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
SUMMER ISSUE 2016
SUMMER 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 Autumn 2016 issue of Tidings, including advertisements, must be in by Tuesday 2 August 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: Achill Island PHOTO © ED RUTTLEDGE PHOTOGRAPHS
The Bishop writes . . . Away from it all! June, July and August are traditionally the months when we seek rest and refreshment by means of a summer break. We look forward to the opportunity to relax and wind down – to leave behind, for a few days at least, the stresses and strains of daily life. It may be that we are off far afield or alternatively somewhere nearer home. Whatever the case, we hope to return refreshed and renewed, better able to take up the reins once again when September comes. It would be remiss of us, however, to sideline worship during these summer months. A look at the Diocesan Diary is proof that diocesan and parochial activities are significantly reduced throughout this period. But Sunday worship continues as normal; indeed in some of our churches there are services at this time of the year only. These are to facilitate opportunities for those visiting the West of Ireland to avail of worship. So if you happen to be on holiday, please do come and join us. Your presence in any of our churches on a Sunday is of great support and encouragement to those local parishioners who maintain the life and witness of our parishes all year round. Equally, I am sure that those of us from Tuam, Killala and Achonry will be made welcome in the places where we choose to holiday. Each year, as a family we visit the small English speaking church of St John in St Raphael, France. Over the years we have got to know many of the local parishioners and other regular visitors. Worship there has been an enriching experience for us and adds a further dimension to the enjoyment of our holiday. So, I hope your ‘spiritual batteries’ will not be forgotten this summer and that, when September comes, we will all feel refreshed and ready to face what lies ahead. I wish you all safe journeys, plenty of sunshine and happy holidays. +Patrick Tuam: PS I ask that wherever possible, over the summer months, churches be left unlocked during daytime hours in order that visitors may avail of the opportunity to take a peak inside and perhaps be still for a few moments in prayer.
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What’s On
JUNE
JULY
Thu 2 Diocesan Board of Education, Claremorris, 2pm
1–5
Summer Madness, Glenarm
Thu 2 Diocesan Finance Committee, Claremorris, 4pm
1–3
Westport Flower Festival, Holy Trinity Church
Thu 2 Diocesan Glebes Committee, Claremorris, 5pm
Sun 3 Service in Claremorris, 12noon 7–10
Diocesan Junior Camp, Lissadell
Sun 5 Confirmation in Westport, 11.30pm
Sat 9
St Mary’s, Roundstone, Mini-Fête, 1-5pm and Blessing of Animals 3pm
Sun 5 Service in Claremorris, 12noon
Sun 24 Confirmation in Rathbarron, 11am
Wed 8 Kilmoremoy MU Afternoon Tea – Rectory 3pm
AUGUST
Sat 11 Cong Fête
Mon 1 Christ Church Clifden Summer Fête 1–4pm
Sat 11 St Nicholas’ Summer Fête, The Rectory, Taylor’s Hill, Galway 2pm
Sun 7 Service in Claremorris, 12noon
Sun 12 MU Festival Service, St Michael’s Ballina, 3.30pm
SEPTEMBER
Sun 19 Rathbarron Annual Sunday Lunch
Mon 19 RB Week, Dublin
Mon 20 RB Week, Dublin
Sat 24 Diocesan Synod, Tuam, 10am
Thu 2 Diocesan Council, Claremorris, 7pm
Sun 7 Skreen Parish Lunch
Sat 3 Diocesan Sunday School Training Day, Sat 18 Diocesan Sponsored Cycle – Mulranny to Achill, Claremorris 10am – 3pm meet 10.30am Sun 4 Service in Claremorris, 12noon
What does it cost to advertise with us?
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Single Issue 4 issues
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 issue of Tidings and that you might share your copy with a friend or neighbour. Since becoming Editor I have been so encouraged by so many with comments which lift the heart. The team involved work hard to keep the issues fresh in the hope that the life of the diocese is projected and shared in a positive way. Special thanks to Jane Stark for her skills in bringing together the copy in such a beautiful way; thanks also to Dr Paddy Delaney for his expertise in proof reading, and also to Jeremy Willder our treasurer for keeping us on track. Copies are issued freely to parishes to encourage outreach and let folk realise that the Church is very much alive in the West. If you feel that you would like to contribute then please do so by send your cheque to me made payable to ‘Tidings’. Thank you. Can I also thank all of those who have sent me messages of support following my appointment as Provost of Tuam and as I write this I am looking forward to the service of installation on May 1st. I am truly humbled and thankful for the honour bestowed upon me. Finally, can I also thank you all for your wonderful prayerful support for our family after the tragic accident to our granddaughter Lisa. Rosemary and I had just arrived in Spain on holiday when the news came of her accident. She had received a kick from a horse and was airlifted to Cork University Hospital and then transferred to Crumlin Children’s Hospital. There thankfully they established that she had no brain or spinal damage but severe fractures to her jaw and lower face. As I write this some two weeks after the accident she has managed to take soup and drinks for the first time. As we go to press she has returned home and is so happy to be back with her siblings. The tsunami of prayer and love which has overwhelmed us is quite staggering. Sometimes we all offer our prayerful support at times such as this but when you are on the receiving end of such love you cannot begin to express one’s gratitude. On behalf of all the family I thank you all. Very Revd Stan Evans, Editor
The Clifden Arts Festival Committee with 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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DIOCE SAN NEWS
Diocesan Council Notes Diocesan Council Meeting 7/4/16 Assessments & Finance – 2015 assessment arrears fully paid. Priorities payments received in full and paid to Dublin. Approximately €240K of the 2016 assessment has been paid to date. Ballina Churches Together – Mrs Emma Rodrigues has been appointed as Project Worker. The BCT project was launched 25th April in St Muredech’s Cathedral, Ballina with special preacher Canon Mark Russell (Church Army). Charities Regulatory Authority – The RB has submitted a list for registration to the CRA. 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 regristration. Commission on Episcopal Ministry & Structures – The Commission’s proposal to General Synod reduces the overall number of dioceses from twelve to eleven with changes in Kilmore Elphin+Ardagh, Limerick+Killaloe, Meath+Kildare, Glendalough & our own diocese. Tuam & Killala to join with Limerick. Achonry to join with Elphin. The changes, if approved by General Synod, will not come into effect until after 2017. Diocesan Consultations – Consultation groups currently visiting each Select Vestry are due to report back to the June Diocesan Council Meeting. Diocesan Cycle – The final leg (Mulrany-Achill) is scheduled Saturday 18th June. Diocesan Fun Day 28th May – A trip to Clare Island is planned and people from all parishes are encouraged to participate. Notification will be sent to Clergy with details for the day. Education – Holy Trinity School, Westport has been granted government funding for a new school commencing in 2018. Professional Trainers will replace local diocesan trainers to train new BOMs. Prof. Steve Ellis has been appointed as our diocesan rep on CIPSMA (C of I Primary School Management Association). Expenditure Limit – Parishes may spend up to €5K before Diocesan Permission is required. Glebe/Property – Crossmolina Rectory renovations are completed. Permission given to a number of parishes to proceed with church repairs on the understanding that money is available. All other property matters are on-going. Mission – A new mission project in Oltiasika in Kenya was recommended. Further details elsewhere in Tidings. 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 – 75 people attended the Easter Sunday Dawn service in Skreen. Confirmation candidates spent a day together at Croagh Patrick on Saturday 9th April. A Training day for Sunday school teachers is scheduled 3rd September in the McWilliam Park Hotel. Next Meeting – Thursday 2nd June 2016 at 7pm
APPOINTMENTS The Very Reverend Stan Evans, Priest-in-charge of Omey Group, to be also Provost of Tuam in the Chapter of St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam and Prebendary of Lackan, in the Cathedral Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Killala. The Reverend Andrea Wills, Priest-in-charge of Straide Parish in the Kilmoremoy Union, to be also Prebendary of Taghsaxon and Laccagh in the Chapter of St Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam and Prebendary of Killanley and Ardagh in the Chapter of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Killala. –4–
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Historical Snippets:
Civilian Victim of 1916 Rising with Cong Connections
Gravestone of Rev John W. Dockeray (1832-1894) and memorial to his father on the wall nearby in the old church at Cong.
One of the civilian victims of the 1916 Rising in Dublin was Cecil Eustace Dockeray, the 43 year old son of the Reverend John William Dockeray, rector of Cong and Ross from 1873 until 1886. Cecil was born the year his father was appointed to Cong so he would have spent his childhood at the Rectory, along with his many brothers and sisters as his parents had 14 children. His father died in 1894 and two memorials in the old church at Cong commemorate Cecil’s father and his grandfather John, a school teacher, who died in Cong Rectory on 2 December 1878. By 1901 Cecil was living at 1 Thomas Street, Usher’s Quay, Dublin. He was employed as a clerk at the Guinness Brewery. By 1911 Cecil was married to Violet (nee Leigh) and had two sons Gerald, aged 5, and George, aged 1. The family were living at 4 Warwick Terrace in the Rathmines and Rathgar East district. Cecil lost his life in the Guinness Brewery on the night of 29 April 1916 when he was shot along with Lieutenant Basil Worswick. They were mistakenly taken for Republican supporters by a sergeant of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who gave the order to execute them. A colleague of Cecil’s, William John Rice with another soldier Lieutenant Algernon Lucas, had also been shot a short time earlier in the Brewery on the sergeant’s orders. In the following weeks the sergeant was court-martialed but acquitted and was killed the next year at Salonicka fighting in World War I. Cecil was buried in Mount Jerome cemetery and a memorial to him and his fellow worker, William Rice, was erected on the wall of the south aisle of Christ Church, Leeson Brigid Clesham Street, Dublin, by some of their friends.
