Tidings harvest 2016 web

D I O C E S E O F T U A M , K I L L A L A A N D A C H O N RY

HARVEST ISSUE 2016

The Bishop writes . . .

HARVEST ISSUE 2016 THE MAGAZINE OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND DIOCESE OF TUAM, KILLALA AND ACHONRY

www.tuam.anglican.org COPY DEADLINE All submissions for the Advent and Christmas 2016 issue of Tidings, including advertisements, must be in by Monday 14 November VIEWS ExPRESSED Views expressed in Tidings are those of the contributors and are not necessarily the views of the Editor or the magazine committee.

DIOCESAN MAGAZINE All advertising enquiries should be directed to: The Very Revd Stan Evans revdstanevans@gmail.com EDITOR The Very Revd. Stan Evans revdstanevans@gmail.com FEATURES EDITOR Patrick Delaney podubhshlaine@gmail.com DESIGN & PRINTING Design & typesetting by Jane Stark Printed by KPS Colourprint Ltd Knock, Co. Mayo COVER IMAGE: Young people enjoy the sunshine outside Holy Trinity Church during the Westport Flower Festival

Welcome back to another season of church life and activity. I trust you have enjoyed the Summer and are now feeling refreshed and renewed for all that lies ahead.

The debate about structural change across the Church of Ireland has not yet been concluded and will resume again in the coming weeks. Our own Diocesan Council had discussed fully the proposals to the General Synod in May. In the end, however, the Bill for change was not brought as there was insufficient agreement among the dioceses concerned.

So where are we now? General Synod has asked the dioceses most likely to be affected to enter into conversations to see if ‘bottom up’ solutions can be found which would enable the Church to move forward with numerically strong dioceses across the Island. For us, this is a request to talk with Limerick and Killaloe to the south and possibly Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh to the east.

Post-synod, the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe invited us to engage in informal talks with respect to possible re-configuration of our common life as Church, to the mutual benefit of both our United Dioceses. We have accepted their invitation and a sub-group with representatives from each of Tuam, Killala and Achonry will be meeting with representatives from Limerick and Killaloe in September and reporting to our Diocesan Synod.

The whole question of structural change has been a long and tedious process and I appreciate and want to acknowledge the goodwill and willingness of people in this Diocese to explore possible solutions. None of us relishes change of this sort but there is widespread realism that we cannot continue indefinitely as we are.

Sometimes it is better to be proactive rather than reactive in such matters and I sincerely hope that this latest effort might yield a solution with which we can all live and from which we can all benefit. I shall, of course, keep you informed.

After a long vacancy in the Ballisodare Group, the Reverend Dr Andrew Ison has been appointed as the new incumbent. Dr Ison is currently vicar of the Driffield Group in East Yorkshire and he, his wife Julie and their teenage daughters Emma and Clare will join us in November. I should like also to welcome the appointment, in the same group of parishes, of Mrs Mary Bourke as Principal of St Paul’s National School, Collooney. Mary is well known across our Diocese and comes with vast experience having been a long-serving Principal in Boyle.

I am delighted that the Reverend Jen McWhirter, who has been looking after the Killala Union in a temporary capacity, has agreed to become Priest-in-Charge.

She will leave her post at the Church of Ireland Theological College in December freeing her up to undertake this new appointment.

My good wishes to our new team members and to all of you who serve and support the Church in this Diocese. +Patrick Tuam –1–

What’s On

SEPTEMBER Sun 4 Diocesan School Teachers’ Training Day, Claremorris, 10am – 3pm Sun 4 Service in Claremorris, 12noon Thu 8 Safeguarding Trust Training, Ballisodare, 7.30pm Mon 12 Ballina Churches Together Committee, Ballina, 7.30pm Sun 18 Rathbarron Parish Tea Party, 3.30pm Mon 19 RB Week, Dublin Sat 24 Diocesan Synod, Tuam Cathedral, 10am OCTOBER Sun 2 Service in Claremorris, 12noon Sun 2 Harvest Thanksgiving, Preacher: Archdeacon Naphtali from Kajiado Diocese, Kenya, Killala Cathedral, 8pm Thu 6 Ballisodare Group Service of Institution, Collooney, 8pm Fri 7 MU Young Families Event, Sligo, (Fri – Sat) Wed 12 Clergy Conference, Spanish Point, Co Clare, (Wed – Fri) Thu 27 Diocesan Glebes Committee, Bishop’s House, 10.30am Thu 27 Diocesan Finance Committee, Bishop’s House, 12noon

NOvEMBER Fri 4 Diocesan Schools’ Service, Tuam Cathedral, 11.30am Sun 6 Service in Claremorris, 12noon Thu 10 Diocesan Board of Education, Claremorris, 11.30am Thu 10 Diocesan Council, Claremorris, 2pm Fri 11 Special Service of Remembrance, Calry Church, Sligo 10am Mon 14 Ballina Churches Together Committee, Ballina, 7.30pm Mon 21 RB Week, Dublin Sun 27 Diocesan Advent Carol Service with Installations of Canons and Introduction of the Priest-in-Charge, Killala Cathedral, 4pm Sun 27 Advent Carol Service, Galway, 5pm DECEMBER Sat 4 Service in Claremorris, 12noon Sun 11 St Paul’s NS Nativity Service, Collooney, 4pm Mon 12 Ballina Churches Together Committee, Ballina, 7.30pm Wed 14 RB Meeting, Dublin, 2pm Sun 18 Galway Civic Carol Service, St Nicholas’, 4pm

What does it cost to advertise with us?

Single Issue 4 issues

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Full Page

150

500

Half page

75

250

Quarter page

50

165

Single column 35

125

Message from the Editor I hope that you will enjoy this Harvest issue of Tidings. There are so many activities across the united Dioceses – and I hope that we have been able to bring you a snippet of life here in TKA. You will also see that we are losing the services of Jane Stark who in recent years has brought the publications to life with her talent for artistic graphic design.

Jane is developing her own business and with time constraints it has become too much for her to try and fit in the workload of the magazine. We thank her most sincerely for all that she has contributed.

Now we are seeking someone with similar skills who might see this as a way of serving in the diocese. A small honorarium is paid and anyone interested in exploring possibilities should contact me.

At present to offer Tidings freely means that we have a small budget shortfall.

Most of the costs of printing and circulation are met by our advertising revenue for which we are most grateful. However, it would be very helpful if those who wish to and could afford to make a small voluntary contribution would do so in the envelopes provided.

We have all been deeply moved by the images we have been seeing on a daily basis from Iraq and Syria, especially those of children so traumatised by all that they are witnessing and enduring. You will see that in this issue we have launched a Refugee Clothing appeal across our combined dioceses. I urge you to support this initiative and we are already working towards linking with a Christian support charity who have a proven track record in being able to respond to this urgent need. Please do access their website samarasaidappeal.com to see how their efforts have been so successful over the past two years. By the time we go to press we are confident that a Coordinator for your Group/Union will have been appointed. Time is short if we are to bring relief to these dear people before the onset of winter – so please respond through your local link person and we will do the rest. This is not a cash appeal but a call to share what we have, and may not have need of again. Thank you so much for your help.

Very Revd Stan Evans, Editor

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DIOCE SAN NEWS

Diocesan Council Notes Diocesan council Meeting 2/6/16 • Assessments – Over half the 2016 assessment has been paid to date.

• Ballina Churches Together – Mrs Emma Rodrigues reported on her work to date which includes visiting housing estates with varying degrees of problems (depression, suicide, drugs & alcohol abuse) and providing a listening ear.

Emma has set up a weekly kids football club and has befriended Muslim ladies who are having difficulty integrating.

Emma’s work allows her to reach areas where clergy usually cant get to and shows the value of going out to the people instead of trying to ‘get them in’!

• Charities Regulatory Authority – Awaiting further info from the RB. Parishes with concerns re property/trusts etc should contact Joanne Richards at charityreg@rcbdub.org or telecom 01-4125660. Parishes should disregard correspondence (until further notice) from the CRA requesting them to complete registration.

• CCLI – Chris Williams from Christian Copyright Licensing International is exploring the possibility of holding seminars to facilitate parishes in the West and Mid-West.

• Commission on Episcopal Ministry & Structures – Following the withdrawal of the Commission’s Bill to General Synod, the Diocese of Limerick issued an invitation to TKA to enter talks which might benefit both dioceses. It was agreed that a number of diocesan reps will meet with Limerick in the Autumn and report back to Diocesan Synod.

• Diocesan Consultations – Consultation groups are currently visiting each Select Vestry. Tuam has been completed but work is on-going in Killala & Achonry. A full report will be available for the Autumn meeting.

• Diocesan Cycle – The final leg (Mulranny-Achill) is scheduled Saturday 18th June.

