Parish Notices Sunday 28th January 2018
The Rector writes ‘ Today, in advance, we celebrate Candlemas, also known as the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus or the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Candlemas commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. It is based upon the account of the presentation of Jesus in Luke 2:22-40 which is indeed our Gospel for today. In accordance with Leviticus 12: a woman was to be presented in the temple for purification by sacrifice 33 days after her baby boy’s circumcision which we remember on 1st January, on the 8th day of Jesus’ life, hence February 2nd, – the 40th day of the Christmas–Epiphany season (33+7) This is a bit like a Maths class! Some of us remove our Christmas decorations on Twelfth Night (Epiphany Eve, the 5th January) in some other countries they wait until Candlemas. On Candlemas, many Christian denominations bring their candles to their local church, where they are blessed for use and this is how it got the name ‘Candlemas’ – We will have a special liturgy at the end of the service today marking this unique hinge moment between that separates Christmas and Easter.’
CONFIRMATION 2018 If you would like to be confirmed this year, please let the Rector know. Weekly Confirmation Classes (Thursdays 5-6:30pm) starting on 8th February.
Diocesan Magazine Subscriptions (€25) are now due. Please pay Rowland Newenham or the Wardens.
Monkstown home group next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 6 February at 8pm Hilary Warren-Perry has kindly agreed to lead and it will take place at the home of Edward Ellis. All welcome and enquiries to John Sweeney. 087-0656290.
Anam Cara the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Bereavement Information Evening on Wednesday 7th February at 7:30pm in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. This is a free event and open to all bereaved parents. As Anam Cara will need to confirm numbers for teas, coffees, etc, please RSVP to info@anamcara.ie before Tuesday 6th February or call the Information Line on 085 2888 888.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
28th Jan St Fin Barre’s Cathedral 3.30pm
The Commissioning of the Reverend Alan Marley as Chaplain to University College Cork and his Installation as Prebendary of Dromdaleague and Kilnaglory
29th Jan Toddlers Plus One 10am until 12 noon Parish Hall
Monday Club 3pm until 5pm Parish Hall
31st Jan Holy Communion 10:30am in St Mary’s Church
6th Feb Monkstown Home Group. 8pm. Edward Ellis’s home.
8th Feb Friendship Club 11am Rectory
8th Feb Confirmation Classes begin. 5-6:30pm Rectory
11th Feb Sunday Club 11am Parish Hall
14th Feb Ash Wednesday 10:30 & 7:30 Holy Communion in St Mary’s
16th Feb Youth Club 7:30-9:30 Parish Hall
21st Feb Lenten Bible Study 8pm Parish Hall after 7:30 Evening Prayer
23RD Feb CAMEO Monkstown Bay Sailing Club 1030am
25th Feb Fair Trade All Age Service 11am in St Mary’s followed by
Mothers’ Union ‘Famine Lunch’ for MU Overseas Fund in the Parish Hall.
Random Notes No. CCLVIII
In January, many of us make New Year’s Resolutions, one of which might be to lose weight. Here are two more unusual dieting methods from past centuries.
- William the Conqueror and the all-alcohol diet.
As he got older, feasting increased William’s waistline to such an extent that his horse began to groan under tall the extra weight and the King was nicknamed “William the Great”.
The last straw came when the King of France asked if William was pregnant. A drastic weight loss was needed. In 1087, William had what he thought was a good idea. He would lie in bed most of the day, stop eating, and only drink alcohol. Sadly, we’ll never know if it worked as, soon afterwards, William was thrown from his horse and died.
- The cigarette diet.
In 1925, Percival Hill, the President of the America Tobacco Company, introduced a controversial ad campaign promoting cigarettes as appetite suppressants. The slogans read “Reach for a Lucky rather than a sweet”, and “Beautiful women keep youthful slenderness by smoking Luckies.”
Hands up all those who think that William’s diet sounds far more enjoyable!
MMPC
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