Happy and Peaceful Christmas

Advent is upon us already and we wish everyone a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and all the best for 2015.
You will find a list of the Carol Services and Christmas Day Services at the bottom of this page.

Christmas Concert
The Christmas Concert is in St. James Church on Friday 12th December at 8pm. This is a candlelight Christmas Concert featuring Cor Mhagh Ealla, Guest Artists – Linda Kenny Soprano, Dan Twomey Tenor and Davis College Girls Choir. Admission is €15 in aid of Mallow Union of Parishes Church Funds. Mince pies, Mulled Wine or Tea/Coffee included. If you haven’t got your tickets already you can get them on the door on the night.

Children’s Christmas Party
There will be a party for all the parish primary school children and pre-school children in St. James Hall on Saturday 27th December. Santa is hoping to call in. We are not sure how suitable this date is so if you could text Diana Buckley (086/1547810) to let us know that you are coming and also to make sure the date hasn’t been changed.
Women’s weekend was held in Garryvoe Hotel, Castlemartyr. 21st -23rd November. Our guest speaker this year was Glynis Good. Glynis specialises in meeting with separated parents to inform and support them from a child to teen focus. Her theme for the weekend was peacemaker and conflict. She was an excellent speaker giving everyone something to take home and think about. The prayer room was very peaceful to visit in our free time. Walking with Hannah was the theme used this year. A big thank you to all who organized the weekend.

Christmas Meal
This was held on Wednesday the 26th November at the Corbett Court, Ballyhea. Thanks to everyone who came and supported it. Great to see new faces. It was a very enjoyable and socialable evening. We would like to wish all member’s a Happy Christmas.

Christmas Gathering
Our next event will be on Tuesday December 9th at 2.30pm to 5pm. This will take place in the home of Canon Tom and Hazel Sherlock, Kildorrery. This afternoon of fun is for the senior members in the parish with a Christmas theme. All are very welcome to this male and female.

Friends of St. John’s Buttevant
The annual Christmas Bazaar in aid of St. John’s Church Buttevant was held on Sunday 23rd November at 3pm in the GAA hall Buttevant. Thanks to all who supported this in anyway.

Doneraile Bellringers
Thanks to the Doneraile team of bellringers for taking part in the Fred Bogan Bellringing competition in Cork on Sunday 23rd November.
As usual the bellringers will toll out the old year on Wednesday 31st December and ring in the New Year. If any one is interested in hearing the bells they are very welcome to come to Doneraile at around 11.45pm on the 31st to join in the celebrations.

Thomas Davis Bicentenary
Thanks to all who prepared and helped in any way for the visit of our President, Michael D. Higgins to St. James’ Church, Mallow on 28th November. The church and surroundings were shining. Thanks also to all who came to the short ecumenical service, before which the president planted a tree in the grounds and saw the font in which Davis was baptised and the register in which his baptism is recorded.

Sympathy
We sympathise with the family of Dr. Miles Frankel who died recently in Doneraile and was buried in St. Mary’s Church graveyard. He will be sadly missed by Emer, Frances and his sons Gavin, Conrad, Conor and Patrick, his brother Stephen and six grandchildren. We also express our sympathy to the family of Joy Sheehan her son John, daughters Jackie and Tracy and sisters Sylvia and Elizabeth, her ten grandchildren as well as the extended family, friends and neighbours. She was buried in Oldcourt Cemetery beside her husband, Michael, on 12th November.
We also sympathise with Hazel Sherlock and Lily Hales on the death of their sister Patricia Forbes, in Ballineen recently.

Doneraile Maintenance
There will be a Concert in aid of the Church Maintenance Fund, of St. Mary’s Church Doneraile on Friday 6th February at 8pm please put the date in your diaries and keep the night free if possible.

DIARY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
Holy Communion will be celebrated in St. James on Wednesdays at 11am

Tuesday 9th December Senior Members of the parish invited to Canon Tom and Hazel Sherlock 2.30pm to 5pm
Friday 12th December Christmas Concert in St. James Church 8pm
Sunday 14th December Mallow Carols 3pm
Collection for Community 1st Responders
Sunday 21st December Doneraile Carols 3pm Collection Cork Simon
Sunday 21st December Ecumenical Service Mercy Centre Charleville 7.30pm
Christmas Eve 24th December Holy Communion Mallow 8pm
Holy Communion Doneraile 11.30pm
Christmas Day 25th December Holy Communion Castletownroche 10am
Holy Communion Mallow 11.45am
Saturday 27th December Childrens’ Christmas Party 3pm
Sunday 28th December Castletownroche Carols 11am (United Service)
Collection for Marymount Hospice
Wednesday 31st December Bell ringing in Doneraile 11.45pm

MONTHS AHEAD
January 28th Vestry Meeting in St. James Hall 8pm
February 6th Concert in St. Mary’s Church Doneraile 8pm

SUNDAY READINGS

7th December (2nd Sunday of Advent) Violet
Isaiah 40: 1-11 Psalm 85: 1-2, 8-13 2 Peter 3: 8-15a Mark 1: 1-8
Castletownroche 10am M.P.
Doneraile 10am H.C.
Mallow 11.45am H.C.

14th December (3rd Sunday of Advent) Violet
Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24 John 1: 6-8, 19-28
Castletownroche 10am Family Service
Doneraile 10am Family Service
Mallow 3pm Carol Service

21st December (4th Sunday of Advent) Violet
2 Samuel 7: 1-11, 16 Canticle Magnificat Romans 16: 25-27 Luke 1: 26-38
Castletownroche 10am M.P.
Mallow 11.45am H.C.
Doneraile 3pm Carol Service

24th December (Christmas Eve) White or Gold
Mallow 8pm H.C.
Doneraile 11.30pm H.C.

Christmas Day 25th December White or Gold
Castletownroche 10am H.C.
Mallow 11.45am H.C.

28th December (1st Sunday of Christmas) White or Gold
Castletownroche 11am United Service

4th January (2nd Sunday of Christmas) White or Gold
Jeremiah 31: 7-14 Psalm 147: 13-21 Ephesians 1: 3-14 John 1: (1-9) 10-18
Castletownroche 10am M.P.
Doneraile 10am H.C.
Mallow 11.45am H.C.

The Month Ahead Pray with us