Assessment –

Assessment – This is the way in which your Rector is “paid”. There is also within what we are asked to contribute some  diocesan levies. The amount we are assessed for is now  arrived at according to the parish population – as a united diocese from next month ,we will be assessed from birth . It has now become even more important that every family make a donation no matter how small – the way it is supposed to work, in spite of there being an average sum which is the levy per head – is that everybody gives what they can so that those who can give more balance out the final amount – everybody's donation is valued and welcomed and is  kept confidential between the Treasurer & Rector.

You should be aware that some give their donation or part of it by putting their loose change, no matter how small, into a jar and hand it over periodically! All donations are recorded.

Diocesan Synod

– When  Bishop Michael takes the Chair at the Diocesan Synod on 23^rd Ocotber 2013, the dioceses of Cashel, Waterford, Lismore, Ossory, Ferns & Leighlin will become one United Diocese with one Synod and one Diocesan Council.

 Over the years, requests were made to allow more and more sharing until last year it was decided to meet together in May 2013 to vote for or against union. The result in May was almost unanimous and the fruits of the labours various committees set up to work out the logistics of such a union were achieved.

A remarkable growing together has been achieved and  if we continue in that attitude, we can expect amazing results.

In this parish, we need to find a vision of being part of something greater than ourselves. We do not have a tradition of being an integral part of the diocese, let alone of the wider Church family. We need to leave behind old ways and attitudes and look forward into the future. If we do not we will become weaker and more and more remote and insular.

We need to find a welcoming spirit, a willingness to be truly a part of the community of faith. And to help others become part of parish life – not just bodies in pews, but active and included.

We need to open our church doors, be there to greet the stranger and to do all in our power to behave as true Christians.

Diocesan Seminar for Treasurers & Members of Select Vestries

Diocesan Seminar for Treasurers & Members of Select Vestries – Two such seminars have been planned to provide information on financial arrangements etc in our diocese.  It is not easy to understand how it all works. The last Diocesan Concil meeting showed that! The calculations that provide the Diocesan Budget, Assessments etc are not easy to understand; especially for those who have little knowedge of  the previous arrangements. Oh that we could just multiply people by sums of money to arrive at the answer – but investment income allocations, basic common amounts, population and one or two other factors come together to  give us the result. Some parishes have a lot of investment income, some none.

Attendance at seminars like these do help with understanding!

So:

Wednesday, 30^th October 2013 in the South School, Abbeyleix

Monday,      11^th November 2013 in the Parochial Hall, Bunclody, Co Wexford@

Both @ 8pm

Diocesan Synod –

This will take place on Wednesday, 17th October 2012 at Kildalton College, Piltown. All members should make the effort to attend. The business of the Synod is to review the business of the Diocese during the past year and to make decisions, which are then, usually, delegated to the Diocesan Council to implement.
As we will be voting on whether our Diocese bcomes one administrative unit in March 2013, the elections to Diocesan Council are taking place annually to enable a smooth and immediate move to unity should March 2013’ not be favourable. This process has been complicated and in depth for those who represent our diocesan committees, it has gone well and we should pray that we decide to work togther for the benefit of all as one body united in heart, mind & spirit.

Confirmation 2012

Confirmation Service in St Paul’s Church, Piltown on Sunday, 17th June 2012 @ 3.30pm – If you would like the bishop to lay hands on you in affirmation of your faith at this Service, please talk to the Rector. The candidates from this parish will receive Holy Communion on Easter Day, before their confirmation, in accordance with the BCP rubric which says that they may as they are “desirous of being Confirmed”.

Information Evenings –

For many “the diocese” is a faceless entity that “takes our money” and has little relevance to us . In our
diocese we are endeavouring to unite those two entities; The Diocese of Cashel & Ossory and the Diocese of Ferns which form our Bishopric. And, after 800 years or thereabouts, we have it in our sights; very evident in the growing interaction betwen those on the east of the Blackstairs Mts & those on the west!

Our latest venture was two information evenings on the management of property. I have spent almost 20 years working in this area of diocesan life. I sat on the panel in Kilkeeny &, almost a week later, attended the evening in Bunclody, Co Wexford, my “home” country! Others did the same things and we all have got to know each other better and have learned that attendance brings support, interest, friendship and a desire to work together!!!

Services in the Irish Language –

At the recent clergy conference some of us met with Ms Caroline Nolan of Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise.