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Ballina Churches Together A new chapter in the life of the church of Christ in and around Ballina began on Monday 25th April in Saint Muredach’s Cathedral when Emma Rodrigues was commissioned to be Church Army Evangelist in the Ballina Churches Together Outreach and Mission Project. The Service of the Word was led jointly by Bishop Patrick Rooke, bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, and Bishop John Fleming, bishop of Killala. A passage from Genesis was read by Captain Neville Wilterton, Church Army Operations Manager and the second lesson, from Luke’s gospel, was read by Emma. Canon Mark Russel, Church Army Chief Executive, was the preacher. His theme was ‘Re-opening Blocked Wells’ and reflected the Old Testment passage in which the story is told of Isaac reopening the ancient wells that had been dug in Abraham’s time. Developing that, Canon Mark spoke to what he called ‘three pieces of wisdom’ highlighted in the New Testament reading – the story of Jesus’ call to Zacchaeus: Love those on the edges, Love unconditionally, Loving unconditionally changes the world. Canon Mark closed his address with words of encouragement for both Emma and those involved in Ballina Churches Together: ‘Please get behind Emma, and this new project. Please pray for her and her family. Please encourage her. This is an
evening full of hope and expectation, and together we can join God in his mission, to reach more and more people in this community with the transforming good news of the gospel, and reopen the ancient wells, to bring blessing and hope and renewal to this community.’ Emma herself then spoke of her work as lead evangelist in Ballina Churches Together. The commissioning was truly an ecumenical affair: led by Bishop Patrick, it involved Revd. Jeremy Nicoll from the Methodist Church, Revd. Stephen McWhirter from the Church of Ireland, Mr Mike Herron, a Presbyterian community outreach worker, Cathedral Administrator Fr Gerry O’Hora and Fr Anthony Gillespie, the Director of the Killala Diocesan Committee for Ecumenism. After Bishop Patrick had presented Emma with her licence, the intercessions were led by Ann McCormick from the Methodist Church, Clive Moore from the Church of Ireland, Rosamunde Ad-amson from the Presbyterian Church and Barry McLoughlin from the Catholic church . This again firmly rooted the project in the joint-partnership ‘togetherness’ envisioned by Ballina Churches To-gether. Faithful to the overarching spirit of ‘Unity of Witness and Service’ which pervades the whole BCT project, the closing benediction was said jointly by the sponsoring clergy.
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It has been 30 days since we moved to Crossmolina from Cork. These last few weeks have been a time of settling in to a new community for my family and I. In Ballina, I have joined local groups such as prayer groups, a community toddler group and a creative art group. I have spent much time in prayer, chatting to local people and walking around the areas with social issues. I also spent a few days in the Church Army Base in Sheffield. I have been doing research on how and at which times a drop-in centre would work in Ballina. I am hoping there are a few things in the pipeline to do with connecting with social agencies, key people in the community and seeing what God will open up. My commissioning which was held on the 25th of April last was a great occasion and a great beginning of Ballina Churches together in partnership with Church Army. I am excited about the time ahead.
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Emma Rodrigues
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`BRONACH TO PATRICK' Cross-community bid to raise the roof
Two Catholic churchgoers, Eamonn O’Connor and Mickey McKevitt, recently completed a walk from Rostrevor, Co Down to Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo. They undertook the mammoth walk across Ireland to help raise funds for roof repairs to Kilbroney Parish Church in Rostrevor. Known affectionately as the two ‘St Bronach’s Warriors’ they completed the 280 kilometres in ten days. Mr O’Connor explained that they had decided to take up the challenge after completing the Camino de Santiago in Spain three years ago. “We just thought it was a nice thing to do. Rostrevor is a lovely community – we say the two communities but we’re all the one community, we just happen to go to different churches.”
Reverend Colin McCormick, Rector of Kilbroney Parish, called it a ‘tremendous gesture from the two men’, agreeing it was reflective of the strong relationship between the two communities. Members of Tuam, Killala and Achonry will perhaps remember that Dean Malcolm Graham was Rector of Kilbroney before he moved to Crossmolina as Dean of Killala in 1979. The Bishop met the two walkers at Westport Coast Hotel at the end of their walk to pass on the congratulations of the Church of Ireland community in the West. He also expressed appreciation for this example of good neighborliness and mentioned that many of the churches in this Diocese survive thanks to ecumenical and community support.
Eamonn O’Connor and Mickey McKevitt with Bishop Patrick outside the Westport Coast Hotel.. –9–
The Bishop of Tuam had an exciting experience on Easter Monday, which, fortunately, was not accompanied by serious consequences. Motoring from Old Connaught, Bray, to catch the three o’clock train for Armagh, in order to assist at the Consecration of the Bishop of Derry, he was held up in St. Stephen’s Green by a couple of Sinn Feiners, who, with a rifle at his head, demanded his car. On his explaining who he was, he was treated with civility, but his car was taken and wheeled into a barricade which was being formed near the Shelbourne Hotel. The Bishop, realising that things were serious, gave his card to the Sinn Feiner and asked him to bring it to his superior officer with a request to be permitted to return. After waiting in the hotel for about an hour, the Sinn Fainer returned with the information that his request was granted, provided he placed another car in the barricade. This was easily done, and the Bishop was permitted to return without further molestation. (church of ireland gazette, april 28–may 5, 1916)
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MOTHERS’ UNION Dear Members, My thanks to all Mothers’ Union members throughout the Diocese who have been so supportive to me and my family on the recent death of my mother. I do not deny that these have been difficult and demanding weeks but throughout I have really appreciated the thoughts and prayers of so many in TKA. As I write, we await the imminent arrival of our second grandchild and so, one generation gives way to another and thus it has ever been. I expect young Luke will keep me very busy as I look after him when our daughter goes into hospital to give birth. It is an exciting and apprehensive time for us. Thanks are due to all MU members who have busily got on with seasonal programmes and we all look forward to our Diocesan Service to be held on Sunday 12th June in St Michael’s Ballina when the sermon will be preached by the Rector, Revd Stephen McWhirter. May I wish all MU members a time of rest and relaxation over the summer months. Alison Rooke, Diocesan President
GALWAY Mother’s Union The Galway branch of the Mother’s Union has had a busy period with a variety of social events and fund raising. In December we had a very enjoyable evening in a local pub and restaurant where we watched a cookery demonstration and then partook of the delicious results. In January we attended a talk about heart health in Croí House, our local Heart & Stroke Centre in Galway, where we learned how to look after ourselves through a talk on exercise, physical activity and life style. In February we had a Bible Reflection evening in preparation for the service for women’s World Day of Prayer. In March we hosted our famine Lunch in the Church at which we raised 450 euro for the MU overseas fund and we also held our Lady Day service. We used this occasion to pack a variety of toiletries into wash bags to
give to Osterley Lodge, Salthill – a service run by Cope for homeless women. We are currently organising a joint MU & Parish outing to Belvedere House and Gardens in Mullingar, Co Westmeath on Saturday 14 May where we plan to do a tour of the house and garden and enjoy lunch in the café before returning to Galway. Further details of events are posted on the Mother’s Union notice board at the back of St Nicholas’ church. New members are always welcome so to join the MU or for further information on events please contact Sally Cunningham, Chairperson 087 779 1227, Olive Maher, Treasurer 087 747 6506 or Heather Martin, Secretary 086 807 0258.
