The Rector writes…
It’s official: Truth is dead. Facts are passé. The Oxford Dictionary has selected “post-truth” as 2016’s international word of the year, after the contentious “Brexit” referendum and an equally divisive U.S. presidential election caused usage of the adjective to skyrocket, according to the Oxford University Press.
The dictionary defines “post-truth” as “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.”
“Post-truth” was selected after Oxford’s dictionary editors noted a roughly 2,000 % increase in its usage over 2015 – it was appearing with far more frequency in news articles and on social media in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
We are in the season of Advent. It is a period of four weeks when we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation. This is a theological word to describe the fact that God was in Jesus Christ and that, in the words of John’s Gospel, he ‘became flesh and lived among us’. The birth of Jesus Christ is an historic fact, recorded in scripture, as well as by other contemporary historians. This fact has inspired the imaginations of writers, poets, composers, artists and countless Christians down the centuries. It has inspired them to perform great works of generosity and creativity as well as to endure suffering and even martyrdom. For Christians, the incarnation is both objective fact, and emotion and personal belief. It involves both the head and the heart.
For the next few weeks, nostalgia and sentimentality will be at their height. Shops display decorations and play mood music to ‘pull at the heart strings’ so that we literally buy into the atmosphere. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as happy to indulge in the romanticism of this season as the next person. No doubt one of the songs I will find myself humming as I walk down Patrick Street in December is ‘Have yourself a merry little Christmas’. However, if we take the fact of the incarnation seriously, Christmas is not ‘little’ at all! It is the most amazing and exciting news ever.
As you prepare your home and put up your Christmas tree, think about the decorations you are taking down from the attic. Amidst the tinsel and baubles, the fairy lights and holly, is there some item which points to the fact of the incarnation? Do you have a crib scene in your home? If you do, is it in a central location for all to see?
Let us hope that the phrase ‘post-truth’ is not something that applies to your Christmas; that it is the truth of the gospel that informs your emotional response. For those who view this season purely in terms of emotion and personal sentiment, the correct greeting is ‘Happy Holidays.’ For the Christian, it should always be ‘Happy Christmas’!
I look forward to sharing with you the joy of the season and end by taking this opportunity to wish you all a very holy Advent and happy Christmas.
Yours in Christ,
Adrian.
HOME COMMUNION AT CHRISTMAS
Christmas is a time when we are particularly conscious of the housebound. Each month Holy Communion is celebrated with a number of parishioners in their homes or in nursing homes. Please inform us if you would like your name to be added to the list or if you have an elderly relative staying with you for Christmas who might not be able to get to church.
Churches Together News
On a cold evening in November people from our local churches gathered in Douglas Library for a talk by Dr Anne Francis. After tea and introductory chat we heard about the experiences of the ecumenical group known as Cork Theology Forum. Dr Francis is a gifted and entertaining communicator who gave us an excellent overview of the variety of topics covered over the past number of years.
We enjoyed Anne’s talk and have invited her back to address a topic of our choosing in February. This will be a morning meeting in the Library and is open to all. The date and title, yet to be finalised, will be announced in the next issue of Parish Matters. We are grateful to the library staff for the welcome we receive in such an ideal venue.
Bishops’ Appeal for Overseas Aid and Development
In our mailing to parishioners this Christmas, you will also find a Bishops’ Appeal envelope as usual. This is your means to give a donation to the Bishops’ Appeal for overseas aid and development. In addition you will find an information leaflet giving details of the projects supported over the past year. You can read more about the work by checking its website www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org
The Bishops’ Appeal does not engage directly in development work itself, but channels funds through agencies and partner churches that are already in place in areas of need. It is particularly active in the areas of health care, sustainable agriculture and education projects in some of the world’s poorest countries. Please support this work by returning your envelope on the collection plate in church or by putting it in a stamped envelope and addressing it to one of the clergy or parish treasurers. We will see that it is included in our collection before the end of the year.