• Diocesan Fun Day 28th May – 46 adults and 12 children attended a very successful and enjoyable day. Ideas welcomed for 2017 Fun Day. • Education – Various grants (including fees, book & transport) have been issued to children in the Diocese. Good wishes to Mrs Jackie Higgins on her retirement from St Paul’s NS Collooney and appreciation expressed to Canon Swann as Chair of the BOM. Congratulations to Mrs Mary Bourke who has been appointed Principal of St Paul’s from September 2016.

• General Synod – Good representation from the Diocese. This year’s venue was good but the hotel room did not facilitate easy access to the display area.

• Glebe/Property – Caretakers agreement issued for Crossmolina Rectory. 2016/17 glebe rentals approved. Permission granted to Kilmacshalgan and Kilmoremoy to proceed with work on their Church and Parochial Hall respectively.

Architect’s inspection report received for Turlough Church. Reminder to parishes to supply one fill of heating oil / annum to assist with maintenance of rectories. Also support for landline telephone costs. All other property matters are on-going.

• Mission – Further discussion took place on ways to fund-raise for the new (urgently needed) water mission project costing €35K in Oltiasika in Kenya. Each church is asked to organise a fund-raising event over the Autumn. A tenday trip is planned to visit the area in 2017. Clergy and laity are invited.

• Safeguarding Trust – All parishes in the Diocese have been audited. A re-training night will be held in early September in Ballisodare Hall for everyone in the group. Training needs in parishes should be reviewed regularly.

Planned annual training sessions should be encouraged and must include Panel Members and Leaders. On-line Garda vetting will be available after 29th April. Canon Doris Clements is available for the provision of training.

• Youth – Details for the Lissadell Youth camp will be issued to clergy. A Training day for Sunday School Teachers is scheduled for 3rd September in the McWilliam Park Hotel.

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NEW RECTOR FOR BALLISODARE

The Ison family are really looking forward to their move to the Ballisodare Group of Parishes and wanted to tell you a little bit about themselves.

Andrew is currently working as a vicar in East Yorkshire where he has oversight of five churches, four in villages and a larger church in the market town of Driffield. He was born and brought up in Worksop in Nottinghamshire although he has lived various parts of England, the Netherlands and the USA. Andrew happily admits that he seems to have been a habitual student. However, he has had a “real job”. Being a trained biochemical engineer he was involved in the production of penicillin during his first time in Holland. Prior to theological college and ordination, he spent nearly ten years as a university lecturer in the subject at University College London.

It was during his time in London that he met Julie at their local church. Julie comes from Belfast and was working as a fundraiser for Save the Children. Shortly after their marriage in 1996, and much to his own surprise, Andrew

began to follow a call to ministry which eventually led them to Trinity College, Bristol, where Andrew trained.

Andrew is a real family man and, being the only male in the house, he knows his place in the pecking order! When not with his family, he is happiest reading and watching movies. He loves cycling and is looking forward to getting out and enjoying the lovely countryside in Sligo.

Julie has spent the last years looking after the children but as they are now older she has taken the opportunity to qualify as a counsellor, and works with people who are finding life tough.

Emma is sixteen and has just completed her GCSE’s.

She loves to have a go at anything. Until recently she had a Saturday job in a local cafe. Clare is thirteen and loves friends and animals. Both girls are going to Sligo Grammar School.

Lottie is the final member of the family, our wonderfully cuddly large Bernese Mountain Dog who loves everyone and gives great pleasure to us all.

APPOINTMENTS

The Reverend Dr Andrew Ison vicar of the Benefice of Great and Little Driffield and the Benefice of Langtoft with Foxholes, Butterwick and Thwing to be Rector of the Ballisodare Group of Parishes. The Institution will be in St Paul’s Church, Collooney on Thursday 6th October at 8pm.

The Reverend Jennifer McWhirter Co-ordinator of Continuing Ministerial Education at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin to be Priest-in-Charge of the Killala Union of Parishes. The Introduction will be on Sunday 27th November in Killala Cathedral at 4pm.

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REFUGEE CRISIS COMBINED DIOCESAN RESPONSE

How YOU can help Each Group/Union of Parishes throughout the Diocese is asked to provide as many clothes and blankets for refugees throughout Iraq and Syria and those in refugee camps. These gifts will be sent under the direction of Samara Aid direct to the areas of need, and distributed by them. Please view their website samarasaidappeal.com and see how we can make a difference.

The Co-Ordinator for your Group/Union will be announced locally shortly. With winter fast approaching it is imperative that we do all that we can – so please give as generously as possible.

Bishop Patrick’s Endorsement I encourage those in every home across our united Dioceses to gather up good quality clothes and blankets. Millions of people are displaced at this time and the very least we can do is to give away those items that we no longer need. It is difficult for us who have so much to understand what it must be like to have next to nothing. The Gospel imperative, however, is clear – ‘share what you have with others’. I ask you all to look through your cupboards and pick out those items of clothing you will never wear again along with any spare blankets. Those who are so desperate will gladly accept them and the comfort and warmth they will bring. Please support this combined effort to offer practical assistance. Thank you.

+Patrick –9–

MU in Action in Ballisodare Group

Ballisodare MU party

Have some fruit salad...

Ready to go......

Reading at the wood...

Reading at the wood...

Walking along... – 10 –

Looking for answers in the wood...

MOTHERS’ UNION Whilst officially the Mothers’ Union Calendar runs from January – December, our schooling has ingrained in us that September is infact the beginning of yet another year!

I trust that despite the preponderance of grey skies and wet clothes over the Summer period, that somehow vitamin D levels have been raised and Mothers’ Union members are returning full of energy and enthusiasm.

‘Keeping on keeping on’ is often the most challenging of tasks but as the Prayer Book reminds us – ‘it is not the beginning but the continuing of the same which yieldeth the true glory’ (I paraphrase).

Good wishes, patience, tolerance and generosity of spirit to all Mothers’ Union members as another season swings into action.

Alison Rooke - Diocesan President

BALLISODARE MOTHER’S UNION Great activity was organized by our Mothers’ Union Branch in May and June. First of all there was an exciting day out at Sligo’s Search and Rescue Unit in Strandhill. This involved a very informative tour of the rescue helicopter and an active demonstration of a fire engine. Each child had an opportunity to use the water hose!! All this was done with great care and attention. Following this was a surprise sumptuous party tea in the airport building, supplied by the mums. Great thanks are expressed to the Mothers’ Union members, the mums, grandmums, the delightful children, all the staff at the airport building and the Search and Rescue Unit for a most enjoyable time.

Another fun memorable day was held in Union Wood when despite the inclement weather and the exciting Ireland v France soccer match the brave Mothers’ Union members and helpers from the parishes organized a Family Friendly Free Fun Trail for anyone who dared to come along. Participants were armed with 20 written clues with which to find the answers to questions that would lead them from the gates at Ballygawley Road to the waiting reception of fresh fruit

On the wood trail...

salad and hot drinks at the Sports Building near Ballisodare.

Some walkers just came along and took part. There was tiredness and delight. Everybody got there! Again, the support from helpful parishioners and participating young families was overwhelming. It was appreciated and enjoyed.

Looking forward, the planned branch activities are: 13 september at 8pm in Ballisodare Hall with Revd McWhirter 17 september, afternoon, Teddy Bears’ Picnic at Ballisodare 13 october, 8pm ‘A New U’ with Regina Diamond, Collooney 10 november, 8pm Baking/Cooking with Marion Edwards, Ballisodare The Mothers’ Union Getaway Weekend 7/8 October is highly recommended. See notice on the Mothers’ Union page in this issue. Non-members are very welcome to come along to this event! Members bring a non-member with you. There will be people from all over Ireland at this event.

It will be enjoyable!

Ballisodare MU and Rescue Helicopter – 11 –

MOTHERS’ UNION

Tuam MU with Clogher Diocese at the Holy Communion in Christchurch Cathedral

Diocesan Mothers Union Service in St. Michael’s Church, Ballina on 12th June.

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SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL NEWS

l to r: Michael Hall (Headmaster), Breege Swinburne, David Johnston, Ruth Galbraith, Barbara Hosie.

This summer Sligo Grammar School says goodbye to four staff members who have become part of the fabric of the school over the last twenty years and more David Johnston, English teacher, Ruth Galbraith, History and RE teacher and Breege Swinburne, Accounting and Maths teacher, are all bidding farewell to the school. As well as these teachers we also say goodbye to Barbara Hosie who has been in the school for 31 years, serving first as Matron and later as Secretary to the Headmaster.

Barbara has been such a central person in the school that all her colleagues as well as the students will really feel her absence when they return to classes at the end of August.

