Parish Notices February 2012

Borrisokane Parish Activities Planning Meeting:
At the invitation of the rector a number of parishioners met in the Parish Hall, Borrisokane on Thursday morning 2nd February for a brainstorming session to come up with ideas to develop social activities in the parish. It was a very fruitful meeting out of which some concrete proposals emerged which are outlined below:
1 To integrate our children more fully into the worshiping life of the parish through more regular and structured ‘Family Services’
2 A parish walking club to meet on a monthly basis at the Hall and go for a walk together and share a cup of tea/coffee afterwards in the hall. The first of these monthly walks to be on Tuesday 14th February (Valentine’s Day) starting from the Hall at 10am – People can walk as short or far a distance as they wish and come back to the hall for refreshments when they have completed their exercise
3 A Spring Sunday Lunch for the whole parish – served in the Hall at a nominal charge – Proposed date: Sunday 13th May – A chance to share fellowship and fun over a meal together – Guests will be welcome.
4 Fundraising Events: Car treasure Hunt & Tractor Run – Details and dates to be arranged
Other ideas and suggestions are welcome from all parishioners and please contact the rector if you have anything to add or would like to assist with anything in particular.

Cloughjordan 175
St. Kieran’s Church, Cloughjordan is 175 years old this year – The anniversary has crept up on us unawares and only for one of the parishioners who drew it to our attention it might have passed unnoticed. It would be appropriate to mark this year in some public way and there are some ideas already being suggested but we would welcome any ideas that parishioners might have to mark this significant anniversary.

Current Church Services

Sunday 19th February- The Sunday before Lent
10am: Ballingarry MP
10.15: Borrisnafarney MP
10.15: Borrisokane HC
11.30: Cloughjordan MP

ASH Wednesday – 22nd February
11am: Cloughjordan HC
8pm: Borrisokane HC

Sunday 26th February- 1st Sunday in Lent
9am: Ballingarry HC
10.15: Borrisnafarney MP
10.15: Borrisokane HC
11.30: Cloughjordan HC

Church Services

Sunday 22^nd May – Easter 5

10am Ballingarry MP

10.15 Borrisnafarney MP

10.15 Borrisokane MP

11.30 Cloughjordan HC

Sunday 29^th May – Easter 6

No Service in Ballingarry

10.15 Templeharry HC

10.15 Borrisokane MP

11.30 Cloughjordan MP

Sunday 5^th June – Easter 7 / Sunday after Ascension

9am Borrisnafarney HC

10am Ballingarry MP

10.15 Borrisokane HC

11.30 Cloughjordan HC

Templeharry Church - Public access

I am getting a lot of requests for access to Templeharry Church, the church where President Barack Obama's Irish ancestors worshipped. The church is currently undergoing a 'facelift' in preparation for the Presidential visit and is not open to the public. However when the works are completed an arrangement for access will be put in place and will be posted here. In the meantime please direct all enquiries to the rector, Canon Stephen Neill email: stephen.neill@gmail.com

Easter General Vestries

Easter General Vestries - All parishioners welcome
Mon 11th April 8.30pm Borrisnafarney (Moneygall Hall)
Wed 13th April 8pm Cloughjordan & Ballingarry (Cloughjordan Church)
Thur 14th April 8pm Borrisokane (Borrisokane Hall)

Newsletter April 3rd – Mothering Sunday

Newsletter April 3rd – Mothering Sunday

Services

Sunday 10^th April – Lent 5

9am Ballingarry HC

10.15 Borrisnafarney HC

10.15 Borrisokane MP

11.30 Cloughjordan HC/Baptism/Family Service

Sunday 17^th April – Lent 6 Palm Sunday

10am Ballingarry MP

10.15 Borrisnafarney MP & Family Service

10.15 Borrisokane HC & Family Service

11.30 Cloughjordan MP & Family Service

Holy Week:

Tuesday Borrisnafarney 8pm

Wednesday Borrisokane 8pm

Holy Thursday Cloughjordan C of I (Joint Service with Methodist Community) 8pm

Good Friday Cloughjordan Way of Cross – 6.30pm

Easter Eve Ballingarry 8.30pm

24^th April: Easter Day

9am Borrisnafarney HC

10.15 Borrisokane HC

11.30 Cloughjordan HC

1^st May – Easter 2 Low Sunday

10.15 Borrisokane MP

11.30 Cloughjordan MP

Baptisms

I am happy to report that the steady stream of baptisms continues – In recent weeks among those baptised were:

Gavin Derick Chadwick, son of Derick & Yvonne of Foxboro, Cloughjordan;

Jessica Angel Joy Carter, daughter of David & Jennifer of Rodeen, Borrisokane;

Jack William Cavanagh, son of John & Diane of Templemore Rd, Cloughjordan;

Naomi Jane Larke, daughter of Gordon & Rachel of Crotta, Borrisokane

To all these babies and their parents we wish God’s blessing for the future.