- A. Wilkinson
Thank You
In November, the parish treasurer John Kershaw, sent an appeal letter to every household in Douglas Union (Blackrock, Passage and Douglas) in which he outlined an estimated shortfall in funding of 6% or €11,700 for 2016. He appealed to those who are not regular subscribers or who could afford to make an additional donation to do so.
It was wonderful to see a packed church at the Songs of Praise and gift service on 20 November in St Luke’s Church. As a result of the appeal, an additional €11, 680 was donated on the day, almost the exact amount required! Now we should be able to balance the books at the year end. We take this opportunity to thank all subscribers for their very generous response to our appeal.
Organ Removal
For a couple of days in early November, a work party of parishioners assembled in St Mary’s Church in Marmullane to disassemble and remove parts of the now redundant organ. During this process, it was discovered that some parts of the organ were so invested with woodworm that someone could literally push their finger through the timber! Just in case anyone should doubt this, our organist Roger Ellis, recorded this and put it up on Facebook! The space where the organ once stood is now open, exposing a window which had been hidden for decades. Some minor replastering and redecoration of this part of the church will be done in the coming weeks before the new organ is installed early in 2017. Padraig O’Donovan has been responsible for supervising the removal of the old organ. The most useful and valuable parts of the old instrument have been retained until a suitable home can be found for them in other organs.
Christmas Lunch. The annual Christmas Lunch in Blackrock Old Schoolhouse will take place on Wednesday December 14 at 1pm. This is the one occasion when booking is necessary. If you are reading this and have not already booked, please contact Joan Miller (4291937) or Annie Stephens (4292458).
Parish Bowls Club. This is a very active parish organisation. Both bowling mats are in use each Wednesday in the Canon Packham Hall so as many players as possible can be accommodated each evening. We wish the club continued success and enjoyment this season.
Whist Drive
For many years Hilda Hosford coordinated the monthly Whist Drive that was held in the Canon Packham Hall between October and Easter. Over the years, this was a regular source of income for both the Canon Packham Hall and Holy Trinity Church in Frankfield. This year she has retired from involvement with this and so the regular whist drives have come to an end. We thank her for all that she has done in this capacity for the parish over so many years. However, whist players can look forward to one special Christmas Whist Drive which will be held on Saturday 18 December in the Canon Packham Hall in aid of Holy Trinity Church. We thank both Olive Burns and Susan Colton who have volunteered to organise this. We hope it will be well supported and all whist players are very welcome.
Coffee Morning at the Rectory. The annual Christmas Coffee Morning at the Rectory this year will be held on Friday 16 December. This year all the proceeds will go towards the UCC Surgeon Noonan Medical Aid for Africa. The UCC Surgeon Noonan Society is a registered charity whose aim is to provide medical aid to Africa, through fundraising and volunteerism. Each year they aim to raise over €100,000 which is exclusively used to provide medicines and equipment for hospitals and clinics in rural Africa. Surgeon Noonan is a well-established society, founded in 1977 to commemorate the late Mr Tim Noonan, a UCC Medical School surgeon. Medical students at the end of their fourth year may spend part of their summer working in hospitals and clinics in Africa. However, none of the money given to this charity is used to subsidise their travel or other costs or in administration. We hope that parishioners who come to the coffee morning will be generous in their support of this good cause.
Christmas Concert
On Saturday 17 December, a special Christmas Concert will be held in St Luke’s Church in Douglas. This concert, which is being organised by Denis Lane, will feature some seasonal French choral works as well as other music by French composers. Mark Slade, the parish choir as well as other guest soloists will be involved. Tickets at €15 will be available on the night or can be bought in advance from the organisers. This concert begins at 8pm and all the proceeds of this evening will go to Médecins Sans Frontières, a charity which is doing such vital work in Syria and in the Middle East at present.
Bitter-Sweet Christmas
Christianity has given the world the gift of Christmas, which has become a great celebration of happiness, friendship and family.
As we, adults and children alike, celebrate and remember how our Saviour was born into this far from perfect world, each of us is stirred by different emotions: excitement, joy, sadness, nostalgia, loneliness, comfort… Mary too, as she arrived in that outhouse in Bethlehem, about to give birth, would have been a bundle of mixed emotions: joyful anticipation of her new baby, fear of the unknown, fear of pain – he was her first child-, homesickness in that alien place away from the support of her family and friends, excitement as the prophecy of the angel reaches a new stage. What will all that mean for Joseph and the baby and for her?
