Thank you to one and all for keeping things going during May – yes, I came back in one piece and feel rested as well as having had an exciting time circling the world! My first time in Australia and interesting how many contacts people in this parish have with folks Down Under. Travelling certainly gives a wider perspective on life and I am grateful for having had the opportunity.
St Paul’s Parish Centre is looking very much better and attractive with the new replacement windows, some of which had been bricked up for a number of years. It looks less like Alcatraz now (yes, I’ve been to Alcatraz) and more like a welcoming parish centre and meeting point. Thanks go to the Parish Hall Committee, Jean and Lily in particular.
Specialist work is to go ahead on the windows in Christ Church, Kilmeen (bulges in lead/glass work) and at St Patrick’s Farranthomas (cracked ‘stone work’ which is infact cement probably around rusting metal.)
Looking ahead – Harvest will be on 1st October at St Mary’s Desertserges at 10.30am. We look forward to this being an ecumenical service with Ballineen Church and the preacher will be the Rev. Derek Poole, a Methodist Minister who has come to live in active retirement in West Cork. Derek is an imaginative speaker and has kindly accepted my invitation
St Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh is only one hundred and fifty years old this year. I say ‘only’ as the site, as a religious place, is so very much older. The Round Tower (perhaps a rebuild) was built quite late in the history of the monastery and will be a thousand years old in 2014. However 150 is a good anniversary to remember and we hope to enjoy a special service of Thanksgiving on 8th October at 8.30pm. More in September’s Magazine
By the time this is published the sound systems in all the churches will be finished. This means all our worship will be enhanced by clear sound especially for those with hearing difficulties.
Congratulations to Loretta Sebastian and Edmund Willis married in May in New York City. Edmund gave us the hangings in memory of his forbears in Kilmeen Church two years ago when both he, Loretta together with Mary and Patrick Willis came to over to visit.
It is dangerous for me to mention some people’s birthdays and not others, but I am told that Eddie Damery will be ninety-eight on the 10th July. Congratulations to Eddie and our best wishes to Kathleen.
The Dunmanway - Ballineen Holiday Joy Club will again be at Cox’s Hall in Dunmanway, Monday 24th to Friday 28th July. By now all those hoping to be part of this will have the full details. Will everyone else pray for those involved in this outreach? Our thanks go to Rev John Purdy who heads up the Joy Clubs in this part of West Cork.
Tax Relief Scheme - those of you who are under the PAYE system, need to fill in and return your form sent to you by the Union Treasurer in order for the Union to reclaim a substantial amount of money at no cost to you – it is free! Please do this – it does make a huge difference. Also there is small but growing number of people now paying monthly amounts by direct debit to pay for sustentation. This is much easier for individuals and for Frankie our treasurer!