She says herself that she will miss Sligo Grammar School as she loved her job and and felt that the school was more like a family home than a workplace. Indeed it was a real “family affair” for Barbara as, first, her daughters and, subsequently, her grandson all attended SGS while Barbara was working in the school. Indeed, in 2016 the family tradition continues when Barbara’s second grandson will enter Sligo Grammar School.

David Johnston also leaves us this summer. He has been an English teacher in the school for over 20 years. Well known for his excellent dress sense, David brought flair and panache to the school. He wore the academic gown to class every day and is the last teacher to wear it as a matter of course. As a lover of English literature, David found teaching English to be the ideal job for him as he could indulge his love of Yeats and Shakespeare and all the literary greats. David was always a breath of fresh air around the school and will be missed by students and colleagues alike.

In her time in the Sligo Grammar School Ruth Galbraith taught History, RE and Irish. She also set up and ran the “Cabin”, which is the Christian Union meeting room in the school. Ruth acted as Deputy Principal for a time in 2014 and her input to the development of school policies, including an exemplary Literacy Policy and School Development Plan, will be a constant reminder of her dedication to the school. Ruth was heavily involved in the daily life of Sligo Grammar School, for many years directing the school plays and running the school website. She also was the unofficial school photographer, capturing the life of the school on film. We wish her the best in the years to come.

Breege Swinburne came to the school 20 years ago, filling in for a teacher on maternity leave. She was kept on afterwards to teach Accounting, and in later years, Maths.

As Accounting teacher she worked with senior students, preparing them for leaving Cert and was very successful at this, one of her students achieving First in Ireland in Leaving Cert Accounting. Breege had a great sense of humour much appreciated by her students and also by her colleagues. The Staff Room won’t be the same without her!

We wish these, our colleagues and friends, all the best as they leave us and embark on new adventures. They will be missed by all, students and staff, and remembered with affection.

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The Black Cat Gallery 17 Market Street, Galway Oroginal art and prints by Janet Vinnell

Gallery open 10 am to 5.30 pm Monday through Saturday Phone 091 566422

Fun Day on clare islanD Forty-three adults and twelve children enjoyed the diocesan fun day on Clare Island on 28th May. We went to Clare Island on the 11.00am ferry from Roonagh Quay under clear blue skies. Once on the island we enjoyed a range of activities.

Some people chose to walk or cycle round the island and many and varied distances were covered that way! Some chose to go by minibus to see the lighthouse and to visit a weaver’s loom.

We enjoyed our picnic lunches back at the community centre and then went by minibus to the old abbey, which has 12th century wall paintings still visible and we enjoyed a talk about the abbey and the island by Peter Gill.

Following Peter’s talk we had a short service of worship in the church next door to the abbey before being bused back to the community centre to collect our belongings for the return journey to Roonagh. I think everyone had an enjoyable day, certainly we were blessed with the weather, and Clare Island offered such a beautiful setting for our fun day!

and sandwiches were enjoyed by all, along with a chance for the sports fans among us to watch the Ireland-Belgium match on the big screen.

Thanks to the effort put in by everyone, not only those who cycled, but those who gave sponsorship money, including a very generous gift from an event held at St Thomas’, Dugort, we’ve been able to raise €2190 for the Maji water project in the diocese of Kajiado, Kenya. A very big thank you to all who took part, and all who sponsored those who did!

Diocesan cycle We were blessed with a perfect day to cycle, bright, cool and a light breeze. Twenty-six cyclists gathered at the back of the Mulranny Park Hotel for our Diocesan Cycle to raise funds for our new ‘Maji’ water project in Kenya. We set off 10 minutes early, led by two toddlers being pulled along in their bike trailers. It’s amazing how things have changed. It was hard to keep track of everyone as the younger gang hared off into the distance, the central batch settled down to conversation and the steady peddlers took the strain at the back. It was a great way to meet new people from all around the dioceses as we peddled along.

We all met at Achill sound, the end of the greenway and our halfway point, for our lunch and shared a cup of tea or coffee from the local Supervalu and sandwiches. Those who were feeling the heat the most treated themselves to an ice-cream!

The younger gang had arrived first so were eager to get going on the return trip and left before the last to arrive had even finished their sarnies. Everyone knew their own pace and before long we were all on our way back to Mulranny. The views were stunning and the weather mostly held - although it had drizzled a little on the way back it hadn’t been too bad, but it started to rain in earnest just as we reached the hotel. Tea

In 1997, Mrs Mildred Gilmore and Canon Doris Clements agreed to oversee Safeguarding Trust across the Diocese. More recently, Mrs Gilmore has taken charge of Safeguarding Trust audits but has indicated her wish to step down from this responsibility.

suMMer MaDness Several young people from the diocese attended Summer Madness along with the group from Sligo. Steve went along to provide encouragement and support and a good time was had by all.

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Safeguarding TruST

In thanking her most sincerely for her labours over such a period of some 20 years, we pay tribute to her determination to ensure that all the necessary procedures were in place and that leaders, children and young people were suitably protected and that Diocesan and parish events involving ‘minors’ were conducted in a safe environment. We are therefore much indebted and extremely grateful.

Canon Doris Clements, also in a very conscientious manner, presently takes charge of the delivery of Safeguarding Trust training and will continue to do so. She has now kindly agreed to look after the audits also – all as part of her role as Diocesan Curate! We are much indebted and most grateful to her.

left: In the photo (l to r) is Sarah Clarke who came 1st place in Bible study and 1st place at handcraft at Diocesan level, age group 11 - 13. Also included in the photo is Louise Robertson who came 1st place in Bible study and 1st place at handcraft at Diosecan level age group 7 - 9. Both girls then got placed in the all Ireland competition. Sarah getting joint 3rd in handcraft and Bible study and Louise getting 3rd place in handcraft. below: Young people from Holy Trinity, Westport, after planting wellies for the Flower Festival.

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Boys’ Brigade members proudly display the birdhouses that they made.

DIOCESAN FUN DAY – CLARE ISLAND A good crowd from TKA numbering 43 adults and 12 children enjoyed the Diocesan Fun Day on Clare Island on 28th May. We went to across on the 11.00am ferry from Roonagh Quay under clear blue skies.

Once on the island we enjoyed a range of activities.

Some people chose to walk or cycle round the island and many and varied distances were covered that way! Some chose to go by minibus to see the lighthouse and to visit a weaver’s loom.

We enjoyed our picnic lunches back at the community centre and then went by minibus to the old abbey, which has 12th century wall paintings still visible and we enjoyed a talk about the Abbey and the Island by Peter Gill.

Following Peter’s talk we had a short service of worship in the church next door to the Abbey before being bused back to the community centre to collect our belongings for the return journey to Roonagh.

An enjoyable day was blessed with outstanding weather, and Clare Island offered such a beautiful setting for our fun day!

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Diocesan Cycle for MAJI water project last leg of the cycle from Mulranny to achill and back (with no head wind!!)

We were blessed with a perfect day to cycle, bright, cool and a light breeze. 26 cyclists gathered at the back of the Mulranny Park Hotel for our Diocesan Cycle to raise funds for our new ‘Maji’ water project in Kenya. We set off 10 minutes early, led by two toddlers being pulled along in their bike trailers. It’s amazing how things have changed.

It was hard to keep track of everyone as the younger gang hared off into the distance, the central batch settled down to conversation and the steady peddlers took the strain at the back. It was a great way to meet new people from all around the dioceses as we peddled along. We all met at Achill sound, the end of the greenway and our halfway point, for our lunch and shared a cup of tea or coffee from the local Supervalu and sandwiches. Those who were feeling the heat the most treated themselves to an ice-cream! The

younger gang had arrived first so were eager to get going on the return trip and left before the last to arrive had even finished their sarnies. Everyone knew their own pace and before long we were all on our way back to Mulranny. The views were stunning and the weather mostly held - although it had drizzled a little on the way back it hadn’t been too bad, but it started to rain in earnest just as we reached the hotel. Tea and sandwiches were enjoyed by all, along with a chance for the sports fans among us to watch the IrelandBelgium match on the big screen.

Thanks to the effort put in by everyone, not only those who cycled, but those who gave sponsorship money, we’ve been able to raise €1890 for the Maji water project in the diocese of Kajiado, Kenya. A very big thank you to all who took part, and all who sponsored those who did!

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ST NICHOLAS SCHOLA CANTORUM REPORT FOR THE YEAR PAST Gratias agimus tibi!

Great thanks are due to the many people who have worked so hard and given so much of their time this year in running the Schola Cantorum programme: out team of tutors (Dottie Knauer, Ronan De Burca, Michel Durham and Darragh O’Brien), Rachel Latey (music library), Janet vinnell (robes), Máire Collins and Maria Tuohy (coffee concerts), Brian Hoban (choristers), Maureen Rabbitt (St Nicholas Singers), Don Tallon (logistics and stewarding), and Carol Steven and Heather Pope (accounts). Their goodwill and enthusiasm provide the energy that fuels the whole enterprise. Thank you!

