This Union certainly had a lively Holy Week and Easter. The Palm Sunday Liturgy was at Kinneigh Church. We had a wonderful Gospel procession, carrying our palm crosses from the church around the graveyard to the base of the Round Tower led by two donkeys – Maudine, an older she donkey, and her younger companion Donal. They were with their owner Alice Bailey and other members of the family of Kilcascan Castle. After the service, Maudine obliged by giving young members of the congregation rides on her back. (Donal still a colt was a bit young – but it brought home to us how small an animal it was that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on.) If only church going could always be so satisfying and interesting! We all enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, which was to last the whole week.
The Maundy Thursday liturgy of the Last Supper and the Washing of Feet was at St Mary’s Desertserges. This was a joint service with our Methodist friends. We welcomed the Rev Geraldine Gracie as our preacher and co-officiant.
On Good Friday we were at Kilmeen Church for the Three Hours. With about thirty children and as many again of young people of all ages! We learnt about the Pearls or Beads of Life. The Rector introduced us to each of the beads on a jumbo size version. We then went into groups to various craft and art workshops (thinking of the death and passion of Jesus, making pictures out of round objects), cooking (round meringues with hollow tombs inside) and a hunt around the church yard for all things round. Everything was to do with Good Friday (a black bead day) and Easter (a Big White bead day) and anything Round. As the sunshine was so lovely, nearly the whole of the Three Hours was spent outside.
On Easter Sunday Morning at St Mary’s Desertserges and St Patrick’s Farranthomas, we saw large numbers gathered.
Thanks to those who travelled through the Lenten gatherings as well as Holy Week. It is by engaging in the more difficult and demanding side of life (the Desert, Black Bead and silence beads) that we appreciate the joy of Easter (large White Bead day.)
Easter Day also saw the funeral of Annie Dukelow. Officially she was a member of Ballydehob Union and so the funeral took place there, with the actual burial at Dunmanway, a place that had special memories for her. She had come to live with Peter and Gladys Dukelow in this Union when she could no longer manage alone and had become a Home Communicant here. She then moved to the Home in Drimoleague.
At the time of writing we have the Annual Easter Vestry coming up on 15th April and the Confirmation on 6th May.
Andrew Buttimer is learning to be a server and is very enthused!