Today we welcome baby Brooke Cassandra Kenny, daughter to Graham & Sandi of Ballingarry into the family of God in Holy Baptism. May she know God’s blessing throughout her life.

Confirmation 2011

The Bishop has decided that all Confirmations this year are to take place in the Cathedrals. The date for Killaloe is 12^th June at 11am. Would all those interested in being confirmed this year please contact the rector as soon as possible so that classes can be shedueled. Next year the Bishop will do Confirmations in parishes where there are greater than 3 candidates. I have had a very small response to this request – Would those who have contacted me already please confirm they are going ahead this year as it looks like being as few as 3 candidates which is not a problem but I want to be sure who is going forward before arranging the first class

USPG

Thanks to all those who supported the recent USPG Sunday in Cloughjordan – It was most inspiring to have Jan and Linda with us to share of their experiences in Swaziland. We look forward to deepening this link in the years ahead and I as rector to visiting Swaziland later this month. I want to especially thank parishioners and friends and colleagues throughout the diocese for their generous donations on the plate on our USPG Sunday and also for the personal sponsorship for my trip which has now raised double the amount required which will mean I can bring a sizeable donation with me to our mission partners on the ground. It is so encouraging to see such generosity in times when so many people are in financial difficulty.

Safeguarding Trust

Thanks to Rev’d Lesley Robinson of Roscrea for providing training for our leaders and panel members recently in Cloughjordan. It was great to see so many people turn out for the training and it is a positive reflection of the importance we as a church put on the welfare of our children and vulnerable adults.

Mothers Union

The Mothers Union concluded their 2010-2011 season with a Eucharist marking the Annunciation. Afterwards a most enjoyable time was spent over lunch in the Tipperary Inn hosted by proprietors and parishioners John & Liz Cromer. Many thanks to the members of our Mothers Union for their support in so many areas of parish life. The rector would also like to thank the members for treating him to lunch once again.

Lenten Study Group

This year we are looking at the CMS Discover DVD series which looks at the Biblical roots of Mission – It has been a useful backdrop to our new engagement with USPG in Swaziland. It meets in the Rectory at 8pm this Tuesday night.

Concert

Wednesday 6^th April – 8pm - Engegard Quartet in St. Kieran’s Church, Cloughjordan – sponsored by the Arts Council – Tickets €15 / Concessions €10 Enquiries and bookings: 0505-42123

Welcome Mr President

As you will be aware our parish is expecting a rather special visitor in the near future. It is almost 4 years since the link between Moneygall & Barack Obama was uncovered and it is hugely exciting that 4 years of hope and anticipation are now coming to fruition. Even though the visit is still at least 6 weeks away preparations are already underway. Dulux paints has offered to paint not only the whole village of Moneygall but also Templeharry Church which is the ancestral place of worship of President Obama’s maternal ancestors. National and International media are descending on the village on a daily basis and satellite trucks are a familiar sight on the streets. However what is most important is the fact that an inspirational world leader has seen value in visiting our shores. He has seen something in us that is worth a closer look. For too long we have beaten ourselves up about our hopeless economic situation. It is time for our country to put the best foot forward and start believing in itself again. The transformative power of Hope is central to our Christian faith and we in this parish are very privileged to be at the centre of an event that just may mark a turning point for this land of ours. Our good fortune is something we want to share far and wide and we hope and pray that the forthcoming presidential visit may be a blessing to us all.

Newsletter 6th March 2011

Services

Sunday 6th March - Sunday before Lent
10am Ballingarry MP
9am Borrisnafarney HC
10.15 Borrisokane HC FS & Baptism
11.30 Cloughjordan HC & Baptism (Preacher: Canon Myrtle Langley)

Ash Wednesday – 9th March
11am Cloughjordan HC
8pm Borrisokane HC

Sunday 13th March – Lent 1
9am Ballingarry HC
10.15 Borrisnafarney HC
10.15 Borrisokane MP
11.30 Cloughjordan HC

Sunday 20th March – Lent 2
10am Ballingarry MP
10.15 Borrisnafarney MP
10.15 Borrisokane HC/Family Service
11.30 Cloughjordan MP/Baptism/Family Service

Sunday 27th March – Lent 3
9am Ballingarry MP
10.15 Borrisnafarney MP
10.15 Borrisokane MP
11.30 Cloughjordan HC

Sunday 3rd April – Lent 4 – Mothering Sunday
9am Ballingarry MP & Baptism / Family Service
10.15 Borrisnafarney MP / Family Service
10.15 Borrisokane HC/Family Service
11.30 Cloughjordan MP/Baptism/Family Service

