Last month I indicated that we were approaching a situation where Lay Reader support would become rather difficult due to the lack of new candidates.

Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in that position; but not because of retirements. In part due to there being no Rector/Priest in Charge in Piltown, the availability of readers has diminished. That situation should reduce after the new Priest-in-Charge arrives at the end of August.

The Dean of Cashel is unwell and will be off duty for some time. This means that the Readers in Cashel Union will be fully occupied during that time. It is also Summertime and many will be away and unavailable.

The time has come for us to become “self – sufficient” It is not fair to expect anybody to get up out of their pew and read a Service “off the cuff” . So, I am offering Churchwardens and those who are willing to be of assistance a short “course” in why we use the format we have for worship and some guidance in how to read it with the congregation! We need to train more Diocesan Readers as well. Here in our parish  we had two Readers in the past. We have had nobody offering for some years. Those who would like to learn a little bit more about what we do and why we do it are also welcome; even if you do not want to lead worship!

So the first two dates –

 Friday, 12th July @ 8.00pm in the Rectory and

Friday, 26th July @ 8.00pm.

There will be more in the Autumn/Winter.

The annual Summer visitations to our Churches have begun. Volunteers to help with this would be a great help. An hour or two on one morning/afternoon of the week would help wonderfully.

                                      Barbara

 

CHURCH SERVICES

Date   July	Cahir          9.30am	Fethard            9.30am	Clonmel   8.30am 11.00am	Tullameelan     2nd Sunday 11.00am
7th July Trinity3	M.P.	H.C.	H.C       H.C.	Worship in other church
14th July Trinity 4	H.C.	M.P.	H.C.       M.P.	H.C.
21st July Trinity 5	M.P.	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	Worship in other church
28th July Trinity 6	H.C.	M.P.	H.C. Service of    the Word	Worship in other church
4th August Trinity 7	M.P.	H.C.	H.C.       H.C.	Worship in other church

Pentecost Eve – I was delighted that 14 parishioners attended this event. Thank-you to Justin & Bigi for enabling it to happen. They volunteered to do it when they realised that I could not be there. I hope those who were present “enjoyed” the experience. We should give an enormous “Thank -you” to our Diocesan Communications’ Officer who is full of ideas; some of her best achievements so far have been her encouragement in getting us to do new things. The Pentecost videoing thanks to her, went so well when a group of clergy and lay members of the diocese spent a Sunday afternoon in Wexford dressing up and doing our version of the Coming of the Holy Spirit. We had fun doing it. And then the effort and skill with which she got it edited and helped us produce the Service in each parish in our Diocese.

I have the “stick” and, if you were unable to be there, we could replicate that Saturday evening in the near future.

Wednesdays – Holy Communion @10.30am in Old St Marys. Refreshments afterwards.

Rev Canon George Knowd – Canon George was my immediate predecessor who arrived in Clonmel to a dilapidated Old St Mary’s, and Holy Trinity, Fethard which was not much better state. Both of these churches were in dire need of a serious “makeover”. The parishioners of Holy Trinity received a legacy which enabled the necessary repairs. In Old St Marys, Canon George led a team who transformed the church interior. It was a project that he led with energy and is a memorial to his enthusiasm and forthrightness. Sympathy goes to Gwen and his family. His funeral took place in Cashel Cathedral followed by  burial in Aghaboe Churchyard. May he rest in peace.

Schools Festival Service – This took place in the Cathedral in Waterford on Friday, 14^th June 2019 @ 11.00am. The cathedral was filled with children, teachers and parents. The children from the six schools in our area sang, read, recited and in reality conducted the Service with the Rev Smyth keeping the momentum flowing. Our teachers and pupils played their part in a most professional way.

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 telephone number is available on the Parish Website

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.

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

Sunday Life – This hour long programme is broadcast on TipFm on Sunday mornings from 7 – 8am. It is presented by local clergy and, usually, consists of music, readings and chat.

Special Diocesan Synod – As these notes are being written, preparations are being made for our special Synod tomorrow. We have not sat down and reviewed how we manage, maintain and review the life of our diocese for a very long time. So, tomorrow, 29^th June 2019, the diocesan synod will meet in Kilkenny College to review all aspects of diocesan and parish life. It will be followed by some of us with the annual meeting of the “Friends” of St Canice’s Cathedral and the Cathedral Chapter will lead evensong later in the evening.

Parish BBQ –! This will take place this Sunday at the Rectory from about 1pm onwards. This is a fundraiser and the menu will include steaks. Charge €15, children free (up to 16yrs). All welcome

Safeguarding Trust – The Diocesan Team/Panel have almost completed their training; which has been detailed and quite detailed! The 1^st training days for members of parish panels and all who take part in child orientated activities will be required to attend training in the coming months. Parish policies are being written and it can be taken for granted that Safeguarding Trust is now an integral part of parish life. This is not to be taken as yet another onerous duty but needs to be accepted, seen and implemented as our collective effort to ensure that all minors and vulnerable adults and particularly “safeguarded” from abuse of any kind. To begin with, everybody needs to know who the panel members are! To do that you need to view the parish panel notice on your church notice board.

