Harvest Thanksgivings 2016
As I write this three of our four Harvest
Thanksgivings have taken place. Number have been up on other years and the
collections; which will be shared between Christian Aid and Bishops Appeal are
also up. Ms Alix Tiernan from Christian
Aid preached in Tullameelan & Fethard. We learned a lot about sand dams in
Kenya and how indigenous people in Colombia, South America regained their land
from multinational mining companies. Refreshments were served by parishioners
in the Community Hall, Grange after the 1st celebration and in the
church in Fethard.
Mr Billy Kingston preached in St Paul's, Cahir and
spoke about social justice. Two members of the clergy of the Coptic Orthodox,
Cahir were present and participated in our worship. The Cahir Choral Society
also participated. Dr David Butler accompanied the singing at all three Services.
We all enjoyed the hospitality provided by the
parishioners. A big “Thank-you”
to everybody who participated in our celebrations.
Friday, 30 September – Old St Mary's, Clonmel @7.30pm
Tus/Fas – While these
unemployment schemes help us in the care of our churches,
their task is not to do everything for us! We need to do our share of
cleaning, renovating and general maintenance. It is yet another way of building
up community spirit! We do not pay those who take part in these schemes and, I
think, sometimes we expect too much!
Old
St Marys –
The coving over the east window in Old St Marys has been
shedding what
appeared to be loose paint for some time. In fact, the moulding is
disintegrating and in a state of collapse. It will be replaced in the
coming weeks and that part of the church
will be redecorated; hopefully in time for Christmas!
Christmas Fair – Our annual
Fair will take place in Old St Marys on Saturday, 3rd
December 2016. Santa &
the magician are booked. The format has been changed and the main attraction
will be a wheel of fortune.Donations of
prizes (must be new) are needed. There will be a cake stall, craft stall,
refreshments, Debbie's stall and the usual Christmas/Winter fare in the porch
with the usual crib. We need help before & during, cakes/buns/tarts etc and
more craft/personal interest stalls. Will not be having bric-a-brac or bottle
stalls . It's time we all worked together, mucked in and moved forward. Our
next planning meeting will take place in the Rectory on Tuesday, 25th October at 8.00pm – come along and
get involved!
Weekday Service – Service at 10.30am in Old St Marys – All
welcome
No Service on 5th & 12th October
Repairs & Renovations at Holy Trinity – The work at the alley end of the Town
Hall will continue for some little time. The plan continues to be
reviewed, as the work progresses, in
order to achieve the best possible outcome. Times have changed and initial
plans can change quite dramatically as the effects of renovation/restoration
become apparent.
St Paul's Church – The mystery
of the flooding has been solved!– there is a drip – tray overhead; which is
supposed to take away water that comes in from the roof somewhere – nobody
appears to know where; but if the pipe was wider and any blockage cleared in the drip –
tray all should be dry – it's just a question of getting up there and doing the
needful; safely!
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
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!
Your
Prayers –
Please remember those who are unwell, at home & in hospital. At
this time we need to
pray, especially, for peace.
Whist Drives - New season began on Friday, 9th
September 2016 with a small
attendance –
contributions to the supper, prizes and raffle, please!
Friday - 14th
October 2016 @ 8.00pm sharp
Friday - 11th
November 2016 @ 8.00pm sharp
Friday - 9th December 2016 @ 8.00pm sharp
Singing group – Will meet in
Old St Marys on Friday, 21st October & 4th
November 2016. All welcome – this is an opportunity to learn new hymns and sing
old ones. Some wonder why a choir sits in front of the organ in church and not
behind the congregation – the organist actually sits in a situation where the
noise of the organ makes it difficult to hear those some distance away and it
is important that he/she can hear those leading the singing and stay with them.
Holy Matrimony – Sheila Hunter
& Josh Lamb were joined in Holy wedlock in St
Mary's Church,
Clonmel on 24th September 2016 in the presence of family &
friends. The Hunter family love their music and enjoy playing a variety of
instruments and sing. So, we sang a lot during the Service and, later, the
father of the bride sang his speech! We
wish Josh & Sheila a life of love, happiness and peace and look forward to
them moving into their new home in Knockgraffon and continuing in their
commitment to our parish.
Bereavements - Gylian Foyle died
peacefully in Melview Nursing home on 14th
September. She was
a loyal and faithful member of the congregation at Old St Mary's. She was for, many years, an active and
pioneering person in setting up Sue Ryder shops and was also involved in
Citizens Advice, and Farmers' Markets. We offer our sincere sympathy to her
husband, Eddie, sons Andrew & Stephen and daughter, Julie, and their
families. He funeral Service took place in Old St Mary's on Friday, 16th
September. Cremation took place at The Island, Cork.
Blessing - In early September, I
was invited to bless a headstone to the memory of
members Cash family who died
in Carrick-on-Suir, in a house fire, at Christmas 1916. Robert (Sonny) Cash was
a photographer who took photographs of all the churches, important buildings,
properties, villages & countryside in the town and hinterland of the town.
Three members of the family (Soony, his mother Harriet & brother Thomas)
died in the house fire and nobody put up a headstone at their grave in the
grounds of St Nicholas Church (Church of Ireland). There are almost a hundred
scans of Sonny's photograph on display
in the church which is now a heritage centre. Also of interest is the Church
Plate that was once used in the church. It is a beautiful haven hidden from the
Main Street at the end of a short alleyway near the western exit towards
Clonmel. It is very well worth a visit!
Congratulations
Autumn Concert – St Paul's, Cahir in Aid of the Day
Care Centre by The new
Cahir Choir on
20th October @ 8.00pm
have her mobile number put on display on our noticeboard at St Paul's so
that visitors can have access to St Paul's.
Having been at St Paul's more often than usual this
Summer, I can tell you that St Paul's is a place much visited.
Place 4U - Charity Coffee Mornings on Fridays
HaHa at Cahir – The County
Council has received permission to spend the funding,
so the works on
the haha will commence shortly.
I am aware of the view of many to this Church
organisation, but, recently I agreed to take on the role of the Co-ordinator of
the Faith & Social Policy activity in our Diocese. I have attended an
All–Ireland meeting recently and, I have to say, it was very different to that
type of meeting twenty years ago!
Mother Union membership has, for some time, been open
to men as well as women. You do not have to be married or a mother to be a
member. Members commit themselves to supporting Christian marriage, to praying
for families, at home and abroad, and to being a support to all who are in
relationships.
I am a Diocesan member rather than a member of a
Branch. I have felt for some time that, in our parish, have no facility for
getting together to share our faith and to be an active support to families in a practical way.
It is not necessary to formally form a Branch
initially, at least or, perhaps, ever. But I think we do need some way in which
we can work together to meet need when it becomes apparent; in a sensitive
and appropriate way.
If you are interested – talk to me!