Christmas comes in the midst of our ordinary lives: what does it mean for you?
A break from daily routine of work or school?
Working while others are partying?
No let-up in the daily grind?
Siobhan Powell, in the Irish Times of 19.11.16 shared her feelings about 32 years of parenting her daughter who cannot walk, speak or eat solid food – the relentless routine, exhaustion, frustration. What of their Christmas?
Bing Crosby dreamt of a white Christmas. Yours might be white, or merry, or blue. Such is the tapestry of life.
Jesus was born as a real person into the real world in far from comfortable circumstances. His parents had to flee with him as refugees into faraway Egypt. So when you pray, you do not pray to ‘a God who cannot be touched by our infirmities’. He calls us to faith in His love for us.
Seven of us in this parish, one each day throughout the year, pray for God’s love and healing to be known by those who request our prayers in their times of illness of difficulty. Should you need supportive prayer, send us a request, in confidence, via the clergy or the prayer box at the back of your church. We will pray for you for a month, or as you request.
In the spirit of Adrian’s letter, we hold on to the facts of Christmas in all their variety, and may you have a Happy and Peaceful Christmas. Hazel Minion
Are you thinking about Confirmation?
Are you someone who is thinking about Confirmation? Would you like to learn a little more about the Christian Faith? Remember deciding to be confirmed is an important decision and you will need to think about it carefully. In order to help you in this process, each year we run a preparation course for young people who are in secondary school or perhaps in 6th class in primary school. We meet one evening a week between January and Easter. If you are an adult who is thinking about Confirmation, separate arrangements are made so please talk to me about this.
A meeting for the parents of all young people considering confirmation will be held in the Canon Packham Hall on Tuesday 10th January at 8pm. This meeting is an opportunity to outline some of the practical arrangements for the classes and if the Bishop has issued a date for the Confirmation, I will inform you at this meeting.
I now ask all those who are considering this next step in their faith to contact me directly before Christmas so I can add your name to the list. I look forward to hearing from you. A. Wilkinson
Carol Services
The first of our parish carol services takes place in St. Mary’s Church, Marmullane on Sunday 11 December at 7.00pm. We anticipate having the usual variety of seasonal music as well as ecumenical input from the Passage West Folk Group. It is always good to welcome many members of the local community to this service each year.
On Sunday 18 December there will be morning carol services in Holy Trinity Church Frankfield at 10.00 and in St. Luke’s Douglas at 11.15. A service of ‘Carols by Candlelight’ will be held in St. Michael’s Church, Blackrock at 7.00pm. Again this year the music will be led by the St. Nicholas’ Brass Band. They will be joined by the Dundanion Singers and the Parish Folk Group from our sister church in Blackrock. This service has grown in popularity in recent years with its festive lighting and evocative setting. All are welcome at any of these services.
You are invited to a Christmas Coffee Morning at the Rectory on Friday 16th December. Just pop in anytime between 10 am and 1pm. All proceeds in aid of UCC Surgeon Noonan Medical Aid for Africa.
Parish Book Club
The parish book club has been in existence for several years and usually meets between September and Easter in the Rectory on the second Tuesday of each month. In December, their meeting takes place on Tuesday 13 when they will be reviewing a variety of favourite biographies. In January, all those who come are asked to discuss the books they read over the Christmas holidays. New members are always welcome.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18-25, 2017. The local service will be held in Cork Methodist Church, Ardfallen on Sunday 22nd January at 7.30pm. The title of this year’s service is Crossing Barriers and the material has been prepared for worldwide use by the churches in Germany based around the verses 2 Corinthians 5:14-20. It is important for our church to be well represented at this annual event.