Singing Group – Will meet to choose hymns for the coming weeks and to sing them and learn new hymns on Friday, 5^th July 2019. One very good reason for joining us is; if you want your favourite hymn/s sung occasionally; being a member of this team helps!!

Harvest Thanksgivings 2019 -

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

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.

Parish Newsletter May 2016 – June 2016

Parish Newsletter May 2016 – June 2016

Rector: Rev Canon Barbara Y Fryday

Keeping our Churches Open -We really do need to keep our churches open during the week. We, like every other owner of an important site should be in a position to share our churches to those who come to visit in our area. We do have a limited accessibility in having Fas or Tus participants on site, at least, for some mornings per week. Unfortunately, in Clonmel, our Fas participants are finished at about 11.30am; a bit early for most on holiday! In Cahir & Fethard, the hours are also limited. To be successful in attracting people, it is important that opening hours are regular and correspond to the hours cited on notice boards. I tried, last year, to be in Old St Mary's for about two hours a few times during the week and it became obvious that there is a need. Apart from people seeing the interior of our buildings, there are those who would like to just go in and say a prayer or spend some time “out of the world”. But regular opening hours are the key to being truly welcoming to all. Activity such as this would discourage the inappropriate behaviour evident in, at least, one of our churchyards. When the repair of the Haha and the installation of the steps that will give access to the church happens (hopefully in the coming months), it will be even more important that we have St Paul's open. It's a shame that those who come into the grounds of Holy Trinity pass closed doors. Our insurance company has no issue with our opening our doors. They do not stipulate that we need to have somebody “on duty” within the building at all times. The practice throughout the world is that moveable objects are locked away during opening hours; other than those items which are of religious importance for private devotion. Some of the issues around this matter is our lack of confidence in our building being used with respect. No matter how hard one tries, there are always those who have no respect for others' property and appear to get some satisfaction from being destructive. To be a real parish, we all need to be open to others & to join with each other for the occasional central worship. One other point is that buildings need people in them. That is what they are built for! Open doors are like open arms! Barbara

 

Envelope Scheme – This has a double effect – you fill an envelope every week; whether in church or not – the amount is recorded and you will receive a receipt early in the following year. You have a choice as to where your donation goes – Weekly collection which funds the day-to-day running of our parish with its five churches (heat, light and maintenance) and/or the Assessment. You indicate where your contributions are to go. At the end of the year, if you have subscribed more than €250 and are an income tax payer, you will be offered the opportunity to further maximise your giving by filling our a tax relief form and benefiting your parish to a further €40 per €100 donated. This is a government scheme designed to benefit charitable organisations; which we are. Forty households already give in this way and it has made quite a substantial difference to parish finances – Thank-you! You should know that if you visit another church and put your envelope for that Sunday on the visited church's plate, it will be credited to that parish! 

 

 

Concerts –  

Banna Chluain Meala were joined by the Morris Knolls School Wind Ensemble for their concert in Old St Mary's on 2nd April 2016. The visiting ensemble came from the USA and are a High School band. The attendance was very good and the evening most enjoyable.

 

Concert (Harpists) -Holy Trinity Church, Fethard @ 8pm on Thursday 26th May 2016

 

Belle Voce Choir will sing in Old St Marys @ 8pm on Friday, 27th May 2016

 

The Koln Philharmonia will play in old St Mary's on Wednesday, 3rd August. This is an international association made up of musicians who excel in their own field. Small groups travel the world delighting audiences with their performances; in which unusual combinations of instruments are played. 

 

 

Rotas – We have rotas for flowers and cleaning in Old St Mary's. There are a few gaps – volunteers, please! Please remember that cleaning includes the church (including the vestry) and one brass plaque per week. It is assumed that cleaning is done particularly in preparation for Sunday worship. There are bins in the “kitchen” in Old St Mary's. Dead flowers should be put in the bin and vases washed. Branches and foliage may be put in the red tub. Please do not forget to clean, at least one wall plaque per month! 

 

 

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! 

 

 

Quinquennial Inspections – This is the 5-yearly inspection of all property in the parish by the Diocesan Architect. The diocese pays for the inspection of the Rectory and the parish pays for churches & halls. We will have such an inspection this year and can expect a bill for €2,000 approx! 

 

 

Your Prayers – Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need to pray, especially, for peace. The terrorist must not paralyse us into fear and inaction. It is through the example of those who show the love for each other, no matter who they are, what they have done or what, particularly, they have done to us, that ultimately will bring to all of us a better, calmer and more peaceful life. 

