Spring
is in the air and the days are getting longer! Amidst all the turmoil in our
world today, we could forget that there are others living on our planet; other
than humans, who also need our care and attention.
We
have had a Green policy in our diocese for some years and we are called to
adopt better practices in our churchyards, gardens and anywhere else where we
can better the lives of our wildlife; animals, wildflowers, insects and those
other living creatures that depend on us and on whom we depend.
So,
this year we hope to begin to address these shortcomings. We can begin by not
cutting the grass in an area of our churchyards to enable the flowering of
dandelions and other flowers that will help our bees until they have faded. In
Clonmel, we are planning to plant perennial flowers and other plants along one
part of the historic walls that will also provide the needs of bees and other
wildlife. Providing a “bug hotel”, bat boxes/nesting boxes might also be a good
idea.
This
project is not just for adults; it is important that all age groups take part.
So, talk with each other/email each other with your ideas and offer help and
participation.
And,
yes, for some, perhaps, there will be a view of untidiness! Hopefully, in time,
we can see God's creation in the right light; all living things are His and
have been given to us for our wellbeing and theirs.
Barbara
Safeguarding Trust – Thank-you to those who have signed up to be vetted. It is good to have a
team willing to help with our young people. If you have filled a form and not
given it to me; please do so before the end of the coming week so that I can
move this forward. If you would like to be part of this parish tem, please ask
for a form.
Singing group – Will meet in
Old St Marys on Thursday, 2nd March & Friday, 24th March & Thursday, 6th April @ 8.00pm -all welcome!
All welcome – this is an opportunity to learn new
hymns and sing old ones in a relaxed atmosphere.
Place 4U - Charity Coffee Mornings on Friday mornings from 10am – 12 noon. Place 4U is located at 25 Gladstone Street, Clonmel
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
Parking
Permits for 2017 – All permits for this year have been taken up.
Diocesan
Magazine –
Thank-you to those who have paid for their diocesan magazines – 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 will be in Old St Mary's porch
on Sunday, 26th February. Where no provider of flowers/greenery
appears, it is the task of those who clean in that month.
Parish
Funds – A receipt, and, where it is my understanding that parishioners are eligible
to claim, on behalf of the parish, the tax relief offered to charitable bodies
on donations of €250 or more, a form for that purpose is enclosed. The form
should be returned to me before 17th March 2017 so that the Diocesan
Treasurer can process them in time for the tax relief to be credited in 2017. I
am required to keep a record of applications for this scheme. If you are
eligible and no form is enclosed, ring me!
Envelopes & Assessment – If you have outstanding
envelopes from 2016, please submit them asap. 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!
Board of Management
Training – The Rector attended the training evening for Board of
Management member in Carlow on 8th February 2017. Ms Flynn took us
through the “anti-bullying” module. It was quite intense and one hopes that one
never has to deal with such bad behaviour in school or anywhere else. Too
often, parents misunderstand what bulling actually is -it is the sustained use
of spoken words or actions that
intimidate, frighten and infringe on the
other's confidence and feelings of self-worth.
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!
Meeting – The Rector met with parishioners of Cahir to discuss matters of maintenance
of St Paul's. The main concern, at the moment, is the ingress of water in the
area of the northern small pinnacle. They also hope to paint their west door
(which is facing east!). This renewed energy in this part of our parish is to
be commended. Maybe we should do the
same in each part of our parish.
Whist
Drives - A whist drive is
quite relaxing, sociable evening with a nice supper and all for €5.
Contributions to the supper, prizes and raffle, please; even if you do not
play! Friday -
10th March 2017
Lent - Ash
Wednesday is on the 1st March 2017 this year.
We have not had any Bible study or other Lenten evenings for a couple of years.
So, beginning on this coming Ash Wednesday at whichever church
is hosting the evening worship, there will be an introduction to
our Lenten study.
Rather than Bible study, I intend doing a short series
on our Prayer Book – why we have one, what is in it and how we use it.
So, on Ash Wednesday
evening we will be in holy Trinity, Fethard @ 7.30pm and on the following
Wednesdays at the Rectory @ 8.00pm. I hope to have a print-out each night so
that you can follow up on what is discussed.
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
|
Mar
1st
Ash
Wed
|
M.P.
@ 9.00am
|
E.P.
@ 7.30pm
|
H.C @ 10.30am
|
Worship
in other church
|
Mar
5th
Lent
1
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Mar
12th
Lent
2
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
No early Service
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
Mar
17th
St
Patrick
|
H.C.
9.00am
|
H.C.
7.30pm
|
H.C.
1.30am
|
Worship
in other church
|
Mar 19th
Lent 3
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
Mar 26th
Lent
4
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
Service of the
Word
|
Worship
in other church
|
April
2nd
Lent
5
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
Worship
in other church
|
April
9th
PalmSun
|
H.C.
|
M.P.
|
H.C.
