Lent Last month was coped with (sort of) through a haze of ‘flu like colds which lots of people seemed to suffer from, including the Rector. Having written a sermon for the first Sunday in Lent, this Rector decided not to preach with a throat like rough sandpaper. Instead the two congregations that Sunday were asked reread the Gospel for themselves three or four times and were asked to pick out a word or phrase that stood out for them and spoke someway to their situation. This way of using the scriptures is a way of meditational Bible Study, and a start to creating a sermon for oneself. Several people said they found they got a lot out of this way of looking at the Gospel. Encouraged by this response the Rector led the following Sunday sermon slot by way of an Ignation Meditation – imagining yourself actually as part of the gospel story. The following Sunday David Bourne led us in a meditation of ‘Supposing you were to meet Jesus tomorrow.’ (Not that we were expecting anyone to die suddenly!!)
The Ecumenical Lent House Group meetings at the Rectory have been well attended on Thursday mornings. More about these in next month’s magazine.
Baptisms - Fionn Cathal, son of Cathal and Elizabeth Creedon, at St Mary’s Desertserges. We wish the family all the best as they settle into the community here.
At Christ Church Kilmeen – Killian George – son of Keith and Helen Kingston. At this occasion we also welcomed formally into the church family, Shanice Ann, Killian’s big sister. Shanice was very ill as a newborn in 2005 and had emergency baptism at Tallaght Children’s Hospital in Dublin by the Rev Aisling Shine. Since that desperate time Shanice has gone from strength to strength and looks well.
Confirmation Please pray and support our confirmation candidates as they prepare for their Confirmation which will be on 6th May, at Kinneigh at 10.30am; Thomas John Shorten, Aisling Ethel Shorten , Frances Mary Shorten, Laura Carol Shorten, Andrew Kaine Shorten, Sarah Jane Sullivan, Meave Olivia Readman, Gemma Hilda Kingston, Joanna Grunwell. A great morning was had at Douglas last month for all being confirmed this year, with Mark Dunwoody, the Bishop and Johann Dalman, from Sweden, who spoke about the Pearls of Life.
Funerals
Our sympathies to the family of Frances Muriel Brookes, remembered for her wonderful cakes! We joined our Methodist friends and families for this occasion.
To Kim and Will Hurd (of Ballinacarriga) on the sad loss of their baby, Casey Angel. This funeral was at the beautiful new Island Crematorium, near Cork.
And to the family of William Ernest Sullivan. Willie was so well remembered for his creative skills in reupholstery.