HARVEST THANKSGIVING Services have taken place at all three churches of this Union, beginning at St James’s Church, Mallow, where the festivities were part of a weekend of events from 23rd to 25th September. It began with the regular weekly Farmers’ market on Friday morning, followed by a concert that evening organised by the Mallow Arts Collective. Local producers and growers had stalls in the church grounds on Saturday, while the church hosted exhibitions by local arts and crafts groups. The festivities concluded with Songs of Praise on the Sunday afternoon, where the Rector was joined by Mgr Anthony O’Brien, Parish Priest of Mallow and Vicar General of the Diocese of Cloyne. We were delighted to be able to donate the collection of over €1,000 to Wesley’s Munch Kitchen, a charity founded by two local people from Mallow, supporting the community of Solai Le Cheile in Uganda, which provides a life-saving meal for the most vulnerable people in that community three days every week.
A fortnight later, a traditional Harvest Thanksgiving service took place at St Mary’s Church, Castletownroche on Sunday 9th October, where a large congregation gathered and the preacher was the Reverend Eileen Cremin, a retired priest who is a valued part of our life as a Union of parishes. Following the recent Mothers’ Union gathering in Belfast, she challenged us with the theme ‘Transformation Now’. The collection was given to the Cork Simon Community which works to house many homeless people across the city and beyond. We are grateful for the generosity that enabled us to send a cheque for €690 to help this organisation achieve its vision of eliminating homelessness.
At the time of writing, we are looking forward very much to Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations at St Mary’s Church, Doneraile on Sunday 16th October, where the preacher will be the Reverend Tony Murphy, the Area Dean of Cloyne, who is based in Carrigaline Union of parishes. This service will also have a strong ecumenical dimension as we welcome singers from St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Doneraile. The collection will be donated to Tearfund.
NEW STORE FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY The Rector was delighted to be part of the celebrations to mark the opening of a new Co-op Dairygold store in Rathduff. Joining with Fr Micheál Ó’Loingsigh, he said prayers of blessing for the new store, its staff and customers. Also present, along with many local farming and civic representatives, including some Mallow and Castletownroche parishioners.
CONCERT St Mary’s Church, Doneraile was the venue for an evening of music on Friday 14th October with Emer Barry (soprano), Mary McCague (violin) and Alan Carney (piano). Profits from the sale of tickets are being given to St. Mary’s Church, Castletownroche, to support ongoing restoration work.
SUNDAY 30th OCTOBER is the fifth Sunday of the month and, by long tradition, there is only one celebration of the Eucharist in this Union on that day. There will be a Festival Eucharist to anticipate All Saints’ Day at St James’s Church, Mallow, at 11.00am followed by festive refreshments. We shall especially keep the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson in our prayers on this day as he prepares for his consecration as Bishop of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory later in the day at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
ALL SOULSTIDE There will be a Service of Reflection & Remembrance in St James’s Church, Mallow, on Sunday 6th November at 4.00pm which, as the Sunday following All Souls’ Day, offers an opportunity to commend to God our departed loved-ones and to celebrate our faith in the resurrection.
CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS CONCERTS will take place in St James’s Church, Mallow, on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th December. These are always very popular events and tickets can be obtained by calling 086 3530401.
RESTORATION WORK We are delighted that the first phase of restoration work, mainly to the tower, of St Mary’s Church, Castletownroche, has been completed under the supervision of heritage architect James Bourke. The work has attracted a significant grant from Cork County Council which many people in the parish have worked hard to match-fund. Along with his supervision of the project, James Bourke has produced a helpful, detailed report of the work undertaken, along with a diagnosis of the issues that necessitated that work.
MALLOW FARMERS’ MARKET a reminder that the Farmers’ market continues to be held in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow, every Friday from 9.30am to 1pm. Farmers and producers from across Co Cork offer a wide range of bread and baking, vegetables, fish, preserves, other produce and crafts. There will be two days of Christmas Markets on December 16th and 17th in which Mallow Union of parishes will participate.
FOR THE REGISTERS
Christian Burial
4th October Eileen O’Riordan (née Caldbeck) in St Mary’s Cemetery, Millstreet.