The Rector writes……
A Confirmation Service is a wonderful cause for celebration in any parish. This year we are fortunate to have two separate such services. On 12 February, the Bishop will be with us in St Michael’s Church in Blackrock when Kevin and Saskia O’Neill will confirmed. They will be joined by two other adults from Youghal Parish who will also be confirmed at this service. The priest in charge of that parish, Revd Edwin Hunter, will be there to support them on this happy occasion. Kevin and Saskia have become very involved in the life of St Michael’s Church and it will be a delight for the parishioners there to be able to support them on this important day. While there is the full range of usual church services in our union that day, it would be wonderful if people from our three other churches choose to come to Blackrock at 11.30 as it is the main service in the parish that Sunday. It has been a number of years since we have had adults confirmed in this parish and this is the first time we have had a service of this nature in my time as rector. Please mark it in your diary and come along if possible.
Later in the year, on 30 April, twenty-three of our younger parishioners will be confirmed in St Luke’s Church in Douglas. The confirmation preparation classes begin on 8 February and the candidates are looking forward to attending the Bishop’s Confirmation Morning in the Canon Packham Hall on Saturday 4 March. Please pray for all those who are seeking the continued blessing of God in their lives as they prepare for confirmation.
On another theme, we are fortunate to enjoy very good ecumenical relations with our sister churches in this part of Cork. Local Roman Catholic priests are always very welcoming of us as clergy and lay people at different church services and other events in their parishes. We wish Canon Teddy O’Sullivan PP of Douglas and the Revd Geraldine Gracie from Cork Methodist Church, a speedy recovery after their times in hospital. The Revd. Bill Mullally continues his term as President of the Methodist Church in Ireland until this summer. Then he will be transferring to the British Conference and moving to the UK in July. We wish him well in this new chapter of his ministry.
This month starts on Wednesday 1 February when we will be remembering the life and ministry of St Brigid at our mid-week Holy Communion service in St Luke’s Church. The following day marks the end of the Epiphany season when we celebrate Candlemas or the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. This too will be observed with a service of Holy Communion in Douglas at 11.00am.
Yours in Christ,
Adrian.
The Boys’ Brigade
The annual enrolment service for the 1st Cork Company of the Boys’ Brigade takes place on Sunday 5th February at 11.15 in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas. We look forward to the involvement of the members of the BB in our service that day.
Douglas Churches Together
A discussion facilitated by Dr. Anne Francis in Douglas Library on Tuesday 14th February at 11.30am. Come and share your views. All welcome – people of faith – and none. Coffee and tea served from 11am.
Some Charity Collections
The collections taken at the evening ecumenical carol services before Christmas were as follows:
St Mary’s Church, Marmullane €240
St Michael’s Church, Blackrock €1700
The money raised has been divided equally between the St Vincent de Paul and the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for overseas aid and development.
The annual Christmas Coffee Morning at the Rectory raised over €800 for UCC Surgeon Noonan Medical Aid for Africa. This money, coupled with subsequent generous donations, will be spent on medical equipment and medicines which will be brought to hospitals and clinics in various locations in Africa this summer. We are grateful to all those who supported this fundraising event.
Whist Drive
It was good to see the Canon Packham Hall full for the Christmas Whist Drive on Saturday 17 December. The proceeds on the night came to €1400 and were in aid of Holy Trinity Church, Frankfield. We thank Olive Burns and Susan Colton for doing all the practical organisation as well as all those who sponsored prizes, provided refreshments or supported the event in any way.
St Luke’s School Notes
St Luke’s School had a very busy December. We had our annual Carol Services, our Christmas Fair when we raised over €5,500 for school funds, a visit to the cinema, cricket lessons, a Christmas jumper day in aid of the Cork Simon Community and our choir visited St Luke’s Home to sing carols for the residents there.
The pupils continue to think about those in need at Christmas and collected non-perishable food for St Vincent de Paul. We collected €1368 at our carol services and divided it equally between the Cork Simon Community and St Vincent de Paul.
We welcome Ms Jane Willis on teaching practice and hope that she will enjoy her time in St Luke’s.
Confirmation Services
We look forward to holding two confirmation services in the parish this year. On 12 February, the Bishop will be with us in St Michael’s Church in Blackrock for a special service where Kevin and Saskia O’Neill will confirmed. There is a possibility that they may be joined by two other adults from another parish in the Diocese who will also be confirmed at this service. Kevin and Saskia have become very involved in the life of St Michael’s Church and it will be a delight for the parishioners there to be able to support them on this important day.
Later in the year twenty-one of our younger parishioners will be confirmed in St Luke’s Church in Douglas. The confirmation preparation classes have begun and the candidates are looking forward to attending the Bishop’s Confirmation Morning in the Canon Packham Hall on Saturday 4 March.
Visiting Preacher
On Sunday 5 March, the Revd Roger Thompson from CMSI will be a guest preacher in the parish. After services that day the confirmation group will host their annual Soup and Rolls Lunch in the Canon Packham Hall. The proceeds of this event will go to CMSI. Later that afternoon Roger Cooke from the same mission organisation will host a road show called IMPACT in the Canon Packham Hall at 3pm. This event will include an introduction to the new CMSI Children’s resource, ‘Growing in God’. The programme will also feature stories form CMSI’s Global Partners and an update on the wider work of the society. The presentation will last about one hour and there will be plenty of time for tea and conversation afterwards. All are welcome.
Service & Sausages takes place on Sunday, 5th February at 6pm in St. Luke’s Church. All welcome.
Bible Study will be held in the home of Joan Miller, Ballintemple on Wednesday 8th February at 2.30pm and in the home of Carol Boylan, Moneygourney on Thursday 9th February at 7.30pm.
Ladybird guides 5-7 years, Brownie guides 8-10 years, Guides 11-13years and Senior Branch guides 14-17 are held Monday evenings in the Canon Packham Hall. Places available. Please contact Shirley Rothwell on 087 8055152 for more details.