‘Sa mhéid go ndearna sibh é do dhuine den chuid is lú de na bráithre seo agamsa ...’ Ar an aimsir seo, is minic duine ag mothú gur faoi léigear atá sé ag an Idirlíon agus na scéalta a ndéantar mearscaipeadh orthu ar Facebook, YouTube agus a leithéidí eile. Scéalta áiféise agus scéalta áibhéile den chuid is mó. Sin ráite, mí Eanáir na bliana seo, scaipeadh scéal beag ar fud an domhain a thóg croí gach duine a chonaic é. Bhí an tiománaí William Harris ag tiomáint bus ón Institiúid Teicneolaíoch isteach go lár chathair Chorcaí. Ag stad amháin, thuirling seanbhean den bhus agus d’aithin William go raibh barriall a bróige scaoilte. Scairt sé leis an tseanbhean ach shiúil sise léi go mall gan aird a thabhairt air. Stop William an bus, thuirling sé féin, shiúil i ndiaidh na mná, chrom síos agus
cheangail an bharriall di. ‘D’aithin mé cad é a bhí uirthi,’ a dúirt sé níos moille, ‘tá pianta cnámh ar mo mháthair féin.’ Shéid an tseanbhean póg leis an bhus agus é ag imeacht arís. Ghlac cailín óg físeán ar a fón póca den ghníomh beag carthanachta sin, amach ar fhuinneog an bhus - scéal a ndearnadh mearscaipeadh domhanda air nuair a rinne sí é a uaslódáil ar an Idirlíon. Dealraíonn sé go bhfuil fós ráchairt againn ar an dea-scéala, chomh maith leis an chuid eile. (Féach http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/Irish-bus-driver-who-stopped-to-help-an-old-woman-tie-her-shoe-goesviral.html)
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PROCLAMATION DAY AT SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL
On Tuesday 15th March Sligo Grammar School joined with the whole country in celebrating Proclamation Day. The celebration came at the end of a very eventful Seachtain Na Gaeilge, where students and teachers celebrated the language and culture of Ireland. Proclamation Day in Sligo Grammar School was an eventful day, starting with a whole school assembly in Calry Church. A special service of prayers and readings was led by the Principal, Michael Hall, Deputy Principal, Jimmy Staunton and chaplain, Patrick Bamber. The main participants, however, were the students themselves. The original 1916 Proclamation was read by 5th year student Russell Nairn and a new Proclamation for 2016, clockwise from top left: Junior students read a new composed by the junior students, was read by Sophie Proclamation for 2016; Artwork in response to the 1916 Rising and the Proclamation; Senior students, Principal Michael Bennett, Grace O’Sullivan and Victoria Keating. Hall, Deputy Principal Jimmy Staunton and Chaplain Patrick “Easter 1916” by WB Yeats and short biographies of the Bamber at Sligo Grammar School; Students gather for the signatories were read, all followed by the singing of Amhrán raising of the flag. na bhFiann. This special assembly ended with the raising opposite page: Students play traditional music to celebrate of the Tricolour. Proclamation Day. Art work inspired by the Proclamation and the 1916 Rising was on display in the school as well as History projects which dealt with the events of Easter 1916 and the various people and places connected to the Rising. During break and lunchtime students listened to traditional music in the foyer of the school. This special day in our history was enjoyed by all the students
and staff, and there was a great sense of occasion throughout the day in Sligo Grammar School. Proclamation Day was a wonderful way to end Seachtain na Gaeilge, a week of celebration of what makes us Irish. Well done and thank you to all the students and staff who contributed.
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All at ‘Eggcellent’’
Darren Bourke leading singing at ‘Eggcellent’’ ‘Eggcellent’ at St Paul’s, Collooney The Easter Eggcellent event held in the parochial hall in Collooney was well organised by Amy Sherlock. The morning started with some games led by Darren Bourke, who had the
children racing up and down the hall and enjoying their Easter break. The activities were based around the Easter story. The little table designed colourful Easter eggs with a cross in the middle. The middle table made the hill where Jesus died out
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Myrtle and Mildred at ‘Eggcellent’’.
The workers at the Dawn Service
of paper plates. They glued on crosses to represent the three who died on Good Friday. The senior table made an Easter picture using foil art. They drew their picture, covered over with tinfoil and coloured it in with markers. Prayer requests were made for the prayer tree. A fine table was laid full of home bakes with strawberries and grapes for lunch. Steve led the children through an interactive Easter story from swinging palm branches to bread which got eaten on the way!!! Then a crown made from a monkey puzzle tree was eagerly tried on, to a quiet prayer at the cross. Darren taught some new songs and afterwards everybody went on an Easter egg hunt outside. Many thanks to everyone who helped with teas and with the activities during the day.
Easter Dawn Service Easter Sunday dawned overcast, blustery and damp and so the decision was made to move the dawn service from Dunmoran Strand to Skreen church. More than 70 people came to celebrate the resurrection and we had the support of Steve’s band to help us in our singing. Bishop Patrick celebrated the Eucharist and spoke to us and following the service we adjourned to Skreen Schoolhouse for a cooked breakfast before departing to our own parishes. I’d like to thank the Archdeacon for all his help and the ladies of his parish for putting the breakfast together. Thanks also to everyone who provided food, and to the band for providing the music. I think that everyone who came enjoyed the
Breakfast after the Easter Dawn Service – 15 –
Diocesan Confirmation Day at Croagh Patrick with Bishop Patrick (right) morning and it was good to have so many people with us. Next year we’ll pray for slightly better weather so we can celebrate on the beach!! Confirmation day Over 30 young people and 15 adults attended the diocesan confirmation day at Croagh Patrick on Saturday 9th April. While there was snow on the Reek we were blessed with good weather and the young people, together with the more energetic adults among us, climbed the first part of the trail before returning down to sea level and one very adventurous young person together with an adult companion got the whole way to the ridge! Those less energetic climbed to the statue of St Patrick and stopped for a coffee before returning to the visitor’s centre. Once all were safely back off the mountain we enjoyed sandwiches and buns for lunch and then listened to a talk from Bishop Patrick about the meaning of Confirmation. Following a (very) short Service of the Word we parted ways. It was wonderful to see so many young people gathered together in one place. It was especially important for young people from those parishes where there are maybe only 2 or 3 candidates each year to get together with others their age and realise that they are part of something bigger than they see Sunday by Sunday. It was good of the bishop and the several clergy who came to give up their Saturday to support us, and I must thank them and the other adults who came to be with us. Without you a day like this isn’t possible. Thanks also to the people who provided the lunch. We really appreciated it the young people were all ravenous after their climb!! Fun day on Clare Island The next event in the calendar for this year is the diocesan fun day which will be held on 28th May. We plan to go to Clare Island and will be getting the 11.00am ferry there and the 4.45pm ferry back. Places will be booked on the ferry for our group and people wanting to come on the day should, as far as possible, indicate their intention to come in advance (by emailing me). We will meet at Roonagh Quay at 10.30am.
Once on the island we hope to have a walk (or mini-bus ride) round, and then hope to go and visit an organic farm, a weaver’s loom, the lighthouse, the old abbey, which has 12th century wall paintings still visible, and the archaeological sites. We will have games on the beach and a short service before returning to Roonagh. People should bring a packed lunch with them, tea and coffee will be available on the island. Cost for the day will be €13 per adult and €6 per child for the ferry. More details will be sent to rectors nearer the time. Sunday School teachers training day It has been widely acknowledged as I have visited clergy that the work of the Sunday School teachers in the diocese is of vital importance. In order to offer support to those who teach our children I have invited two people from the Sunday School Society to come to the diocese to provide some training. This will be held on Saturday 3rd September in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris from 10.00am-3.00pm. We’ll have some training, but this is a good opportunity to meet others involved in Sunday School, to share ideas and to have some fun. If anyone is interested in attending this day, please let me know. More information will be sent to you nearer the time. If you are a Sunday School teacher could you please let me know your email address in order that I can contact you directly rather than having to go through your rector. Summer camps We are planning to take a group to Summer Madness this year. We will also be running our Junior Camp at Lissadell. If anyone would be interested is going to either of these camps, please contact Steve Brickenden (dates below). Diary dates 28th May – Diocesan fun day 1st-5th July – Summer Madness, Glenarm 7th-10th July– Diocesan junior camp, Lissadell 3rd September – Sunday School teacher training day, McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris
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GFS AND BOYS’ BRIGADE
above: GFS Enrolment Service right, centre & below: GFS and Boys’ Brigade Day
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TUAM KILLALA AND ACHONRY DIOCESAN CYCLE MULRANNY – AcHILL - MULRANNY SAtURDAY 18tH jUNe IN AID OF MAjI KWA MAASAI WAteR PROject
this is the final leg of our cycle. All proceeds will go to our partnership Diocese of Kajiado in Kenya. total Distance 26 kilometres Meeting in car Park at the back of Mulranny Park Hotel at 10.30 a.m. Helmet, reflector jacket, drink, light lunch in small back pack. tea and sandwiches afterwards in Mulranny Park Hotel. For further details contact Steve Brickenden 087 696 1329
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ta f wa ay or w st p? W en lk 52, ell, M are ryd 000 ste o yo ate wom r u r ne ps eve aasai
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The Diocese of Tuam, Killala & Achonry Sponsored Fun Cycle Ride along the Greenway led by the Clergy Mulranny-Achill-Mulranny June 18th 2015.
