Parish News – December 2011

It is hard to believe it but we are into the Advent Season again. We take this opportunity to wish everyone a peaceful and happy Christmas and hope that the weather will not be as cold and snowy as it was last year. All the services and events are on the diary page later on in the newsletter and hopefully there will be no changes to events due to the weather.

Mothers Union and Friends

On Friday the 11th November we had a cookery demonstration by Hazel Bourke in the rectory. We had a very enjoyable evening when Hazel showed us some lovely dishes and we were able to sample them. Thanks to Hazel for this and thanks to Linda Deane for providing us with mince pies for tea after the meeting. Also a reminder to members membership is due €26 for members and €15 for friends before the 9th December if you have not already paid it. Please give to Linda Deane.

Sympathy

We express our sympathy to the family of Eric Forrest for whom a funeral service was held in the funeral home in Buttevant on 10th November. Particularly his father and step-mother Kay. Eric was a doctor in his early 40’s and died suddenly while visiting his father in the Mater Hospital. His ashes will be returned to his home in Zurich for burial.

CDYC Soccer Tournament

On Saturday 19th November three of our youth members went to Ringaskiddy to the Annual indoor soccer where they had a very enjoyable time playing soccer and other indoor games.

Friends of St. John’s Buttevant

The Annual Sale for the friends of St. John’s Buttevant was held on Sunday the 27th November at 3pm in the GAA Hall in Buttevant. Thanks to all who supported it and to all the helpers.

Fred Bogan Trophy

On Sunday 27th November the Fred Bogan bellringing Trophy Competition was held in Bandon. Thanks to our team Julia Lysaght, David Deane, Linda Deane, Roy Deane, Paul Deane and Mark Buckley for taking part in this.

Concert for Parish Funds

Christmas Concert in St. James’ Church Mallow on Friday the 16th December at 8pm. Starring Cor Magh Ealla Choir and Castlelyons Gospel Choir and friends. Tickets are €10 including mince pies and mulled wine. Each family should have received an envelope with two tickets by now and you can either buy or sell on these tickets to your friends or relatives. Twenty euro is to be returned to your churchwarden on or before Sunday 11th December. More tickets are available from the Rector or Susan Brennan.

Raffle tickets for St. James Church Roof Repairs

Also please return your raffle tickets stubs and money on Sunday 11th December as the draw is taking place at the Concert on Friday 16th December the night of concert.
Fundraiser for roof of St. James

Why not this Christmas give a present to this beautiful building by purchasing a slate or slates, a lot of money is needed to repair a section of the roof over the church door and it needs our urgent attention. It has to be seen after if we are to save our church for future generations.

Our Rector Canon Eithne has applied for a grant and we hope we may get something, but again we may not get anything, that is why we will have to keep fundraising as this work is urgent. Slates costing €20 each. Contact John Coulter the person overseeing this account. Approved by our Rector Canon Eithne.

Book Published by Canon Paul Willoughby

Canon Paul Willoughby, the Rector of Kilmocomogue Union of Parishes, covering Bantry, Durrus and Castletownbere, has recently produced a booklet called ‘Presence and Presents. The real meaning of Christmas’. It was launched at an Ecumenical pre-Advent gathering in Durrus Community Hall. The Reverend Anne Skuse did the illustrations which are also available on their parish website. The pictures are available to download for children to colour in. Canon Willoughby says This book has been on my mind for many years. It is a booklet for parents and children. It was inspired by my ministry to children and their wonderful questions. The growing secularisation of Christmas has happened, in part, because people of faith have been silent and not spoken out about the wonderful gift that God has given us. A simple Christmas does not mean a worse one! The book costs €5 and is available from the Bantry Bookshop, Wisemans of Durrus, St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral and the Sunday School Society in Dublin. Copies can be posted and are also available directly from Canon Willoughby at Durrus Rectory, Bantry, Co. Cork or by email: paul@durrusfete.ie

Concert in St. Peter’s Church Bandon December 9th

There is a wonderful Brass and Choral Concert taking place in St Peter’s Church, Bandon on December 9, 2011 starting at 8 p.m. Offerings will be taken at the event towards Bandon ENGAGE Arts Festival. Those taking part include Clonakilty Brass Band, conducted by Ger Condon, Glaslinn Ladies Choir, conducted by Antoinette Baker and accompanied by Greg Crosbie, The Junior Choir of Bandon Grammar School, conducted by Greg Crosbie and accompanied by Antoinette Baker and students of The County Cork School of Music.

