Christmas Eve Vigil Eucharist - St Paul's Cahir, Clonmel Union of Parishes 24th December 2020

 Christmas Eve Vigil Eucharist - St Paul's Cahir, Clonmel Union of Parishes

24th December 2020

Diocese of Cashel, Ferns and Ossory Church of Ireland

#AnglicanCommunion #PorvooCommunion #episcopal #catholic #christian #ChurchofIreland

Christmas in Clonmel Union of Parishes ** Updated 23rd December 2020**

 Christmas in Clonmel Union of Parishes

*** Please note changes in line with rising numbers of infections****

Thursday 24^th December Christmas Eve

8.15pm – Christmas Vigil Holy Communion in St Paul’s, Cahir - Will be broadcast on Facebook Live on all Clonmel Union Pages and here on this website after.

 

Friday 25^th December Christmas Day

11.00am – Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Clonmel

  

Due to new restrictions coming in on the 26th December we will be back online only after Christmas Day.

Maximum 50 persons inside any church for services.

All arrangements are subject to change if guidance is updated by HSE and/or House of Bishops

Covid_19 precautions and guidelines must be followed, on Church Grounds and premises.

 Sanitise Hands on arrival and departure

·         Maintain Social Distancing at all times on church grounds and premises

·         Face coverings (masks) must be worn inside

·         Hand sanitiser must be used on entry and exit

·         One family unit per pew only

·         Only use pews marked for use to aid social distancing

·         Remove service sheets, and any other waste and dispose of carefully at home

·         No congregational Singing till advised otherwise

 

Weekly Sunday Service Podcasts will continue to be posted via Soundcloud to both the Parish website and Facebook Pages

Christmas in Clonmel Union of Parishes

Christmas in Clonmel Union of Parishes

Sunday, 20^th December

8.30am – Holy Communion in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel

9.30am - Holy Communion Holy Trinity, Fethard

11.00am – Holy Communion in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel

 

Wednesday 23^rd December

No midweek service this week in advance of Christmas Day

 

Thursday 24^th December Christmas Eve

8.15pm – Christmas Vigil Holy Communion in St Paul’s, Cahir

 

Friday 25^th December Christmas Day

8.30am – Holy Communion in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel

9.30am -   Holy Communion Holy Trinity, Fethard

11.00am – Holy Communion in St Mary’s, Clonmel

  

Sunday 27^th December

Online Service only this Sunday as need three days clearance for church reuse

 

Wednesday 30th December

No midweek service this week

 

Sunday, 3^rd January

8.30am - Holy Communion in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel

9.30am – Holy Communion in Holy Trinity, Fethard

11.00am – Holy Communion in Old St Mary’s, Clonmel

 

All arrangements are subject to change if guidance is updated by HSE and/or House of Bishops

Covid_19 precautions and guidelines must be followed, on Church Grounds and premises.

 Sanitise Hands on arrival and departure

·         Maintain Social Distancing at all times on church grounds and premises

·         Face coverings (masks) must be worn inside

·         Hand sanitiser must be used on entry and exit

·         One family unit per pew only

·         Only use pews marked for use to aid social distancing

·         Remove service sheets, and any other waste and dispose of carefully at home

·         No congregational Singing till advised otherwise

 

Weekly Sunday Service Podcasts will continue to be posted via Soundcloud to both the Parish website and Facebook Pages

Our new School Board of Management has met for its first meeting. The Board comprises of the two teachers, two people nominated by the Patron and two people from the “wider” community and two parents. Their role is to oversee the general

Administration of the school, to ensure that all compliance matters are in order and  to support the staff.

Our school has an ethos that is Church of Ireland. 

We are privileged in that the school building is owned by the Office of Public Works and that we do not have to meet the costs of maintenance.

The building was once a “ Model School”. These schools were put in place in the 19^th century so that education would be available to all children. Many of them were actually boarding schools as well as being “day” schools.The curriculum included the “3RS” and also prepared the students for later life.

