Pew Sheet – 3rd December 2023

The Rector writes ‘ Advent – derived from the Latin word “adventus”, the word advent means “arrival” or “coming” and it’s when we commemorate the coming of the Messiah in Jesus Christ. The advent wreath we use in church during these weeks is commemorating in symbolic form newness, eternal life, and the death and resurrection of the promised Messiah.

Each week we light a candle and each Sunday has it’s own theme or perhaps I should say several themes! Here in our Parish, we use the traditional one, remembering each week the people who waited for the Messiah to come; first the Patriarchs, then the Prophets, then John the Baptist and finally Jesus’ mother Mary. Some other churches use Hope, Peace, Joy, Love themes for the candles but regardless of what you think of when you are lighting the candles each week, you are consciously marking time and waiting.

Advent is all about waiting.

Confirmation 2024

If you would like to be confirmed next year then you will need to get in touch with the Rector as soon as possible.

The names of those wishing to be confirmed must be sent to the Bishop in mid January.

The 12 classes will be in the Parish Hall from 5pm to 6:30pm each Thursday, beginning Thursday 18th January until Thursday 25th April (with a couple of exceptions for midterm, Easter break etc.)

Please note that there will also be a special ‘Bishop’s Confirmation Morning’ in Douglas from 10am till 1pm on Saturday 9th March to which everyone who wishes to be confirmed in 2024 MUST attend.

Dates for your Diary

December

5th Movie Night ‘The Scarlet and the Black’ 7:30pm Parish Hall

6th Advent Zoom Bible Study 8pm ‘Song of Mary’

11th Mens’ Coffee 10am Carrigaline Court Hotel

13th MU Lunch (see details on next page)

Advent Zoom Bible Study 8pm ‘Song of the Angels’

15th Community Carols in St Marys Church 7:30pm followed by Mince Pies and Mulled Wine in the Parish Hall

15th to 17th Nativity Display in Parish Hall

(please contact the Rector if you would like your nativity set/Crib to be part of the Display)

17th Nine Lessons & Carols 4pm St John’s Monkstown

20th Advent Zoom Bible Study 8pm ‘’Song of Simeon’

24th Carols around the Crib 11am St Mary’s Carrigaline

Posada returns.

31st United Christingle Service in St Mary’s Church at 11am

January

18th Confirmation Classes begin. 5—6:30pm Parish Hall

Christmas Lunch

Date: 13th December at 1.00 p.m.
Venue: Monkstown Golf Club.
Cost Euro 25.00 for a two course lunch including teas/coffees.

Those who would like to come can contact Deirdre (0862612442) or Valerie (0871270457) or Hilary (0862637137) before Friday 8th Dec.

Random Notes CDXLI

In a light hearted attempt to dispel a curious notion that may perhaps have arisen in the minds of some of the readers of these notes that the compiler of this note might be considered to be in some way just a little slightly unusual in his enthusiastic and avid collecting of all sorts of bits and pieces, it might be instructive to here reproduce a most interesting list, drawn up on Monday, 29th March, 1886, of a part of both the contents, and the eclectic collection then held at Ravenswood, near Carrigaline, the home of Ralph Michael Busteed Westrop (1813-1896)), co-incidentally once also a Church-Warden of St, Mary’s!

Study:
1 Peario (sic) Book case containing 140 volumes, 6 chairs, sofa, music stand, writing desk, 5 pictures, coal box,
fender. and irons, round table,

Parlour:
6 chairs, 2 tables, tea caddy, 12 pictures, fender, and irons.

Hall:
4 cases containing antiques, 1 table, 2 chairs, 4 portraits, a large collection of antiques.

Drawing Room:
24 chairs, 5 tables, 82 pictures, mirror.

Dining Room:
2 large dining tables, side board, mirror, 8 chairs, 3 small
tables, 24 pictures, 3 figures in armour, 1 Ottoman dresser

Inner Hall:
4 chairs, 2 tables, gong stand, 6 spears, settle, carpenter’s tools, barometer.

Silver:
1 sized salver, 2 small salvers, coffee pot, tea pot, cream
ewer, sugar basin, ancient hot water jug, 1 dozen dinner forks,
1 dozen small forks, 1 dozen tablespoons, 1 dozen desert spoons,
1 dozen tea spoons.