FROM TO LENT INTO PASSIONTIDE & HOLY WEEK We began Lent well onAsh Wednesday with two celebrations of the Eucharist, with the imposition of ashes, hymns and an address: in St James’s, Mallow and in St Mary’s, Castletownroche. The Fourth Sunday of Lent, 30th March, fell on the fifth Sunday of the month when, by longstanding tradition, there is only one act of worship in the Union. All three congregations came together for a celebration of the Eucharist in St Mary’s, Castletownroche, which included the commissioning of those authorised by the Bishop to assist with the distribution of Holy Communion for the next three years. Worship for Holy Week and Easter will take place as follows:
Sunday 13th April (Palm Sunday)
10.00am The Eucharist with blessing of palm crosses in Castletownroche
10.00am Morning Prayer with distribution of palm crosses in Doneraile
11.45am The Eucharist with Procession of Palms and dramatic reading of the Passion according to St Luke in Mallow.
Monday 14th April (Monday in Holy Week)
8.00pm Night Prayer with Address in Mallow
Tuesday 15th April (Tuesday in Holy Week)
8.00pm Night Prayer with Address in Doneraile
Wednesday 16th April (Wednesday in Holy Week)
11.00am The Eucharist with Address in Mallow
Thursday 17th April (Maundy Thursday)
8.00pm The Eucharist with stripping of the altar in Castletownroche
Friday 18th April (Good Friday)
8.00pm The Liturgy of Good Friday with dramatic reading of the Passion according to St John in Mallow
Saturday 19th April (Holy Saturday & Easter Eve)
8.00pm The Easter Liturgy with lighting of the new fire, Vigil of readings, renewal of baptismal promises and the first Eucharist of Easter in Castletownroche.
Sunday 20th April (Easter Day)
10.00am Festal Eucharist in Doneraile
11.45am Festal Eucharist in Mallow
This year, the Holy Week addresses will focus on the ‘Personalities in the Passion’ exploring different individuals who appear in the Gospel accounts of the last week of Jesus’s life and who witness to his resurrection.
PANCAKE PARTY The Mothers’ Union of these parishes anticipated Shrove Tuesday with a Pancake Party in the Parish Hall a few days before the start of Lent. It was an enjoyable evening which, along with delicious pancakes, included a quiz and plenty of conversation. The proceeds were given towards current Mothers’ Union projects at home and overseas.
WELCOMING ETHAN THROUGH BAPSTIM We were delighted to welcome Ethan Christopher Wordley, along with his parents Andy and Alison Wordley, wider family and friends, as he was baptized during the Eucharist in St Mary’s, Doneraile, on March 2nd. It was a great occasion, full of symbolism, colour, joy – followed by refreshments!
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY and DAY OF PRAYER Both celebrations of these days were held in St Mary’s Doneraile. We are hugely grateful for these events being community focussed and ecumenical in nature, drawing on the increasingly diverse nature of our communities. We were delighted to welcome all who attended on these occasions.
DIOCESAN MOTHERS’ UNION EUCHARIST We are looking forward very much to welcoming members of the Diocesan Council and members of the Mothers’ Union from across the Diocese to a celebration of the Eucharist with hymns in St James’s Church, Mallow, on Saturday 12th April at 11.30am.
MALLOW DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP The Rector, along with the churchwardens of St James’s, Mallow, are in discussion with the town’s Development Partnership to explore funding avenues to enable light restoration work on the ruins of St Anne’s Church in the grounds of St James’s. This is part of a wider proposal to make the church and its surroundings more open and welcoming to the town and to people from further afield who visit us. Already, it is noticeable how much positive feedback we are receiving by allowing greater access to the grounds so that people can enjoy the community garden.
MALLOW ARTS COLLECTIVE held a concert in St James’s, Mallow, at the beginning of March, featuring popular contemporary folk trio, Greenshine. A large audience enjoyed their music in the welcoming atmosphere of the church and we were delighted to see so many people from far and wide.
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA FOR HAZEL We have many reasons to be thankful to Hazel Ladd in this Union: as Rector’s Warden at Castletownroche; as a willing and able deputy organist; and as a positive and welcoming presence in our churches. At the end of February, Hazel retired after 45 years working at McCarthy Insurance Group of Fermoy. It is a testimony to the respect with which Hazel has been held by her colleagues and clients that an affectionate and appreciative video was made by McCarthy’s to mark Hazel’s long service and retirement. It can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18rVBt7ZWh/
ECUMENICAL WORSHIP FOR EASTERTIDE takes place in the hall at the rear of the Convent of Mercy, Charleville, on Sunday 27th April at 7.30pm. This regular monthly gathering of Anglicans, Methodists, Roman Catholics and Christians of other traditions, is an opportunity to worship together and enjoy one another’s company over refreshments afterwards.
CORK INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL COMES TO MALLOW We are delighted to be hosting the Welsh choir ‘Cân Aderyn’ (‘Birdsong’ in Welsh) as part of the festival’s ‘Sacred Trail’ on Sunday 4th May at St James’s, Mallow. This all-female ensemble, from the South Wales valleys, sings music in many styles from rock, pop, gospel and classical, will sing music to celebrate the joy of Eastertide. For further details of timing, please check our social-media feeds and weekly newsletter on our website.
SUNDAY CLUB offers activities for our younger worshippers at St James’s, Mallow, on Sunday mornings. They gather in the Parish Hall, adjacent to the church each Sunday and rejoin their families in church about an hour later, giving them an opportunity to share their morning’s activities with the rest of the congregation. It allows them to explore the weekly readings from the scriptures and make connections through craft activities, storytelling and in many other ways. We are grateful to the leaders and parents who enable this to happen every week. Also, thanks to the Diocese for the children’s ministry workshop held on March 1st.
HOSPITALITY & REFRESHMENT A reminder that our Community Café continues to welcome regulars and newcomers during the Farmers’ Market in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow, every Friday from 9.00am to 12.30pm. As well as great coffee and tea, you can sample St James’s Cake and other treats. The Church is also open to provide a quiet space for reflection and prayer.