Pew Sheet – 24th November 2024

The Rector writes ‘Today is the last Sunday of this liturgical year, when churches celebrate the Kingship of Christ. Next week we will begin a new liturgical year , Year C, with a special 11am Advent Service in St Mary’s and thank you to the Gallery Singers who have been working hard on this lovely service. The 9:30am in St John’s will be a service of Holy Communion. But today, remembering and reflecting on Jesus Christ as King, we are preparing ourselves to enter into this wonderful season of Advent. Although Advent is only the beginning of a new liturgical year, we can really see the whole cyclical nature of the liturgical calendar and how it ties in its beginning in with its end.

During Advent, we again wait in anticipation of the birth of the baby Jesus, our Messiah. Each liturgical year in our churches, we all witness , in word and sacrament, the birth, ministry & teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Now here we are today , awaiting his coming again as King. So in remembering Christ as King today , we end the year by looking in both directions : backward, so that we might better celebrate the joyful incarnation of Jesus; and forward, so that we might be watchful servants waiting for the day when Christ our King will come again’

Next Sunday 1st is the Tractor Run.

Henry Forbes, the organiser, would love some help with the catering on the day

(this happens in our Parish Hall after all the hungry farmers return from the run!).

If you could make a plate of sandwiches, or bake a cake, that would be great. These can be dropped into the Parish Hall on the Sunday morning (1st) .

Also , if you could help out with the teas/coffees on the day please contact Henry at 087-2035000. Thank you.

Today is Church of Ireland’s Day of Prayer for Young People and Youth Ministry, and CIYD has published a new version of its prayer journal now available from Oriel Hosford (some are in the Youth Group Cupboard in the Parish Hall.) For the last few years, this Sunday before Advent has been marked as a special day of prayer for young people and is an opportunity for all parishes to thank God for their young people and their families, and to bring before God their dreams, needs and everyday lives.

The Owenabue Garden and Flower Club will host A Floral Christmas Demonstration by Chriss Bailey,

includes our Christmas Supper, Raffle, Plant and Produce Sales Table. On Monday 25th November 2024 at 8pm in St. Mary’s NS, Waterpark, Carrigaline, all welcome, Visitors €7

Random Notes CDLXXVI

Pictured below is the 12 arch railway viaduct over the harbour at Ballydehob in West Cork.

New legislation at the time, meant that lighter trains could be used to service more remote locations.

One of the conditions for the new trains to operate was that they travelled at a maximum of 15 miles per hour. Bearing in mind that most people at the time could only travel by horse and cart, the introduction must have brought much trade to and from the small seaside village. The bridge was opened in 1886, as part of the narrow gauge Schull and Skibbereen Light Railway (SSLR).

Local folklore tells us that sometimes, due to the higher inclines of the light railways, people had to get out and push the trains if they didn’t have enough power!! The last train to use the viaduct was in 1947.

Today, there is a marvellous walkway around the little harbour which incorporates the bridge. A range of

seabirds are resident, including swans, seagulls, terns, cormorants, ducks and little egrets.

This year, a “sandpiper hut” was developed which it is hoped will provide a home to the summer visiting species.