I attended a “Model” school where the Principal Teacher held firmly to the past! Our curriculum included all the usual subjects; but also included Irish dancing, art classes with a qualified teacher, elocution, everybody learned to sew, knit and a host of other activities that we believed then to be essential for our adult life. Nobody had any idea that we would experience so much change in later life. . We had our own individual “garden” – it was tiny but good fun. In my 1^st school in Co Wexford the older girls did cookery and baking and, yes, I am old enough to have begun my efforts at writing on a slate!

Have a very Happy Christmas and do try to attend our Carol Services and on Christmas Day. And always know you are always welcome!   .

                          Barbara

Confirmation – Confirmation will take place in our parish in April 2020. At the moment, there are three candidates. If you wish to be confirmed, please make contact with me regarding preparation. The Service will be in the morning on a Sunday and may be in one of our churches that has never had a confirmation!

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.                                                                                                                                    

Carol Services –

Sunday 8th  December  -St Paul's, Cahir @ 8.00pm

Thursday, 12^th December – Tullameelan @ 8.00pm

Sunday, 15^th December – The Abbey Church, Fethard @ 7.30pm  Friday, 20 ^th December – Old St Marys @ 7.30pm

Sunday, 22^nd 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.

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 prayer book/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!

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!!

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 – Christmas Whist Drive Friday 13^th December 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, 5^th December – Tickets to be bought in advance.

                                         CHURCH SERVICES

Date	Holy Trinity Fethard 9.30am	St Marys Clonmel 8.30am 11.00am	St Paul's Cahir 9.30am	Tullameelan Knocklofty 11.00am
1st December	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	M.P.	No Service
8th December	M.P	HC       M.P.	H.C.	H.C.
15th December	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	M.P.	No Service
22nd December	M.P.	H.C. Service of the Word	M.P.	No Service
24th December Christmas Eve	7.30pm Holy Communion in St Paul’s, Cahir
25th December Christmas Day	8.30am -   H.C. in  Old St Mary’s, Clonmel 9.30am  - H.C. in Holy Trinity, Fethard 11.00 –     H.C. in Old St Mary’s
29th December	11.00am  Central Service in St Patrick’s, Innishlounagh,Marlfield

 Everyone is welcome...

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.

Wednesday Worship – Takes place at 10.30am  and is a celebration of the Holy Communion with tea/coffee afterwards.

Newsletter - October 2019

The year is really moving on! Our Harvest Thanksgivings has taken place. Congregation at these Services have been much larger than heretofore. Thank-you to those who decorated our church so beautifully and to those who provided sandwiches, cakes, buns and served tea and coffee.

The Ploughing event is over. The Church of Ireland stand this year was facilitated by our diocese; with clergy and laity provided coffee/tea and biscuits to visitors. And, this year, the numbers visiting was way up on previous years. There is a “curiosity among people to learn more, to clarify their view on us and to do some family tree research.

 The Mothers Union had their usual stand where they faciltate parents with a “nappy changing” service. I attended on Tuesday and did my stint in the Church stand. We had many visitors to Old St Marys this Summer. Some were seeking “family tree” information and quite a number had come just to visit the place where their ancestors had lived and worshipped. Since the new school term began we have had three school classes visit as part of their learning about the place where they live and exploring with width and depth of the Christian faith. The questions asked reveal a genuine interest and curiousty. . This is a growing trend as we become more confident as children of God in sharing with each other, learning about the place where we live and broadening our understanding of each other. It can, only, be good for all of us.

                Barbara

Select Vestry Meeting – Will meet in Old St Mary’s on Friday, 1^st November 2019 @ 8.00pm.

Whist Drives – Please note the slightly earlier start time is to enable us to finish a little earlier to enable people to ge home a little earlier. 

Friday, 11^th October 2019 in the Sisters of Charity School -opposite Old St Mary's @ 7.45pm sharp.

Friday, 8^th November 2019 in the Sister of Charities School opposite Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 7.45pm

Friday, 13^th December 2019 in the Sister of Charities School opposite Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 7.45pm

New players always welcome...

