PARISH BARBECUE we were delighted to enjoy the company of a large number of parishioners, along with friends from the wider community, at St Mary’s, Doneraile, on Sunday 10th July. After a celebration of Evening Prayer, we enjoyed a superb barbecue with drinks and desserts, to the accompaniment of conversation, laughter and warm sunshine! We are grateful to everyone who gave their time and energy to prepare for the event, to feed people on the night – and to make them welcome.
FATHERS’ DAY TEA We are grateful to everyone who supported the tea and to Mark and Diana Buckley for welcoming us to their home at Bridgetown, Castletownroche. Thanks to the generosity of all who attended, €2,270 has been donated to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland and Marymount Hospice, Cork, in memory of Albert Shorten and William (Billy) Buckley.
LAST SUNDAY IN JULY It is a longstanding tradition in this Union for all three congregations to join together on the fifth Sunday of the month. A good congregation gathered in St Mary’s, Castletownroche for a celebration of the Eucharist on the last day of July. It was followed by generous refreshments, provided by the Castletownroche congregation, enabling people to renew old friendships and make new ones, and rounding off a joyful and welcoming celebration.
SUMMER FÊTE the annual fête was held in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow on Saturday 6th August. A large number of attractive stalls and inviting refreshments enabled us to welcome parishioners, visitors and many people from the wider community. Many people from our three churches gave generously of their time and energy in the planning, as well as ensuring everything ran smoothly on the day, for which we are very grateful. This is also a major annual fundraiser for the Union and we are grateful for the €10,000 raised.
MOTHERS’ UNION We were delighted to welcome Hilary Dring, the Diocesan President, along with members of the MU from across the Diocese to St Mary’s, Doneraile on Mary Sumner Day (9th August). After a celebration of the Eucharist, members enjoyed a walk and picnic in Doneraile Park.
HARVEST THANKSGIVING Services will be held in each of our three churches, beginning with ‘Songs of Praise’ at St James’s, Mallow on Sunday 25th September at 3.00pm. This will be the culmination of a weekend of exhibitions and events, including stalls by local producers and craftspeople. The weekend will begin with a concert in St James’s Church on Friday 23rd September organised by the Mallow Arts Collective. There will be services of Harvest Thanksgiving at St Mary’s Church, Castletownroche at 3.00pm on Sunday 9th October; and at St Mary’s Doneraile at 3.00pm on Sunday 16th October. All are very welcome and further information can be found on our website and social-media feeds.
COMHGHAIRDEAS/CONGRATULATIONS to Castletownroche parishioner, James Ladd, on receiving a Gaisce Gold Award from An Uachtarán na hÉireann, Michael D Higgins. Also to Doneraile Warden, Mary St Leger, who will represent Ireland at the prestigious Chianciano Biennale international arts festival in Italy. Finally, we are delighted that Mallow parishioner, Mel O’Dea, hosted an exhibition of her paintings in Mallow Library during August.
ENCOURAGING OUR YOUNGER WORSHIPPERS As part of the need to review different aspects of ministry as we emerge from the impact of several periods of lockdown, a small group has met to make plans for our younger parishioners to meet on Sunday mornings at St James’s, Mallow. We would be delighted to hear from other parishes who have similar groups and who would be willing to share good practice with us.
COMMUNICATIONS GROUP a new group, representing the diverse nature of Mallow Union, recently met to consider a new social media policy, along with other platforms for engaging with our local communities. We were joined by the Diocesan Media and IT Officer, Denise Brueckl, for our discussions. One immediate outcome is the need to redesign and refresh the website over the coming months.
2024 marks the bi-Centenary of the consecration of St James’s Church, Mallow. A small co-ordinating group has met for the first time over the summer to begin planning a series of services, exhibitions, concerts and other events to mark this forthcoming year of celebration and the significance of the church in the life of the town and wider area.
DONERAILE BELLS A major new project to rehang the bells in St Mary’s Church, Doneraile, is about to be launched. It is our hope that this will renew interest not only in bellringing but in worship to which the bells call us in the first place. Further details to follow.
MALLOW FARMERS’ MARKET a reminder that the Farmers’ market continues to be held in the grounds of St James’s Church, Mallow, every Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Farmers and producers from across Co Cork offer a wide range of bread and baking, vegetables, fish, preserves and other produce. The church is usually open at the same time to offer people a space for prayer and reflection.
FOR THE REGISTERS
Thursday 30th June 2022, St James’s Church, Mallow
HOLY MATRIMONY Amy Keane and Mathew Berkley