The Rector writes……
We are privileged to live in a democracy. We can vote to elect our government and vote in referendums which allow us to shape the society in which we live. We are all aware of the up and coming referendum on marriage. (The issue of the age of presidential candidates is also to be addressed but it seems to enjoy much less media attention.) No doubt there are a diversity of views on this question in the parish. Many will see it as a matter of justice allowing for the equality of all citizens irrespective of their sexual orientation. Others may have doubts or reservations to varying degrees. However it should be noted that this is a civil matter. The issue is one of equality. Are all citizens able to avail of the right to marry and have that marriage recognised by law in this state?
Inevitably the Church has got caught up in this matter. Clergy are very privileged to act for the State as ‘registered solemnisers’ when they preside at weddings that are held in church. However it should be noted that no matter what the outcome of the referendum this month, the practice of the Church of Ireland in this area will not change unless the General Synod allows it to. The Book of Common Prayer and the Marriage Services contained in it are the preserve of the Church of Ireland. As the Bishop has reminded us, our current discipline on marriage is ‘of and for’ ourselves.
I ask all of you to take very seriously the opportunity being presented to you on 22 May. Read up on the material being provided by the Referendum Commission. While the Church of Ireland has not issued a formal statement and allows the decision on which way to vote up to individual conscience, there is material available from a variety of church groups and others which will help inform your thinking and praying as you go to the polling station.
On a more local matter, the process of obtaining a replacement curate has already begun. This year there is very stiff competition however I remain hopeful. If we obtain a curate who has completed training from The Church of Ireland Theological Institute, an announcement will be made later this month and with the approval of the Bishop, there will be an ordination in September. If not, the process will take a little longer. It is more important to secure the right person rather than have a short vacancy. Please remember me and any potential candidates in your prayers as we discern God’s guidance in this matter.
Yours in Christ, Adrian.
St. Luke’s National School News
St Luke’s School was a hive of activity during the last week of March. On Saturday 21st March our hockey players took part in the Inter Schools Tournament. Congratulations to our Junior team who brought home the cup! We also want to say a particular “Thank You” to our coach Reg Treacy who is retiring from school hockey. Reg has been a very dedicated and encouraging coach for many years in St Luke’s School. Many of our past pupils who have gone on to play for Munster and indeed Ireland owe their nurture in and love of hockey to Reg’s outstanding skills and commitment to them.
On Tuesday, 5th class enjoyed a day of “Outdoor Education” at the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation” in Manch, Ballineen. On Wednesday we had a “Gold Run” in school. This was a class competition when all the pupils collected their gold coins and lined them up in the hall. Senior Infants had the longest line and were rewarded with a class party. Over 800euro was raised for our extended play area.
On Thursday the Students Council organised a very successful Grandparents’ Day. Over 80 grandparents visited the school and discovered how much school has changed from “long ago”. They were introduced to laptops, interactive whiteboards, visualisers, science lessons, art activities and the school choir. The afternoon finished off with a cup of tea and the pupils’ home baking.
On Friday we said Goodbye and Thank you to the Rev Sarah Marry as she goes to St Ann’s Shandon and St Luke’s Home at our end of term Service in St Luke’s Church. We wish her well in her new parish. The Easter Bunny also visited our Junior classes and left some eggs for them to find!! We welcome Lehla and Kian La Roux to our school and hope that they will be very happy with us.
Coffee Morning at St Mary’s Church Hall, Marmullane on Saturday, 20th May from 10am-12 midday. Plants, Sales Table and Raffle. Entry €3 (includes refreshments). In aid of Church Hall Restoration funds.
On Sunday, 31st May the annual Blessing of the Boats will be held in Passage West. This is an important community event and it is good that the Rector and other local clergy are involved in a prayer service as part of the celebrations.
100th birthday celebrations!
We congratulate our oldest parishioner, Mrs. Irene Nagle on reaching her 100th birthday. She was born on the 30th April 1915. A hundred years later to the day she had a special celebration in her home with her daughters Vivienne and Juliette, as well as some other family members and neighbours. During the afternoon tea she blew out her candles with the help of two of her great grandchildren and cut her birthday cake with the help of the Rector! He was on hand to deliver a special message and gift cheque to her on behalf of the President. We extend our warmest congratulations to Irene on achieving this great milestone and wish her continued good health and happiness.
