Parish Notices Sunday 17th March 2013

The Revd Tony Murphy writes ’ The modern celebration of St Patrick’s Day as we know it can be traced to the New England Colonies in North America in the Eighteenth Century. These celebrations arose from a desire to celebrate the homeland. With the growth of further emigration the celebration of St Patrick’s day grew and by the mid 19^th Century the St Patrick’s day Parade in New York was one of the biggest in the world.

While it is positive that we have a day where across the world we celebrate Ireland all things Irish, there is a danger that in the midst of our celebrations we lose sight of the 5^th Century Romana British Man who came as a missionary to this country.

With Patrick we are fortunate in that we have his own story in his ‘Confessio’ , a story of a young man who was enslaved for 6 years but who discovered his Faith and who grew in Faith and trust in a personal and loving God. Google it today!!”

Parish Fundraising Table Quiz. Friday 22 March at 8pm in Canon McCrea Hall, St Mary’s School, Waterpark. Raffle, tea, coffee and refreshments. A great family night assured! €10per person, €40 per table. Contact Adrian Bateman 086-8300379 or Hazel Kelleher 086-8988165 for further information. Helpers are required to assist with tea and coffee on the night, as well as donations of cakes, buns and biscuits. Please let Adrian or Hazel know if you can help.

TODDLERS PLUS ONE GROUP and MONDAY CLUB– NO meeting tomorrow due to bank holiday. We resume meeting on Monday 25th March in the parish hall. Toddlers group from 10am-midday and Monday club from 3-5pm.

MIDWEEK COMMUNION SERVICE 10.30am every Wednesday in St Mary’s Church. The first Wednesday of each month will have special prayers for the work of the Mothers’ Union followed by refreshments after the Service. All Welcome. During Lent, there will also be a 7.30pm Evening Prayer Service.

JUNIOR CHOIR meets in St Mary’s Church from 6.30 to 7.15pm each Thursday night. All school going children welcome. Contact the rector or Hilary Dring for more details.

Monkstown Home group will suspend meeting until after Easter to allow members to join the Lenten services and bible studies.

LENTEN STUDY Each Wednesday at 7.30pm during Lent, after a short Service in St Mary’s Church, Carrigaline followed by a Bible Study. This year we will be using a Study Course which was developed by the Church of Ireland, on the theme of Economic Justice. All are welcome to attend. The remaining date is Wed 20th March 7.30, Evening Prayer followed by Bible Study. Thank you to Tony for leading the sessions.

EASTER VESTRY This annual meeting, which is open to all parishioners, will take place in St Mary’s Church Hall at 7.30pm on Thursday 11th April. Remember that while all are welcome to attend the Easter Vestry meeting only registered vestry persons may vote or be voted into office but please do come along and see how your parish is being run.

MOTHERS’ UNION -Girls’ Night Out ‘with the dogs’ on Wednesday, 20^th March at 8pm in Holy Trinity Church, Crosshaven. Joy Saville, area co-ordinator for Irish Therapy Dogs will speak about her work and ministry with the dogs in providing physical, therapeutic and educational benefits to people – young and old, abled and disabled. Our Mothers’ Union branch is invited to come along. Everyone very welcome! Contact Hilary Dring 4378439 for more info. (HD)

EASTER CLUB is happening again(hurray!!) on Good Friday 29th March 2013 at St. Mary’s Church Hall from 10.00—13.00. It is for children of primary school age and those who will start school in September only. Flyers/registration forms will be available in both churches and via email from the parish office. All children who would like to come must be registered beforehand as places will be limited for safety reasons. Contact the parish office 4374045 or Hilary at 086-3680513.

The Senior Youth Club met on Friday night 23rd Feb and we were delighted some young people from Templebreedy could join us. We had a great night – Plenty of mad games interspersed with some interesting discussion on the importance and relevance of Lent – recognising Jesus’ time of fasting and preparation in the desert plus some other topics. You should be proud of these young people – they are well able to think topics through and present and justify their points of view – I was impressed and learnt a lot myself ! We followed that up by doing some serious damage to some large pizzas and Rev Elaine closed for us with prayer.

The youth leaders would like to say Well done to the gang who supported the 6th annual Diocesan Youth Table Quiz in Douglas on March 9th, the Carrigaline team were runners up on the night which was a great performance! Thanks a million to Lisa Tracey and the other helpers for putting this very popular event together. (PC)

The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club, Carrigaline, will hold their annual Spring Show on Monday 25 March at 8 pm in St Mary’s School Hall. Speaker on the night will be Michael Kelly, Author and Founder of G.I.Y. on “5 Vegetables you can grow to change your life and save the world”. Visitors welcome. Enquiries to 086 8091627

EASTER HOCKEY CAMP in Garryduff – 2^nd – 4^th April U. 8’s – U. 16’s – To book contact 021-4891978.

Organist/Musical Director required at Holy Trinity Church, Crosshaven. The applicant needs to be a competent organist and pianist with the ability to train and direct their children’s choir. Contact templebreedyrector@ccrd.ie or 021-4831236 for further information.

MEN’s Shed All men are welcome to go along and find out more about the companionship and skills training available in the Mens’ Shed Kilnagleary on the Minane Bridge Road. See leaflets at the back of the churches for more details or contact Roger @ 4372438.

FORWARD PLANNER

Mar 22nd Parish Fundraising Table Quiz 8pm St Mary’s School.

Mar 25^th Toddlers Plus One 10am in St Mary’s Church hall Monday Club 3pm in Church Hall.

Mar 29^th Children’s Easter Club. 10am. St Mary’s Parish Hall.

Mar 31^st Easter Sunday Ecumenical Dawn Service, 7am Monkstown.

Apr 11^th Annual Vestry Meeting 7.30pm St Mary’s Church Hall.

Apr 25^th Theological Book Circle 8pm The Rectory.

Apr 27^th MU Brunch in Rectory.

Apr 28^th Parish/School Sponsored Walk

May 11^th MU/Youth Led Saturday Night Service 7pm St Mary’s Church

May 15^th MU Afternoon Tea in the Rectory 3pm

May 17^th Flower Festival Opening Service, 7pm St Mary’s Church.