Bishop Michael’s Visit for Holy Week 2012 –

Those of you who were unable to join us during Holy Week as we followed Bishop Michael’s thoughtso n the Apostle Judas and experienced almost the complete choice of worship for holy Week missed an experience that often is a once in a lifetime. Numbers were much better than previous years and much good copmment has been passed on the “event”. For me the most meaningful evening was when we listened to the passion story in darkness , relieved only by the light of thirteen candles which were gradually extinguished as the story was read by the bishop and, after a noisy pause, the large “Christlight” was lit to signify our hope in the light of the risen Christ. I blew out the candles, so did not watch. But I am told that it was really efective. We will do “Tenebrae” again! Thank-you, Bishop!

Bishop Michael’s Visit for Holy Week 2012 –

Holy Trinity, Fethard & Old St Mary's, Clonmel on Sunday, 1st April – Palm Sunday

Old St Mary’s Clonmel on Monday, 2nd April @ 8.00pm - “Judas & Me”

St Paul’s, Cahir on Tuesday, 3rd April @ 8.00pm – “Judas the Treasurer”

Holy Trinity, Fethard, on Wednesday, 4th April @ 8.00pm – “St Judas?”

Old St Mary’s, Clonmel on Thursday, 5th April @ 8.00pm – “Dying Judas”

Good Friday – Old St Mary’s, Clonmel @ 12noon – as last year you may come and stay awhile
or for all of the “Words of the Cross”
- St Paul’s, Cahir – Evensong @ 8.00pm – “Judas in my Mirror”

The way in which this year’s Holy Week is constructed means that attendance on a number of night is advisable if you want to get the benefit of the Bishop’s interesting subject for hte week. Bishop michael has written a book, unpublished, on Judas and he will be sharing his thoughts on this “interesting” member of Jesus’ close group of followers.

Holy Week & Easter –

Attendance at the Holy Week Services were very small in Cahir & Fethard but in contrast
the attendances in Clonmel were up on other years. We moved chairs up near the sanctuary so that we could be closer together and the response to this was very good.

The paschal candles were lit in the grounds of Old St. Mary’s, as is usual, on Easter Eve. Tristan Buchwald was chosen to ask the traditional question at the beginning of the ceremony and the scouts provided the fire. Once again, the congregation was larger than previous years.

Our churches were beautifully decorated for Easter Day. Thank-you to the arrangers.

Holy Week & Easter –

Most of our services were well atended. The clergy of Clonmel met, with a good number of people, at Old St. Mary’s on Easter Eve to light the Paschal candles for the individual churches of the town. The Chairman of the County Council, Tom Ambrose, lit the torch from the fire and from it lit the paschal candles. . They were then carried to the various churches by the clergy and the Easter vigil followed with the church bells ringing throughput the town. The fire this year was the miniature gas beacon that was used to light the Olympic flame at the Special Olympics last year. As usual, the scouts do the honours. Our churches were beautifully decorated for Easter this year. Thank-you to the arrangers.

HOLY WEEK

Tuesday,7th April – Evening Prayer – St. Paul’s, Cahir @ 8.00pm

Wednesday,8th April- Compline – Holy Trinity, Fethard @ 8.00pm

MaundayThursday,9th April – H.C. - Old St. Mary’s @ 8.00pm

Good Friday,10th April:
Holy Trinity,Fethard @ 9.00am
St. Paul’s,Cahir @ 10.30am
Old St. Mary’s, Clonmel @ 12 noon

Easter Eve, 11th April:
Old St. Mary’s- Lighting of Paschal Candles& amp; Easter Vigil @7.30pm

The churches should be decorated on Saturday. This is not the preserve of a few.
All are welcome, but particularly we need donations of flowers and foliage.