The Diocese of TKA is a registered charity
Participant's name: Sponsor's Name
Amount
Please return form and funds to your Parish Treasurer
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After a hugely successful Mabweni project in which the Oloosuyian Girls’ Secondary School sanitary block was built, in the summer of 2015 Bishop Patrick visited the project for TKA and Bishops’ Appeal, of which he is chair. He was joined on this trip by Revds Stephen and Jen McWhirter and their daughter Kizzy, who have links with the diocese of Kajiado. While in the Maasai Rural Training Centre (MRTC) at Oltiasika, Bishop Patrick spent time with Bishop Gaddiel Lenini (Bishop of Kajiado diocese) and Ronnie and Maggie Briggs (Mission Partners with CMS Ireland). While there we had a tour of the MRTC and saw the water collection and storage facilities which are barely functioning due to chronic disrepair. The water collection system, which is currently made up of sheets of corrugated iron, has rusted and is no longer fit for purpose. The three tanks are full of dead animals which have fallen in, mostly lizards and frogs. At present many of the people in the outlying villages have to travel 17km to the nearest borehole to draw water. We in TKA, however, have experienced a damaging excess of water over the winter months. Even in the midst of controversy over water charges we still have the luxury of being able to turn on a tap and for most people hot and cold running water is available any time of the day. It is hard for us to imagine in our culture and this day in age that people can be in want for water. Television and media do much to let us see what is happening in the developing world and yet this information is so prolific that we have become almost de-sensitised to the need of others. In TKA we are a small church with many challenges and needs of our own. In the midst of this it is good that we are outward looking and prepared to answer the call of Jesus in being a neighbour and loving others as he loves us. The new project involves raising the money to completely refurbish and repair the water collection and storage system at
Maji kwa Maasai Water project Oltiasika. The old rusted corrugated iron collection system will be replaced with a concrete ‘slipway’ funneling system down which rainwater will run off the side of the mountain into the collection tanks. There are three collection tanks, each the size of large swimming pools, which fill one from the other as it rains, i.e. once the first tank is full it overflows into the second tank which when full overflows into the third. These will be cleaned out and repaired and covers will be built for these tanks. This will keep the water fresh and clear of debris. A standpipe will be fitted to the water system which will allow for access to the water, instead of the Maasai women putting their dirty buckets down into the tanks which is what happens currently! Once the rainy season
comes and the tanks fill this provides water for a year and with the proper upkeep of the system, which would be guaranteed, this project will provide a lifetime of water for the Maasai living in the area. There is also a run-off place for animals, both domesticated and wild, which will ensure the health of the herds and flocks of the Maasai. The project will be called ‘Maji’, which is the Swahili word for water. The strapline ‘Maji kwa Maasai’ means ‘water for Maasai’ as we strive to bring clean water to the 3000 people who live in the area surrounding Oltiasika. Labels for jam jars will shortly be available for use. The loose change collections in jam jars was such a huge source of income for the last project and meant that we
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reached the target for fund-raising sooner than planned. To the extent that the last leg of the diocesan cycle, which will be held on 18th June (see elsewhere in Tidings for details), was planned to finish the fund-raising for the girls’ school. It will, instead, be used as the first fundraising event for this new project due to the amount raised in jam jars all over the diocese. A little loose change, when added up, goes a long way! A new Mission Group, with the specific brief to consider world mission, has been set up by Diocesan Council and will oversee the fund-raising for this project. The members of the group are Revd Stephen McWhirter (Chair), Mrs Sue Minnish, Mrs Myrtle Nairn and Mr David (Teddy) Sherwood.
Installations of new Provost of Tuam and Prebendary of Taghsaxon and Laccagh at St Mary’s Cathedral The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, Tuam was full on the afternoon of Sunday 1st May. The occasion of this was the installation of a dignitary and a Canon to the Cathedral Chapter. The Very Revd. Stan Evans was installed Provost of Tuam and the Revd. Andrea Wills was installed to the Prebendary of Taghsaxon and Laccagh. Family, friends, parishioners and clergy colleagues from far and wide came together for a Service of Evensong to support Andrea and Stan, to congratulate them and to raise their voices in the worship of the Lord God Almighty. With Ms Rachel Pike providing the music on the organ, Evensong was sung by the Dean, Very Revd. Alistair Grimason, ably assisted by the small choir. The Lessons were read by Carole Reynolds and Beverley Stafford, parishioners of Omey and Straide parishes, where the new Chapter members serve. Stan was presented to the Dean by the Venerable Gary
Hastings, Archdeacon of Tuam and Andrea was presented by the Venerable Alan Synnott, Archdeacon of Killala and Achonry. The Mandates were read by the Diocesan Registrar, Mrs Audrey Shannon. The Dean installed both Canons. The sermon was preached by the Right Revd. Alan Harper and it was an honour to have the former Primate of All Ireland grace the pulpit of Saint Mary’s Cathedral. The Benediction was pronounced by the Right Revd. Patrick Rooke, Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Achonry. A most welcome and splendid Tea was provided and served in the Synod Hall by the parishioners of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, who had also done a wonderful job in preparing the Cathedral the day before. We join in echoing the words of the Dean to both Andrea and Stan as he sat them in their stalls: ‘May the Lord Bless you in your going out and your coming in from this time forward and for evermore.’
left: The Revd. Andrea Wills and the Very Revd. Stan Evans with Bishop Patrick Rooke. above: Father James Ronayne, Parish Priest of Clifden with the Very Revd Stan Evans and his wife Rosemary. – 20 –
left to right: Bishop Patricke Rooke, the Revd. Andrea Wills, Dean Alistair Grimason, the Very Revd. Stan Evans, Provost of Tuam, and the Right Revd. Alan Harper, Primate of All Ireland.
John Quinn M: 087 225 5411 E: info@quinncarsales.com T: 091 635231 W: www.quinncarsales.com F: 091 635502 Labane Ardrahan Galway
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5, Mary Street, Galway City • Tel: 091 895080
email: info@weddingworld.ie • www.weddingworld.ie
WESTPORT FLOWER FESTIVAL
Botanical Watercolours by Jane Stark
in aid of church restoration
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, WESTPORT, COUNTY MAYO
1st, 2nd and 3rd July 2016 Open 11am-6pm each day Admission €5
CURRENT EXHIBITIONS: Bloom Botanical and Floral Art Exhibition in Visitor Centre, Phoenix Park, Dublin, 2–6 June Holy Trinity Church Westport, 1–3 July (as part of the Westport Flower Festival)
Light refreshments from hoLy trinity Cafe
Official Flower Festival Ceremony at
Claregalway Castle Botanical Art Expo, 2–3 July
8pm on Friday 1st July
(in conjunction with the Galway Garden Festival) Contact Steve Brickenden
086 856 8185 or laragan.hall@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.janestark.net
087 696 1329
westportflowerfest@gmail.com
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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
Irish Stew NighT (Rathbarron) This event, held in the Mountain Inn, Coolaney on Friday, 18th March was very successful. We are very grateful to all those who helped to organise the evening and prepare and serve the food. The evening was thoroughly enjoyable and resulted in a much valued boost to parochial funds. SPLASH Youth Group True to their title, members of the group enjoyed a very successful day of water sports at Templehouse on Saturday, 2nd April. Events included kayaking and stand-up boarding. We are very grateful to Hazel and Irene for organising such a successful day and also to the team from Wild Wet Adventures for their patient tuition Croagh Patrick On Saturday, 9th April eleven young people from the parish - Confirmation candidates and those confirmed in recent years - travelled by bus to take part in the Diocesan Confirmation Day Croagh Patrick Climb. On arrival, we were greeted by a snow-clad mountain and as a result the
Kayaking at Templehouse was great fun, if a little congested at times! climb had to be limited to the top of the ridge rather than the summit. Lunch was provided after the climb, followed by games. The day concluded with a talk from Bishop Patrick and a short service. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Cake Sale (Tubbercurry) The Cake Sale, held on Friday 29th April in the former Vodafone shop in Tubbercurry was very well supported by the local community. We are very grateful to all who provided items for the sale and also to those who manned the stalls on the day. Congratulations Congratulations to the team from Coláiste Muire, Ballymote, who won the All-Ireland Schools Under19s Table Tennis Competition. Previously the girls had won the Connaught
Splash Youth Group stand-up boarding at Templehouse
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Members of the Mothers’ Union and their friends enjoying Afternoon Tea in the ‘teaSHED’ at Glencar Waterfall
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Young people from the parish who participated in the Croagh Patrick climb Championship but now have gone a step further. The team is captained by Amanda Taylor, a Tubbercurry parishioner and Karen Clarke from Rathbarron is also a team member. Two other members of the team were Claire Hodgins and Grace Hodgins from Ballymote parish. Well done girls! Uniformed Organisations Day at Skreen Members of 1st Achonry Boys' Brigade joined with the girls of Achonry and Ballina branches of G.F.S. The day began with a short service in which the boys and girls participated, including short sketches by the girls. Presentation of awards and badges was followed by games in which mixed teams of boys and girls participated. This was the first occasion on which members of both organisations met together and it was a great success! Afternoon Tea Members of the Mothers' Union and their friends met for Afternoon Tea in the 'teaSHED' at Glencar Waterfall on Sunday, 24th April. We were served a wonderful spread of savoury and sweet treats which were thoroughly enjoyed by all present. We are very grateful to our Branch Leader, Josephine Barber who organised such an enjoyable event. Rathbarron Annual Sunday Lunch The Annual Sunday Lunch in Rathbarron is on Father's Day, Sunday, 19th June. There will be three sittings: 12.30pm, 1.30pm and 2.30pm. Booking is essential for this event and
AUGHAVAL GROUP Holy Trinity, Westport Christ Church, Castlebar Turlough St Thomas’, Dugort Rector: The Very Revd V.H. Rogers Tel: 098 25127
Confirmation classes Hooray, say I, and so say our young confirmees, that Maebh O’Herlihy comes from Pollagh in Achill to run our Group’s preparation series. Mark, Rachael, Emma, Eve, Alessandro,
those wishing to book should contact Deb (0719189680). Confirmation We look forward to the visit of the Bishop for Confirmation in Rathbarron on Sunday, 14th July at 11am. There are five candidates for confirmation this year and we would ask parishioners to remember these young people in their prayers as they prepare for this important step in their lives. The candidates are: Charlene Mitchell, Earl Norris, Sean Norris, Cairán Norris and Cormac O'Hara. Sympathy Sincere sympathy is extended to Raymond and Jean Goulden and their family circle on the death of Jean’s father John Nolan. In former times John was a frequent visitor to Rathbarron and is remembered with great affection by parishioners. It was his express wish that he should be buried in Rathbarron and that wish was honoured when he was laid to rest following a funeral service in the church. Parish Registers Baptism (Rathbarron) Easter Day, Sunday, 27th March - Katie Rosalind, daughter of Simon and Tara Lear, 25 William Street, Oxford. Burial (Rathbarron) Monday, 25th April - John William Nolan, Walkinstown, Dublin Francis, Isobel, Anna and David are working hard and enjoying themselves in the run up to June 5th, their Confirmation Day. Hooray for Andrea, preparing Isaac for us because of the tricks of geography and timetables. And hooray for Jen, Steve, Bp Patrick and all who ran the great day at Croagh Patrick. The people of all four parishes signed up solemnly to pray for and encourage those involved, and their signatures feature with the names of our candidates near the pulpit of Holy Trinity. The great feasts Thank God for the quality and quantity of participation in Holy Week and Easter.
