Pew Sheet – 12th October 2025

The Rector writes ‘A final reminder that the Confirmation classes will begin on November 6th. While the actual service of confirmation is Sunday 1st February in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, no late-comers can join in the classes once they’ve begun. While you are never too old, children must be at least in 6th class in order to be prepared for confirmation.

The online Advent Course this year will explore the publication ‘From Every Nation?

which is a handbook for a church congregation’s journey from welcome to belonging. ‘It is not just simply a guide towards becoming an anti-racist congregation but an invitation to wholeness. In a culture that pushes us to accept an ‘Us vs Them’ narrative, Jesus gives us the eyes of faith to see that we are all made in the image of God. ’

Something I feel that is perhaps needed in our society now more than ever. The online sessions will be on Wednesdays in Advent (November 26th, December 3rd, 10th and 17th). I will remind you all nearer the time as you will need to register ahead of the online sessions to get the Zoom Code and the Handbook. You might stick it in the diaries now! ‘

Random Notes DVI

After the late Jill Hingston moved in to St Luke’s Home, as executor, one of my jobs was to clear her house at Victoria Terrace in Glenbrook before it was put on the market. Being a very practical lady, and not one for throwing things out, a lot of the furniture came from her former home at Horsehead in Passage West, Some items were auctioned by Denis Lyons in Carrigtwohill but a lot of the less expensive items did in fact need to be just thrown out. Before employing a professional house clearance expert, I invited the Curator of Fota House, Martina Madden, to see if any items could be re-housed at Fota, The Irish Heritage Trust do an amazing job at telling the story and history of the Smith-Barry family and indeed the last of that family to live there – Dorothy Bell, who died in 1975, Martina was only too happy to rummage around Jill’s wonderful old home.

During the summer, I began training as a house tour guide at Fota. I hadn’t properly been around this amazing place for a few years. A lot of money has been spent on the building over the last few years, including replacing the entire roof, Can you imagine the joy that I felt when I saw Jill’s old rugs in the Butler’s bedroom?

The picture of the tiger that was over her mantel-piece is now in the Nursery….and some of her dinner-ware is in the Dining Room. Jill would be delighted that these items have now been recorded, curated and are a very real part of Cork Harbour’s history!!

RCE

October

Monday 13th

Men’s Coffee 10am in the Carrigaline Court Hotel

Wednesday 15th

Mothers’ Union meeting 3pm Parish Hall

Saturday 18th

Whist Drive in Canon McCrea Hall 8pm

Monday 20th

Owenabue Garden and Flower Club 8pm St Mary’s NS

November

Thursday 6th

Confirmation Classes begin 5-6:30pm Parish Hall

Friday 7th and Saturday 8th

Parish Plays in the Canon McCrae Hall

Sunday 9th

Remembrance Sunday Evensong 7pm St John’s Church

Friday 21st

Whiskey Tasting Fundraiser in the Parish Hall

Saturday 22nd

Whist Drive in aid of St Luke’s Home, Canon McCrea

Hall in the school

December

Wednesday 10th

12:30pm Mothers’ Union Christmas Lunch

Thursday 19th

7:30pm Carrigaline Community Carol Service St Mary’s

Sunday 21st

4pm Nine Lessons and Carols Service St John’s

Christmas Eve 24th

4pm Carols around the Crib St Mary’s

11pm First Eucharist of the Nativity St Mary’s

Sunday 28th

11am United Christingle Service St Mary’s Church

Carrigaline Union of Parishes are delighted to host a Whisky night on 21st of November 2025. @8pm. Introduced and run by Liam Murray, President of The Cork Whisky Society, and presented by Conor Ryan. The International Ambassador for Pearce Whisky. Tickets are available from Brenda Haubold on 087-6976552. @ a cost of €25 per person.

Numbers are limited so booking is essential.

MU meeting on 15th October at 3pm.

Speaker: Laura Hosford and topic: Meditation with Sound.

Eileen Cremin (MUe) will be coming too with Christmas cards and lots of other stationery.

So bring your wallets/ bank cards!

Teas/ coffees to follow with other tasties.

All welcome.

The Certificate course for Christian Studies (2026/27) will begin again in January. There are posters & flyers in both churches. If you are interested , do email the Revd Terry Mitchell at

furthereducation@corkchurchofireland.com

Rowland Newenham is just finishing up on the current course and would be happy to explain more about it if you would like to know more about it.