CHORAL CELEBRATION We were delighted to welcome the Choir of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, directed by Peter Stobart with Matthew Breen (Organist) on the feast of St Columba (9th June) to sing Choral Evensong in St James’s Church, Mallow. The service drew a very large congregation whose worship was enriched by the music of Kenneth Leighton, Thomas Attwood Walmisley and William Boyce. It was a superb example of how young people brought commitment, enthusiasm, skill and artistic discipline to lead an act of worship that was hugely appreciated. Our grateful thanks to the choir and to all those who provided refreshments after the service.
OLIVE KINGSTON was a much-loved part of our life in this Union of parishes over many years. Olive died peacefully at St Luke’s Home, Cork, on Ascension Day this year. Her funeral took place in St James’s, Mallow, on 22nd June. It was an uplifting celebration of a life well-lived.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE for Jill Roche was held on June 1st in St Mary’s Doneraile, led by Avril Gubbins and attended by a sizeable congregation who were able to share cherished memories of Jill.
SCHOOL VISITS We were delighted to host visits from primary school pupils to two of our churches during the past month. Pupils from Castletownroche National School visited St Mary’s Castletownroche and pupils from Gaelscoil Thomais Daibhis came to St James’s Church Mallow to re-enact some of the key moments in Thomais Daibhis’s life. It was a pleasure to welcome them all to our churches.
ST JAMES’S MALLOW 2024 CELEBRATIONS We are looking forward to the Bishop being with us to preside and preach at the Eucharist on Sunday 21st July in St James’s Church (P51 HX53), the Sunday closest to the bi-centenary of the consecration of the church. We will be welcoming civic and community leaders, as well as ecumenical representatives, along with parishioners and friends from the wider community. After the service, there will be festive refreshments – and the Bishop will plant a tree to mark the occasion. All are very welcome to join us.
ST JAMES’S DAY 2024 falls on Thursday 25th July and is the 200th anniversary of the consecration of St James’s, Mallow. At 8.00pm on this day, there will be a celebratory Evening Service, to which friends from other churches will be welcomed, with ecumenical participation, and suitably festive music. All Are welcome to join us.
TEA DAY You are invited to the home of Mark and Diana Buckley, Bridgetown, Castletownroche (P51 R996) on Sunday 4th August from 12noon to 9pm (with a barbecue lunch from 1pm to 3pm) There will be a raffle on the day. Donations are welcome for the Alzheimers’ Society of Ireland and Marymount Hospice, Cork, in memory of family and friends. Further details from Diana on 086 154 7810.
PARISH SUMMER FÊTE This annual eventtakes placeon Saturday 10th August from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm in the grounds of St. James’s Church, Mallow (P51 HX53). Many stalls, along with refreshments (including a barbecue) will be there on the day. Please do come and enjoy a day out – and invite family and friends to join you.
COMMUNITY CAFÉ This initiative, including some our younger parishioners, is now in full swing during the weekly Farmers’ Market in the grounds of Saint James’s Church Mallow each Friday morning. As well as great coffee and tea, this positive and inviting 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. The café also enables the church to be open for people who are looking for a quiet space for prayer and reflection.
COMMUNITY GARDEN The garden in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow, is developing well with the involvement of volunteers and other friends. We were joined in May by horticultural students from the Mallow campus of the Cork Education & Training Board who enjoyed working in the garden as part of their course and we are glad of this evolving partnership with another community organisation.
Also in the grounds of St Mary’s Doneraile, volunteers have been busy gardening with their secateurs, ensuring that it remains a biodiverse and peaceful space for the whole community.