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Easter Vestries and parish leadership Our Easter General Meetings ended happily and many offered to serve again next year. They work with love. There was a fair bit of movement in Westport’s SV. Sheilah Peel and Steve Brickenden, our Churchwardens in recent years, needed a break and did not renominate, though Steve will continue in SV and will still lead the Holy Trinity Restoration Committee. Maurice Rice will be Rector’s Churchwarden, and Charlie Conroy, People’s Churchwarden. Julia Graham, our secretary of recent years, is being succeeded by Maggie Hadden; Julia likewise will continue to serve in SV. Katy Newman’s and Thomas Bourke’s timetables made it impossible for them to continue this year in SV. Liam Whelan and Sam Brazys, two new chums, step in to succeed them. Gospel Music Gig Holy Trinity will host the main show within Westport’s Folk and Bluegrass Festival on Friday 10th June. The Festival’s headline band, the Foghorn String Band from the US, the best of the best, will provide the music for our Gospel Service on Sunday 12th June at 11.30am. Our first such Service last year was packed out well before starting time. Turlough’s Children There’s a run of little kids in Turlough at the minute, for which the Rector takes neither blame nor credit. Fiona Kelly and Hilary McInerney have enthused them greatly with monthly Children’s Services. The children always have a song for us and come to the front to perform it; they were tickled on Saturday night when, later, all the adults came into the sanctuary to sing for them. It’s the sort of stunt you can pull off once, I know.
BALLISODARE GROUP Holy Trinity, Ballisodare St Paul’s, Collooney Emlaghfad, Ballymote Rector: VACANCY Tel: 071 9133217
Baptisms What a joy! What a pleasure it is to report that four children were baptised in Holy Trinity Church during Morning Service on three respective dates. Daniel Declan McCarrick was presented by his parents Sandra and Declan on 20th March. Sarah Michaela Lockhart was presented by her parents Jennifer and Ian on the 3rd April. Older brother Glen John and little sister Katy Jane Taylor were presented by their parents Madeline and Warren on 10th April. Each child was supported by loving family and friends. Canon Doris Clements led each of these services and she did a great job of making sure that each member of the congregation got to see and greet each of the children. The parishioners demonstrated their welcome and support by holding a reception in the church hall on each occasion after the service.
Baptism Louis Valentine, son of Red Cabot and Sandra Jordan was baptised recently in Holy Trinity. One of Sandra’s ancestors [around the time of Gráinne Uaile?] was a Valentine Jordan, a pirate around Clew Bay. We always pray that the best of our forebears will influence us, of course! Wedding in St Thomas’s On 21 May, Tim Stevenson’s daughter Lucy married James Nolan in Dugort – and Tim’s retirement from heavy physical work officially began, as he had a big birthday the night before. We’ll believe the announced retirement when we see it. SUMMER SERVICES IN ST THOMAS’S The weekly Services in St Thomas’s throughout June, July and August at 11.30am are set to go. Thanks to our visiting clergy and readers. FUNDRAISER AT GRAY’S GUESTHOUSE On the June Holiday weekend, Sun-Mon 05 - 06 Jun, there are afternoon teas at Gray’s Guesthouse. A delectable fundraiser for St Thomas’s Funeral of Malcolm Billington Westport people came in enormous numbers on 1st may to farewell this wonderful man and sympathise with his family. He died suddenly at home. His wife Sarah is left with two little children, Lottie and Rosie. Westport Flower Festival Holy Trinity’s second Flower Festival will be on 1st to 3rd July. There’s a great team working it up, and a great buzz. Enquiries per Maggie Hadden, 087 411 7165 Hooroo! Val Wedding Another very happy occasion was the marriage of Eric Lawson, son of Albert and Sheila to Jane McNally in Emlaghfad Church. Revd Adam Pullen returned to the parish to conduct the service. Congratulations to all! Mothers’ Union Following on from the last issue, our AGM and Planning Meeting took place in February. Members attended the World Day of Prayer in Taunagh Parish Church, Riverstown. Lady Day was celebrated on 4th April in Emlaghfad Church with Archdeacon Synnott. A “Tea and Toast” morning took place in St Paul’s School when parents were invited to have a friendly cuppa and chat with each other after leaving their children to school. Members intend to receive Holy Communion in Christ Church, Dublin on 5th May where they will be joined with other members and friends from Clogher Diocese. Keeping Body and Soul in Thought, an outing to the Sligo Search and Rescue Unit at Strandhill Airport, including light refreshments and a healthy walk, for those who feel inclined and able, is planned for 7th May.Adults (male and female) as well as accompanied children are welcome. Plans are afoot for a fun trail/hunt on 26th June in Union Wood. A good start to the school holidays!!
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top left: The Taylor family top right: The McCarrick family right: The Lockhart family Vestry Meetings Staggered Select Vestry meetings were chaired by Revd Stephen McWhirter for each of the parishes at St Paul’s School on 15th February. When those proceedings were complete a United Easter General Vestry was held, chaired by Revd McWhirter with Canon Clements in attendance. A tough night’s work! Eggcellent! Under the initiative and guidance of one of the parishioners, Amy Sherlock, the three parishes got together to organise an “Event” for schoolchildren in the local hall at Collooney. There was fun, craft, games an egg hunt and Easter goodie bags as well as bible stories, food and drinks. Thank you to Steven Brickenden for his help. It was very well attended and a good time was had by everybody, including all the leaders and helpers. St Paul’s School The school works hard in its promotion of having a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle in many ways but in particular by its involvement in the Green Schools Programme, which at this stage for the school involves endeavouring to achieve the Travel Flag. In order to achieve this, the school is encouraging less use of engine power and more use of human power and activity. With this in mind a “Park and Stride Day” is planned for 19th May. On that day vehicles will be parked a distance away from the school so that pupils, parents, guardians and teachers will walk that distance to school. The 27th May is the exciting School Outing Day! The senior pupils will be going to the Hudson Bay Activity Centre at Athlone while the younger pupils will be exploring a Pet Farm at Rossnowlagh, Donegal. All Fun! 3rd June is Sports Day at the school. New entrants, family, friends and parishioners are welcome to attend 10am -12:30pm 21st June is the day that the pupils get their holidays. All
the staff and pupils are wished well over the summer. It is the last teaching day for Mrs Jacqueline Higgins. Many thanks to Mrs Higgins for her hard work and her steadfastness over her long career at St Paul’s (it was her first and last school) as well as for all the good times shared with so many parents and pupils. She and all the sixth class pupils are wished the very best in the future as they go into new situations of retirement and learning in September. Services WellSpring Services were held at Holy Trinity on 31st January and at St Paul’s on 20th March. They are held in cooperation with the Methodist minister Rev Jeremy Nicoll. An evening Good Friday Service was led in Holy Trinity Church by Archdeacon Synnott. Easter Day Services were led by Canon Doris Clements. Thank you to Karen Duignan, Canon Clements, Canon Ferguson and Archdeacon Synnott for leading worship and thank you to Revd Stephen McWhirter for looking after us pastorally. Sympathy Our thoughts and prayers go to: Muriel Lawson and her family on the death of her brotherin-law Alfie Moorehead, Longford
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Carol Maxwell and her family on the death of her sister-inlaw Olive Fraser, Mullafarry, Killala Alison Rooke and her family on the death of her mother Margaret Forsythe Lily Craig, Cloonamahon, Collooney and her family Hazel, Gordon, Alison and Robert and their families on the death of Ivan The Bright family of Graniamore, Collooney: Mervyn, Nigel, Keith, Gwendoline and Trudy and their families, on the death of their father Billy. He was predeceased by his wife Yvonne and his son Trevor. Ivan and Billy were both very well respected and well known in the farming and church communities and in the wider area. All of the loved ones will be greatly missed.
Sick Some of our parishioners are ill in hospital. We are thinking of them and we wish them a good recovery.
GALWAY & KILCUMMIN
our own Parochial School, St Nicholas’ Choristers, the Galway Baroque Singers, Bel Canto, Cois Cladaigh, The Tribal Chamber Choir, the Rector and Cormac Begley. The night was a wonderful, moving and very enjoyable success, and the funds raised went to COPE, Galway, and to our diocesan Mabweni fund. Great congratulations to Ade on the wonderful thing he did!