Parish choir New members welcomed into the choir this year include Sarah Deegan and Ann McDonagh. The musicianship classes we have been running after Sunday morning Eucharist have borne bountiful fruit in the form of successes in theory and singing examinations. Paul Adams has achieved distinction in Grade 1, Janet vinnell likewise in Grade 2, Don Tallon ditto in Grade 3, and Maureen Rabbitt and Rachel Latey both merit in Grade 4. All examinations were those of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music – the most challenging of the various examination boards.

Congratulations to all five! choristers The Choristers sang often at the Sunday Eucharist in the course of the year, and also took part in several other events, notably the memorial concert for Eniola Adekeye, the Galway Early Music Festival, and our own coffee concert series.

Anna Gavin, this year’s Head Chorister, sat the RSCM Bronze Award examination in early Spring, the first of our singers to take on this challenge. We had many voice for Life awards given this year, with the Dark Blue award made to Sorcha Carrick, Leasha Garvey and Sarah Gohery, and Light Blue to Andrew Gordon, Ríain Kennedy, Emily Rooney, Emily Leonard, Martha O’Sullivan and Fintan O’Regan.

At the choristers’ final service of the year, the Bishop once again presided, addressed the choristers and presented prizes. The Rector admitted eight new choristers into the choir: Caitriona Joy Almasor, Mark Egan, Lily O’Donoghue, Aine Parslow, Alyce Rooney, Ingrid Shaw, Tim Shiels and Amy Trainor.

Prizes were awarded to Leasha Garvey, Eoghan McHale, Emily Rooney, Elaine Boyle, Emily Leonard, Lily O’Donoghue, and Alyce Rooney.

Anna Gavin, Jake Clifford and Éidhne Kennedy were farewelled from the choir, and Sorcha Carrick announced as Head Chorister for the coming year. In a most gratifying development, come September our three departing choristers

plus two previous choristers are all going to join the parish choir as Junior Choral Scholars. choral scholars The Choral Scholars ensemble this year included two students from GTI, thanks in large part to Dottie Knauer who teaches there and is a very persuasive recruitment agent. The Scholars sang the beautiful service of Compline several times during the year, and also as part of the Arts in Action programme on campus in NUI Galway: in a lunchtime concert in the Aula Maxima, the women of the choir featured in works by Mendelssohn and Schubert. st nicholas singers The Remembrancetide concert this year included a performance of five movements from Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, in the composer’s own arrangement for four hands on one piano instead of orchestra. Ramin Haghjoo and Ronan De Burca brought this remarkable accompaniment to life, and Aisling Kenny joined us as soprano soloist and vocal coach.

Aisling’s warm-ups with the choir were especially memorable and effective. The coming year sees the Singers’ annual outing move to early Spring, due to pressure of date availability in November. We will be taking the opportunity to celebrate the relatively unknown feast of Candlemas in early February, exploring the riches of the repertoire written for it. collegiuM Once again Collegium sang a Good Friday programme, as part of the Music for Galway annual series. This year’s concert featured works by Byrd, Tallis, Gibbons, Walton, Mendelssohn, and Leighton’s passiontide cantata Crucifixus, for which we were joined by organist David Leigh and tenor Eoin Hynes. The choir has been invited to present another Good Friday concert in the Music for Galway programme next year, and we hope that there may be one or two other outings as well.

Finance anD FunDraising The Schola Cantorum account is in a healthy state, thanks to the financial support of our donors and friends and the range of fundraising initiatives mounted during the year. This includes the very successful series of coffee concerts (we are indebted to our performers and bakers) and Christmas card sales. Our regular donors and friends must be thanked most warmly: their benevolence, alongside fundraising initiatives such as the above, supports the work we are doing and makes possible the church’s musical outreach to the community.

Mark Duley.

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teagasc críostaí an chonnachtaigh 2 Aibidil Gaoidheilge agus Caiticiosma (Irish Alphabet and Catechism) is the first book printed in Ireland in the Irish language. Meant as a Protestant primer, the book was written

by John Kearney (Seán Ó Cearnaigh), a treasurer of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. It also includes a short section on the spelling and sounds of Irish. The book was printed in 1571, on a press which was set up in the home of Alderman John Ussher, a wellknown Dublin Protestant who also paid for the work. William Kearney, a nephew of John Kearney, was possibly the printer and 200 copies of the book were printed but only four known copies exist today. In 1995, a copy of the book was bought by Trinity College Library Dublin for £47,700 at Christie’s.

More Catechisms were produced after that date, but as literacy levels remained low up until the end of the nineteenth century, ‘folk’ versions of such items as the Ten Commandments were in wide circulation. Below is one oral text, Teagasc Críostaí an

Chonnachtaigh (The Connacht Catechism), versions of which have been recorded from Donegal to Kerry. It gives a succinct summary of the essential elements of the commandments, easy to commit to memory because of the end rhyme and passed on aurally and orally from person to person.

Creid a mhic i nDia go glan, Is ná tabhair ainm Dé gan fáth, Coimeád an tsaoire mar ba chóir, Tabhair dod athair is dod mháthair onóir; Ná déan marú, goid ná drúis, Ná fianaise bhréige in aon chúis, Ná santaigh bean nach leat féin, Clann duine ná a airnéis.

(As: An Baol Dom Tú? Muintir Chorca Dhuibhne agus an Ghaeilge 1890-1940, Micheál Ó Dubhshláine, BÁC, 2000)

The Clifden Arts Festival Committee with Dr Brendan Flynn as Artistic Director and Des Lally as Chairman invite you to this 39th Festival. Special thanks to the staff of the Clifden Community School and primary schools for their kind cooperation.

Access the programme on the website and come and share in this truly international Festival.

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SERIOUS HEALTH WARNING ‘Out of sight – out of mind?’

This is an urgent call to all Rectors and Glebe Wardens.

Sometimes when the dreaded Diocesan Architect’s Report is received, it is filed neatly away with a sigh of relief that it is all over for another four or five years.

Here in Christ Church Clifden, as part of the remedial work to the spire and tower, our attention was also turned to the condition of the bell supports.

The bell has not been operated for years – thankfully.

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BALLINA CHURCHES TOGETHER Ballina churches together project is in its 4th month. I have been involved in a whole array of activities within the community and have been developing good relationships with the four main churches involved.

The summer months have been a busy time as the children have school holidays. My husband Robson and I have held a” Futsal Fooball Skills Camp”. This was held in the convent hall during the week of the Salmon Festival. Robson has also been invioved in Soccer training in Crossmolina and Ballina – he qualified as a coach in Brazil.

Fr Liam who is parish priest at St Patricks Church Ballina invited us to use the hall and showed great enthusiasm for football. The camp went well with 22 boys and 2 girls attending. It was a great way of connecting with the families of those involved. We have been asked to run another camp from August 15th to 19th and we plan to do this.

In one of the local housing estates we play football with the children on a weekly basis. I hope to start a weekly kids club there in the autumn.

I am also planning on making more connections with the travelling community in Ballina through football and organising various activities throughout the coming months.

We will welcome the “The Red Bus” which is visit ing the town from 24th until 26th August. The bus is run by Operation Mobilisation (International mission organisation). They have been specially invited back by the children of Mill view Cresent (housing estate) as they have been to Ballina in the past. The children love the puppet shows and the activities that the team organise. I will be delighted to work alongside them.

I have been involved in organising an environmental awareness group with a few local ladies. We have organised speakers for walks and talks in the local area. It has been very interesting and educational and has helped me connect with more families.

There are many families from other cultures living in Ballina, I keep in contact with a Muslim family who live locally .

I have started weekly prayer meetings and prayer walks.

This has involved people from the four churches.

It has been good chatting to local people in the community and asking them what is needed for the area. I have had a good response and I have taken their ideas on board.

There are many enthusiastic folk who want to help to move towards change within the community. This is a positive step as we now look for a premises to set up and run a drop in centre. It is exciting to look to the future and see where the Lord will lead us.

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086 856 8185 or laragan.hall@gmail.com website: www.janestark.net – 22 –

The Bishop and Canon Swann, Chair of the BOM, attended an assembly for a farewell to Skreen parishioner Mrs Jackie Higgins who retired in June as Principal of St Paul’s National School, Collooney. Jackie taught in the school for a very long time - thirtythree years and was Principal from September 2012. She has been succeeded by Collooney parishioner Mrs Mary Bourke who was previously Principal in Boyle for 16years.

