MALLOW UNION Diocesan Magazine notes – November 2026
“Come, ye thankful people, come”, and they did in great numbers to our Harvest Thanksgiving services in St James’s Mallow, and St Mary’s Doneraile. Both churches were beautifully decorated and the refreshments after each service were of the usual high standard! The service in Mallow had a very international flavour to it, as we were treated to the beautiful national dress of our Nigerian parishioners who sang and danced down the aisle bringing their harvest gifts of fruit and vegetables. Members of the Syrian Orthodox Church (originally from South India) share the use of St James’s church with us and sang a song of thanksgiving for us in their own language. Members of St James also brought their harvest gifts to the sanctuary. The Reverend Andrew Coleman was the preacher in Mallow, and the offering was collected for the Christian Aid/Bishops’ Appeal Liloma Project in Sierra Leone. In Doneraile, we were blessed to still have some amazing flower arrangements from the Flower Festival on the previous weekend. The choir was augmented as usual by members of the local community, and the large congregation were in fine voice! The Reverend Susan Green was the preacher in Doneraile and we were delighted to have her with us. The offering was divided between ‘Doneraile, Buttevant and Mallow First Responders’ and ‘Brain Tumour Ireland’. The latter charity has a special significance for Revd Susan as she was fortunate enough to have survived a brain tumour herself, so we had multiple reasons to give God thanks! St Mary’s Castletownroche will be having their harvest service after these notes have been written, so we will hear about that next month. Huge thanks to everyone who took part in both services and provided such yummy refreshments.
“Making Connections: A celebration of Community, Heritage and Friendship”. This was the title for a very special Flower Festival on 3rd & 4th October in the village of Doneraile. The Association of Irish Floral Artists (AOIFA) joined forces with members of the communities of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (RC) and St Mary’s Church of Ireland to produce the most amazing collection of floral arrangements I have ever seen! Both churches had arrangements inside and outside as hundreds of people came from locally and further afield to marvel at the very professional looking works of art in flowers and greenery. The exhibitions were opened with a service in the Church of the Nativity, and closed with a ‘Songs of Praise’ service in St Mary’s Church. Proceeds for the day were collected for ‘Breast Cancer Ireland’, a very worthy charity. The Association of Irish Floral Artists was founded in 1973. It is the official organisation of the Floral Art movement in Ireland. More details on AOIFA and their affiliated clubs can be found on www.aoifa.com More details on Breast Cancer Ireland can be found at www.breastcancerireland.com
St James’s Jigsaw Club is our work with children at St James’s, Mallow on Sundays and on other special occasions. After a recent review of our work with children and young people, we have decided to have our Jigsaw Club on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month starting on 18th October. Children of Primary School age are more than welcome to join us for fun and worship. We meet in St James’s Hall at 11.45am on Sundays. Looking forward to seeing you!
Condolences to the families of Tom Ludgate (Ballyclogh) and Lena Younghusband (Doneraile) who died recently.
Service of Reflection and Remembrance: Each year we hold a special service in St James’s Mallow where we remember with love and hope our departed loved ones. This year the service will be on Sunday 8th November at 4pm. In this service we will renew our faith in Christ raised from the dead and the assurance that he holds all his people together across the threshold between life and death, and we are reminded that in Christ, the darkness of death is transformed into the light of his risen life and the new beginning he promises to all his people. All are welcome.
CHRISTIAN BURIAL
30 September in St Gobnait’s Cemetery, Mallow – Thomas Ludgate
7 October in St Mary’s Churchyard, Doneraile – Lena Younghusband