May has been a very busy month. The General Easter vestry took place on Friday, 3^rd May 2019.  Attendance was poor – a situation mirrored in other places in our diocese. Easter was very late this year and, it seems, that for some events of a more summery climate had kicked in.

The special Pentecost Eve service details are in this newsletter. This will be “broadcast” electronically. It may very well give us a sense of times how worship may be presented in the future!

The General Synod of the Church of Ireland took place in Derry this year. It was a long drive; but pleasant as both journeys took place in sunny weather.

A special Synod will take place in the coming weeks to consider the future of our diocese. We will look at how we do things t the moment and consider changes. There is a new spirit at the moment and I hope many of you will embrace our efforts to bring what we do into a new and exciting place.

                                     Barbara

St Patrick's Church, Inishlounaght (Marlfield) – We have shared this 

church with the parishioners of St Mary's, Irishtown for some years. It began at a time when they needed more space for worship. Times have changed and numbers at worship have decreased. As of the beginning of May, this church has fully reverted to us. The practical aspect of this was the transference of the electricity bill to our account.

Safeguarding Trust – A diocesan panel has been formed and those of us 

been undergoing intensive training with the help of professional in that field. . This will enable the diocese to present the training of parish panels, parishioners and other training events. It will have oversight of the programme.

Bereavement - Francis (Frank) Sparrow died in Sacre Coeur, Tipperary

town on 12^th May after a long period in care. His funeral Service took place in Holy Trinity Church, Fethard on 19^th May. Burial took place in Cooleagh; A medieval church site north of Fethard and next door to his home at St Johnstown. Our sympathy goes to his sisters and their families in the UK and the Thompson family of Golden, Co Tipperary. May he rest in peace.

Holy Matrimony – Richard Thomson-Moore and Anna Coakes were 

united in Holy Matrimony in Holy Trinity Chaurch, Fethard on Saturday, 25^th May 2019 in the presence of a full church. Anna's family travelled from Australia for this happy occasion. We wish them a long and happy marriage at Barne.

Sunday Life – On TippFm on Sunday mornings @ 7.00am.

Select Vestry Meeting – Friday, 14^th June 2019 @ 8.00pm

                                         in Old St Marys.

Schools Festival Service – This Service takes place in three venues in the 

Diocese each year on the 2^nd Friday in June. So this year, our school will attend at Waterford Cathedral on Friday, 14^th June 2019 @ 11.00am.

EIO Surveys – Holy Trinity, Fethard and Old St Mary's have now been 

surveyed by our insurance company. The other churches in the parish will be surveyed in the coming months.

Chapter Duty in St Canice's, Kilkenny – It is the custom from medieval 

times that members of the Cathedral Chapter preaches once per year. I will preach in St Canice's Cathedral at the 11.30 Eucharist on Sunday, 23^rd June 2019.

Other General Synod News – The Pastoral Services relating to sensitive 

family care a in relation to stillbirths and infant mortality were passed and becam part of our prayerbook at Synod. There are pastorally sensitive services, prayers etc outlined to help clergy with those times when families are in the depths of sorrow and loss.

Koln Philharmonia – Will perform in Old St Marys on Wednesday, 7^th August @8.00pm.

Harvest Thanksgivings -

Sunday, 1^st September 2019 in Cahir @ 7.30pm

Sunday, 8^th September 2019 – Tullaghmeelan @3.30pm

Sunday, 15^th September 2019 – Fethard @ 7.30pm

Friday, 20^th September 2019 – Clonmel @ 7.30pm

Sunday Afternoon Musictime – Members of rhe Concert Band of Banna 

Cluain Meala entertained a full church at Old St Mary's on Sunday, 26^th May 2019. Their hall was full of voting boxes, they needed to practice and so this event took place. There was a retiring collection as people left the church in aid of our efforts to raise enough to renovate our hall. The box, filled with notes and coins in it, amounted to €1405 when counted!!.

Lay Readers/Clergy – I attended a meeting of the Diocesan Wardens of Readers this week. A number of other dioceses are now following the course our diocese has used for some time. There is concern that the new Ordained Local Ministry will impact on our teams of Diocesan Readers. The OLM will consist of parishioners who will persue the new course for this ministry and serve in their own localities/parishes.  There is a concern that many of our present Diocesan Readers will seek ordination to this ministry and so reduce the availability of lay readers for conducting worship around our diocese. There are signs that this is already happening. We will always rely on both ministries Sunday by Sunday.

We find ourselves, also, in a position where more and more parishes are unable to fund ordained Rectors/Curates etc. in their parishes.

It is important that we have sufficient clergy/ readers in order to provide. worship Sunday by Sunday. The age profile of clergy in most dioceses is rising. The Church of Ireland is in a somewhat better place in this matter than some other Churches. A chat with the Rector is the 1^st port of call!

The Readers course in our Diocese is delivered locally within the Diocese. Once again, the Rector is there to receive those who would like more information!