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The Abbeyglen Castle Hotel is located on the aptly named Sky Road overlooking the quaint alpine like town of Clifden, Connemara.

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PARISH NEWS DIGEST ACHONRY GROUP St Crumnathy’s Cathedral, Achonry St George’s, Tubbercurry Rathbarron Priest-in-charge: Canon Derick Swann Tel: 071 919 7097 Mobile: 087 067 5880

annual lunch in rathbarron (photos below) The Rathbarron Annual Lunch was held on Father’s Day, Sunday 19th June. The event was well supported although the weather was poor. Over 400 hot meals were served and the result was a considerable boost to parish funds. We are grateful to Mrs Betty Price for the use of her home and grounds, all

those who provided food, those who prepared it and also those who served it. We also appreciate the support we received from other parishes and from the local community. conFirMation (photo below) On Sunday,24th July, the Bishop administered the Rite of Confirmation in Rathbarron Church. One girl and four boys were confirmed. Those confirmed were Charlene Mitchell, Ciarán Norris, Earl Norris, Sean Norris and Cormac O’Hara.

Please remember these young people in your prayers as the begin their adult journey in the Christian faith.

Mothers’ union The Opening Service for the new season of Mothers’ Union activity will be held in St. George’s, Tubbercurry on Tuesday, 27th September at 8pm.

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gFs The new season for GFS will begin on Friday, 7th October at 7.20pm in the Coach House. We hope to welcome all of our present members back on that evening. New members would be most welcome. harvest thanksgiving services On Friday 30th September the Harvest Thanksgiving in Rathbarron will be at 8pm. The preacher will be the very Revd.

Arfon Williams, Dean of Elphin. The service will be followed by supper in the Coach House The Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Tubbercurry will be on Sunday, 2nd October at 7pm in St. George’s. The service will be followed by supper in the Schoolhouse. aFternoon tea at cultibar house Plans are being made for an Afternoon Tea at Cultibar House (the home of Arthur Livingston) on Sunday, 18th September at 3.30pm. It is hoped that parishioners from both parishes

AUGHAVAL GROUP Holy Trinity, Westport Christ Church, Castlebar Turlough St Thomas’, Dugort Rector: The Very Revd V.H. Rogers Tel: 098 25127

Let’s start with some future events: harvest thanksgiving services Westport 8pm Fri 16 Sep, preacher Canon Maureen Ryan Dugort in second half of Sept, as guests in one of Achill’s RC churches, preacher TBA turlough 8pm Sat 24 Sep, preacher TBA castlebar 10am Sun 25 Sep, preacher TBA WeDDings Congratulations and blessings from us all for Trevor Bourke and Isabell Walsh who will marry on September 17th in St Patrick’s Islandeady, God willing, and for Alison Fraser and PJ Mannix who plan to marry on October 14th in Holy Trinity.

Music in holy trinity • Westport Chamber Music Festival will conclude with a 3pm concert of Beethoven, Chopin and Brahms on Sun Sept 10th.

• Westport’s Arts Festival kicks off with the The Unthanks on Fri Sept 30th.

• Members of the Guinness Choir will join the 11.30am Service informally on Sun Oct 2nd.

• Luka Bloom and a Danish Women’s Choir of 30 singers perform on Tue Oct 18th.

• A major fundraiser for HT’s Restoration Fund: James Kilbane in concert on Fri Oct 21st.

Now, bits from the past three months: aughaval conFirMations We had candidates from all four parishes this year: one adult, Diane Gallagher from St Thomas’s, and ten younger folk - from

will be involved in what will be a fund-raising venture for the Diocesan Missionary Project (MAJI). Please encourage you family and friends to join us on this occasion. Bishop Patrick will also be joining us that afternoon. bishoP’s visit Parishioners are looking forward to Bishop Patrick’s visit to the parishes on Sunday, 16th October. He will be present for Morning Prayer in Rathbarron at 10am and Holy Communion in St. George’s at 11.30am.

Parish registers holy baptism 12th June in Rathbarron Church. Meredith Rose Byrd daughter of Julien and Amanda, Rathgran, Collaney christian burial 3rd May in St, George’s Church. Christopher Malcolm Wren, 13 Maiden Crescent Tubbercurry Christ Church, Isaac Boyle; from Turlough, Rachael Kelly; and from Holy Trinity, Alessandro Forcina, Anna Browne-Tobia, David Bourke, Emma Murray-McGuire, Eve Browne-Moran, Francis Ellison, Isobel Graham-Scott and Mark Conroy.

Our people had undertaken to pray for and encourage those involved. How else could Bishop Patrick have survived when, at the end of the Confirmation proper, he sat upon a chair that wasn’t there? At that moment Intercession was being offered, so he landed safely. And Signs of Peace were being called for, so he had to forgive me; it was I who had moved the chair. He carried neither injuries nor grudges when back to share Holy Communion with us in all four parishes since then. st thoMas’s Thanks to all who provided weekly Services throughout the Summer in Dugort. aFternoon teas The fundraising afternoon teas at Gray’s Guesthouse on the June Holiday weekend required much hard work and were a great success. holy trinity school Our strong and capable, brave and beautiful 2015-16 6th Class will have begun in Secondary School when Autumn’s Tidings are distributed. They were celebrated and blessed before school broke up in a lovely Final Assembly. It seems only yesterday that they were Junior Infants, as little as next year’s intake will be when school re-opens on September 1st.

We are proud of and grateful for our whole school community.

Diocesan Fun Day Hooray for the organisers, who seem to have even provided the weather. Clare Island, and the land and waters of Clew Bay, have never been so lovely. builDings Our Diocesan Architect is Colin Bell, from Sligo. The Aughaval buildings most recently checked by him were

– 28 –

those of Dugort and Castlebar. The Churchwardens are very grateful for the thoroughness of his work.

Phase 1A of the multi-phase restoration of Holy Trinity in Westport is being carried out, working on the vestry roof and chimney, and on other portions of the building’s north side. gosPel Music gig (photo right) Holy Trinity hosted the main gig as Westport’s Folk and Bluegrass Festival opened in June. The Foghorn String Band

from Portland, Oregon, gave terrific oomph to the packedout Gospel Service in church as the Festival ended.

WestPort FloWer Festival Congratulations and thanks to the excellent organisers and helpers on their second superb Flower Festival, held over three days in early July. The festival raised over €7,000 for the Holy Trinity Restoration Fund – every penny of it hard-earned. The fuller report elsewhere in this Tidings issue deserves a read.

Hooroo! Val

Aughaval 2016 Confirmation. photo by sandra murray

Tommy Marren of Mid-West Radio opened the 2016 Westport Flower Festival.

Foghorn String Band at Westports’s 2016 Folk Bluegrass FestGospel Service. photo by chris sweeney – 29 –

BALLISODARE GROUP Holy Trinity, Ballisodare St Paul’s, Collooney Emlaghfad, Ballymote Rector-elect: Revd Dr Andrew Ison Tel: 071 9133217

births It is always a pleasure and a joy to announce the birth of new babies in our parishes and so we congratulate Lionel and Marie Davey in Ballymote on the birth of baby Evan. His grandparents George and Mary Maxwell are also included in our good wishes. Declan and Beryl Sheenan in Collooney and grandparents William and Dolly Lougheed in Ballisodare are also congratulated on the birth of baby Jasmine. baPtisM There was more joy, for Collooney grandparents Noel and Noelle Carter when Tyanna-Leigh Maria Melville was presented for baptism by her parents Dayna and Gary in St Paul’s Church on 2nd July. engageMent Alan Lawson of Collooney, son of Phyllis and the late John and grandson of Muriel recently happily announced his engagement to Mairead Brennan. Congratulations to the happy couple. school anD young PeoPle There was more happiness and excitement in Collooney when we found out about the high achievers in our midst.

Conor Robinson, son of John and Niamh Robinson, has been awarded a full Incorporated Society scholarship as he leaves St Paul’s School to attend the Grammar School in Sligo. Sarah Clarke, daughter of Mrs Elizabeth Clarke, was awarded 1st place in her age group at diocesan level for GFS competitions in Bible Studies and Craft. She also was awarded joint 3rd place in Bible Studies and Craft competitions at All

Ireland level! Congratulations to both of them As the new school year begins in September, Mrs Mary Bourke is welcomed as the new principal of St Paul’s School.

She, the staff and all the pupils - especially those starting school for the first time - are wished a happy year ahead.

Indeed there is reason to be proud of all our young people and very best wishes are extended to all of them, those who are moving on to second or third level, those who are doing further studies and those who have found jobs. Well done! syMPathy Our condolences go to Mrs Phyllis Lawson on the recent death of her brother-in-law Lewis Irwin of Manor Hamilton.

