We wish Barney Coombes speedy recovery after his hip replacement operation, which at the time of writing is due on 22nd February. Barney, well into his nineties, has been in increasing pain but valiantly and with a cheerful smile keeps going; and is a regular and faithful member of the congregation.
It is good to have Ethel Shorten back home after her knee replacement and hope she will soon be back as organist at Kinneigh.
We are grateful to Anne Lehane for playing the organ at Kinneigh in the meanwhile.
Baby Ciara Marie Baker was baptised at Christ Church Kilmeen on 5th February. It was a joyful ecumenical occasion performed by the Rector with Fr Keating. Ciara, a model of good behaviour, slept through it all. A party was then held at the Quality Hotel in Clonakilty.
The health and fashion fundraising evening for Ballymoney School was a huge success and will enable the school to buy some new and necessary equipment. The children have done some baking and selling cakes to each other to raise money for Concern’s feeding programme for Children in Niger. Well done and thanks to all involved.
At Desertserges School on Thursday 23rd March 10.30 –1pm, the children there are putting a wonderful programme in place in aid of Daffodil Day. Fresh daffodils will be on sale as well as Daffodil Day products; Cake Stalls, tea, coffee and refreshments. There is a major raffle with a signed Munster Rugby jersey as prize (tickets on sale now from school) and a smaller raffle on the day. All welcome.
We are fortunate to have two excellent schools in this Union of Parishes. Thank you to staff and parents and all who support our schools.
Lent - In last month’s magazine I said something about doing a Confirmation Refresher Course by way of a Lent Course This will now happen some other time as I had forgotten that the Bishop and clergy had agreed on a very important alternative!! We will thus devote ourselves during Lent to thinking about the nature of Baptism as admitting us to being full members of the Church of God and in particular The Communion of the Baptised but Unconfirmed. The dates of this are as follows:-
Wed 8th March 8.30pm Select Vestry with Diocesan
and General Synod Members
Wed 15th March 3.30pm Staff of Ballymoney and
Desertserges National Schools
Wed 22nd March 11am Parents and Children’s Church Leaders
Wed 29th March 8.30pm Interested parishioners generally
Apart from 15th March, all sessions will be in St Paul’s Parish Centre at Ballymoney. The sessions will be about one to one and a half hours in duration. If you really cannot make your particular grouping’s meeting, please feel free to attend one of any other of these dates, as the presentation will be similar for all groups. We will put on an extra session in the fifth week if there is a demand.
The subject is so important and our thinking will be a vital part of the church’s future and future formation. I ask that everyone in the parish attend at least one session. I hope the different times will facilitate this. This is an ongoing subject.
Women’s’ World Day of Prayer
8pm, Friday 3rd March at Christ Church, Kilmeen, speaker will be Jennifer Sleeman from Clonakilty
8.15pm, Friday 3rd March, at St Joseph’s, Castletown, speaker the Rev Ruth Jackson, curate at Blarney.
All men and women welcome at these two services.