Wednesdays – Holy Communion @ 10.30am – this will not take palce 

                         on Wednesday, 5^th June 2019

Saturday, 8^th June 2019 – In every parish in our diocese a special 

Pentecost Service will take place on the evening before on the Eve of Pentecost. The Service will be conducted by the Bishop; transmitted on a screen. Lay Reader, Mike O'Meara will lead in Old St Mary's @ 8.00pm.  Please do attend this special event which is the beginning of a new era in our Diocese.

 Parish BBQ - June 30th @ 1.30pm at the Rectory - cost €15 per adult; children 14yrs and younger free.
More details and to give idea on numbers, contact the rector.
Some help with setting up would be appreciated. Please contact the rector if you can help. This is a parish fundraising event which benefits our whole parish. Looking forward to a good attendance.

Celtic Choristers – This group of singers entertained a sizeable audience in Old St Mary's on 4^th May 2019. It was organised by Maureen Purcell.

Newsletter June - August 2018

I would like to thank parishioners for their helpful co-operation with regard to Data Protection; which came into force on 25^th May 2018.

Many of us, at present, are rather tired of the numerous requests for our acceptance of communication with those we deal with day by day. Best, I think, just to get on with it and be compliant! There is a requirement that you sign a form allowing the parish to keep information about you and keeping in contact with you.  It is with regard to contacting you with newsletters and other information. Your name, address and contact details are kept on a “Parish List”; which is used for correspondence purposes and on diocesan “parishioner numbers lists (no names or other details supplied) which are used for census purposes. (only numbers given and kept by the diocese). If you have not signed one, please let me know and I will get a form to you.

You may ask at any time to see the information kept by us about you.

Just a note to say that information with regard to Safeguarding Trust and Data Protection is kept in a locked filing cabinet; access to which is only by the Rector or a member of the relevant Statutory Authority.

It should also be noted that we are compliant with the Charities Regulatory Authority's requirements with regard to submitting our financial accounts to them annually. We have now, in compliance with the CRA & Revenue, one set of accounts for all aspects of parish finance for the purposes of our regulatory submissions. This does not in any way breach the internal arrangements we have with regard to the management of our day to day business.

                                                                                                     Barbara

Cleaning & Flowers in our Churches –

Please remember to do what you have                                                                   volunteered for, and please take your rubbish away with you. New volunteers are always welcome.

St Paul's, Cahir Concert– On Friday, 1^st June, “Cahir to Sing” will perform in St Paul's Church, Cahir @ 8pm.

Tickets may be obtained from Mrs Carter, Cahir, (This is part of an effort to raise funds to do essential work on the two small pinnacles at the front of the church.

St Paul's, Cahir - The planned exhibition of the Tyndale Bible and other interesting books has been postponed to Harvestime.

This exhibition will then move from St Paul's to Old St Mary's, Clonmel, for the harvest Festival. The proceeds, after expenses, of the Clonmel exhibition will go to our hall  fund. We are grateful to Mr Felix O'Neill who owns the Bible and other very precious books.

Old St Mary’s Clonmel, Concerts - 

The Koln Philharmonia will perform in Old St Marys on Wednesday, 8^th August @ 8pm.

Clonmel Union of Parishes

Harvest Thanksgivings 2018

Sunday, 9^th September 2018 – Tullameelan @ 3.30pm

Sunday, 16^th September 2018 – St Paul's, Cahir @7.30pm

Sunday. 16^th September 2018 -  Holy Trinity, Fethard @ 7.30pm

Friday, 21^st September2018 – Old St Mary's, Clonmel @ 7.30pm

It is traditional for parishioners to contribute flowers, fruit, foliage for the decorations and, if possible to help with the decoration and provide a contribution to the after-Service refreshments

Safeguarding Trust – We are now heading towards Safeguarding for Adults. Clergy will be trained during June 2018.

Your Prayers – Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need to pray, especially, for peace.

Sunday Life -This is an hour-long programme on TippFm which is broadcast from 7- 8am on Sunday mornings. It usually comprises music, reading and interviews. We keep it light as most of our listeners have just woken up!

Parochial School – The children are, at present, preparing for the Annual Schools' Service which will take place in Stradbally, Co Waterford on , Friday8th June @ 11.00am.

Bio-Diversity Project – This project hosted at both Old St Marys Clonmel & St Pauls Cahir,  has developed  very well in the last year; both due to dedication of parishioners and the CoCo.  At Old St Marys; we always welcome additional contributions of plants for the new areas. Please consult with Bernard regarding which plants are best for such projects. Offers of helping with maintenance is also most welcome.

The Rose Garden has been planted behind the church in Cahir. We are having some problems with vandalism at the moment, CCTV is in place.

Lay Reader Training – A new course will probably begin in Autumn  2018. 

Anybody can do this course for their own interest . It is presented at NFQ Level 7 and can be quite challenging. We rely on our Lay Readers to keep our chur ches open and it is always necessary that new people offer themselves for this Church ministry. Cork Diocese has now begun its own course due to demand.