Sympathy is also expressed to Josh Albertis and all the family on the death of his mother Anna Sarah Elizabeth (née Mullen). Mrs Albertis was a daughter of Ballisodare Parish and as a young girl lived at Belvedere House in the village before moving to England. Her funeral service, conducted

by Canon Doris Clements, was held at Holy Trinity Church on 23rd July and burial followed in the graveyard.

FunDraising St Paul’s Parish, Collooney wishes to thank everybody who supported their ‘sale’, in so many different ways. It is greatly appreciated. services Our thanks go to Canon Clements, Canon Ferguson, Karen Duignan and Bishop Rooke for leading services. Thanks are also expressed to Revd Stephen McWhirter for his pastoral work and chairing select vestry meetings etc and to Archdeacon Synnott for organizing our service rotas. A United Service for the three parishes, lead by Canon Clements, took place on 29 May at St Paul’s, when parishioners had the opportunity to choose their favourite hymns for the service. There was also a United Service of the Word lead by her on 31 July at Emlaghfad Church. As usual each of these services was immediately followed with friendly rapport over tea and fare.

See page7 for news about the new Rector and pages 10-11 of this issue for news of Ballisodare Mothers’ Union

GALWAY & KILCUMMIN Collegiate Church of St Nicholas Kilcummin Church, Oughterard Rector: The Ven Gary Hastings Tel: 091 521914

Deaths Ian Lambert was remembered in a memorial service in Knocknacarra church on the 12th of May, which Rev John Godfrey attended.

Charlie O’Connell’s funeral was on 1st July, after a long illness. The funeral was in Salthill Church, Our sympathies are with Norma and all the family at their sad and great loss.

Peter Fitzgibbon of Ballinrobe was buried in the Bohermore on 8th July. He had donated his remains to medical research in NUIG. The Rector was involved in a Memorial Service for Melody Court, Renmore, 14th June, for departed residents, and also in a Memorial Service for Jane Windle, of Croi House on the 17th June. holy MatriMony Paula Donohue and Craig Senior, St Nicholas’ 21st May Jon Bunny & Gerardine Culkin 18th June Megan Howell & Donncha Lenihan. 25th June Fiona Kilkelly, Richard White, 1st July, Blessing of Marriage. baPtisM Bran Anchor, son of Conrad and Alyssa Bailey….. 1st May

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conFirMation canDiDates List of Confirmation Candidates St Nicholas’ Galway, 2016.

Your prayers for their future lives in faith, please.

Jonathan Iroulor Judy Wangui Maina Caleb Glavee Jack Doyle, Ruairí Anthony Jasmine Gavin Jackie Anderson Alanah Keogh Nadine Bruce Ailise Healy-Price Josh Mahon Kate Rowan Hannah McGroarty Sophie McGroarty Beatrice Kehinde Oyetungi neW canons New Canons were installed in Tuam cathedral on 1st May —our congratulations to those who received such dramatic elevation! st nicholas social coMMittee Our Social Committee in St Nicholas’ organised a number of events: our Parish Barbecue, after the 11am service on 1st May, to which the Augustinians and the Romanian Orthodox were also invited. A trip to Belvedere House on 14th May, and also a ‘Teddies Day Out’ on 18th June, the latter in conjunction with Rev John Godfrey’s parish in Aughrim.

Many thanks to the organisers and to those who attended. the rector The Rector played a few tunes in the Oughterard Roman Catholic Parish Concert, organised for the Mayfly Festival on 5th May. He also took part in a special a Mass held in Galway Cathedral for all those people who had lost children on 22nd May. garDen Fete The St Nicholas’ Garden Fete on 11th June raised over 14K! It didn’t rain on us, and the day was very pleasant, if very long and tiring. Many thanks to everybody who set up. cleared up,

KILLALA UNION

sold stuff, made stuff, attended, donated, bought stuff, ate stuff, or just came in and wandered round. We really couldn’t do it without the generosity of our neighbours, and the St Patrick’s Brass Band must come in for special mention, as their music is such an important part of what goes on. Special thanks to this year’s organisers, for all they took on. We had a Wine Reception and Debriefing evening a week or so later!

Parish choir Many thanks to our Parish Choir, for Evensong on 26th June, and also for the Bilingual service we recorded one Sunday afternoon at the beginning of July for broadcast in August, Mark, Dottie, Rónán et al. I would especially mention in dispatches the parishioners of the Augustinian church who came to support us, since only one of our own parishioners turned up.

It was like the last scene from the Quiet Man! We are beholden to them. I would also like to mention Rónán and the Three Degrees for their music in the Sunday service on 31st July! enD oF terM service The School end of term service was held in the church on 24th June, when we said goodbye to 14 students going on to greater things. We wish them well, and thank you to all the staff of the school for another successful year! conteMPo concert Many thanks to Contempo for the very wonderful concert they gave in July for Kilcummin church. A very pleasant evening, and a great crowd turned up, and we raised over €800 on the night. Thanks as well to those who organised the event. very special thanks from the people of Kilcummin to the anonymous donor who gave a very substantial sum to the parish. This makes a great difference in a small congregation and has enabled important work to be done on the roof of the vestry. A very generous donation indeed.

see page 16 for a report on schola cantorum Sunday 25th September 8.00pm Ballycastle Sunday 2nd October 8.00pm The Cathedral of St Patrick, Killala Sunday 9th October, 8.00pm: St Mary’s, Crossmolina

St Patrick’s Cathedral, Killala St John’s, Ballycastle (Dunfeeney) St Mary’s, Crossmolina Acting Priest-in-charge: The Revd Jennifer McWhirter Tel: 096 31384

cake sale A cake sale was held on 24th July in Killala Cathedral in memory of Mai Ryan. This raised much needed funds for the Cathedral, and I’d like to thank all those who were involved in the organising of this event, and the baking of cakes, and those who came and supported the event. harvest services It’s strange to be writing this in July, thinking about the months to come and planning Harvest services! However, the dates for the Harvest Festival are as follows:

sunDay services The service times for Sunday mornings have changed during the vacancy and are as follows: 10.00am Ballycastle (1st and 3rd Sundays) or Killala (2nd and 4th Sundays) 12 noon Crossmolina On the 5th Sunday in October there will be one United Eucharist Service for the whole Union in Killala Cathedral at 10.00am Parish registers Christian Burial Monday 13th June at 2.00pm. Mai O’Boyle. Service in St Mary’s, Crossmolina, followed by burial in the adjoining graveyard.

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KILMOREMOY UNION St Michael’s, Ballina (Kilmoremoy) Killanley Church, Castleconnor Kilglass St Anne’s, Easkey Rector: The Revd Stephen McWhirter Tel: 096 60829 & 085 875 9921. www.stmichaelsballina.killala.anglican.org www.kilmoremoy.killala. anglican.org

After a summer break it’s time to get back into the normal patterns of parish life. During the first and second weeks of September both the mid-week Communion service in St Michael’s and Bible study in the rectory will be starting up again. I am looking forward to returning to the pattern of mid-week Communion. This is a quiet and reflective service from the first form of Holy Communion and it is attended faithfully by a small number of around 8 parishioners. During this service we take time to remember those who are sick or in need and to remember them in prayer. Over the last year this small number has grown and I would encourage anyone with a spare half hour on a Wednesday morning to come and join us at 11.00am each Wednesday.

Parish reaDers During the early part of the summer I was taking part in a pastoral service and after that service a gentleman came up to me and asked if I was ‘saved.’ Taken aback I replied that I was a priest in the Church of Ireland how on earth could I NOT be saved? He replied that he didn’t believe in ‘priests!’ He was of course talking about Peter’s notion of the ‘priesthood of all believers.’ Peter says, ‘Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives’ (1 Peter 2: 5 The Message). It is certainly not the clergy alone who serve in our Churches, nor should it be. So many faithful people in our parishes give so much in order that our churches continue to not only survive but grow in an ever increasing secular world. I am, therefore, delighted to say that in the last few weeks a number of parishioners throughout the Union have been recommended to train as Parish Readers. This is an important ministry in rural, scattered communities like ours and in a time when priestly cover has been spread so thinly due to vacancies it would have been impossible for me to have a summer break without the support of those involved in lay ministry. Congratulations, therefore, to John Gawley (Killanley), Caroline Morrow (Killanley), Amanda Carden (Kilglass) and Nicola Padden (St Michael’s) as they train in the coming weeks, and we look forward to their commissioning in the early autumn. bibles For leaFFoney ns On Sunday 19th June Mrs. Shauna Williams (Principal) and the children of Leaffoney Nation School joined the parishioners of Kilglass in a service marking the end of the

school year. Children took part in the service in readings and prayers. During this service Miss Anna (Madeleine) Close presented the school and each of the children with a copy of the Good News Bible in memory of her sister Maud.

