Rector writes……
This month I am going to suggest that you try this little exercise. Take a moment to notice your pattern of breathing. Breathe in deeply and then sigh to expel the air from your lungs. Do this several times. This is a great stress reliever that helps one relax before getting up to do anything. Breathing deeply and becoming grounded at the centre of our souls is essential for the journey of discipleship with Jesus Christ. Jesus speaks of the Spirit as truth and as the one who helps us live the truth.
This month starts with one of the three principal holy days of the church, Pentecost. Along with Christmas and Easter, it is the one day in the year when Holy Communion should be celebrated at all services. (Look up page 18 in the Book of Common Prayer to check for yourselves.) The term Pentecost is from the Greek word for fiftieth. It began as a Jewish harvest festival occurring 50 days after Passover. It marked the occasion when, with signs of wind and flame, the Spirit came upon the first disciples with power. Take a moment, if you haven’t done this today, to feel your pulse at your neck. On this feast of Pentecost, the Spirit reminds us that God is closer to us than the pulse at our throats.
Pentecost culminates the days of the Lent, Holy Week and the Easter season with the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we move into what is known in the church as ‘Ordinary Time’ and continue the journey of discipleship, we are reminded once again that the Spirit of God is always with us; we are never alone. The Spirit breathes within us and helps us speak and live the truth. Like those early disciples, the Spirit gives us courage to speak boldly of God’s deeds of power and goodness. On the feast of Pentecost, we are called to embrace the gifts of the Spirit. For Jesus promises us that we are never alone on our journey of faith.
This month can also be a transition period for many of our younger parishioners. They may be sitting state examinations that will pave the way for further studies at third level or lead to vocational training and employment. For those finishing primary school, the end of June marks another transition which leads to new experiences and friendships in different schools in September. For others finishing college, there may be travel plans before interviews and hopefully job offers. As we pray for all those facing a period of change in life, we ask that they too will know the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit in their lives and adventures.
Yours in Christ,
Adrian.
St Luke’s School Notes.
Since Easter all our pupils have enjoyed educational visits to Charles Fort in Kinsale. Our Parents’ Association have organised 3 very worthwhile workshops for parents with the cooperation of the National Parents’ Council on ‘Supporting your child to build healthy friendships and relationships’. They have also introduced Tag Rugby as a sport for this term and it is proving really popular. As part of the “Follow Me’ Religious Education Curriculum our Junior Infants visit St Luke’s Church every year when the Archdeacon acts as guide and talks to them about baptism at the font, the beautiful stained glass windows, the organ and other aspects of the Church. Thank you Archdeacon for your patience, time and interest. We are being really “Active” this term as we finalise our aim in achieving an ‘Active School Flag’. Our pupils can be seen at the Outdoor Gym in the park next door, completing our own school Marathon and doing jumping jacks in the classroom! Many thanks to Ms Guinane and the Active Flag Committee who are coordinating and recording all these activities.
Diocesan Youth Activities Events
7th June – Tayto Park Day Trip (13yrs+), 30th – 4th July – Summer Madness, Glenarm Estate, Co. Antrim (15yrs+), 23rd July – Crookhaven 300th Anniversary day event (13yrs+), 15th – 17thSeptember–CapeClear(13yrs+). Please consult their new website http://cdyc.ballineen.com or Facebook page -CDYC West for more details and booking forms.
Diocesan Synod. This will take place on Saturday 10 June in the Rochestown Park Hotel. It will begin with a celebration of the Eucharist in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas at 9.30. We look forward to a fruitful day of reports, discussion and deliberation as we review mission and ministry in the Diocese and chart a future under God with confidence and hope.
TV Broadcast. This parish has been invited to participate in a televised service which is to be recorded in the RTE studios at Donnybrook in Dublin on Sunday 18 June. The service will be broadcast on Sunday 23 July. At present the choir are practising hard under the direction of Mark Slade. A congregation of parishioners, who will be involved in the service, is also being assembled. We hope all involved will enjoy the experience.
End of Term Services. We look forward to the end of year services and prize days that will be held for both our parish schools this month. They are a great occasion to celebrate achievement and to wish all the pupils and staff God’s blessing as they prepare for the summer holidays or to move on to new schools in the autumn.
The Revd Sarah Marry will be back with us in Douglas as the special guest and preacher at the service in St. Luke’s on Thursday 30 June. It is also fitting that she will be there as connection with the school as a parent ends and her daughter Sophie moves on to secondary school.
New Organ for Marmullane. Roger Ellis, our organist in St Mary’s Church in Marmullane (Passage West) writes “our replacement organ in St Mary’s Church has now been installed and is complete. The organ came from Romsey Methodist Church in Southampton. It was originally destined for Italy, but a generous local donor brought it to Marmullane. The organ was built c.1900 by Henry Speechley & Sons, who were based in London and produced some classic English Church Organs. Restored in the mid 1980’s by George Osborne of Taunton, it was installed in Marmullane under the guidance of local Organ Builder, Padraig O’Donovan.
It is wonderful to have such a fine instrument in Marmullane, and the acoustics in the church add magnificently to the sound. With every note playing, every pipe in tune, a new bellows and a sound-sealed motor, this must surely be one of, if not THE best organs in the diocese (apart from St Fin Barre’s of course)!
The choir have always been stoic in St Mary’s, and with the new lease-of-life that the organ has brought to music in the church, we have decided to “re-activate” ourselves, with a monthly practice and more of a focus on both traditional and modern hymns. New members would be very welcome, and no need for an audition – just come and join us. Contact organist & choirmaster Roger Ellis on 087 053 9416.”
A Cookery Demonstration by Rachel Allen in aid of Time for Tilara will be held in the Cork International Hotel on Thursday, 8th June at 8pm. Tickets are €35 and are available through Eventbrite.ie or contact Ann Kelly 087/9900624.
On Tuesday, 13th June there will be a play reading for ‘A Fishy Business’ by Margaret Wood (a one act play) at 8pm in the Canon Packham Hall for the Theatre Suppers which will be held on the 9th, 10th & 11th November. As well as actors, we will need people to help with set design, prompting, costumes, props and front of house. All welcome. If anyone needs more details, contact Rev. David Bowles.
Service and Sausages. It is good to see that this short monthly evening service in St. Luke’s Church, especially designed to appeal to children, continues to be popular. This service is organised each month by the Revd David Bowles, who also coordinates the catering team. We are grateful to him. Everyone enjoys the hot dogs and fellowship in the Canon Packham Hall afterwards. We are taking a break for the summer period but this service will resume on the first Sunday in October.
