HARVEST THANKSGIVING at St James’s, Mallow took the form of a weekend of events, beginning with a concert on Friday 23rd September, organised by the Mallow Arts Collective, which was a wonderful reflection of the diverse character of our town. Many local producers and growers had stalls in the church grounds on Saturday 24th and Sunday25th September. The festivities concluded with Songs of Praise at 3.00pm, where the preacher was The Reverend Meghan Farr, Priest-in-Charge of St Anne’s, Shandon & Chaplain to St Luke’s Home. Services for Harvest Thanksgiving will take place at St Mary’s Church, Castletownroche at 3.00pm on Sunday 9th October, Preacher: the Reverend Eileen Cremin and at St Mary’s Doneraile at 3.00pm on Sunday 16th October, Preacher: the Reverend Gary Paulsen. All are very welcome and further information can be found on our website and social-media feeds.
PRODUCE SALE many parishioners and friends from the wider community were made welcome at the home of Jean and John Gardiner when they held their annual produce sale. This is an annual treat for the parish and wider community and, as well as being a great fundraiser, is also an opportunity for friends and neighbours to catch up with one another over refreshments. We are very grateful to Jean and John for their hospitality and for the generosity of so many people.
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINIAN REFUGEES The Rector recently met with staff and volunteers at the IRD Duhallow collection point in Newmarket, one of the towns in North Cork served by Mallow Union, when he also handed over donations from parishioners of toiletries and children’s items.
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 be keeping the Venerable Adrian Wilkinson in our prayers on this day as he prepares for his consecration as Bishop later in the day at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.
ECUMENICAL EVENT In August, the Rector took part in the blessing of St Brigid’s Well and St Brigid’s Cemetery in the parish of Castlemagner, where St Brigid’s Church of Ireland served the community until the 1960s. Joining with Fr Pat Scanlan (who is well-known to parishioners in Castletownroche and Doneraile, where he once served as parish priest), along with local councillors and other civic leaders, the Rector was delighted to be part of this event coinciding with Heritage Week.
SUPPORTING LIFEBOAT CREWS During July, parishioners from across the Union generously donated to a collection in support of the RNLI, raising €460.00 to support the vital work of lifeboat crews working around the coast of Ireland and all they do to save lives at sea.
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.
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 12.30pm. Farmers and producers from across Co Cork offer a wide range of bread and baking, vegetables, fish, preserves, other produce and crafts. The church is usually open at the same time to offer people a space for prayer and reflection.