Collegiate Church of St Nicholas Kilcummin Church, Oughterard Rector: The Ven Gary Hastings Tel: 091 521914
Baptisms, St Nicholas’: Chloe Emily and Jackie Abbie, 13 Feb, daughters of Frank and Margaret Anderson, Zara Josephine, 28 Feb, daughter of Ross and Robyn Doran. Sornaigh Laura Jo, 19th April, Daughter of Marie and Fergal Hannon-O’Connor Deaths: Ian Watson, 18th February, St Nicholas’. Our sympathies are with all his family at this sad time for them. Marjorie Weller, mother of Jean Tallon, passed away in Farnham Common, England, some 6 weeks after her husband. Please remember the family in your prayers. Keith Casburn passed away in Turkey and was buried there on 18th March. A prayer service was held in St Nicholas’ for the family members who were unable to travel to the funeral. Our sympathies are with his brothers, Richard, Philip and all the family. Robert Twigg, brother of Maureen Fitzmaurice, Kilcummin passed away on 22nd March. Our prayers are with Maureen and all the family. Ian Lambert, whose sad and unfortunate death occurred some weeks ago, will be remembered in a memorial service on 12 May in Knocknacarra church. Jane Whirisky, 28th April in Salthill church. Daughter of Joyce and John. Our deepest sympathies are with them and the whole family at this very sad time for them. On Easter Monday, Gillie Taylor’s ashes were interred in St Nicholas’ graveyard by Alice and Laura, her daughters. MEMORIAL CONCERT Ade Adekeye organised a concert in memory of his dear wife, Eni, on 14th February, with a host of acts, including
Fundraising 18th June, at Wendy Lyons’ home, Camphill, Collooney, a Plant and Cake Sale with Teas/Coffee for St Paul’s Church, Collooney. St Paul’s Parish Room Project This project plans to alter the north wing of the church to provide a parish room complete with a disabled toilet and a kitchen. Approval has been received from Diocesan Council, the RCB and Sligo County Council. The parish is most grateful to Priorities for their offer of grant aid and if matched funding is achieved work on the project will commence in early 2017.
Preaching engagements The Rector had a exhausting number of supernumerary preaching and other engagements which probably count as works of supererogation. It certainly felt like it. The Galway Cathedral Novena, [which is a big gig in preaching terms] in February, – 6 times in the one day, and some time spent in a darkened room afterwards. Then the Augustinians’ Novena which was three nights in April, and finally the Cork Diocesan Service for 1916 in St Finnbarre’s Cathedral. A great honour to be asked to these occasions. THE RISING REMEMBERED On 24th April in St Nicholas’ we also remembered the Rising in the morning Eucharist, with an Evensong that afternoon. There was also a special interfaith service for 1916 organised by the chaplaincy in GMIT, Galway, where the Rector was speaker. EASTER The rector’s thanks to Anthony Previte, Archdeacon Emeritus, and Provost Emeritus Maureen Ryan for assistance at our Easter services. Not to forget Steve, Denzil and Paddy, Leslie and Wally for their continuing ministry and help in the parish. Our Parish Choir sang a blinder for Holy Week and Easter, and thanks to Mark, Rónán and Dottie there, and the choir members who put a lot of work and time in. Also our Choral Scholars who beautifully sang 3 complines during Lent. On Good Friday we did the Way of the Cross with the Augustinian Community, a very moving occasion, and on Easter Sunday Mrs Ryan preached and was given a special presentation from the parish for her retirement, in appreciation of her ministry as assistant priest here. A similar presentation was made to her by the clergy at their Quiet Day in Cong. The AB of Armagh talked to us about
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the poetry of RS Thomas and George Herbert. The Rector also unveiled a plaque during Cúirt week, immediately opposite St Nicholas’ on Geraghty’s wall, with a poem by Máire Holmes. PARISH WALK Our Social Committee in St Nicholas’ ably organised a parish walk in Cong Woods, which was pleasantly guided by Bridget Clesham, and a very nice day out, and [nearly] no casualties. CHILDREN’S PARTY The Children’s Party in the school was definitely a success, and the rector would like to see the Flea Circus again, please. Many thanks to those who put so much work into that, especially Sally. Mothers’ Union Lady’s Day was celebrated at Holy Communion in the side chapel in St Nicholas’, and the MU were again to the fore in assisting at our Famine Lunch after the 11am service, and thanks to all who were involved there. ANATOMY SERVICE The Anatomy service in NUIG Chapel was the same week, where relatives of those who have given their remains to medical science come together with the medical students for a very moving memorial service. RECTORY TREES Very, very large trees in the Rectory garden were either cut down or thinned a bit, which is quite exciting stuff to watch from a safe distance! PAROCHIAL SCHOOL At our Parochial School, a flag was presented by members of the Army at a short ceremony, and later, on 15th March, we had a big ceremony in the school, with the French ambassador, and a reading of the Proclamation, and singing, and the Rector raised the Tricolour outside. The Rector has to admit that his Belfast grannies, had they been alive, might have taken a dim view of his doing this. STUDY AND MEDITATION GROUPS We had a Study Group for three weeks in Lent, on the meaning of the Holy Eucharist, and our Meditation Group continues on Thursday nights at 7 in the Sexton’s room.
KILLALA UNION
It will take a summer break and return in September with some classes for beginners. TOURISM COMMITTEE The Tourism Committee organised a special lecture on the Historical Buildings of Galway, 1200–1900, given by Paul Walsh, an archaeologist, on 27th April. GENERAL VESTRIES General Vestries in Galway and Kilcummin happened just after Easter this year, with no tears nor bloodshed. Many thanks to all who work on the Select Vestries and on its subcommittees in St Nicholas’. Much work happens, not all of it visible, but it is done with good and willing hearts. GALWAY GARDEN FÊTE The Galway Garden Fete looms as I write this piece, [April 30th] much has been done already in preparation for it, and more to do. Please consider getting involved if you live here, or please consider turning up for a nice day out if you don’t live here! And leave a few bob behind you as well! CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation Service is on 8th May: your prayers, please for all who are going to come forward in this parish on that day, and in our whole diocese. The diocesan day for Confirmation Candidates on the Reek in Westport took place in snow, but as far as we know everyone is accounted for and enjoyed the day. Thanks to Steve, Jen, and the Bishop for that! Phew! sermon. It was lovely to get parishioners from all three churches in the Union together and we had a cup of tea and buns after the service. It was a good chance to have a catch up with each other and share some fellowship. The Bishop has suggested that we, along with the rest of the diocese, have a united service on 5th Sundays, when one happens along, and so I’m hoping that the fellowship can continue over a cup of tea after these services.
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
Easter Sunday We were pleased to have Bishop Patrick with us on Easter Sunday morning for the united Eucharist service in Killala. He celebrated the Eucharist with us and preached the
Welcome Kizzy and I have become accustomed to the new routine of services week by week and I hope that you, the parishioners of Killala Union, have also settled in to the new pattern of worship.
