Eaglais na hÉireann +The Church of Ireland
MALLOW UNION
of Parishes
WEEKLY
NEWSLETTER
SUNDAY 16th May 2021
The Seventh Sunday of Easter
(Sunday after the Ascension)
Fáilte / Welcome to everyone who worships in our churches today. It is very good to be able to come together to worship after such a long absence – and for the Rector to greet worshippers in person at last!
Please ensure that our churches are safe spaces for everyone by observing all social distancing and hygiene protocols.
Holy Communion will continue to be administered in one kind only and worshippers will receive the consecrated bread.
Sadly, it is still not safe to enjoy hospitality and refreshments after services. With this in mind, please do not gather together around the church doors to talk after services.
SERVICES TODAY
10.00am at St Mary’s, Castletownroche
MORNING PRAYER
10.00am at St Mary’s, Doneraile
THE EUCHARIST
11.45am at St James’s, Mallow
THE EUCHARIST
NEXT WEDNESDAY
11.00am
THE EUCHARIST
in St James’s Church
Mallow
TODAY’S READINGS
Acts 1: 15-17, 21-26
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred and twenty people) and said, ‘Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus— for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.’
So one of the men who have accompanied us throughout the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection.’ So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place* in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
John 17: 6-19
Jesus said to his disciples ‘I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for
their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.
LOOKING AHEAD
Christian Aid Week
Due to the public health restrictions, it’s been impossible to organise the annual collection for Christian Aid this year (or last year). We were very glad to welcome The Reverend Tony Murphy back to Mallow on Ascension Day (Thursday last) as he made his way across the Diocese on a walk to raise funds in support of Christian Aid’s work in Burundi. To make a donation to Christian Aid this year and discover how they are making a difference to the lives of the world’s poorest people, please visit
www.christianaid.ie/christian-aid-week
Diocesan Media and Information Technology Officer
There is a vacancy for this new part-time post. Working with the Bishop and across the Diocese, the role is to engage with internal and external audiences to support the work of the Church in developing a sustaining Christian presence in every community. The successful candidate will assist in the delivery of a step change in our approach to communications and embed cultural and operational change as part of the overall Diocesan programme of implementing the Five Marks of Mission adopted by the Anglican Communion. For full information please email secretary@corkchurchofireland.com
Sermon
While it is wonderful to able to come together to worship in our churches, we are aware that some people may not yet feel confident – or safe – in returning to church immediately. With this in mind, a copy of the Rector’s sermon will be available for all who would appreciate having resources for worship at home on Sundays – or any other day of the week.
The Bishop has recorded a video message for the Diocese to mark the reopening of churches for public worship. It can be viewed here:
As well as expressing his thanks to parishioners and church officers for all the hard work that has been undertaken, the Bishop takes the opportunity to remind us of the Church of Ireland’s protocols (based on current Government guidelines) in relation to social distancing and hygiene, which we are following carefully in the churches of this Union of parishes.
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
We pray for Paul, our Bishop; and for the clergy and people of the Anglican Church of Korea.
All who are isolated and anxious, the sick at home and in hospital (as well as the health service professionals who care for them, along with family and neighbours).
We pray for all those known to us, especially Jim Sheehan.
We give thanks to God for all who have received their vaccination – and pray for those waiting to be called.
We pray for all young people preparing for their Leaving Certificate exams.
We commend to God’s mercy all who have recently died, along with those we have loved and lost whose anniversary of death occurs at this time of year, especially Ernie Gardiner, David French, David Hunter, Ben O’Callaghan.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
The Reverend
MEURIG WILLIAMS
Rector of Mallow Union
Telephone (022) 21473
mllwyd@aol.com
www.mallow.cloyne.anglican.org
Social-Media Channels
www.facebook.com/Mallow-Union-of-Parishes-153486538476524/
@MallowUnion
Diocesan Readers
Avril Gubbins (022) 24267
Emmanuel Adebisi
0868467464
NEXT SUNDAY
23rd May 2021
The Day of Pentecost (Whitsunday)
This is the fiftieth – and last – day of the season of Easter, when the Church celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For those who wish to prepare for worship, the readings will be
Acts 2. 1-21 & John 7. 37-39.
10.00am THE EUCHARIST at St Mary’s Church, Casteltownroche
10.00am MORNING PRAYER at St Mary’s Church, Doneraile
11.45am THE EUCHARIST at St James’s Church, Mallow