Tullaghmeelan –

What an improvement withthe Organ! The notes play and the various extras work. The
next stage of work on the organ will be done in the coming weeks.

Thank-you –

To Bernard Prendergast who has refurbished the Donoughmore graves at Tullaghmeelan and done other much needed jobs in the parish.

Holy Trinity Fethard –

The parishioners of Holy Trinity Fethard have now repaired the heater & replaced some slates on the roof. They will now place capping on the roof, which was not done at the time of re-roofing, complete the placement of grids on all windows and redecorate the church.

The repair & provision of two more heaters will be funded from the donation received from the film company and will just about be sufficient to complete this part of the project. The remainder will be funded by the Wyndham Bequest. The Select Vestry has approved these expenditures.

Repairs at Old St. Mary’s Clonmel–

We are now working towards re-roofing, repairing and making St. Mary’s Hall fit for use.

To that end, there will be a series of fundraisers in the coming Autumn/Winter season. Apart from making the building fit for parish use, we also hope that we will be able to rent it out for the use of other organisations.

FUNDRAISING IN AID OF ST MARY’S HALL RESTORATION

Barbeque – Saturday, 17th July In conjunction with Lodge 44, Clonmel, a barbeque at the Rectory – €15, children free – tickets from Bob Savage or the Rector!

Concerts – Tipperary Gospel Choir
Banna Cluain Meala - dates later

It is important that all parishioners contribute to our efforts – it is your hall and without it, it is difficult to really bring our parish to life

Repairs at Old St. Mary’s –

The roofs of the porch and old vestry tower have now been re-roofed and a number of other problems in those areas put to rights. Thank-you Duncan & Ken for your over-seeing this project.

Repairs at Old St. Mary’s –

In the coming weeks, the roofs of the porch and the square tower will undergo extensive repairs. Both roofs are letting in large amounts of water and have been for some time.The works will be financed by monies that are specifically set aside for this type of work. We hope that we may be able to secure a grant towards the costs.

Repair Works & Invoices

Invoices –All proposed repairs etc., must be sanctioned by the Select Vestry and proper procedures followed. In emergencies the sanction of the Rector and/or treasurer is required. All invoices must be made out to “Clonmel Union of Parishes” and it is for the Treasurer alone to pay for sanctioned work and services. All cheques must be made out to “Clonmel Union of Parishes” – the banks have become extremely fussy and with the changes in Charities Legislation we will in future be subject to auditing and so our financial procedures must be carried out in proper order.

General Easter Vestry –

The attendance was average, but when the apologies are counted the interest is seen to be increasing. Interest in what, you might ask? In parish life. We have new people on our new Select Vestry and some old hands. Those elected have taken on the responsibilty of being responsible for the three Fs for the next year – Finance, Fabric (buildings & land) and Furnishings (everything contained in our buildings). Nothing should be done in any property in the parish without the permission of the Select Vestry, and, if necessary, the diocesan Council and Representative Church Body.
When you look at the finances of last year you see that giving for the live ministry (assessment/sustentation) is our highest giving, but needs more subscribers to do what it is supposed to do. Donations towards repairs/renovations etc were extremely high. But giving towards the day-to-day running of the parish (light, heat and maintenance) is almost non-existent. In other words, we do not have a parish “life”. And this must be addressed if we are to be able to pay all our bills and, more importantly, become a place where people want to worship and share time with each other as real committed and lively Christians. Sunday collections are low and this is providing a sequence of – low funds to inadequate heat to poor attendance to low funds etc in at least one of our churches. There are other factors for low attendance at worship and they also need to be addressed and, once again, there are the sequences that perpetuate our problems – “nothing for the children in worship” to Rector prepares material to no children to etc. We need more volunteers for Youth Work. Maybe what I have said on page one might give some people ideas of what they might do to improve what I find a frustrating situation!
Select Vestry Meeting – Monday, 11th May 2009 @ 8.00pm in Old St. Mary’s,

Green Flag –

Dr Martin Mansergh, Minister for State for the O.P.W. came to us on a gloriously sunny and warm 20th March. The O.P.W. owns our school. He brought good news! Renovations and upgrading is to be done on a “classroom”. We’re not sure what that means, but any work sanctioned by the Department of Education and Science, through the O.P.W. or otherwise is always good.

The children Mced the event most professionally and they presented fantastic reports on how they had achieved this FIRST for Clonmel. Yes, our school is the 1st school in Clonmel to receive a Green Flag.

A big Thank-you to parents for the sumptuous afternoon tea served afterwards. Dr Mansergh was most impressed by what he saw and showed particular interest in our desire for the conversion of one of the vacant rooms into a general purpose room.

I almost forgot – the gerbils attended, they paid little heed to the proceedings, their interest being only in their continual shredding of cardboard – part of our recycling!

Old St Mary’s –

The Diocesan Architect has visited Old St. Mary’s to look at the areas where there is an ingress of water. Much of the work can be done by Fas or by volunteers . Over the coming months the trapdoor in the porch ceiling will be open to allow air to circulate in the roof space so that it can dry out. There will be some “mess” as we rectify the problems causing the damp and ingress of water.
The architect has had the carpet in the porch removed as it was causing the grave slabs to sweat. These slabs are designed to be walked on and for the inscriptions to fade with time, but we will be erecting a rope barrier to prevent them being walked on.
The plastic cover on the slab inside the church will be removed to stop condensation, which is damaging this medieval artifact. This will now be surrounded by a rope barrier.
The rising damp at the doorway at the east end of the church will also receive treatment in accordance with the architect’s recommendation.
The “pidgeon mess” in the bell tower will be cleared-out and the louvres securely fixed and mesh to stop the pidgeons getting in put in place. This work will cost us a bit as the “mess” will need to be cleared by professionals.
I spoke of “volunteering” earlier, this might be an opportunity for those willing to give a little of their time.

Coffee Time

This will be a “drop – in” type of morning. Your are invited – all of you –
to drop into the Rectory on Saturday, 31st January 2009 between 10.00am – 12.30pm. The idea is to facilitate parishioners meeting each other over a cup of tea or coffee. There will be a biscuit and, if your lucky, maybe a scone and jam! There will be a jam-jar for anybody who might like to make a donation to the Hall Restoration Fund – no obligation! This invitation included all of all ages.

Memorial Service

The parishioners of Holy Trinity, Fethard gave thanks for the life of Wyndham Hughes on 30th November. Wyndham and his Mum, Mrs Joan Johnstone, have very generously given Holy Trinity enough money to complete the repairs and renovations on the church. We are deeply grateful to them.

Old St. Mary’s

Following an inspection of roof areas that have been letting in water, the Select Vestry are initiating the necessary repairs. Our plans for the renovation of the hall are progressing well.