HARVEST THANKSGIVING
Our final Harvest Thanksgiving celebration took place at St Mary’s Church, Doneraile, on Sunday 16th October, where a large congregation of parishioners, Christians of other traditions, as well as friends from the wider community, gathered to give thanks for the gifts of God’s creation. The preacher was the Reverend Tony Murphy, our Area Dean, whose ministry was hugely appreciated during the last vacancy in this Union. This service had a strong ecumenical dimension as we welcomed singers from St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Doneraile and the participation of Fr Gerry Casey. We were also very glad to be able to send the proceeds of a generous collection to Tearfund.
ALL SOULSTIDE On Sunday 6th November, the Sunday following All Souls’ Day, a good congregation of parishioners and recently bereaved families gathered in St James’s Church, Mallow, for a service of remembrance and reflection. This service offered an opportunity to hear the scriptures, commend to God our departed loved-ones and to celebrate our faith in the resurrection. It was an occasion that met a real pastoral need as we expressed our care for those who have lost loved-ones, as well as our confidence in the Easter gospel, with its promise that nothing in life and death can separate us from the love of God.
DONERAILE BELLS
Fundraising has begun at St Mary’s Doneraile in order to support the project of rehanging the bells in 2023. This project is creating great enthusiasm among parishioners and the wider community alike. The hope is to that the project will attract more campanologists to the ranks and thereby secure the ringing of bells to call people to worship at St Mary’s for many years to come.
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.
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP there will be carol services in all three churches of this Union in the approach to Christmas: at 3.00pm on Sunday 11th December in St James’s, Mallow; at 7.30pm on Thursday 15th December in St Mary’s, Castletownroche; and at 3.00pm on Sunday 18th December in St Mary’s, Doneraile. On Christmas Eve (Saturday 24th December) the First Eucharist of Christmas will be celebrated at 8.00pm in St James’s Church, Mallow; and at 11.15pm in St Mary’s, Doneraile. On Christmas Day (Sunday 25th September) the Eucharist will be celebrated at St Mary’s Castletownroche at 9.45am; and at 11.30am in St James’s Church, Mallow. The feast of the Holy Innocents (Wednesday 28th December) will be marked with a celebration of the Eucharist at 11.00am in St James’s Church, Mallow; and the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord at 11.00am on Wednesday 4th January in St James’s Church, Mallow. On Sunday 8th January, there will be an Epiphanytide Christingle Service at 4.00pm in St James’s Church, Mallow, followed by a party for our younger (and not-so-younger!) worshippers.
CHRISTMAS MARKET On Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December Mallow Farmers’ Market will hold a special Christmas Market in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow. It will include festive food and crafts from local producers and craftspeople, including refreshments by parishioners to support the mission of this Union of parishes. This is in addition to the Farmers’ Market that takes place every Friday throughout the year from 9.30am to 12.30pm.
FOR THE REGISTERS
Christian Burial
26th October Evelyn Atkinson