LENT & HOLY WEEK We had an encouraging start to the season of Lent, with over 60 people worshipping at two celebrations of the Eucharist in the Union on Ash Wednesday, where many received the traditional imposition of ashes. We were especially delighted that the Bishop was with us to celebrate and preach at the Eucharist in St Mary’s, Castletownroche, that day. This was a memorable occasion for us all. At the time of writing, we are about to embark on a full programme of services for Holy Week and Easter. This year, we will reflect each day on places in the city of Jerusalem where the key moments in the story of the passion took place. This is a way of highlighting what is sometimes called the significance of ‘storied places’ in the Bible and their implications for Christian discipleship today. Easter began with the dramatic Paschal Vigil, where we lit the new fire, heard the biblical story of salvation, renewed our baptismal promises and celebrated the first Eucharist of Easter, at St Mary’s Castletownroche on the evening of Holy Saturday. On Easter day itself, there were festal celebrations of the Eucharist in St Mary’s, Doneraile, and in St James’s, Mallow.
BI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS We launched our celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the consecration of St James’s Church, Mallow, in the second week of Lent. We got things off to a cracking start with a table quiz in Albert Lynch’s bar, Mallow (which occupies the site of the first Church of Ireland School in Mallow). It was good to welcome nearly 150 people, including parishioners and friends of our three churches, along with other community groups and civic leaders. There was a terrific atmosphere of friendship and fun on the night. Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of many people, over €2,500 was raised. Many prizes were donated by local businesses (including two well-known local publicans) as well as by individual parishioners. Key to the success of the evening was the sustained hard work of Jillian Harris and her team, who encouraged, coaxed and cajoled. It was also a brilliant way for our churches to engage with the wider community by meeting in a well-known gathering place in the town.
MOTHERING SUNDAY We are grateful to all in our three congregations who prepared flowers for distribution during our services on Mothering Sunday. Floral gifts were gratefully received by all! It was a fitting way to keep this Refreshment Sunday.
URNAÍ NA NÓNA AS GAELIGE As part of our St James 2024 celebrations, we were delighted to host the diocesan-wide service for St Patrick’s Day in Irish at St James’s Church, Mallow, on Friday 15thMarch. Dr Rita Kelly, Irish Language Development Officer for the Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise (Irish Guild of the Church of Ireland), a poet and writer in both Irish and English, gave the Address. The service was followed by refreshments.
COMMUNITY CAFÉ Several people from St James’s Church, Mallow, including some our younger parishioners, have committed themselves energetically to launching a café that takes place during the weekly Farmers’ Market in the church grounds. As well as great coffee and tea, this thoroughly positive initiative offers a chance to sample home-made Torta Santiago (St James’s Cake) which can be found in cake shops all along the coast of Galicia in Northern Spain, as it sustains pilgrims along the Camino or St James’s Way. It is made from almonds, sugar, lemons and eggs. If you are curious or keen to try it, come along one Friday morning and let your tastebuds be surprised and delighted!
INTERNATIONAL WOMENS’ DAY was celebrated with an event at St Mary’s Church, Doneraile, on 8th March. The opening address was given by the Reverend Eileen Cremin and was followed by contributions from local musicians, historians and actors. There was also an exhibition of local art and crafts. Grateful thanks to Mary St Leger and her team for arranging an engaging and imaginative evening which drew large numbers of people from the wider community.
ECUMENICAL RELATIONSHIPS in this Union are strengthening in different ways. On Palm Sunday, we gathered for our regular monthly meeting for worship and refreshments in the hall behind the Convent of Mercy in Charleville, attended by Roman Catholics, Methodists, Anglicans and Christians of other traditions. The Rector led Night Prayer and a reflection for Holy Week. The next meeting will be on Sunday 29th April at 7.30pm. Meanwhile, the Syrian Orthodox community in Mallow celebrated the liturgy in St James’s Church at various times during Holy Week and we are delighted that they have made a home among us.
ANNUAL MEETING The General Easter Vestry meeting will take place in St James’s Church, Mallow, on Tuesday 16th April.
THANKS TO FERMOY UNION The Rector, who has now ceased to be Priest-in-Charge of Fermoy Union, is grateful to the members of the Select Vestry there for such positive, encouraging and supportive collaboration during the previous 14 months of vacancy – and for their very generous and imaginative gift. We are delighted that the Reverend Clodagh Yambasu has begun her ministry as Rector of Fermoy Unionand we assure her of our good wishes and continuing prayers as she settles into her new role.
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 9am to12.30.
CHILDREN’S WORK There was great appreciation among us for the diocesan Day to focus on Children’s ministry on March 2nd and the Bishop’s Confirmation morning on March 9th. Deborah, our only Confirmation candidate this year, enjoyed the day which made her birthday even more special!