CONFIRMATION at the time of writing, we are looking forward to having the Bishop with us on the Sunday before Pentecost (21st May) to confirm five young people from Mallow and Fermoy Union at St James’s Church, Mallow. We are looking forward to a great occasion as Noah Gardiner, Rhianna Atkinson (Mallow Union), Jack, Stephen Gyves and Katie Clifford (Fermoy) have been preparing for this significant moment in their Christian life as they publicly renew the faith of their baptism.
ECUMENICAL DIVERSITY we were delighted to receive Bishop Alexandrios Thomas, the Syrian Orthodox Bishop in Ireland, to preside at the Divine Liturgy in St James’s Church, Mallow, at the end of April. Bishop Alexandrios, like many of the Syrian Orthodox community in North Co. Cork, is from India. After the worship, which included much ancient chant and rich symbolism (the Syrian Orthodox liturgy uses elements of the oldest known Christian worship – part of which is included in a translation in the Church Hymnal at number 427), there was a lively gathering for food and fellowship in the Parish Hall. On the final Sunday in May, instead of the usual monthly ecumenical service in Charleville, regular participants were invited to Adare Methodist Church, where the President of the Irish Methodist Conference, the Reverend David Nixon, is visiting to lead evening worship as part of his visit to Co. Limerick. On the last Sunday in June (25th June) the usual pattern will resume, when Anglicans, Methodists and Roman Catholics from North Co. Cork and Co. Limerick gather together for worship, refreshment and conversation in the hall at the rear of the Convent of Mercy, Charleville, at 7.30pm.
ASCENSION DAY the feast of the Ascension of Our Lord was celebrated at St James’s, Mallow, on Thursday 18th May, forty days after Easter, with a celebration of the Eucharist.
FUNDRAISING BUFFET The skill and energy of a great team of people from St Mary’s Church, Castletownroche, came together at the beginning of May when over 100 people enjoyed a buffet supper to raise funds for ongoing restoration work at St Mary’s. Two local authors spoke about their books: George Buckley on his family’s history in Catsletownroche; and Michael Kelly who served as a United Nations peacekeeper with the Irish Defence Forces in the Congo. It was a great community event and we are grateful to our two wardens, Diana Buckley and Hazel Ladd, and to all who worked with them. Over 3000euros were raised for church funds.
DONERAILE BELLS PROJECT There was a full house in St Mary’s Doneraile on April 28th when violinists Anton and Vladimir Jablokov gave a concert of varied music, ranging from part of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to the theme from The Godfather! This was an excellent evening, woth over a 1000euros proceeds for the Bells Project.
BAPTISM we were delighted to celebrate the baptism of Siegfried and Eric, sons of Conrad and Lilly Frankel, during the Eucharist at St Mary’s, Doneraile, on Sunday 14th May.
FARMERS’ MARKET A reminder that the market continues to offer a wide range of local produce, including bread, fish, eggs, poultry, vegetables, preserves, handmade crafts and more on Friday mornings in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow from 9.30am to 1.00pm.