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I’d like to thank you for your tolerance and grace as Kizzy tends to add her own spice to Sunday morning services. Thank you for your welcome of me as well. I enjoy being with you week by week and am starting to get to know you (although you may have noticed that I can be slow at learning names)! Your kindness to us both has made coming among you so much easier. SERVICE TIMES The service times for Sunday mornings have changed during the vacancy and are as follows:
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
KILMOREMOY UNION As I write this we are enjoying such beautiful weather, how I hope these few days aren’t our summer as they were last year. Certainly the lighter nights allow us to feel we can hope for better weather. In the Kilmoremoy Union we always feel that we have turned in the tide of the year when we join together with our neighbours for the annual Songs of Hope and Praise service after Easter. Our ministry team is growing and sisters Amanda Strong-Carden and Nicola Padden will be training as servers in Kilglass and St Michael’s respectively. We look forward to them beginning this ministry in the coming weeks. Peter said in his first Epistle, ‘You also, as living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 2:5) Our greatest expression of community and worship manifests itself as we do this together and currently our parish, diocese and wider community are looking forward to the Ballina Churches Together / Church Army project as we seek to live and work together for the furtherance of Christ’s Kingdom here on earth. GIRLS’ FRIENDLY SOCIETY ENROLLMENT SERVICE On Sunday 21st February the Girls’ Friendly Society took part in their annual enrollment service. It was great to see so many of the girls in church and taking an active part in the service. They read readings and prayers and sang. Bishop Patrick was there to receive the branch banner and the girls enjoyed his preaching, as always illustrated with exciting visual aids. They particularly enjoyed the Bishop’s Bible in which pictures appeared which coloured themselves in! DEDICATION OF BOOKS IN KILLANLEY Bishop Patrick attended Morning Prayer in Killanley on Sunday 21st February, while there he dedicated a number of Books of Common Prayer and word edition Hymn Books,
10.00am Ballycastle (1st and 3rd Sundays) or Killala (2nd and 4th Sundays) 12 noon Crossmolina On the 5th Sunday in May there will be one United Eucharist Service for the whole Union in Ballycastle at 10.00am Parish registers Memorial service Saturday 16th April at 7.00pm in Killala Cathedral. Memorial Service for Dick Ryan who passed away in Leeds, England. in memory of Billy Watts who died on the 21st August 2009. The gift in memory was made by Caroline Morrow. HOLY WEEK SIT-IN During Holy Week each parish in the Union hosted a midweek evening service. Good numbers from the parishes attended these services and special mention must go to Mrs Amanda Strong-Carden who, even in the midst of a busy week, managed to attend every service throughout Holy Week. From Good Friday I had a ‘sit-in’ and didn’t leave St Michael’s Church until dawn on Easter Day. During this time many people from the Union and local community came and visited. The grand sum of €1300.00 was raised and in an effort to live our Christian walk as ‘good neighbours’ the money was donated to our neighbours in the town, St Muredach’s Cathedral, in their huge work of restoration. We were delighted to also make small contributions to Christ Church, Clifden, in their appeal to restore one of their spires and to St Colman’s, Dunmurry, supporting them in the rebuilding of the church after the devastating fire on the 11th January of this year. We are small communities in TKA and it is easy to become inward-looking. It does us good to look to the wider church and support those like the people of St Colman’s. They are right over on the east coast and very removed from our corner, however they know that we support them. If your congregation is able perhaps you could consider lending them a hand. SONGS OF HOPE & PRAISE On Sunday 10th April St Michael’s hosted Ballina’s annual ‘Songs of Hope and Praise’ service. This is an ecumenical service in which choirs from the area come together to lead each other in worship. This is a popular service with a gathering of some 300 people. The choirs that took part this year were Ballina Methodist Church, Living Waters Church, Rathduff Youth Choir, Ballina Presbyterian Church, St Michael’s School Choir, St Patrick’s Folk Group, Killala, Enniscrone Church of Our Lady, Kilmoremoy Union Choir and Every Voice Choir, Ballina. Thank you to all who took part, the Worship Leaders and Organists. We look forward to the service next year. CONFIRMATION Kilmoremoy Union’s Confirmation service took place on Sunday 17th April in Killanley Parish, Castleconnor. Four young people were confirmed – twins Harry and Zoë West and brothers Jack and Stephen Gawley. It was particularly fitting that one of the servers in Killanley, 14 year old Emily
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Gawley, who assisted Bishop Patrick in the service was able to serve her brothers their first Communion. Congratulations Harry, Zoë, Jack and Stephen we look forward to having you join us at the table from now on. BALLINA CHURCHES TOGETHER SERVICE OF LICENSING OF EMMA RODRIGUES On Monday 25th April a good number of people from the town and further afield joined together in St Muredach’s Cathedral for the licensing of Emma Rodrigues as Church Army Community Evangelist. Emma will be working with the four main Churches in the town and will be often worshiping in St Michael’s. We look forward to getting to know her, Robson, Aaron and Kristen in the coming weeks as we welcome her to the town and parish. DEDICATION OF BIBLES IN KILGLASS & EASKEY On Sunday 15th May pew Bibles and a new Lectern Bible were dedicated for use in the Parish Church of Kilglass. It is a priority for each parish in the Union to have Bibles available for use and these are the first to be in dedicated, having been bought with a donation from Miss Madeline Close in memory of her sister Maud, who passed away last August. The twin sisters were faithful attenders of Kilglass and as children were pupils in the local school at Leaffoney. The sisters lived together their whole lives until Maud died after 86 years together. This gift has made pew Bibles available in the churches at Kilglass and Easkey and each child who attends Leaffoney National School will also receive a Bible as part of the bequest. The editions bought are the new ‘Sunshine’ edition of the Good News Bible complete with the original illustrations by Annie Vallotton and passage cross referencing. This is an excellent Bible for use in home study and reading and there are a number available for sale at €15 each, please speak to the Rector if you would like one. SYMPATHIES The Kilmoremoy Union would like to extend their sympathies to the Rooke family after the passing of Alison’s
STRAID PARISH,
Foxford & CLAREMORRIS Priest–in–charge: The Revd Andrea Wills Tel: 094 9256403 Foxford: 10.00 a.m. every Sunday Claremorris: 12 noon in McWilliam Park Hotel – 1st Sunday of the month
Installation as Canon Thank you to everyone who came to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tuam on Sunday 1st May when I was installed as a Canon. Your support meant so much to me. The support of the local parish priests was a particular delight – Fr. Martin Convey and Fr. Dermot Burns, (retd.) from Straide, Fr. Padraig Costello from Foxford and Fr. John Durkan form Killasser and also Fr. Joseph Gavigan from Ballaghaderreen who read at my ordination. It was good to
mum, Mrs Margaret Forsythe, on the 14th April 2016. This is a difficult and busy time for Bishop Patrick and his family and they are assured of our continued prayers. PARISH REGISTER Christian Burial Monday 4th April 2016 in Killanley, Castleconnor James Ronald (Ronnie) Dorran, age 75, Dadmod, Carrickon-Shannon, Co. Leitrim. Service in St Mary’s Church, Mohill. Monday 25th April 2016 in St Michael’s, Ballina, interred Killanley, Castleconnor Gladys Wills Smyth (nee Bailhan), age 77 Carrowkelly. Service conducted by Revd. Stephen McWhirter and Revd. Canon Andrea Wills. DIARY DATES Mothers Union - Wednesday 8th June, Afternoon Tea at the Rectory at 3.00pm. United Worship - the Union joins together to worship on Sunday the 29th May in Kilglass Parish Church at 11.00am. Enniscrone Show - Saturday 27th August from 10.30am 6.00pm. Please come along and support Killanley Parish as they will be running the Tea Tent at the show - all proceeds going towards the restoration fund. NOTES FROM THE RURAL DEAN K&A April was a busy month as I had a number of Easter General Vestries to chair. Thank you to all who have agreed to serve in their various churches as members of Select Vestry and as executive officers of the church. The Killala Union rectory has its vacancy work completed and for the meantime Emma Rodrigues and her family are living there. Thank you to David and Denis Strong and John Patterson for all their dedication and work in completing this work so quickly. We continue to pray for the Ballisodare Group during this time of vacancy and for Bishop Patrick as he seeks to make an appointment there. have Fr. Sean Flynn CC from the Cathedral Parish in Tuam present too at the Dean’s invitation. Fr. Sean is from just up the road from me in Keelogues, Castlebar. Concert A very successful concert by James Kilbane was held in Foxford Church on Sunday 6th March – Mothering Sunday. It took the form of hymns and songs of praise and reflections which I led. It was very special, with just James singing with excellent musical accompaniment. St. Patrick’s Day A special service was held in the church on St. Patrick’s Day prior to the staging of the wonderful, colourful Parade. It was a proud day for all Foxford people. Holy Week We kept to the traditional Maundy Thursday Service followed by a Liturgy for Good Friday at 12 noon. Thank you to everyone who supported these services.
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Baptisms On Holy Saturday it was a delight to welcome into Christ’s church and baptise Ordhran Michael Morley-Manning, son of Jonathan Manning and Eibhlin Morley. Eibhlin hails from near Knock and she and Jonathan and daughter Robin now live in Belfast. On Easter Day during the joyous Communion Service and enfolded by a good congregation Mani Daneshvar, from Iran who lives in the Direct Provision Centre, Ballyhausis was baptised. It was a very proud day for his parents Maysam and Saeedeh and was followed by lunch and a special cake, courtesy of Beverley, at my house. 1916 On 24th April, 1916 my father Arthur Wisdom, a 12 year old chorister in St. Patrick’s Cathedral was walking to Easter Sunday services from his home in Rathmines with his older brothers. He told me shortly before he died how first they came across a dead horse on the road and as they continued on, thinking this was odd, they met a policeman who very firmly sent them home. There was no service that day. It was therefore a privilege for me to attend St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 24th April this year for a special service of Choral Evensong in commemoration of all whose lives were lost in the course of the 1916 Rising at Dublin. Archbishop Richard Clarke and Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh attended and in a wide ranging and memorable sermon Dr. Clarke said that “there is more than one narrative in 1916……our generous remembering should surely be a
generous envisioning, an envisioning of the future that is generous and is for all”. On 25th April I attended an event to honour Dr. Kathleen Lynn in the Town Park in Killala. Dr. Kathleen was born in Mullafarry, Killala, the daughter of Rev. Robert Lynn, Church of Ireland clergyman and she was Chief Medical officer for the Irish Citizen Army and second-in-command at City Hall. Somehow she seems to have been written out of history. Later she founded St. Ultan’s hospital for children in Dublin and pioneered vaccination, hygiene and Montessori teaching.
Provost Stan christening Mila and Matthew, twins of Sarah and Gérard Killeen, in St Nicholas’s Galway.
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by children of 5th Class from the local National School in Clifden and their teacher, Mary Joyce. The service had been written by the women of Cuba and the church was beautifully decorated with butterflies and the Cuban flag – all made by the children. The service was led by the Parish Reader, Carole Reynolds, and Fr James Ronayne gave the final blessing.
