CHRISTMAS & EPIPHANY WORSHIP At the time of writing, we have just begun Advent and are preparing for a full round of worship in preparation for Christmas – and the festal period that begins on Christmas Eve and extends until Candlemas Day. In addition to the popular Christmas concerts in St James’s, Mallow, there were Carol Services in each of our three churches, at which we were delighted to welcome parishioners, neighbours, friends and people from the wider communities served by this Union. The collections taken at these services were donated to the Irish Red Cross, UNICEF, Christian Aidand the Bishop of Cork’s Pastoral Care Fund. Following festal celebrations of the Eucharist on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the feast of St John the Evangelist, our three congregations joined together on Sunday 31st December for a celebration of the Eucharist at St Mary’s, Castletownroche.
On Sunday 7th January (the feast of the Epiphany of our Lord), in addition to the usual morning services in Castletownroche & Doneraile, there will be a Christingle Celebration in St James’s, Mallow at 4.00pm,followed by a party for our young (and not-so-young!) parishioners. On Wednesday 10th January (the feast of the Baptism of the Lord), there is a celebration of the Eucharist at 11.00am in St James’s, Mallow.
SUNDAY 28th JANUARY will be observed as the feast of the Presentation of our Lord to bring our Christmas & Epiphany celebrations to a joyful conclusion. In the evening, there will be the monthly Ecumenical gathering for Anglicans, Methodists, Roman Catholics and Christians of other traditions to worship & share fellowship in the hall at the Convent of Mercy, Main Street, Charleville, at 7.30pm.
CONFIRMATION 2024 Some people have already expressed interest in preparing for Confirmation and we look forward to the Bishop being with us to confirm later in the year. Anyone else from this Union who isinterested in exploring this next stage of their Christian journey is encouraged to contact the Rector.
DONERAILE CELEBRATIONS At the end of November, Donerailenative and RTÉ’s Gaelic Games Correspondent, Marty Morrisey, was guest of honour at the launch of a new book Doneraile Memories, chronicling the past century in a series of fascinating photographs. The Rector joined the large gathering of people at the event in SpringfortHall Hotel and Diocesan Reader, Avril Gubbins, was a key player as part of the organising committee.
FAREWELL & WELCOME Mallow Union was well represented at the Celebration of Lay Ministry service in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, in November. It was a fitting moment for us to thank Bully Skuse for his period of office at Diocesan Secretary – and to proudly welcome Doneraile parishioner, John de Montfort, as his successor. John and his family are well known to us across our three parishes and hugely respected as part of the wider community. We look forward to working with John in his new capacity, as well as assuring him our support and prayers as he continues to settle into his new role.
GOLFING REMEMBRANCE The Rector joined with his Roman Catholic colleague, Fr Aidan Crowley, to lead a service of remembrance and thanksgiving for former members of Doneraile Gold Club in November. It was a very well-attended occasion and provided an excellent opportunity for visible ecumenical outreach into the wider community.
MOTHERS’ UNION Many parishioners, old and new, were delighted to join the Mallow branch of the Mothers’ Union for a pre-Christmas meal at Corbett Court restaurant in Ballyhea. It was a delightful occasion – and a great way for new worshippers to feel part of our community. We are very grateful to Ruth Sherlock and Vivien Wharton and their team for organising a great evening.
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 much more on Friday mornings in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow from 10.0am to 1.00pm.