Mothers union aFternoon tea Jen and I were once again able to invite the Mothers’ Union to afternoon tea in the Rectory This event happened during the early part of June in the midst of the glorious weather we experienced. 18 members were able to attend and a great afternoon was had by all.

Special thanks to valerie Wilson and Jen for providing the tea.

Diary Dates Mid-week holy communion Wednesday 7th September 2016 - 11.00am St Michael’s, Ballina. select vestry Thursday 8th September 2016 - 8.00pm McFerbis Hall, Kilglass. bible study Tuesday 13th September 2016 - 8.00pm Kilmoremoy Rectory. harvest services st Michael’s - Ballina, Friday 30th September at 8.00pm, guest preacher Revd John Farr. st anne’s - easkey, Friday 7th October at 8.00pm, guest preacher Mr. Jim Neill. kilglass Parish, Friday 14th October at 8.00pm, guest preacher Mrs. Janet Hunter. killanley - castleconnor, 21st October at 9.30pm.

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Mothers’ Union afternoon tea at the Rectory

notes FroM the rural Dean killala anD achonry Thank you to all clergy and laity who facilitated the church plate count throughout Killala and Achonry during the early part of the summer. This task is now happily complete and registered with the diocese and RCB. In preparation for meeting with the team for the Diocesan Commission I will be meeting with each Select vestry beforehand in order that we are as prepared as we can be. These meetings will be: Select vestry meeting for Ballisodare Group on Tuesday 16th August at 8.00pm in the Holy Trinity Hall, Ballisodare.

Select vestry meeting for Killala Union on Thursday 25th August at 8.00pm in Killala Cathedral.

STRAID PARISH,

FOxFORD & CLAREMORRIS Priest–in–charge: The Revd Andrea Wills Tel: 094 9256403; Mobile 086 261 7572 Foxford: 10.00 a.m. every Sunday Claremorris: 12 noon in McWilliam Park Hotel – 1st Sunday of the month andreajwills@gmail.com

FaMilies in ballyhaunis We am very pleased that the two families from Iran who have been in Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis for the past year and who have been very much part of our congregation have been granted asylum by the Minister of Justice.

On 7th August Pedro aged 14, after much thought and study and attending church, was baptised in Claremorris amongst the congregation who have supported him and his family so well.

The families wish to acknowledge the special help and care

they received from individual members of our congregations.

We wish Saeedeh, Maysam, Mani and Raheleh, Ibrahim and Pedro God’s speed in their new lives here in Ireland. They wish to move to Dublin as they are used to teeming city life and to continue to their English studies.

The families very much enjoyed the Diocesan Fun Day to Clare Island and it made a very pleasant change for them to see the beauty of the west coast. triP to ballyshannon: A mini parish outing took place on 29th of May when 6 of us went to the Flower Festival in the Church of Ireland, Ballyshannon. Ethel Gallagher grew up in that parish and it was a celebration as she had recovered so well from a serious operation and it was also her birthday. We had lunch in the local hotel and stayed for the moving evensong which closed the magnificent festival.

Subsequent to that I was honoured to be asked by the rector Rev. Brian Russell to preach at their harvest on 30th September.

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reMeMbering Margaret: The late Margaret McGreal has a very special place in all our hearts in Foxford church. Her memory continues with the very successful Margaret McGreal Economy Run organised

by Mayo and District Motorsport Club in aid of Cancer Care West which took place on 7th August. This follows on from the honouring of her memory at the Mayo Stages Rally earlier this year with the presentation of the Margaret McGreal Memorial Perpetual Cup donated by James.

Diocesan Project – cycle: Thank you to everyone who supported me when I undertook the cycle from Mulranny to Achill in aid of the Maasi Water Project. A bit unfit, I cycled one way – and thank you to Steve Brickenden for looking out for me.

Michael Davitt MuseuM: A special mass took place in the Michael Davitt Museum, former penal church in Straid on 7th August. It was the first time in 100 years that mass had been celebrated there. Rev. John Farr, priest in charge in Stoneyford Parish, Diocese of Connor who had spoken some years ago at a cross border symposium hosted by the Museum, joined me at this occasion when we remembered the humanitarian and ecumenical nature of this exceptional man who was christened in the building in 1846. Michael Davitt’s grandson Fr. Tom Davitt laid a wreath at his grave.

Peace Park: The National Day of Commemoration at the Mayo Peace Park took place on 10th July which remembered the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in which many Mayo born soldiers lost their lives. Kevin Myers gave a moving address and Fr. John Kneafsey from the Orthodox Church and Rev. Andrea led the prayers.

sPecial FunD-raising concert: The Diocesan Architect’s report on the church indicates urgent work is required on the tower and bell. To this end a special musical evening with Max T Barnes, renowned song-writer and singer from Nashville took place on 14th August in the Mayfly Hotel at 8.00 p.m. Max has written many songs for famous singers. This lovely evening was enhanced by the performance by the Foxford Reed and Brass Band, local singer Bernadette

Baptism at Claremorris - Pedram Pirghasemi with mother Raheleh and Charles Wills - sponsors

CiViL engineering COnTraCTOrS

Ballylahan Bridge, Foxford, Co. Mayo Tel. (094) 9256221

www.willsbros.com – 34 –

Centenary Mass at the Michael Davitt Museum – Fr.Tom Davitt grandson of Michael Davitt and Bishop of Achonry Brendan Kelly

Beverley Stafford and Mitch Commane, James McArdle Manager Mayfly Hotel who provided the venue and refreshments Max T. Barnes, Bernadette Ruddy and Anne McManus and behind band Roslyn who all performed as did the Foxford Brass Band.

Ruddy, the group Roslyn who travelled all the way from Offaly, Tom Fox country singer, and Anne McManus DJ who finished off the evening. Thank you to James McArdle and Mayfly Hotel for refreshments and all who helped and supported this successful event. tuaM catheDral: I have always appreciated the support I receive from the Parish Priests in the area and their attendance on the occasion of my installation as Canonin Tuam Cathedral was much appreciated.

Beverley Stafford read the lesson at the service. coMMunity events: Admiral Brown, born in Foxford, founded the Argentinian Navy and there were special celebrations when the training ship Libertad berthed in Dublin where Rev. Andrea met the chaplain of the ship and vice Admiral Mark Mellett from Castlebar who is Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces. The Ambassador Laura Bernal hosted a reception on the ship on 28th July. On 29th July 52 naval cadets came to Foxford where there was an ecumenical blessing performed by Fr. Padraig Costello and in the presence of the Ambassador and they viewed the Admiral Brown Promenade and Hall and wreaths were laid at his statue.

Fr. Padraig and I joined together again for a special blessing ceremony on 19th August at the Foxford Riverfest – a festival that grows each year thanks to a most enthusiastic committee – and really puts Foxford on the map. oFF to college: We wish Katie O’Connor well as she commences her studies at the University of Groningen in Holland. bereaveMents: We extend love, support and sympathy to Mitch Commane on the death of youngest brother Niall and also a sister-inlaw Eithne both who died far too young within 6 weeks of each other in Tralee.

Also to Jean Beattie on the death of her aunt Maureen Westreenen in Rush, Co. Dublin. harvest: The Harvest Thanksgiving service will be held on 9th October at 7.00 pm. There will be no morning service. The preacher is Fr. Joseph Gavigan, PP St.Nathy’s Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen.

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OMEY GROUP Christ Church, Clifden St Thomas’, Ballinakill St Mary’s, Roundstone Priest–in–charge: The Very Revd Stan Evans Telephone 095 21147 Mobile: 087 636 9473 www.omeygroup.ie

Nick Tinne and Rod Teck at Roundstone Fete

suMMer Fetes In Roundstone, St Mary’s on Saturday 9th July, parishioners and visitors came together for a super afternoon (in spite of the rain) and a good number brought their family pets for the Blessing of the Animals In Clifden, the annual Summer Fete on August Bank Holiday Monday this year was held in and around Christ Church, with the Town Hall as a joint venue as well, which enabled refreshments to be served by a deeply committed team of helpers. Mo West and Stephanie Brooks were on call as judges of the Children’s Fancy Dress competition – whilst Debbie Watkins and her daughters helped with face painting for the children. This was a great day with both financial and social profit. Sincere thanks to all those people who travelled to help and also local traders who once again supported the event so generously. Once again Rosie’s lemon curd and jams sold out very quickly!!!!!

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Ted Sherwood, Stewart Freeman and Terry Forsyth at Roundstone Fete.