Confirmation – 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 on 6^th November 2019 @5pm in the Rectory. If it turns out that this does not work for you; please ring me.  Confrrmation will take place in this parish on Sunday, 11^th April 2019 at 11.00am . Dates & times are set by the Bishop who performs dozens of them in our large diocese.

Cleaning & Decorating our churches - Part of being a parishioner is lookiafter  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. 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 Services. We have a cleaning rota which needs updating! So volunteers, please contact rector.

Harvest Thanksgivings – Attendances were up this year in all our churches. Thank-you so much, those of you who ensures our churches were looking the best. The flowers, bunches and baskets of grain, vegetables and  of harvest symbolsdisplays reall help to get into the spirit of the occasion. It is right to give thanks to the Lord for the bounty provided at harvet time.

The children from the Parochial School presented their baskets/boxes of fruit and vegetables at Old St Marys which were  brought to Mariancourt on Monday morning.

 Thank-you to all who attended and to those who decorated our churches and supplied the refreshments. Thank-you to David Butler, Derek Verso and Pierce for their efforts to help us sing better with their excellent accompaniament. There is always ample oportunity for everybody to take part in this annual celebration as we have four Services each Autumn and all are welcome to participate.

                                             CHURCH SERVICES

Date	Holy Trinity 9.30am	St Marys 8.30am 11.00am	St Paul's 9.30am	Tullameelan 11.00am
13th October	M.P.	H.C.       M.P.	H.C.	H.C.
20th October	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	M.P.	No Service
27th October	M.P.	H.C. Service of the Word	H.C	No Service
3rd November	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	M.P.	No Service
10th Nov	M.P.	H.C.       M.P.	H.C.	H.C.

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.

Wednesday Worship Takes place in Old St Mary’s on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am. It is usually a celebration of Holy Communion and is followed by a cup of tea or coffee.

.

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.

Sunday, 29^th September – Banna Cluain Meala played to a packed church on Sunday, 29^th September 2019. This was the 2^nd such “free” concert and it is hoped to continue.

Bereavement – Stuart Smith died peacefully in South Tipperary General Hospital on  3^rd September 2019 in the presence of his family. He loved the outdoor life; especially while he lived in the south west of our country. Born in England, he came to Ireland and grew to love life here. We offer our sincere sympathy to Maura and his family in their sorrow. His funeral Service took place in Old St Mary's and cremation took place at the Island, Cork. May he

rest in peace.

Singing Group – will meet in Old St Mary’s on Wednesday, 16^th October 2019 @ 8.00pm. The group usually choose the hymns; but I’m sure there are some of you, or maybe all of you, who would like to have some imput into what we sing on Sunday morning in Old St Mary’s @ 11.00am. So, if you would like to contribute to the singing during our worship; write the 1^st line of your choices on a piece of paper and we will consider your choices.  Please bear in mind that some hymns may not be in the present books and that it is not feasible, to list hymns in advance. Anothr way of contributing is to join us when we practice!! All welcome!

Diocesan Synod – This gathering will take place in the Dolmen Hotel, Carlow on the afternoon/evening of 23^rd October 2019. This is the annual meeing where decisions for the future are made for our diocese. The meeting considers parish reports, explores new ideas/plans. It is the Diocesan AGM and those elected to it in accepting their election to it have made a conscious decision to attend!

Concert in Old St Marys:

“An October Evening with the Choir” will take place in old St Mary’s on Friday, 25^th October @ 8.00pm – proceeds will go to Bridgewater House.

FOR YOUR DIARY

Carols for Advent in St Paul’s, Cahir – Sunday, 8^th December @ 7.30pm

Carol Service in Tullaghmeelan –Thursday, 12^th December @7.30pm

Sunday, 15^th December - Carol Service in the Augustinian Abbey Church Fethard @7.30pm

Friday, 20^th December – Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 7.30pm decoration of church on Thursday, 19^th December –time to be arranged

Sunday, 22^nd December – Holy Trinity, Fethard @ 7.30pm