Cork Methodist Church (Ardfallen) is hosting a Soup and Roll Lunch in aid of Christian Aid on Sunday, 3rd May at 12.30 pm (after the service).
Sunday School in Frankfield is organising a coffee morning/ raffle after service on Sunday 17th May. This is in aid of ”Cancer services in Cork” and Aid for the people of the Nepal Earthquake.
The next Select Vestry Meeting will take place on Friday, 15th May in the Canon Packham Hall at 8pm.
Charting a Future with Confidence Parish Meetings
The United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross launched ‘Charting a Future with Confidence’ at the end of 2014. Since then, the Council of Charting a Future with Confidence has met and four working groups have been established. One of these groups is endeavouring to assess what the current situation actually is in the Diocese, other than based on anecdote or the most vocal. As part of their work, representatives of this group will be visiting every Union/Group of Parishes in the Dioceses over the next few months. Open meetings, to which all in the Union/Group are invited, will be arranged by each Rector. The main aim of the visits is to gather information and listen. This will take the form of a short questionnaire, to be completed by those attending the meetings. There will also be an opportunity for the Charting a Future with Confidence representatives to listen to the views of those present. It is hoped that as many parishioners as possible will attend the meeting in their Union/Group of Parishes. This will help the working group to gather as much information as possible about the current situation in Dioceses. A meeting will take place in the Canon Packham Hall on Tuesday, 12th May at 8pm. All parishioners are invited to attend and contribute to the discussion and give their views.
REVD. SARAH MARRY WRITES…
I write with the wonderful music and singing of The Stations of the Resurrection on 12th April still ringing in my ears! A lovely service to mark the end of our time in Douglas. We are sad to go but thoroughly enjoyed gathering with so many of you in the Canon Packham Hall after the service to chat and enjoy the amazing spread. Thank you to all who made it such a great evening, it was a truly lovely way to end my time with you in Douglas Union and Frankfield. I was overwhelmed by the lovely and generous gifts you presented me with – thank you.
I will bring with me many fond memories of my curacy and am delighted to be only down the road (or is it up – I haven’t yet worked that out!) and thank you for your care and support of me and my family while we have been among you.
With every blessing from the Northside. Sarah
In May every year the membership of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland gathers for three days of debate and deliberation. This year it meets in Armagh between 7 and 9 May. As usual a wide variety of reports covering church activity over the past year will be analysed.
Boys’ Brigade: The 1st Cork Company of the Boys’ Brigade will hold their annual display on Thursday 21 May in the Canon Packham Hall in Douglas. No doubt it will prove to be a fun evening of activities, where all the boys and girls who are members of the three sections (Anchors, Junior and Company Sections), will be able to demonstrate a little of what they have been doing throughout the year. We thank Captain Tanya Meikle and all the other officers and leaders for their commitment to the work of the Boys’ Brigade each week since September.
Saturday Night and the Kingdom of God – Cork
Snippets from conversations heard on city centre streets on Saturday nights:
“What’s a Street Pastor?” “A street pastor is someone who cares.”
“I don’t want any preaching.” “We don’t preach or hand out tracts or literature, or invite you to church…”
“What do ye do?” “All we do is caring. “
“Are ye like Ghostbusters?” “They are, only better!”
“If ye are religious, where are ye from?” “Different churches.”
“Which one?” “All of them.”
“But aren’t you all different?” “How can you all agree if you’re from different places?”
“The foundation is the same.”
“So what’s your agenda?” “To see you get safely home tonight. When you are out on the street, things can happen, and if you need help we’re there.”
“So you don’t have spiritual conversations?” “We do when we are asked. That’s the only time.”
“OK, so you don’t speak till you’re spoken to?” “Well, we chat with people. For example if you are queueing to get in to some place, we would chat. But it’s what you want to chat about.”
“Why do you do this?” “Remember you asked and I’m quite happy to talk about how my faith leads me to do this if you want me to.”