   

Diocesan Personnel News – We will welcome the Rev Conor O'Reilly to Wexford Parish on the 3^rd July 2018 when he will be licensed to serve in that large and busy parish.

Junction Festival -  This Festival takes place in July every year. There will be concerts in Old St Marys on 4^th  & 6^th July. Details will follow later.

CHURCH SERVICES

2018 April/May 2018	St Pauls, Cahir     9.30am	Holy Trinity Fethard 9.30am	Old St Marys Clonmel 8.30am 11.00am	Tullaghmeelan 11.00am
June 3rd Trinity 1	M.P.	M.P.	M.P. @ 11.00am	Worship in other church
June 10th	M.P.	M.P	M.P.	M.P.
June 17th	M.P.	H.C.	H.C H.C.	Worship in other church
June 24th	H.C.	M.P.	H.C. Service of the Word	Worship in other church
July1st	M.P	H.C.	H.C. H.C.	Worship in other church
July 8th	H.C.	M.P.	H.C. M.P.	H.C.
July 15th	M.P.	H.C.	H.C. H.C.	Worship in other church
July 22nd	H.C.	M.P.	H.C. M.P.	Worship in other church
July 29th	H.C. - Old St Marys @ 8.30am Cetnral Service in St Patrick's, Inishlounaght @ 11.00am

Wednesday  Weekday Service – Service at  10.30am in Old St Marys  – Refreshments  after. Note: no Wednesday service Wednesday 6^th June

Singing Group –

Thursday,  15th June @ 8.00pm                 

Friday, 29^th June 2018 @8.00pm

Friday 13^th July @ 8pm

General Synod – Its membership is the House of Bishops, and clergy and laity in proportion of two lay people to every member of the clergy. It meets annually in May for three busy days. This year there was an attempt to change the numbers of members which would have impacted adversely on the Southern Province; us.  After a lot of discussion it was decided that the Standing Committee (they formulate legislation and tease out important ideas and proposals and meet regularly during the year, would come to Synod next year with proposals for a reduction in the numbers in Synod that would be fair to the whole Church.

Our prayerbook is out of print at the moment. A reprint will be available at the end of the year and will contain a new form of Morning Prayer especially for Sunday. The Morning and Evening Prayer we know was not designed to be used on Sunday; it was and is The Daily Office.  There will be some other small  amendments. There will be no need to buy new books! A booklet with the “new” liturgies will be supplied and the new printing will include all. .

General Synod is a busy time of business with much sitting, listening, voting and can be tedious. But it is also a time to meet old and new friends, to worship together and have the pricilege of being part of the legislature of our Church.

Parish BBQ -  June 24^th @ 1.30pm at the Rectory - €15 per adult; children free.

Some help with setting up would be appreciated. This is a parish fundraising event which benefits our whole parish. Looking forward to a good attendance.

New Worship in a Time of  Change in our Country –

Sometimes we think the Church does not/should not change.                                                                                We take it for granted the it is a place where we can be “comfortable” in its unchanging beliefs and doctrines. But the Church founded by our Saviour was for community worship, caring and living the Christian life fully in our world. It is supposed to be challenging and changing to meet the  needs of its people. It seems a little strange to be writing this as the results of the Referendum are coming in!

Our reprinting of our Prayerbook will meet a need that is reflected in the Referendum result.

For too long the Church has failed in many areas to bringing comfort, support and pastoral care in certain areas. There is that area of miscarraige, stillbirth and difficult pregnancy issues where we have failed to provide adequate guidance, liturgies or any support to clergy and people in these circumstances. With my fellow clergy I have tried to provide the care, concern, support and spiritual presence absent in our liturgies and training when confronted by these events .  My own personal experience of what I often describe as “heartless”; of  poor medical care, being incapable, by law, of signing a consent form for my own treatment because I was a married woman in Ireland and not being told what they were going to do to me, lack of compassion and support of expectant mothers having difficulties, of the absence of acknowledgement of the humanity of  those stillborn or suffering neonatal death and the absence of any sense that those tiny beings were worthy of a prayer at burial or even the presence of their mothers and the assumption that having another child would “cure” it all.

In our new prayer book, we will have liturgies for naming a child stillborn and for the child's funeral and burial and other prayers that might be used at the discretion of the clergy.

Like so many in Ireland, I rejoice in an end to women procuring drugs that could contain harmful ingredients by post from aboard, of an end to an amendment that made it difficult to actually decide to save a pregnant woman's life although her expectant child had died or had no prospect of living after birth.

No set of laws can cover all aspects of life. But in a country where most of us care, where family life still means a lot, the time has come for us to find the better way to look after everybody. What may still be lacking, we may be able to  right in this new confidence. The maxim should be that we “do no harm” and only seek the best for all, from all, with all and so find the true meaning of being a Christian.