Baptisms:
Most recently was the baptism of Sofiya Maria Percy a daughter to David & Olena who was baptised on 13th February in St. Kieran’s Cloughjordan – It was a first for our parish in that Sofiya’s mum Olena is Russian and of the Orthodox tradition. Incorporated into the baptism service was an element of the Orthodox baptismal liturgy, the blessing of a cross which was put around Sofiya’s neck during the liturgy. Throughout history there have always been very strong bonds of affection between the Anglican & Orthodox traditions and it is a joy to see this demonstrated so tangibly in the baptism of Sofiya Maria.
This Sunday there are no less than 2 baptisms! In Borrisokane Jessica Angel Joy Carter daughter of David & Jennifer Carter will be baptised and in Cloughjordan, Lily Amelie Culbert, daughter of Mervyn & Andrea is to be baptised. We wish all the newly baptised and those who are to be baptised in the next few weeks every blessing in their lives.

Confirmation 2011
The Bishop has decided that all Confirmations this year are to take place in the Cathedrals. The date for Killaloe is 12th June at 11am. Would all those interested in being confirmed this year please contact the rector as soon as possible so that classes can be shedueled. Next year the Bishop will do Confirmations in parishes where there are greater than 3 candidates.

Canon Myrtle Langley:
Today we welcome Canon Myrtle Langley (Originally of Cloughjordan) who will be the celebrant and preacher at the 11.30 Eucharist in St. Kieran’s Cloughjordan. Canon Myrtle has many friends in the parish and I know she is looking forward to her visit as are we.

Repairs and Improvements:
The recent bad weather caused a lot of damage in various parish properties, especially the halls in Borrisokane and Cloughjordan and Borrisokane tower and the rector would like to thank all those who voluntarily gave their time to make running repairs to keep our parochial and community activities going. In Borrisokane special thanks are due to Cyril Harding, Reggie Neill, Wilfred Stanley and in Cloughjordan to Des Larke, Norman Carter & George Whiteford .Special thanks are also due to Tom Donovan who did some major building works at the hall in Borrisokane and donated the cost of his labour to the rector’s Swaziland appeal. If I have forgotten anyone please forgive me.

Send Stephen to Swaziland!

If you are interested in this USPG project which the rector will be visiting after Easter please click here: http://sendstephentoswaziland.blogspot.com/

There is also an opportunity to make a donation on the website.

Newslink Notes for February 2011

Births – There is definitely something in the water!

Congratulations to the following on their new arrivals:

Ms Louise Cromer (One of our parish school teachers) and her husband Marty on the birth of a baby boy, Calum on the night of the School Concert no less!

Andrea & Mervyn Culbert on the birth of Lily Amilee

Diane Clarke and John Cavanagh on the birth of Jack

Jennifer and Dave Carter on the birth of baby Jessica

Rachel & Gordon Larke on the birth of Naomi

Sandi & Graham Kenny on the birth of Brooke

David Percy & Olena Balaka on the birth of Sofiya Maria

Baptisms

On Sunday 23^rd January Lily Noelle McLoughney, daughter of Michael & Karen McLoughney was baptised in St. Kieran’s Church, Cloughjordan

Engagement: Congratulations to Adrian Donovan and Charlotte Thom on their recent engagement during the festive season

Wedding

Congratulations to Victor Goulding of Cloughjordan who was married to Eileen Shanahan of Borrisoleigh in Ileigh Church, Borrisolea on Saturday 22^nd January 2011. We wish them every happiness in their marriage.

Mission Link with USPG in Swaziland

Parishioners will be aware that we are having a visit in February from USPG Ireland representatives, Linda Chambers & Jan de Bruijn. They will be telling us about the agency’s work in Swaziland which is the entire focus of USPG Ireland’s work at this time. Recently the rector and Mr John Chadwick (Parish Mission Rep) attended a meeting with USPG Sudan missionaries, Andrew & Rosemary Symonds who are heading back to Swaziland shortly. They presented a very moving and challenging account of the issues they face in their daily work.

Also recently the rector has been appointed to the Board of USPG Ireland and will be part of a delegation travelling to Swaziland after Easter. (More details in next issue). The visit from Linda & Jan takes place on Sunday 27^th February and on that day there will be only one service in the entire group at 11am in Cloughjordan. During and after the service there will be a presentation by Linda and Jan and an opportunity to become familiar with this link which we hope will be fruitful for both Swaziland and our parish. There will also be a famine lunch (Soup and rolls) for all the congreagation. Please bring a donation in lieu of lunch.

Sun 9th Jan 9am Ballingarry Cancelled!!

Service cancelled due to icy roads!