The Rector writes……
Last month we held our two Easter General Vestry meetings. I
would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended and contributed to the discussion and voting. I would also like to thank those who allowed their names to be put forward for election as members of the Select Vestries for the forthcoming year. The results of those elections are on the church noticeboards and I look forward to working alongside these people in the year ahead.
We live at a time when many voluntary organisations are finding it hard to get people who will take on very necessary and important administrative roles. Recently the plight of hockey in Munster came to the fore in this regard and we all know this is not a unique situation. Fortunately, this is not currently the case in this parish, but if we are not vigilant, there is always the danger that the bulk of responsibility will be left to rest on relatively few shoulders.
It is easy to avail of all that this parish offers and it is freely available for all who wish to attend or get involved. However, have you asked yourself if you have any particular skills or special interests that you can offer? There are many ways to serve apart from being on the Select Vestry, important thought this committee is. A case in point is that recently David Cooke, in response to something I said in a sermon on the theme of the environment, took up the challenge and put up some bird boxes in the grounds of Frankfield Church. In more recent weeks he has also put up some in Douglas Churchyard. Hopefully they will be a haven for nesting birds for many years to come. David has both a professional interest in forestry as well as a general interest in ecology and the environment. I know he is not alone in this. Would you like to share in some small projects to raise awareness in the parish about environmental issues? If so, please talk to me. If everyone contributes a little, then a lot can and will be achieved for the benefit of the parish and the broader church in the service of Christ’s Kingdom.
Yours in Christ, Adrian.
St. Luke’s National School News:
Proclamation Day was remembered by the whole community in St Luke’s School. We all learned more about our Irish history, local history, culture and song from presentations from our pupils. The 1916 Proclamation and our own “Proclamation for a New Generation” was read, we raised our National flag and sang Amhrán na bhFiann. We were delighted to welcome Bishop Colton back to his “Old School” for the occasion and he reminded us that he was present for the 50th Anniversary in 1966! A marvellous effort was put in by parents, pupils, teachers, Parents’ Association and Board of Management. Thank you to all who were involved in making it a very “Historic Day” that our present pupils won’t forget.
On St Patrick’s Day Ella Marry, Rang 6 represented our school at a Civic Service in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and reception in the Bishop’s Palace when she joined other school in the Diocese presenting their own “Proclamations for a New Generation”. Congratulations to Julia McCarthy, Rang 5 who won 2nd place in Region 3 of the National INTO Handwriting Competition. 3rd and 4th Classes enjoyed visits to the Lifetime Lab taking part in a Marine Explorers’ workshop.
A huge “Thank You” to our Parents Association for organising a very successful raffle and raised more money for our Soft Surface Play Area.
We welcome back Ms Egner and Bean Uí Mhathúna from maternity leave.
St. Luke’s Douglas parishioner Janet Dillon will shortly be spending a week volunteering at the Refugee Centre in Athens with her friend Deirdre Mackesy.
“I am currently “on a mission” with my friend Deirdre Mackesy – one which I never thought I’d be doing. Deirdre and I have decided to take a week out of our holiday time from our jobs, and go to Greece to volunteer at the refugee centre in Athens on 21st May. A week is a very short time to help these people who are desperately fleeing for their lives, but we have decided that we can no longer stand idly by, and we want to try to make whatever small difference we can. So who are these people? Well, these are the people whom you may have seen crammed into the tiniest of boats, desperately trying to cross the Mediterranean into Europe. They have their entire lives’ possessions crammed into one plastic bag, or maybe all they have is the clothes that they’re standing in. They have risked their lives, and in too many cases, lost their lives, trying to make a dash for freedom. They are human beings with families, responsibilities and friends in their communities, who are prepared to give up the little they have to make a better life. We have seen the heart-wrenching photos of families, in utter despair, when some of their loved ones did not survive the crossing. We have seen the desperate refugees looting at the centres because it is the survival of the fittest. Deirdre is the owner of the Robin Hill Holistic Centre in Cobh, and has put her caring skills previously to work when she volunteered with GOAL in Rwanda, but this is all new territory for me. We have been told that this will be a life-altering event for us, and we wanted to share this adventure with the parish. I hope to recount some of my experiences on my return, in next month’s Parish Matters”. Janet
A Service and Sausages Service will take place on Sunday, 8th May at 6pm in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas. All welcome.
The next Select Vestry Meeting will take place on Friday, 20th May in the Canon Packham Hall at 8pm.
Boys’ Brigade The 1st Cork Company of the Boys’ Brigade will hold their annual display on Thursday 26 May in the Canon Packham Hall in Douglas. No doubt it will prove to be a fun evening of activities, where all the boys and girls who are members of the three sections (Anchors, Junior and Company Sections), will be able to demonstrate a little of what they have been doing throughout the year. We thank Captain Tanya Meikle and all the other officers and leaders for their commitment to the work of the Boys’ Brigade each week since September.
Passage West Coffee Morning This will be held on Saturday 28 May from 10 a.m. to midday. Entry is €3 and includes coffee/tea and homemade scones. A variety of sales tables and raffle will also be there. All the proceeds are in aid of Church Hall restoration fund. We hope that those from neighbouring parishes will also be able to join us on the day.
P
arish BBQ On Sunday 29 May we will hold a united service in St. Luke’s Church and follow it with a Parish Barbeque. This has proved very popular in the past and we hope that the sun will shine, the food will sizzle and all who attend will enjoy a great social event. Tickets will be available through the churches in the near future. All are welcome.
Cork Street Pastors:
Cork Street Pastors celebrates 4 years on our city streets in July 2016. In this time, we have had the privilege of ministering to many people, young and not so young, in a vulnerable situation at the time of our encounter. Their vulnerability often arises from circumstances outside of their control – assault, a fall, dead mobile phone, separation from friends, personal situations, emotional upset, etc. Conversely, their plight might be caused or contributed to, by their own reckless or silly behaviour. Either way, their vulnerability could put them at serious risk. It seems to us that the Samaritan understood this very well and he took appropriate action. The same challenge faces the body in Cork in our time.
We are on the street to Listen, Care and Help anyone in need. It does not mean we condone everything or make light of it…..but whatever way you look at it, this is reality for thousands every week-end. We could be interacting with one of your family, neighbours, friends, work colleagues, etc. We have attended to assault victims, dressed minor cuts and wounds, remained with people until an ambulance or family member arrives, comforted others in their distress, protected girls from predatory individuals, been vomited upon and removed over 13,000 bottles off the street. The latter reduces the number of available weapons and lessens the chance of females cutting their bare feet walking home. Often, a respectful listening ear is all that is required of us.
There are over 14,000 trained Street Pastors in the UK, Australia, Nigeria, USA, West Indies and other places. Northern Ireland initiatives are steadily growing in four regions and Dublin churches have begun investigating the set-up process. It is a vehicle for the church to engage in an environment normally avoided.
Thank you for the support we have received thus far. Can you help us continue making a difference in the city community? Volunteers are trained and only work one night per month from 10.30pm to 4.00am on a Saturday night.
Dave Hoey Co-ordinator – Cork Street Pastors (086 232 4484)