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
Confirmations Bishop Patrick confirmed Alice Marinot-Wood and Martha O’Callaghan in Christ Church on Sunday 22nd May. We pray God’s blessing upon them as they grow in their faith as part of the Church. Many congratulations!! Deaths Patricia Anne O’Connell died on 22nd February – funeral 26th in Christ Church John Maurice Shephard died on 18th February – burial 23rd in Christ Church Elizabeth Hohler died in London 18th March – burial 2nd April in Christ Church World Day of Prayer This year Christ Church was the venue for the service celebrating the World Day of Prayer. A great effort was made
Spire Appeal Work has commenced on the spire and tower of Christ Church – and we gaze in amazement as steeplejacks’ abseil the spire. We offer sincerest thanks to all those who have already contributed to our appeal. We have to get this essential work completed during the summer months so would be delighted to receive further donations which could be sent to the Rectory – thank you. St Patrick’s Day Following a celebration of the Feast of St Patrick in Christ Church, we enjoyed a wonderful Parade with floats and entries from all of the local groups and businesses. A fantastic effort. The Ruttledge Institute supports Clifden Ed and Lynnae Ruttledge spent most of March in Clifden and during this time they were responsible for finalising a unique agreement with the parish. The Ruttledge family grave is situated alongside the church and some years ago
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they were concerned that the parish were finding great difficulty in maintaining the entire churchyard on a regular basis. Ed is retired after a lifetime in human resources and relations, and Lynnae is a third-time appointee of President Obama with special responsibility for furthering the rights of the disabled in the United States. They were keen to set up a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ with the Select Vestry which would allow their family, and others in the States, to channel tax-effective giving to Clifden for furtherance of work on the graveyard. A ‘Graveyard subgroup’ of the Select Vestry met with the Ruttledges, together with Bishop Patrick and the heritage Officer of Galway County Council to explore and further this initiative. Mr Brian Hughes of Abbeyglen Castle Hotel welcomed the Bishop and the group to lunch – a very happy occasion. Subsequently the first contribution was received following the signing of the agreement (see photos) and already the County Archaeologist, Dr Christy Cunniffe and his team are engaging with the parish to bring a three-year plan to fruition. The graveyard and the church are seen as important heritage sites which will be included as places of historic interest to be visited by those following the Wild Atlantic Way.
St Thomas’s, Ballinakill This beautiful small church which is loved by so many is in need of much t.l.c. at the moment to allow services to be taken safely. Electrics, windows and roof all need attention, and some remedial work has already begun. This church is in an idyllic setting and operates as a summer church to the visitors. Even with the small worshipping community the church offers itself for a variety of uses, but to do so we are faced with a huge task. Naturally we are making approaches to the usual church and heritage bodies for support but Provost Stan would be delighted to hear from those who might be willing to become involved in saving this greatlyvalued church. Moyrus, St Mary’s, Roundstone Plans are in hand for a very special Mini-Fete in the grounds of St Mary’s church on Saturday 9th July from 1-5pm. There will also be an opportunity to give thanks for the family pet – cannot accommodate bulls or in-calf heifers !!!
Tapestry welcomed to Connemara Trevor Thawley, a school friend of Provost Stan, brought Tapestry to Ireland for the very first time – a small and very talented singing group who were thrilled to sing at a lunchtime concert in the Gothic Church in Kylemore and an evening concert in Christ Church. Messages of thanks have been received since their return to Bristol as they were overwhelmed with the hospitality they received. Much also due to the wonderful breakfasts at Sea Mist Guest house, prepared by Sheila and Rod Teck!!
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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
EASTER Our Diocesan Dawn Eucharist redefined the word early by Easter falling on the day the clocks go forward, but that did not deter the faithful eighty-five who turned up to rejoice in the resurrection. We had to retreat into Skreen church for the first time as there were fierce and violent squalls that day, but our worship lost none of that early Easter day mood of wonder and gladness. Our guest musicians were particularly good and led our praises with great skill. Thanks are due to Bishop Rooke for continuing this tradition, to the Reverend Jen McWhirter and Steve Brikenden for the diocesan co-ordination and to my very own parishioners who produced a wonderful breakfast and had the whole place gleaming as usual. Easter day got off to a magnificent start, he is risen indeed Hallelujah. ANNUAL GENERAL VESTRY Our Annual General Vestry meetings have come and gone and we all survived. I wish to thank all who give so much time to the duties of the church, organists, wardens, secretaries and treasurers alongside all the other ministries of the church such
as Sunday School, Mothers Union, Table Tennis and rotas. There are probably other duties I have missed so please forgive if I have, thank you all for the tasks that you undertake. DEATHS On 3rd March 2016 George Morton passed away and he is deeply missed by Lily, Kathleen and Samuel and the wider family circle. George was one of those “what you see is what you get people”, honest to a fault, faithful to his friends, direct with his opinions while remaining fair to others. One of his great attributes was humour and visits to the Morton home have always been marked by laughter. In his declining health George received the ministry of the sacrament at home and there has always been a welcome there. He was particularly delighted to receive a visit from Bishop Rooke on a pastoral visitation day last year. Our prayers and support for the family are needed at this sad time. On Monday 25th April 2016 Olive Frazer was laid to rest at Mullafarry Presbyterian Church. Olive was a daughter of Christ Church Dromard and had worshipped with us only a few weeks before her sudden death. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family who have been through so much over the last couple of years, while we leave the day-to-day support to other friends in other places, we undertake to support Stanley in the days ahead. CONFIRMATION Sunday 10th April 2016 was a great day of celebration as Rebecca, Ethan, Salome and Luke were confirmed by Bishop Rooke. Skreen church was full to the doors with family and
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friends joining us in worship and praise as we witnessed these fine young people make this public commitment to Christ and make their first Holy Communion. Zoe Higgins was baptized in Skreen on 24th April by the rector and Fr Michael Gilroy, this was a very warm and special gathering as Neville and Bernie brought their beautiful little one to church. MOTHERS’UNION The McWhirter tribe rolled into town for Mothers’ Union and shared some fascinating insights into church life in Kenya.
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
EASTER Cong and Tuam saw good congregations for the Easter Celebrations with numbers swollen as usual by our returning ‘Wild Geese’. Cong in particular had an interesting Festal season with the children constructing a ‘Calvary’ on Palm Sunday and rolling their decorated hard-boiled eggs down the aisle on Easter Day. Many thanks to Lorraine, David and Ros for their help in this. EGVs The annual parochial meetings of both Cong and Tuam took place over the weekend of 9th-11th April. After the
It’s good to hear these things first hand and we are grateful to them for coming to us and speaking with such gentle dynamism about a place that is so close to their hearts. SKREEN PARISH LUNCH Skreen Parish Lunch will take place on Sunday 7th August 2016 and we look forward to welcoming our usual supporters from surrounding parishes as well as our local friends and neighbours. It will be all hands on deck as always and is very hard work but the rewards make it very worthwhile. usual elections and financial reporting, the Dean thanked all who had worked so hard to maintain and advance the witness to The Kingdom in our small but beautiful parishes. EPISCOPAL VISIT It was a great pleasure to welcome Bishop Rooke to the parish for his annual Pastoral Visit on Sunday 20th March. CHURCH ARMY EVANGELIST We in Tuam Group extend our warmest welcome to Emma Rodrigues who joins the Diocesan Ministry Team as Church Army Evangelist for Ballina Churches Together. INSTALLATION OF CANONS On 1st May during a service of Evensong in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Very Revd Stan Evans and Canon Andrea Wills were installed by the Dean. A full account of the service and installations appears elsewhere in this issue. The Dean would like to record his enormous gratitude to all the Cathedral Family who worked so hard to make this occasion such a success. Take a bow one and all!
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CONG CONFIRMATION AND BAPTISM On Sunday 1st May Bishop Rooke was back in Cong to administer the Rite of Confirmation. Four candidates were confirmed; Jack Ormsby, and Kacey, Caitlynn and Taylor Down. At one point the Bishop fair put the wind up the Dean as he played with his ‘Launcher’. But we are happy to report that no one was injured in the ensuing ‘demonstration’. At the start of the same service, the Dean baptisted the sister of three of the candidates, Lily Down. May God bless each and every one as they daily grow in the faith of Jesus Christ. Many thanks to all who helped with this service. Not least we thank Ros and her ‘ Hand Chimers’ who worked so hard on the Ringing of the Easter Acclamations which were a novel way to begin the celebrations. AASLEAGH Recently Aasleagh marked 25 years since the making of the Hollywood movie “ The Field”. A number of scenes in this film were shot in and around Aasleagh Church and many local people appeared as extras. Sadly a number of these people have since died but it was decided that it would be appropriate to mark the anniversary by having a Leenane Field Festival. Local person Martina Gavin was instrumental in planning this. Part of the festival included an Ecumenical service held in St Johns Church Aasleagh. During the service people who had passed away since the filming were remembered. A big effort was put in the week before by local people in preparing church and grounds. About 90 people attended including guest of honour Jim
Sheridan. The service was led by Father Michael McGreal of Westport and he included an interesting talk on “ Ethical issues raised in the film The Field”. Our thanks go to John Clesham for being on the spot to help this event happen. Services in Aasleagh resume for the summer on Sunday 3rd July and continue throughout July and August every Sunday at 7pm. SICKNESS Several parishioners have been variously ‘under the weather’ since the last issue of Tidings. Happily we can report that all have made a full recovery. However we continue to pray for Michael Winters after his recent operation in England. CONG FÊTE Planning for this is in hand though details as yet are scarce. But we are reliably informed that it will take place in the grounds of St. Marys Cong on Saturday 11th June. OUTINGS As with the Fête, details have yet to be worked out for the two annual outings of Cong parish. The organisation of the ‘Cultural Outing’ is in the hands of Paul Johnston. The Sea Angling Outing will be arranged by the Dean. Last year’s angling outing was a great success and was slightly oversubscribed. This year it will take place in mid-July to August, depending on the weather. If anyone, including friends from neighbouring parishes, would like to sign up for this, please contact the Dean as he may have to arrange ‘a bigger boat’ than last year!
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