Cork Street Pastors are all volunteers, Christians from seven different churches, who are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get into the community, on the streets of Cork city centre on Saturday nights between 10pm and 4am. They have the support of City Hall, the Gardaí, and the Churches (dubbed the Urban Trinity!) Careful preparation includes some joint training with the Community Liaison team of the Gardaí, but although they work in the same space as the Gardaí, they work differently.
They pick up discarded bottles (to prevent bottles becoming broken glass or weapons), hand out flip-flops to girls who have abandoned their high heels (1300 pairs in 3 years…), call a taxi for the lone young person who has been abandoned by friends, offer a lollipop to another who looks in danger of causing trouble (it’s a bit of fun! laughter can reduce tension). They call an ambulance to take a sick person to A&E or give a thermal blanket to prevent hypothermia.
There are more than 14,000 volunteers in Ireland, the UK and internationally, but Cork is the only Street Pastor area in the 26 counties (Cork first again!)
All night Cork Street Pastors have the support of a team of Prayer Pastors back at base praying for them while they are out. Peace is prayed over and into our city.
From their observations, there aren’t riots on Cork streets, but there are often vulnerable people, at risk. They work respectfully, offering assistance where it is acceptable, intervening only when someone is in obvious risk of harm.
“That’s why we are looking for a lot more people to come out with us onto the streets, or to be Prayer Pastors back at base. You need to have been a member of a local church continuously for at least 12 months. You need to do training and have Garda clearance. But Street Pastors are just ordinary folk willing to help…
Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? If you were the beaten up guy, who would be your neighbour?” Dave Hoey, Co-ordinator.
Note: there are no pictures with this article. Google ‘Youtube Street Pastors’ for the pictures! Yes, you will see Southampton, etc., but the principles are the same… For more information, contact Dave, tel. 086 2324484. Revd. Hazel Minion
Loop System: A new sound system, complete with new microphones and a loop has been installed recently in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas. Those parishioners who use hearing aids which can connect with this system, have commented on how very effective it is. We are very grateful to both Fred Cassidy and Tim Jackson who have covered the cost of this work. Their generosity is very much appreciated by us all. We also thank Uwe Schiller who did the installation work. This means that we have ungraded sound systems in both St. Michael’s Church, Blackrock and in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas which caters for those who are hard of hearing. We will be putting up signs in both these churches advising visitors of this facility should they require it.
We will hold retiring collections in all our churches for the next two Sundays in response to the Nepal Earthquake Emergency Appeal.
Busy Blackrock: Blackrock’s recent Coffee Morning realised €1881.80 for church funds. The Lenten Lunch proceeds, amounting to €402, went this year to the Cope Foundation. Guests at this function included two representatives from Cope who explained the work of this local organisation. To round off money-making activities in Blackrock, the Knitted Chicks realised a profit of €465, thanks in large measure to the local Spar Shop which as usual sold the majority of the chicks for the parish.
The last lunch in Blackrock before the summer break will be on Wednesday, 27th May at 12.30pm. All are welcome to a nourishing three-course meal. Annie Stephens
CHURCH SERVICES – May 2015 
Sun. 3 May 5th Sun. of Easter White
8.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
9.45 Service of the Word Passage
10.00 Service of the Word Frankfield
11.15 Service of the Word Douglas
11.30 Service of the Word Blackrock
Wed. 6 May
11.00 Holy Communion Douglas
Sun. 10 May 6th Sun. of Easter White
8.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
9.45 Holy Communion Passage
10.00 Holy Communion Frankfield
11.15 Holy Communion Douglas
11.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
Thurs. 14 May (Ascension Day)
11.00 Holy Communion Douglas
Sun. 17 May 5th Sun. of Easter White
8.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
9.45 Holy Communion Passage
10.00 Morning Prayer Frankfield
11.15 Holy Communion Douglas
11.30 Morning Prayer Blackrock
Sun. 24 May 6th Sun. of Easter White
8.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
9.45 Holy Communion Passage
10.00 Holy Communion Frankfield
11.15 Holy Communion Douglas
11.30 Holy Communion Blackrock