St Luke’s National School
2016 saw a huge improvement in our playground in St Luke’s School. We created a new soft surface play area now called “Inis Beag”. There was great excitement in October when our own “Olympian”, a past pupil, John Jermyn officially opened the area and Bishop Colton blessed it. We are indebted to the Board of Management, the Fund Raising committee of parents, Liam Ryan our main sponsor and many others who contributed in so many ways for having the vision and determination in completing this really worthwhile for the pupils in our school.
Proclamation Day in March was another memorable occasion in the life of our school and country. The many people
present learned more about Irish history, local history, culture and song from various presentations from all classes.
We were presented with our 3rd Green Flag for water this year and are currently working towards obtaining an Active Flag. We even created a 1km Run around the playground to encourage more activity during the school day.
We welcomed 28 new Junior Infants in September, they are now well settled into school routines as are new staff members Ms Dermody, Ms O’Toole and Ms Quinn.
We have had many visitors to our school during the past year, the Lord Mayor, Cllr Des Cahill, Commander Mary Lane from the Irish Navy, Mr Peter Stobart from St Finbarre’s Cathedral, Ms Aoife Breathnach who told us about life in Douglas in 1916, the Lifetime Lab, Cork Sports Partnership, the Ortus Ensemble and the RNLI.
The pupils in St Luke’s have been out and about also. Various classes visited Rumley’s Farm, Crafty Hand, Go Safari, Nemo Sports Club. Kinsale Pottery, Ballybrack Woods, Oysterhaven and Cappanalea.
We are very fortunate in having a very active Parents Association in St Luke’s. As well as a lot of fund raising this year they organised a Halloween Disco, a Summer Barbeque, a Coffee Morning and the ongoing sporting activities.
Laura Welch from CICE was with us on Teaching Practice in November. We continue to be very thankful to the Ashton
students who come to us every Tuesday as part of their Community Action Program. We love to see our past pupils
returning on TY work experience.
Everyone is now very busy preparing for the Festive season practicing carols and organising the Christmas Fair.
Dates for your Diary
Sun 4th Dec – Christmas Fair in the Canon Packham Hall, 12.30pm
Mon 18th Dec – Senior Carol Service, 7.30pm
Tues 20th Dec – Junior Carol Service, 12 noon
The Royal British Legion Earl Haig Poppy Appeal
Having organised the Poppy Appeal in Douglas and Frankfield for many years, I would like to thank the parishioners for their generosity. It is much appreciated. This years collections were: Douglas €258.58, Frankfield €890, Blackrock €173.65. Thanks to John Wolfe and Keith Dawson for their help. Cecil Locke
Badminton
Badminton is played in Mamullane Church Hall twice a week – Tuesdays 8pm and Wednesdays at 10.30 am. Beginners are welcome on Wednesdays. Both sessions are friendly and uncompetitive, we do not get involved in any matches.
Twice a year we arrange a ‘lunch out’ somewhere nice! New members are always welcome.
A History of Ashton School
Rochelle School, Cork High School & Cork Grammar School by Alicia St. Leger is now available from the
School office. Price €25. Phone 021 4966044, Email: ashton@iol.ie, www.ashton.ie
In these weeks before Christmas, a lot of us will spend time in shops. All the answers for this year’s quiz are well known shops or chain outlets. Most, but not all are to be found in Cork. Some of them are a little challenging, so enjoy yourselves trying to work them out. All correct quiz returns will be put into a draw which will be made at the coffee morning in the Rectory on 16th December. There will be a prize for the first one drawn. Entries can be sent by email to me or hand delivered to the Rectory. A. Wilkinson
Examples: Optical Assistance…………Xtravision Right size for named man………….Fitzgerald’s
- Two beverages at the end of an Italian river. 11. Liquid rocks
- Keep coming. 12. Made for walking, perhaps.
- It’s cold. We need the warmth. 13. We should always play it.
- Part of the rigging. 14. Electrified town.
- Spicy sustenance. 15. He has a tan.
- HQ for where the heart is. 16. Whose voice could it be.
- A lovely vale. 17. A novice driver’s warning puts it in the middle
- Singular welfare. 18. Worth a lot more.
- Old currency? 19. A legend in a Nazi organisation
- A jumbled clock face. 20. For young education?
