Parish Matters November, 2018

The Rector writes……

I have recently enjoyed reading some of the diaries of one of my clerical predecessors, the Revd George Quick. He was rector of Douglas between 1887 and 1914. I have these diaries on loan from someone who knows of my interest in local history. They cover the period between 1902 and 1906 and contain information about his daily activities, visiting parishioners, attending meetings, his concerns over disputes between parishioners, charitable and fundraising activities as well as the Biblical text he preached on each Sunday. At times he refers to periods of ill health as well as concerns over his personal finances. But he also includes information about other enjoyable activities and events.

On 16 June 1903 he writes ‘Great treat. Cricket Match – saw W.G. Grace play on Mardyke.’ Those who have an interest in cricket will know the significance of that reference! On 10 July the same year he writes, ‘with Richardson to the Carrigrohane Road to see the great motor car speed trial. Intended to stay an hour but was out from 9 to 4.’ On 29 July 1903 Rev. Quick states that he ‘wrote letter and got it signed by the churchwardens to the King’s Secretary, Lord Knollys telling him of the loyalty of our people who subscribed £800 for organ as memorial to Queen.’ This is the organ in St Luke’s Church to this day and the memorial plaque to Queen Victoria is still on it. £800 then is roughly equivalent to €175,000 today. I wonder how we would rise to such a financial challenge given that Douglas is a much larger parish now that it was in 1903? On 1 August Rev Quick and his son Stawell (he was his only child as his wife died a few days after his birth) went into Cork for the Exhibition that year. It was opened by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Quick’s diary entry tells us that the street decorations were ‘wonderfully beautiful throughout the route.’ He had seats in the Concert Hall and also saw the King ‘close many times’ that day. In November he reveals his concerns about a court case involving two parishioners. One brought a case against the other ‘for assault and flinging him from the footpath.’ On a lighter note, on 15 January 1904, his son Stawell was ill. The note reads ‘he was in bed till 12 and then better. Oh that he would avoid those parishioners’ cakes and sweets’. Obviously, his illness must have been self-inflicted!

There is much more I could write about these diaries. He mentions places still familiar to us and families from the past; the Chillingworths of Woodview (ancestors of Bishop David Chillingworth our Holy Week preacher last year), the Sherrards of Maryborough House and the Reeves family of Tramore House. There are also families mentioned who are still involved in the parish such as the O’Grady’s and Sweetnams. Indeed at one stage Rev Quick talks about buying a pony and cart from the Sweetnams!

Why do I take this trip down memory lane? In November we are in the season of Remembrance in the church calendar. It starts on 1 November with All Saints. On Sunday 11 November we will be marking the centenary of the Armstice at all our services. Past generations have left their mark on our parish and today we benefit from their sacrifices.

In his recent book Parish – An Anglican theology of place, Andrew Rumsey writes ‘while preservation segregates a tangible past required to be unlike the present, remembrance, by contrast, denotes living conversation with a history that isn’t set hard like memorial concrete, but as malleable as Flanders mud to our interaction with it.’ He also states that ‘Remembrance calls for a peculiarly pastoral patriotism: not only in the need to tread softly on personal territory but also in attending to local notions of nationhood.’ Though writing from a British perspective, his words are particularly apt for our context this year. Our main services will be celebrated in the context of the traditional language service of Holy Communion, using the words that would have been instinctive and familiar to the generations past as we remember them, but celebrated in the context of a very different church and country today.

This season of Remembrance is a timely reminder to us all that we are just passing through this life. Just as we build on what we have inherited from past generations, and in my case from the ministry of my predecessors as rectors of this parish, we are to leave behind a legacy as the foundation for others to build upon. Therefore, it is worth asking ourselves, what are we doing that will have long term consequences and benefits? As we remember our loved ones with affection and thanksgiving, we pray that we may share with them, the joys of God’s eternal kingdom.

Yours in Christ,                    Adrian

Leaving a Legacy to the Parish

At the request of the Select Vestries, I have recently prepared a short leaflet to inform parishioners about the importance of legacies to the finance of our parishes. In recent years, various projects have been undertaken in St Michael’s Church in Blackrock, which could not have been done but for a generous bequest. All this work was vital to the continued use of the church. More generally, investment income from legacies helps us meet some of our day to day expenses.

If you require further information, please take a leaflet which are available at the back of the churches. You may also like to talk in confidence to one of our parish treasurers. Their phone numbers are provided. A. Wilkinson

Anam Cara Cork, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Parent Evening on Wednesday 7th of November at 7:20pm in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not.

Theatre Supper Evening

As a parish we are planning Theatre Supper Evenings on 15th, 16th & 17th November.  This will be held in collaboration with Carrigaline Union of Parishes and the venue will again be the Canon Packham Hall.

Douglas Union with Frankfield will be performing ‘The Patient’ by Agatha Christie and this year will be directed by Rodney Bolingbroke.  Carrigaline will be performing ‘Between Mouthfuls’ by Alan Ayckbourne and a short sketch called “Shoppers” by Jean McConnell, which will be directed by Mary Murphy.  Tickets will be limited as always and are on sale through parish distributors. Check our parish website for details.  Book early to avoid disappointment!

St Michael’s School Notes

It’s been a busy start to the school year for us all. Our ten junior infants are now well settled in and are enjoying life in St Michael’s. Pupils from third class upwards have been cycling every week with the Cycle Sense program. We are delighted that our school has been awarded a European School Flag for our work with the Blue Star project. All classes have also begun etwinning projects and are looking forward to connecting with friends around Europe. A group of pupils sang one of their favourite songs at the Harvest Festival in St Michael’s Church. Senior classes also travelled to Bandon for the annual schools’ service.

St Luke’s School Notes

Our 6th Class students represented us at the Diocesan Schools’ Service in at Peter’s Church in Bandon in September, they brought €255 with them as our contribution to the Bishop’s Appeal and Christian Aid work which supports maize production in Burundi. Our 6th Class look forward to this service every year when they can meet and worship with other schools in the diocese. Thank you to all who are involved in organising this very special service. Thank you to all who organised and supported our Parent’s Association Coffee to Go Morning recently. €437 was raised for school funds. Many of our senior classes visited our local library in Douglas when they heard various authors speak about their publications. We were delighted to welcome Mr Peter McDaid to one of our weekly assemblies. He spoke about the important work of the Red Cross and accepted a cheque of €410 which we raised at our end of term service in June for their funds. Emma from Maxi Zoo came to St Luke’s recently and brought Bertie the Rabbit with her. She spoke to the pupils about the care and welfare of their pets. Councillor Mick Finn was a very popular visitor to our school, he spoke about his work as Lord Mayor and the importance of positive thinking.  To the pupils’ delight he gave them all a night off homework! Congratulations to Ms Bryan on the safe arrival of baby Eoghan John Bryan.

Advent Sunday

Prepare the way! This is the title of a special evening service that will be held in St. Luke’s Church, Douglas on Advent Sunday. Through the use of candles, images from art, as well as music and meditations from the Iona Community in Scotland, it will be reflective in nature. It begins at 7pm and should provide an opportunity for those who come to stop and take stock at the start of Advent, before the rush of office parties, shopping days and carol concerts. All are welcome.

There will be talk given by Vanessa Bradbury of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, in the Supper room of the Canon Packham Hall at 7:00pm on Tues the 13th of Nov. 2018, on the subject of Helping People to Understand the Implications of Having a Family Member with Alzheimer’s. Admission is free. For further information please contact John Clifford at johnclifforddouglas@eircom.net.

Service and Sausages – Service with Sausages will take place on the 4th of November in St. Luke’s Church in Douglas at 6pm.  This is a fun service, mainly for primary school children.  Many parents have helped out preparing delicious juice and hot dogs for hungry worshippers following the service.  It is always nice to see new faces helping out and if anyone is interested in testing out their culinary skills, please contact the curate.

A Special Service to mark the 100^th anniversary of the Armstice will be held on Sunday, 11^th November in St. Fin Barr’s Cathedral at 3.30pm.  Parishes are being allocated numbers.  If you would like to attend please contact the clergy asap.

Frankfield Vestry will meet in the Sunday School Room, Frankfield on Thursday, 22nd November at 8pm.

Old School Lunch will be held in the Old Schoolhouse, Blackrock at 12.30pm on Wednesday, 28^th

November.

CHURCH SERVICES – November, 2018