Pew Sheet – 2nd August 2026

The Rector writes ‘Today is my last ‘piece’ for the Pewsheet! I will be on holidays from next Friday 7th August until my last Service on Sunday 30th. I will be available for pastoral emergencies though as I am not actually going anywhere, except a few days babysitting up in Dublin and going to my accountants in Kilkenny, I’ll be mainly clearing out 15 years of rubbish from the Rectory so I won’t be around and won’t be taking any services until 30th. As usual, the Revd Richard Dring will be looking after the parish while I’m on holidays. Also I’m delighted to tell you that the Archdeacon has appointed Richard to be the ‘Priest in Charge’ after I retire on 31st August. This is a major compliment to Richard himself as I don’t think an OLM (Ordained Local Minister) has ever been entrusted with running a parish before. It is well deserved and I know you will all support him during the vacancy until a new Rector is appointed. You couldn’t be in safer hands and I have to admit, my mind is easier knowing that Richard will be looking after you all. Brenda Haubold has kindly agreed to put together the Pewsheet from next week and she has asked me to tell you that she is only just learning so please do be kind! Rowland Newenham is helpfully looking after the Diocesan Magazines so talk to him if you have any issues about that. My own email address ‘emitincork@gmail.com’ will no longer be used for parish business so from today please send all bits for the Pewsheet and all enquiries to parish@carrigalineunion.org.

August

Thursday 20th 3pm Heritage Week

Talk in Carrigaline Library by local historian Lesley

Roberts who will present an engaging introduction to the history of St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline — one of the town’s oldest and most distinguished buildings.

Saturday 22nd 7pm Youth planning meeting

in the Parish Hall. All adults willing to help out for the year welcome to come along.

Sunday 30^thUnited Service 11am in St Mary’s Church, followed by Parish BBQ.

September

Saturday 19th 7:30-9pm Parish Hall– Youth Group

Wednesday 30th 3pm in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin, the Ordination & Consecration of the our bishop-elect Andrew Orr

Random Notes DXXXIX

Get ready for the best partial Solar Eclipse in years, on August 12, 2026.

Where should I look? due west before sunset.

When? In Cork the first contact will be at 18:15, maximum eclipse will be at 19:13 and the last contact will be at 20:08. From Cork we will see an amazing 96% of the Sun covered by the Moon!!! (the total eclipse is visible from Iceland or Spain).

How do I watch this? You can safely view an eclipse through special eclipse glasses.

Do NOT use eclipse glasses that are scratched or damaged.

Do NOT wear eclipse glasses and then look through a

telescope at the Sun. Sunglasses are NOT eclipse glasses!

If you don’t have solar glasses you can use a projection method and look at the eclipse as crescent

shadows on the ground!