She has been employed to encourage dioceses to use the Irish language in worship. For many years, a monthly service as Garilge has been conducted in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Twenty clergy met with Ms Nolan, recorded simple prayers & responses which will shortly be available to Church members so that they can learn them as a preparation to partaking iinn the services which will shortly be arranged to take place monthly in the cathedrals of our dioocese – there will be one service per month and they will be conducted by one of the team of nine who have volunteered for this new venture.

We Welcome –

The Rev Dr Stanley Monkhouse to Portlaoise Parish and the Rev Peter Tarleton to Killeshin. Our congratulations & best wishes go to the Rev Maria Jansson, Wexford, as she prepares to move to Waterford as Rector & Dean.

Sodor & Man Ministry Conference –

The Rector, with two diocesan readers, attended our link diocese’s ministry conference at Lancaster University, England from 19th – 22nd September 2011. We went by ferry and road and did our little bit to strengthen the ties between our two dioceses. We were treated royally, I preached at one of our Eucharists and we learned a lot and got new ideas from the escellent speakers engaged for the conference.

Diocesan Magazines –

Eleven publications appear every year and cost €30 for that period. Each parish has a section and it is a great way to keep up with happening in the wider Church & the diocese. If you would like to receive it, contact the Rector with your €30 before 20th November 2010. Two “spares” are always available as “tasters” for those considering subscribing.
It has been assumed that those who have been receiving the magazine will still want to receive theirs monthly – subscriptions should be given to the Rector

Diocesan Synod –

Will be held in Wexford on, Wednesday, 20th October 2010 in the afternoon and evening. We have six members and hopefully all will be able to attend – it is of the utmost importance!

Diocesan Synod –

Will be held in Enniscorthy on, Wednesday, 20th October 2010 in the afternoon and evening.

Certificate in Christian Studies –

As Diocesan Warden of Lay Readers, I will be devoting one evening per week to this course from late September.

This is new Certificate in Christian Studies for all diocesan lay readers- in-training and for those who wish to do the course for their own purposes

You will be informed when we have application dates for the course – any adult may apply to do the course – it will carry transferable credits within the European 3rd Level system.

Institutions –

The Rev Ian Poulton 7will be instituted as Rector of Cloneanagh (Mountrath) on Tuesday, , 18th May @ 8.00pm. and his wife Katherine Poulton will be instituted as Rector of Kilkenny Group of Parishes and installed as Dean of Ossory on the following Friday evening at 8.00pm

Sustentation/Assessment –

In order to ensure that monies given by parishioners are used
for the purpose for which they are given, from now, all donations/subscriptions to this fund will be put into a separate account.
The due date for our having the monies in the diocesan account by 31st December means that many find it very difficult to write cheques or make donations to the live ministry coming up to Christmas. You may make a donation t any time that suits you, it will be recorded and you will receive an account of your giving for the year early in 2011 and you will be credited with making your donation in parish records. If your donations for any year are over €250, you may take part in the tax relief scheme, which further benefits the parish – ask the Rector or treasurer for details.

Ordinations –

The Revds Ivan Dungan, Ruth West & Christine O’Dowd Symth will be
ordained priest 30th May in Waterford Cathedral – The Bishop will ordain Alex Purser, Carlow Group of Parishes deacon on 20th June in Abbeyleix to serve in that parish. Please pray for all of them and for Jim &Brendan, from our diocese,who are at present studying in our Theological Institut

Confirmation 2010, Old St Mary's Clonmel -

Confirmation Service will take place in Old St. Mary’s on Sunday, 27th June @ 3.00pm - It is hoped that all parishioners will regard this occasion as a very important day in the history of our parish and will be there in force to hear and see the candidates make their vows and be confirmed by Bishop Michael. There will be no other services in the parish on that day.

Sunday School Training –

There will to taining for Sunday School Teachers in Kilkenny on Saturday, 6th March. If anybody would like to come with me, just let me know – we need more for our youth work.

Quinquennial Inspection (5 yearly) –

We will be due for one of these in 2012 and this is like a vacancy inspection by the Architect of the Rectory – always something to be done and money to be spent! – just advance warning!

Sodor & Man Link –

The Bishop of Sodor & Man and his Rural Deans will visit our diocese during the 1st weekend in February. John and I will be hosting one of our visitors, but, unfortunately it will be for only one night and he will arrive late and leave early. I hope we will have a visitor for our link diocese shortly who will stay a day or two and we will be able to have a get- together .