome
