The Curate writes……
The summer is upon us at last! Children have finished school, the exams are over and people are going on holidays. One thing that struck me the most, last year, when I was here for my first summer, was how quiet the parish becomes. Numbers are down at all services and everything seems to grind to a halt. It is a time to kick back, enjoy time together with family and friends. But it is also a time to enjoy the world that God has given us. Whether we are off exploring foreign countries, other parts of Ireland, or indeed just enjoying beautiful Cork, we have constant reminders of the joys of God’s creation and so much to be thankful for.
But not all of us are able to get away and it is important for you to remember maybe some of your neighbours or older relative may be housebound and it is important to keep in touch with them during the summer months too.
Although things are winding down in the parish, it was great to see the parish come together in fellowship to record the Sunday Service for RTE which will be broadcast on Sunday 23rd of July at 11am. There will be no services in St Luke’s at 11.15am at St. Michael’s at 11.30am on this day to accommodate people who want to watch the RTE broadcast. Also, we have our Sea Service in St. Mary’s Church, Marmullane on the 9th July at 11.30am and I urge you to come and join us as a Union of parishes on this lovely occasion. Similarly, there will be no services in St Luke’s at 11.15am at St. Michael’s at 11.30am on the 9th and we hope that everyone will attend in Passage West instead.
So, remember, we have not gone away over the summer. Just because you may not be in your normal church, I urge to seek out a church wherever you may be holidaying. If this is not possible, why not stop for a moment and every once in a while, wherever you might be holidaying, to sit and take stock of the wonderful world that God has given us. Maybe say a little prayer of thanks for all you have and for the beauty of the world we live in. It is always good to remember to be thankful and realise that without God’s grace, we would not have this beautiful world.
Enjoy your holidays…..
David
St Luke’s School Notes. The pupils in St Luke’s School been taking part in a huge variety of sporting activities during the last month. Our inter schools sports teams participated in a Tag Rugby Tournament, a Soccer Tournament and the annual Inter-School Sports. They did us proud and brought home silverware to fill up our new cabinet. Well done to all concerned and in particular our committed parents and teachers who organise these events. All our pupils and teachers participated in a very successful and enjoyable “Active Week”. Each morning we had a ‘Wake Up, Shake Up’ routine in the yard lead by 6th class. On ‘Motivational Monday’ Sinead Kane, a visually impaired athlete who completed the World Marathon Challenge gave us an inspirational talk and set us on our way. On ‘Taster Tuesday’ each class got a ‘taste’ of two different sports. These activities ranged from badminton, horse riding, gymnastics, basketball, cricket, GAA and Scouts. On ‘Walk on Wednesday’ the whole school walked through Ballybrack Woods and many pupils walked to school. On ‘Thursday Twist’ we all learned a new dance routine. On ‘Friday Fun’ we continued with many fun sporting activities. We had a very special visitor that day also, the athlete Rob Heffernan came to see us and present certificates. At the end of the week we had plenty of exhausted but fit pupils and teachers!
The Bumbulance, the children’s ambulance paid us a visit recently. Senior Infants got a special tour and the other classes learned about its role.
We welcomed the parents of our new Junior Infant class of 2018 recently. They had an information meeting and visited their child’s classroom. We hope that they will have many happy years associated with St. Luke’s School.
All our classes have been “On Tour” this past month. We have visited such places as Rumley’s Farm, Crafty Hands, Ballyhass Lakes, Zipit and Cappanalea.
We look forward to our summer holidays and wish our 6th Class every success as they move on to their various secondary schools.
TV Broadcast. Last month the clergy, choir and some twenty-five parishioners travelled to Dublin to record a morning televised service in the studios at RTE in Donnybrook. This service will be broadcast on Sunday 23 July on RTE 1. We thank our music director Mark Slade, who composed a special setting of the Kyrie and Gloria for this service, as well as the choir, readers and congregation who were involved in this recording.
NB: There will be no services on 23rd July in Douglas 11.15/Blackrock 11.30 due to broadcast service.
Diocesan Youth Activities Events
30th – 4th July – Summer Madness, Glenarm Estate, Co. Antrim (15yrs+), 23rd July – Crookhaven 300th Anniversary day event (13yrs+), 15th – 17thSeptember–Cape Clear (13yrs+). Please consult their new website http://cdyc.ballineen.com or Facebook page -CDYC West for more details and booking forms.
Sea Sunday 9th July. The congregation in Marmullane is looking forward to welcoming parishioners from our other three churches to the annual United Service for Sea Sunday. Coffee will be served (10.45-11.15) when people arrive as an opportunity for renewing friendships across our parishes. In this special service, we will celebrate the wonder of the sea. We will ask God’s blessing on those who face its challenges in their daily work, on which we all depend, and there will be an opportunity to contribute to the work of the Mission to Seafarers (Ireland). Do come and enjoy this special occasion!
Walk to Church Sunday has traditionally happened on Sea Sunday when parishioners can walk to the United Service in Marmullane from their own churches. Depart from Blackrock at 9.15am, or join in from anywhere along the old railway track; there are several parking places. You will be doing your bit for health and the environment!
NB: There will be no services on the 9th July in Douglas 11.15/Blackrock 11.30 due to Sea Sunday Service in Passage West.
Would a prayer help? When summer comes, many of us take breaks from work. But in our parishes some things continue unbroken all year long. One is the regular worship of God in church, Sunday by Sunday. Another is the daily cycle of prayer in our Prayer Chain for those in illness, distress or need. Summer or winter, if you would value our prayers, please let us know by a request in the church Prayer Boxes, or by asking one of the clergy to have you included. All requests to the Prayer Chain are treated confidentially, and maintained for a month and you can request an extension.
A note for the diary for parishioners on holidays in West Cork.
The Ven. Adrian Wilkinson will be preaching in Crookhaven, West Cork on Sunday evening August 13th at 8pm.