H.C.
|
H.C.
|
Wednesday
Weekday Service – Service at 10.30am in Old St Marys – Refreshments afterwards
Wednesday, 8th March - Evening Office & Study of
the Prayerbook @ 8.00pm – Rectory
Wednesday, 15th March - Evening Office & Study of the Prayerbook @ 8.00pm – Rectory
Wednesday, 22nd March - Evening Office & Study of the Prayerbook @ 8.00pm – Rectory
Wednesday, 29th March - Evening Office & Study of the Prayerbook @ 8.00pm – Rectory
Congratulations – To Oliver
& Anna (Middleton) O'Gorman on the safe arrival of Harry; a little brother
for Annabel.
Holy Baptism – Orla Margaret Anne
Kingston, infant daughter of David & Anne Marie was Baptised by the Rector during
the celebration of the Eucharist on
Sunday, 19th February 2017 in Old St Mary's.
Bereavement – Jessica Wilkinson
died on 2nd February 2017 after an illness bravely borne. Her funeral Service took place on
Wednesday, 8th February 2017 in Old St Mary's. The church was filled
to overflowing with family and friends.
She so loved her dogs, horses and gardening and had championed Riding
for the Disabled; which benefited many. We offer our sincere sympathy to Clare
& Nicola, their families, her Hobson relatives and a her many friends. May
she rest in peace.
Bishop's Visit - Bishop Michael celebrated the Eucharist in St
Paul's, Cahir and in
Tullameelan on Sunday, 12th February
2017. Our Bishop tries to visit each
church in our large diocese every two years or thereabouts. He appeared to
enjoy meeting those who attended.
Burial Grounds Grant – We have been invited to apply for the County Council Burial Grounds
Grants this year. Five burial grounds will be applied for. In the case of
Fethard, we have now been granted the required Public Partnership Network
registration number; required now for all applications in the county. Their
allocation last year came under a composite number granted to the Union of
Parishes. Last year, we combined the total amount; which enabled those areas in
need of larger items to buy what was suitable for the job required. The money
is put into our parish account and we are only required to produce receipts for
the sum granted. As we did last year, the congregations of each church are
asked to express their needs and the Select Vestry will decide who is most in
need – the grants do not cover:
1.
Demolition of wall, buildings & other structures
2.
Tree felling, lopping of branches and use of chainsaws
3.
Any works adjacent ot a secondary or primary road,
unless approved by the Area Engineer
4.
Any works undertaken by persons under 16 years of age
Cleaning
& Flowers in our Churches – The draft rota for Old St Mary's has some empty
slots! If there is no name to the right that “flower” slot is empty and those
cleaning should do the flowers – so, a few more volunteers will take the burden
off those who have already volunteered!
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, shelter & sustenance – the “shelter” is the Rectory and the “sustenance” is part of the
Assessment, 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. In the 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 – If you have outstanding
envelopes from 2016, please submit them
asap. 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.
Board of Management
Training – Ms Wallace and I attended a training evening for Treasurers
of Primary Schools one evening about a fortnight ago. It was very good and
applied really to anybody working in similar environments. There was lots of
revision, enlightenment and sound advice!
Our next training
evening is on the 8th February 2017 – venue to be decided – the
module addressed will be that which addresses the issue of bullying in schools.
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.
Select
Vestry Meeting – Will
take place in Old St Marys on Friday, 31st March 2017 at 8.00pm.
This is a triennial year and, so, we will be electing new Diocesan Synod
members & Parochial Nominators at our General Easter Vestry on Friday, 21st
April 2017in Old St Mary's @ 8.00pm.
County
Museum Lecture Series – Saturday, 1st April @ 10.30am, Michael Ahern
will speak about “The Quakers of Tipperary”. Entrance €5
Concerts
-
Saturday,
3rd June 2017 – Coro Travingolette (Italian) from one of Clonmel's twin cities togeter with a local choir will
perform in Old St Mary's Church of Ireland Mary St Clonmel @ 8.00pm
Tuesday,
8th August 2017 – The Koln Philharmonia will perform in
Old St Mary's Church of Ireland Mary St Clonmel, at
8.00pm – this will be this touring ensemble's fourth visit to Clonmel and their
audience's here have risen over the years.
General
Synod – This
is the governing body of the Church of Ireland and meets every year in May. In
the past, 1980s – 1900s, it moved around the country and, now, we look forward
to a new era of having different venues. Accommodation is always a problem as
the membership of the Synod is very large!
Each of the twelve dioceses has it's allocation. This
year from Thursday, 4th May to Saturday, 6th May it will
meet in the South Court Hotel, Limerick . Visitors
are always welcome to come and observe. So take the opportunity and come
and experience church