Eaglais na hÉireann + The Church of Ireland MALLOW UNION of Parishes
SUNDAY 2nd JANUARY 2022 The Epiphany of Our Lord
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
FÁILTE / WELCOME to everyone who worships in our churches today
Please take a moment to check you have switched off your phone before worship begins.
Holy Communion will continue to be administered in one kind only and worshippers will receive the consecrated bread.
Please continue to make our churches safe for everyone by observing all distancing & hygiene protocols.
SERVICES TODAY
10.00am MORNING PRAYER in St Mary’s, Castletownroche
10.00am THE EUCHARIST in St Mary’s, Doneraile
4.00pm CHRISTINGLE CELEBRATION in St James’s, Mallow
Please note there is no morning worship in Mallow, today,
NEXT WEDNESDAY 5th JANUARY 11.00am THE EUCHARIST in St James’s Church Mallow
Isaiah 60. 1-6
Matthew 2. 1-12
TODAY’S READINGS
Isaiah 60: 1-6
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.
Matthew 2: 1-12
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,* and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah* was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
NEWS ITEMS
THANK YOU The Rector is very grateful for the generous cards, gifts and Christmas wishes he has received from parishioners. In turn, he thanks very warmly all those who have worked so hard to decorate our churches, who have enabled large numbers of people to feel welcome in our churches, as well as those who have helped prepare for worship and participated in various ways. May you all continue to be blessed in your celebrations throughout this joyful Christmas & Epiphany season.
FORTY DAYS OF CHRISTMAS! The Church of Ireland, along with other provinces of the Anglican Communion, observes a 40-day celebration of Christmas and Epiphany until Candlemas Day (2nd February). This year, we will celebrate this culmination of the season on Sunday 30th January (which, happily, is the fifth Sunday of the month) when there will be a celebration of the Eucharist at 11.00am in St James’s, Mallow (being the largest of our churches and enabling us to ensure social distancing).
MIND MATTERS is a Church of Ireland study to promote better understanding of the Church’s attitudes and awareness of mental health. The report can be accessed at https://mindmatters.ireland.anglican.org/
In order to take forward the findings of the report, the Church of Ireland plans to roll out mental health awareness training in late January, with an invitation for parishes to apply for seed funding opening in late spring. Please contact the Rector if this is a subject of interest or concern.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit
+
A happy new year to you
FOR YOUR PRAYERS
For Paul, our Bishop; and for the clergy and people of this united Diocese. In the Anglican Communion, for the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East.
We pray for all those known to us, including Ned Foott, Marjorie Thompson, Olive Kingston
We commend to God’s mercy all who have recently died, among them Desmond Tutu (Bishop), along with those we have loved and lost whose anniversary of death occurs at this time of year.
We pray for all healthcare professionals, our GPs, those who work in our hospitals and vaccination centres; as well as those who teach and learn in our schools, universities and colleges of higher education who are facing uncertainty about returning this coming week. 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
SERVICES NEXT SUNDAY
SUNDAY 9th JANUARY 2022
The First Sunday after the Epiphany : The Baptism of Christ
Isaiah 43. 1-7; Luke 3. 15-17, 22-22
10.00am MORNING PRAYER in St Mary’s, Doneraile
10.00am THE EUCHARIST in St Mary’s, Castletownroche
11.45am THE EUCHARIST in St James’s, Mallow