The varied range of performers should provide something to everyone’s taste. ENGAGE is a dynamic multi-disciplinary Arts Festival which takes place in Bandon on the last weekend of every September. It is a celebration of the works of musicians, poets, writers, dancers and painters. The festival’s ethos is to showcase both established and emerging artists with an emphasis on promoting talented up and coming artists of every discipline. It also gives the local community an opportunity to engage with contemporary art and performance. The Festival is grateful to the organisers of this fund-raising concert.

DIARY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

Weekday Services in St. James on Wednesdays at 11am

  • Saturday 3rd December – Bible Club in St. James Hall 11.30am
  • Wednesday 7th December – Vestry Meeting in St. James Hall 8pm
  • Saturday 10th December – Bible Club in St. James Hall 11.30am
  • Wednesday 14th December – Buttevant Carol Service 8pm
  • Friday 16th December – Concert in St. James Church Mallow 8pm
  • Saturday 17th December – Bible Club Practise for Childrens Service in Doneraile Church 11.30am
  • Sunday 18th December – Children’s Carol Service in Doneraile 3pm (Collection Simon Community)
  • Sunday 18th December – Inter-church Service Charleville 7. 30pm
  • Thursday 22nd December – Carol Service in Castletownroche 7pm (Collection Mission to Seafarers/Church Funds)
  • Saturday 24th December – Christmas Eve Mallow 8pm – Christmas Eve Doneraile 11.30pm
  • Sunday 25th December – Christmas Day Castletownroche 10am – Christmas Day Mallow 11.45am
  • Wednesday 28th December – No Mid Week Service
  • Wednesday 28th December – Children’s Christmas Party in St. James Hall 3pm

MONTH AHEAD
Sunday 1st January – United Carol Service in Mallow 11am (Collection Protestant Aid/Church Funds)

SUNDAY READINGS

4th December (2nd Sunday of Advent) Violet
Isaiah 40: 1-11 Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3: 8-15a Mark 1: 1-8
Castletownroche 10am MP
Doneraile 10am HC
Mallow 11. 45am HC

11th December (3rd Sunday of Advent) Violet
Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126 or Canticle: Magnificat 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28
Castletownroche 10am HC
Doneraile 10am MP
Mallow 11. 45am MP

18th December (4th Sunday of Advent) Violet
2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 Canticle Magnificat or Psalm 89: 1-4, 19-26 Romans 16:
25-27 Luke 1: 26-38
Castletownroche 10am MP
Mallow 11. 45am HC
Doneraile 3pm Children’s Carol Service

24th December (Christmas Eve) White or Gold
Mallow 8pm
Doneraile 11. 30pm

25th December (Christmas Day) White or Gold
Isaiah 62: 6-12 Psalm 97 Titus 3: 4-7 Luke 2: (1-7), 8-20
Castletownroche 10am H. C.
Mallow 11. 45am H. C.

1st January (1st Sunday of Christmas) White or Gold
Mallow 11am United Carol Service

8th January (1st Sunday after Epiphany) White
Genesis 1: 1-5 Psalm 29 Acts 19: 1-7 Mark 1: 4-11
Castletownroche 10am Family Service
Doneraile 10am Family Service
Mallow 11:45am Family Service

If you have something to be included in the December Diocesan Magazine please give to Diana before the 8th December and if you have anything to put in the January Newsletter please give to Diana before Wednesday 4th January. Email: dianabuckley@eircom.net

The Month Ahead Pray with us