Will you help us save this beautiful church – please send your donations by cheque – made payable to ‘St Thomas’s Moyard Fabric Fund’ – to: The Very Revd Stan Evans, The Rectory, Church Hill, Clifden, Connemara or online to: ST THoMAS’S MoyARD FABRIC FunD IBAN: IE37 BOFI 9037 7917 8774 58 BIC: BoFIIE2D Branch Code: 90-37-79

St Thomas’s, Moyard

On Sunday 17th July Bishop Patrick was celebrant and preacher at a special service in St Thomas’s Moyard, during which he also dedicated the refurbished windows and also the pew runners which had been so thoughtfully donated.

The church was full and Bishop Patrick encouraged the small but committed team to further their efforts to include the roof and decorating.

This beautiful church stands in some three acres and it is hope that it will follow on from Christ Church in Clifden with a mapping exercise of the churchyard and also ways are being explored through the Priorities Fund of the Church of Ireland under its programme for ‘Innovative Ministry in a Rural Context’.

This is a new and exciting initiative to encourage the Church of Ireland in the sparsely populated areas of the country, in rural or village settings. To do so we need matching funding, so please do consider joining us on the journey.

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christ church cliFDen – creating a living churchyarD We were delighted to receive news that we have been granted €1500 under the Local Diaspora Engagement Fund 2016 for the mapping of the graveyard. This will be commenced on 2nd September under the watchful eye of the County Archaeologist.

We were also pleased to hear that our application to the Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund had been successful and this will mean that the next phase of preservation and development of this heritage site and the creation of a wildlife survey and management plan can proceed. The plan will involve the sympathetic landscaping and planning, as part of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan, to include a peace garden, nature trails and our biggest wish, an outdoor ‘class room’. harvest thanksgiving Sunday 2nd October - Group Harvest Thanksgiving Service in St Thomas’s Ballinakill (Moyard) at 4.00pm Guest preacher: Canon Derick Swann former treasurer to Armagh Cathedral and Rector of Drumglass (Armagh) 1985 - 2006, but now Priest in Charge of Tubbercurry since 2014.

bishoP Patrick’s visit Bishop Patrick made his pastoral visit to St Marys Roundstone for their service of Holy Communion – and shared with parishioners afterwards at the local Roundstone Hotel.

He then went on to Holy Trinity Errislannan where the Bishop preached within a Service of the Word.

Many thanks to Ev Miley for the hot soup and roles which followed the service – on this ‘summer’evening!

WeDDing in christ church On Monday 8th August – Elizabeth Whelan and Jeroem Idema were married in Christ Church. Elizabeth, a native of Clifden, is a primary school teacher in the Netherlands where Jeroem is a Telecommunications Consultant. We wish them Margaret and Stewart Freeman celebrating their 60th every blessing as they begin their married life together. wedding anniversary at Ballynahinch Castle.

SKREEN GROUP Skreen Christ Church, Dromard St Mary’s, Kilmacshalgan, Dromore West Rector: The Ven. Alan Synnott Phone: 071 9166941 Mobile: 083 118 7105 Email: alanpsynnott@gmail.com

Walk oF christian unity It is a privilege to be rector in a place where every year we celebrate our shared faith by holding our walk of Christian Unity with our Roman Catholic neighbours. We live and move and have

our being with our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout our community on a day to day basis and it is something worth celebrating together. I would like to pay tribute to Fr Michael for all the work he puts into the organisaton of this annual event, I am blessed to have such a colleague. Thanks are due to the ICA who provided the refreshments in the Beltra Hall.

FunD raising barbecue Kilmacshalagan held a very successful fund raising barbecue in the Flying Horse pub in Dromore on Saturday 9th July and we would like to thank those who came from neighbouring parishes to support the event. The weather was dismal but there was plenty of room inside and we had a very relaxing

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and enjoyable evening. We owe a massive debt of gratitude to Gerry Beglin for welcoming us into his premises and so generously looking after us at every level. Gerry’s staff did the barbecuing so we were in good hands there as well. It was a grand evening with live music, good food, plenty of craic and we raised money for the parish. This is part of a rolling progamme of events in Kilmacshalgan, rather than hold one big evening we will be hold a series of smaller, more manageable functions. Watch this space. skreen Parish lunch I am writing these notes in the days running up to Skreen Parish lunch and therefore write my thanks in anticipation that all has gone well! We are most indebted to the community council for the use of the centre and for the assistance of the staff. Thanks too are due to all who come to the lunch from round about north and west county Sligo as well as our locally based neighbours and friends.

Above all I wish to express my gratitude to the hardworking parishioners of Skreen parish who take on this massive task every year, it is a lot of work but it is worth the effort. retireMent oF scholl PrinciPal After devoting her life to the education of our children over three decades Jackie Higgins has retired as principal of St Paul’s school in Colooney. Jackie has been an energetic and dedicated teacher and it is clear to all that this has been more than just a job it has been her true vocation in life. Five minutes spent in the school showed one thing very clearly, Jackie loves children and has a natural talent with them.

What is equally clear is that children love Jackie and perhaps

TUAM GROUP St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam St Mary’s, Cong St John the Baptist, Aasleagh Rector: The Very Revd Alistair Grimason Tel: 094 9546909

aasleagh Our evening services in St. John the Baptist’s Church, Aasleagh were held during July and August. This is a summer ministry particularly aimed at those passing by and people visiting the area. One never knows who or how many might turn up for the Office or Eucharist which alternate week by week and congregations vary from 4 or 5 up to as high as 20.

St J the B (as we call it) has had remedial work done during the summer by virtue of a Tus scheme and direct intervention by parishioners, noteably on the roof which is becoming an increasing challenge.

This summer we had one wedding here and the annual visit of Bishop rooke on 21st August.

Continued thanks are due to John and Bernie Clesham for their ongoing care of the church and grounds.

there is no greater tribute to a teacher. Thank you Jackie for all your work and energy poured into the lives of our little ones through their formative years, you’ll be missed.

St Paul’s school’s loss is our gain as Jackie has taken on the mantle of Honorary Treasurer of Skreen. I am grateful to her for stepping into this important office and wish to thank Dawn Burrows for the hard work and dedication she has brought to the task in recent years.

Mothers’ union All Ireland Mothers Union women’s getaway weekend will be held in the Radisson Blu hotel in Rosses Point and the guest speaker is Bishop Richard Henderson. It is of the utmost importance that all bookings are placed before 15th September so please contact our enrolling member, Mrs Audrey Moore, 9166637, other contacts will be advertised elsewhere in this magazine. harvest Harvest Thanksgiving season is upon us and the services are as follows: Christ Church Dromard 18th September 2016.

Kilmacshalgan 25th September 2016 Skreen 16th October 2016 Harvest attendances have gone down in recent years which is disappointing, particularly for those who have put hours of hard work decorating the churches. In an effort to counter this trend I am experimenting with having each service on a Sunday afternoon so that you can invite friends and family along. So on the above dates the service will be held at 4:00pm and no morning service in the particular church involved. neW cong Parishioner Congratulations and Blessings to Erin and Chris Walker on the birth of Judah during June.

WeDDings We extend our congratulations and Best Wishes to four couples who were married in the parish during the summer period; Edward and Elizabeth Kee, Brian and victoria Heneghan and Roisin and Stewart who were married in St Marys Cong and Amy and Ciaran Tully who were married in Aasleagh. cong coMMunity Fete The weather actually held mostly dry for our annual Fete held in the grounds of St Marys Cong on 9th July. Lots of very hard work went into the preperation and running of the fete, not least by our own Sorcha Pierce who was a model of efficiency.

Many stalls were set up on the day with a range of crafts and nic-nacs to suit all tastes. There were teas to ward off the chill, a bouncy castle to exercise the children and our signal snail race for those who enjoy the excitement of the chase.

Many thanks to all who helped and particpiated to make the day so enjoyable and lucritive.

DriMbaWn garDens In July the Wilson family opened the gardens of Drimbawn

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House on the shores of lough Mask to visitors for those of a historical interest and horticultral bent.

Drimbawn, built in the 1850s, was originally owned by the Plunket family and was once owned by the actor Robert Shaw.

Despite filty weather, large numbers of people visited the gardens on 10th July and we in St Marys Cong are most grateful for a very generous donation given to us by the Wilsons on foot of this. the Dean’s holiDay The Dean is most grateful to those who covered the parish during his holiday. Revd David Williams, Canon Andrea

Wills and Karen Duignan for taking services and Archdeacon Hastings and Canon Rogers for being on emergency call. harvests This year our Harvest Festival Services will be as follows: Cong, Sunday 25th September 4.00pm Tuam, Sunday 2nd October 4.00pm best Wishes The Archdeacon of Tuam has been smitten and will be out be out of commission for a wee while. We extend our prayerful best wishes to Gary for a speedy recovery. And prayers for forebearance to Catriona while he is housebound!

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