 

 

Whist Drives - Thank-you to those who supported our whist drives during the past season. It was good to see some new faces and we hope others will join us in the next season.

Greeting Cards – Greeting cards with pictures of all our 5 churches are available in each church at €2 each. The inside is blank to facilitate personal greetings. 

 

 

Training – The Rector attended a training Day on “Elderly Abuse” at St Luke's Home, Cork. It was presented in Power point and, I have to say, some of the scenes shown were horrifying. So many things that were once acceptable are no longer and never should have been. We all need to know what is acceptable and what is not. 

 

 

BBQ – This annual event will take place on Sunday, at the Rectory. €15 per adult; children free. Please bring a contribution towards salads & dessert. 

 

 

Ireland’s Ancient East Orientation Signage – Signs are to be erected in areas of the country where there are places of particular interest. We have been invited for St Paul's, Cahir to be included. But it would involve a keyholder who is willing to open the church at times when there is no Tus participant or parishioner present. Somebody in the Cahir area might like to volunteer – it is envisaged that tourists would not have to book far in advance of their proposed visit. 

 

On 29th May, the Bishop will celebrate in St Patrick's Church, Marlfield

 

 

Holy Baptism – Caleb Fenimore Buchwald was Baptised by the Rector on Easter Sunday in Old St Mary's in the presence of and with the support of his family. Caleb made his own promises and we pray the he may grow in the love of his Lord. 

 

 

Confirmation – Bishop Michael confirmed Gideon Ysaie Buchwald & Stewart Robert Luke in St Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore on Sunday, 3rd April 2016. Twelve other candidates were also confirmed. It was good to see parishioners present to support the candidates.

 

 

Singing Group – This group will meet on Friday 6th & 20th May 2016 and Friday, 10th June 2016 in Old St Mary's @ 8.00pm – new members always welcome – we are learning new hymns; especially from “Thanks & Praise”.

 

 

Schools Service– The annual Service for the six primary schools in our part of the diocese takes place in Old St Mary's on Friday, 10th June @ 11.00am. Contributions towards refreshments for the 300 children, will be most welcome. The Service will be followed by refreshments at the Parochial school. All are welcome to attend. 

 

 

Congratulations – To Samantha, Connor, Mathilda & Paige Mulroy on the safe arrival of Fred Isaac! 

 

 

A Plea – If your loved one has been hospitalised, please tell me! I have recently visited in STGH and found a parishioner on a trolley, but not on my list and traveled some distance to visit somebody else without knowing that another parishioner was in another ward. If you do not want me to visit, that's ok, but I do need to know! Hospital chaplains may not inform Rectors of the presence of their parishioners in hospital anymore because of the Freedom of Information Act! 

 

 

Parochial Hall – We await tenders for the repair of the ceiling; which will be followed by us working as a parish to redecorate and do such superficial works that will bring the building into use again. It is our intention, with the approval of the heritage architect to redecorate ourselves – volunteers, welcome! 

 

 

Receipts – If you made any donation to parish/Church funds during 2015, you should have received your receipt and a tax relief form. If you made a contribution through our envelope scheme or through any other way in which you could be identified and did not receive a receipt, please contact me. It is important that giving is acknowledged. If the sum credited to you is incorrect, please contact me and we will look into it. For those who have contributed sums of €250 or more, I enclosed an annual charity tax relief form, which needs to be returned to either the Treasurer or myself. If you wish to commit to continuing this giving for up to three years, please ask for the appropriate form. Thank-you to those who have returned completed forms. They have been sent to the diocesan Treasurer for processing.

 

 

General Easter Vestry – The General Easter Vestry took place in Old St Mary's on 31st March 2016. The attendance was smaller than usual. There are a few places remaining on the Select Vestry. If you would like to be co-opeded, please speak to me.

Supplement to Our Hymnbook – The Cds have not yet arrived; which is a something of a disappointment. 

 

 

Transition Year Visit – Members of the Transition Year of the High School and the Presentation Convent visited Old St Marys on 13th April. 

 

 

Board of Management Training – Members of the Boards of Management of your Primary School undergo training over a number of evenings. The 1st evening in the series took place in Kilkenny during April. 

 

 

Special Diocesan Synod – This took place to decide whether the new financial scheme for our Diocese would be accepted or not. The proposal was that every parish would pay 3/4 of the cost of ministry to the diocese (€45,000) + a sum based on parish census returns. We fall into the category of “small parish”. Our Assessment will remain about the same as what it has been. The motion was passed and comes into force next year. 

 

 

Copyright – The Rector attended a training day in Church House, Dublin recently. We have had a licence to print or present hymns on a screen for some years. Everybody should realise that only those hymns/songs on our licence may be reproduced. As it stand, CDs may only be played as part of worship. And there is a host of other stuff. Think of it this way, if you have published songs, books, articles etc you are entitled to a fee every time your work is presented in public and so it applies to everybody else.