The
year is passing so quickly and so much is going on; not all of it good!
I
know everybody has been shocked by the appalling rise in the cost of posting a
letter and, unfortunately, we cannot sustain the cost of posting newsletters.
This may mean that some will left out of the loop.
However,
I am very reluctant to lose contact. So, in an effort to keep everybody informed
I am going to do as usual this month.
Those
of you who attend church regularly, if you are missing, you will either receive
your newsletter when you next attend or, may I ask that those who attend on the
Sunday when the newsletter arrives in church that you deliver to those who live
near you? The newsletter usually arrives on either the last or first Sunday
of the
month.
For
those of you who receive your newsletter by email – that will continue.
The
newsletter is published on the parish Facebook page also!! And it is updated
regularly.
If
you have an email address but have not given it to me, may I ask you to send an
email/text to me from your computer/phone and you will then receive your
newsletter by email/phone. And, please, open the email and read.
If
everybody helps as above, then, if the numbers are quite small the present
system will continue for those who have no email or who live too far from other
parishioners.
The
present price of a stamp now may very well affect those who rely on the post to
keep in touch with friends & relatives.
There are those whose only contact with others is through receiving and
sending letters/cards/greetings. Computers and texting is handy but does not
fill the void created when one cannot hear the letter fall through the
letterbox, the expectation in opening the envelope and reading familiar script.
It's sad and brings yet one more deficit in the lives of many.
Barbara
Safeguarding Trust – This processed is very slow with just 3 returns at the moment. It
appears that those working with children in the public services, including
teachers, are being given priority. To avoid any misunderstanding; the final
document comes to me as the local administrator and is kept in the parish
filing cabinet. One word, if you are filling out a form make sure you fill it
in completely; there is a little box down near the bottom of the vetting
application form that requires a tick! It is good to have a team willing to
help with our young people. If you would like to be part of this parish team,
please ask for a form.
Singing group – Will meet in
Old St Marys on Thursday, 18th May & Friday, 16th June@
8.00pm -all welcome! – this is an opportunity to learn new hymns/canticles and
sing old ones in a relaxed atmosphere.
Place 4U - Charity Coffee Mornings on Friday mornings from 10am – 12 noon.
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 greeting
Diocesan
Magazine –
Thank-you to those who have paid for their diocesan magazines – there 3 still
outstanding. I have one spare if anybody would like to get all the diocesan
news monthly. (€32 for eight)
Cleaning
& Flowers in our Churches – The new rota is in the porch of Old St Mary's.
Where no provider of flowers/greenery appears, it is the task of those who
clean in that month.
Parish
Funds – If you are
eligible to apply for the Inland Revenue's tax relief for charities, please
fill in a form and benefit your parish to the tune of €40 for every €100
donated. It costs nobody anything and helps us pay our bills!!! It is important
that if you place a donation, other than your envelope, on the plate on Sunday or a Holy Day that you
do it in a way that identifies you and the amount!!
Old St Mary's – The East end of the
church has been redecorated by George Hogg and Bernard Prendergast. New lights
have also been installed behind the Communion Table; which enhance the
beautiful window, especially at night. The congregation in Old St Mary's exceed
numbers during the last 10 years. Maybe we are seeing a better commitment to
the worship of almighty God!
Housekeeping - We have changed our electricity supplier. Our
new supplier does not treat churches and parish halls as commercial businesses
as others do! Part of changing supplier involves reading meters and that can
produce a rather large bill as in some of our buildings meter reading has not
been done for some time – one church had not had the meter read for seven
years! Some meters are in inaccessible places high up on walls and require a
ladder to read. Nobody should climb a ladder alone for health and safety
reasons.
CHURCH SERVICES
2017
March
|
St Pauls, Cahir
9.30am
|
Holy Trinity
Fethard
9.30am
|
Old St Marys
Clonmel
8.30am
11.00am
|
Tullaghmeelan
11.00am
|
May
7th
Easter
4
|
M.P
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
May
14th
Easter
5
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
May
21st
Rogation
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
Worship
in other church
|
May
25th Ascension
|
E.P.
@
7.30PM
|
Worship
in other church
|
||
May
28th Easter 7
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service of the Word
|
Worship
in other church
|
June
4th
Pentecost
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
June
11th
Trinity
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No
8.30am
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
June
18th Trinity 1
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
June
25th Trinity 2
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
M.P.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Weekday Service – Service Wednesday at 10.30am in Old St Marys – Refreshments afterwards
Holy Baptism – Oscar Warren Beatty,
son of Warren & Teresa and little brother of Harry was Baptised in Old St
Mary's Church, Clonmel on Holy Saturday, 15th April by the Rector;
in the presence of family and friends. We pray that he may grow in the love and
fellowship of the Lord.
Congratulations – To Rachel
& Oliver Freeman on the birth of their little daughter, a sister for Jake.
Holy Week & Easter – Numbers were small but those who attended appeared to have benefitted by some time-out from the busyness of the outside world.
As usual, there were a few who travelled to attend different venues each night.
