6th Desertserges Kinneigh
13th Farranthomas Kilmeen
20th Kinneigh Desertserges
27th Kilmeen Farranthomas
My time in England in early September seems a very long time ago. The Hospital Chaplain’s Course was very worthwhile and with three of us attending from this diocese, we made a good representation. I then visited friends (you’ll remember the Rev Jean Blanchard who preached for Harvest at Desertserges in 2003?) in rural Lincolnshire where I observed a totally different sort of agriculture (flat fields, mostly arable, on reclaimed marshland.) I remembered the Fens as a child. Wouldn’t it be interesting to have a twinning with another rural group of parishes? If any one is interested have a chat with me.
On my return I was launched into Harvest as guest preacher at Union Hall then a Sunday later at Glenville near Fermoy. In Kinneigh Union we carried the Harvest theme for three Sundays with the main Harvest celebration this year at Kinneigh on 2nd Oct, when the Ballineen Methodist congregation and members of other churches joined us. Kinneigh Church was full of people, gifts and beautiful decorations. Our Preacher was Jennifer Sleeman talking on Fair Trade with the need for all farmers worldwide to have fair prices for what they do; for all of us to be wise shoppers. The children led prayers with Tomas Riedmüller playing meditational music on the harp. Thank you to all who made this occasion so worthwhile. The proceeds went to Bandon Hospital, St Luke’s and the Red Cross Emergency appeal. The following Sunday a small gathering for a Harvest lunch at Kilmeen – thanks there, to all concerned.
The various organisations have restarted their autumn programmes. The MU started with Holy Communion following a Creation Theology liturgy from the Iona Community followed by a Bring and Buy for Overseas.
Members of both the Ballineen and the Newcestown Flower Clubs helped in the creation of the Flower Festival at St Joseph’s Castletown – a marvellous ecumenical event in aid of the RC Church Building Fund. We will all be pleased when the scaffolding is down at Enniskeane Church.
Another ecumenical venture has started up with the Ballineen Joy Club – a Christian teaching based club for young people of National School age. We meet every second Tuesday of the month at the BEDA hall, 6.30 to 7.50 (children need to be collected by 8pm please!) Our first evening was a happy occasion full of activity! Thanks to the leaders and the Reverend John Purdy. The Rector has parental forms to fill in for any children wishing to join. We are a Safeguarding Trust organisation!
A third ecumenical happening, is the annual Ecumenical Healing Service at the BEDA hall when the Rector and Fr McCarthy jointly do the Laying on of Hands for all who wish.
Congratulations to Frank and Valerie Jennings for raising €4,265 for the Cancer Care Unit at the CUH. This was a magnificent sum raised for such a worthy cause. The money will go towards more equipment for the radiotherapy unit to help ease the waiting list. Frank and Valerie wish to thank the people from this Union and all others near and far who supported them to make this event so successful.
As I said last month our annual Missionary and Aid Giving event will be on Sunday 12th November (Farranthomas/ Kilmeen) and Sunday 20th November (Kinneigh/Desertserges) times when we think again about our giving to Aid and to Missionary Societies. Many of you do give sacrificially and are always generous. Others might like to think along the lines of gradual saving – starting today as you read this. We have not had many retiring collections this year, so let’s dig deep on these two occasions!! In this parish we have pledged to give generously in money, as not many people can be generous in time to ‘fund raise.’ With such awful news such as the South Asian earthquake and other disasters, the need is as great as ever.
Welcome to two new baby girls in the parish – Shanice Ann Kingston daughter of Keith and Helen and to Emma Sarette Eady daughter of Susan and Ian.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Buttimer and Jason O’Halloran on their engagement
Congratulations to Lydia Bushby and Mark O’Reagan; to Kimberley
Miles and William Hurd
on their marriages.
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Paul Swales who was buried at Enniskean on 5th October. Paul was aged seventeen and fell to his death whilst climbing on a factory roof in England.
Our thoughts extend to Charlie and Eileen Bateman – Eileen’s father Conor O’Sullivan died last month.
18th September in the Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, - Shanice Ann Kingston daughter of Keith and Helen
14th October wedding blessing - Lydia Bushby and Mark O’Reagan
15th October in Christ Church, Kilmeen - Kimberley Miles and William Hurd
5th October in Enniskeane cemetery – Paul Anthony Swales