The Curate writes….
Community. Togetherness. Two words that we sometime take for granted as we go about our everyday lives. Two words which I think are missing, or so it seem on our post-modern world today. Communication can be lacking, people have their heads in phones or children playing games tablets or other devices. During the month many of you came to the Canon Packham Hall to see the ‘Murder Mystery Wedding’. The main thing about this I believe was not that it was a fundraiser, although this was of course very useful. The main thing, I believe was that it brought so many people in the parish together. Parishioners of all ages were involved. People from all four parishes. People who did not know each other beforehand. Friendships were made. One thing that surprised me when I arrived here was that not everybody knew each other. I hope that the exercise was worthwhile. Christ brought people together, his disciples were made up mostly of fishermen and a tax collectors far as we know. Luke was a physician, Paul made his living as a tent maker. This is only a small example of the variety of people that followed Jesus. Any parish event takes so much work. The end result is only a small portion of the work that goes into making it a success, most of the real graft takes place long before the event itself. The same can be said to be true about so many things. Christmas dinner, a meal that so many of us look forward to is a case in point. All the preparation takes place a long time before we all sit down and eat. Returning to the point though, I love to see us come together as a community in fellowship to achieve a common goal. What we all have in common, although we are so different, is our love of Christ. I like to think that this is our common bond. We are all parts of the body of Christ. This is the Christ who we are all preparing to celebrate His birth, His incarnation as man, as flesh and blood. As if we didn’t know, it becomes obvious, time and time again, we can achieve so much when we come together as a team. Our common bond in Christ makes us stronger. As a church, as a team for Christ, we must remember the true meaning of Christmas….no, not the Christmas dinner or the presents, but the message that Christ brought, His message of love. Bringing this message to others must be our true goal. Let’s continue to work together to achieve this most worthy of targets. David
The completion of a census form in church prompts thoughts of the people behind the statistics.
Looking up from my pew, the choir of St Michael’s Church, Blackrock, enthusiastically led by organist Florence Binions, is bigger in numbers and volume than I remember it. We miss Dr.Elma Moore, now living in Bray – close to her daughter Linda. Elma will be remembered for her love of flowers, especially in church – a task now undertaken by Elsie Kershaw.
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Behind my pew, I am delighted to have families. What a pleasure to be greeted by boys and girls with “Peace be with you”.
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For many, church activities stretch beyond Sunday worship. For instance, Joan Miller has a grand team of caterers
providing monthly lunches in the Old Schoolhouse. As I write they are in the throes of the November 30 lunch, followed quickly by Christmas Lunch on December 14. And, of course, there will be the Carol Service to follow.
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Mrs Ester Deane is missing from the pew her family has occupied for five generations. She is now resident in St Lukes Home, but intends to come back occasionally to keep an eye on us in St. Michaels. She continues to knit
baby jackets for church funds, and already has found new customers in St. Lukes!
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Congratulations to all involved in the united “Songs of Praise” in Douglas, bringing a capacity congregation to journey through the Christian year, Annie Stevens
Bible Studies
John for Everyone:
The Blackrock Bible study group meets in Joan Miller’s home in Ballintemple at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesdays. We are continuing our study of John’s Gospel by Tom Wright, who explains difficult ideas in a simple way. Our last Bible study this year is on 30th November. We begin again on 11th January dv. There is room for 2 or 3 new members.
Old Testament Timeline:
New members are always welcome in the Thursday Bible study group, which meets at 7.30p.m. in Carol Boylan’s home in Moneygourney. We are looking at some of the major characters and events in the Old Testament. We are currently reading about the covenant God made with Abraham and his family. Our last study this year is on 1st December, and we hope to resume on January 12th dv.
Our Christmas get-together is on Wednesday 14th December in Carol’s home dv.
We are grateful to Joan and Carol for their warm hospitality and constant good humour.
Please contact me, or the clergy, if you would like more information. Florence Binions 0861604544
THANK YOU to Douglas Credit Union for their part sponsorship of this Parish Matters. It is very much appreciated.