The paschal candles for all the churches in Clonmel were lit in the churchyard
of Old St Mary's on Holy Saturday evening; followed by the walk to each church
and the Easter Vigil. Thank-you to the other parishes of Clonmel who presented
us with a beautiful Paschal candle for us in Old St Mary's as a “Thank-you” for
hosting the lighting of the candles on Holy Saturday.
Holy Thurday – As usual the bishop
and clergy of the diocese gathered to celebrate Holy Thursday in St
Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny. This is always well attended by the clergy, lay
readers and some lay people. We renew
the vows we made at our ordination, share in the Eucharist and enjoy the
hospitality of the Bishop and hs family. Bishop Michael's sermon/talk was based
on Caravaggio's painting of the “Supper at Emmaus”. In the evening in old St
Mary's, we shared in the Lord's Supper and I washed the feet of two members of
the congragation. On Good Friday
there were services in Cahir (morning)& Holy Trinity (evening) and
from12 noon - 3.00pm a small group
meditated on the crucifixion in words & music.
Your
Prayers –
Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At this time we need to pray, especially, for peace.
St Mary's Parochial School – Well done to teachers, children and parent on the amazing bio-diversity” entry in
the St Patrick's Day parade in Clonmel. It really was wonderful to see them
appraoch the viewing stand. It was different and stood out in what was the best
parade in many years!
Bio-Diversity Project – Our Bio-Diversity project is in it's fianal stages and we look forward to raising yet another Green Flag!. The schoolchildren have
chosen a name for the bug hotel and that will be revealed when the nameplate is
secured on the “hotel”. It is important that as many as possible are part of
this project. It's not just for our churchyards, but we should make every effort
to encourage wild life in our gardens as well. One sign of hope is that the
bees appear to be making a recovery – lots of bumble bees around this spring!
Envelopes & Assessment – If you made a donation to Assessment/collection and did not receive a
receipt, please contact me. You really do need to identify your giving – were
are no clairvoyant!
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!
Diocesan
Magazine –
Thank-you to those who have paid for their diocesan magazines – I have 1 spare
if anybody would like to get all the diocesan news monthly. €25 for 8 copies.
Parish
Funds – The
Church's concept of maintaining the life of a parish is that the parishioners
give towards all that running a parish requires freely. - This includes, for
maintaining the clergy's shelter & sustenance – the “shelter” is the
Rectory and the “sustenance” is the
stipend, the maintenance of our buildings and the running costs. The onus is on
the Select Vestry to ensure that sufficient funds are found; but the actual
provision of these funds is found through the generosity & participation in
parish life of /by the parishioners, fundraising and the use of investment
income in the manner prescribed by each individual investment. The case of the
latter, the new Regulatory Authority is charged with ensuring that all
charitable income is allocated to the cause for which it was invested.
Envelopes & Assessment – This scheme only works if every envelope is filled whether you are in
Church or not! If you need to indicate where the contents of an envelope needs
to go; please write “collect” or “Asses” on the back of the envelope. Please,
do not attach other pieces of paper which can come loose!
St Paul's – I have received a report on the works
needed at the west end of St Paul's. Both towers have serious issues regards the
ingress of water and wet rot as a result. There will be a meeting in St Paul's
for parishioners on Tuesday, 9th May 2017 @ 8.00pm to discuss this
matter.
General Synod – this is the governing body of the church of Ireland and will take place
from Thursday 4th May 2017 - Saturday.
6th May in the South Court Hotel, Limerick. The proceedings begin
with a Eucharist in St Mary's Cathedral at 10.00am and then we go to the hotel.
On the other days, we begin
at the same time (10am) and proceedings on the first two days will probably go
on until about 6.30pm and not later than 4pm on Saturday. Visitors are always
welcome – you sign in to listen – only members may speak or vote. It's a good way of learning about your Church
and how decisions are made. Members are
elected every three years from the members of Diocesan Synod. Yes, it can be
tedious at times, but it is a wonderful way to meet up with friends who live
all over our island!
Concerts -
Saturday, 3rd June 2017 – The Coro
Travingolette Band (Italian) with Banna Cluain Meala will play in Old St Mary's
@ 8.00pm
Saturday,
8th July – As part of the junction Festival, there will be a concert
@8.00pm – more details to follow.
Tuesday,
8th August – The Koln Philharmonia will play in Old St Mary's, Clonmel
from 8.00pm
Cleaning/Flowers/Refreshments – Thank-you to those who give of their time & energy to hoover and
dust and arrange flowers in our churches. Do bear in mind that while it is
important to have our church interiors looking well, most people see the
interior when they come to Sunday worship. Where there are refreshments after
worship, do bear in mind that somebody has to provide the tea/coffee and
goodies – donations always welcome – ask Bernard, George or myself in Clonmel
as to what is needed.
In Cahir, would it not be better to carry the water in
a small bucket rather than trying to carry a half-ful burco – with our numbers,
a kettle might be a better option!
General Easter Vestry – The attendance was poor.
Triennial Elections
took
place. There are some vacancies; talk to Bernard or myself if you wish to offer
yourself for service during the coming three years1
