Pew Sheet – 4th December 2022
The Rector writes ‘As most of you are aware, our parish has been on a journey to be considered a ‘Church of Sanctuary’ over the last 18 months or so. We are now to be given this accreditation at next Sunday’s 11am Service. A representative from Places of Sanctuary Ireland, Br Kevin Mascarenhas , who is a Presentation Brother here in Cork, will present us with the award.
I have included the actual press release from the Places of Sanctuary website within this pewsheet so you can have a read yourself but I am truly delighted that we are one of the four churches to be recognised in 2022 and also that all four of the mainstream Christian denominations in the country (Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Methodist & Presbyterian) are to be represented. A great positive sign for the future.’
Places of Sanctuary Ireland will be recognising four new Churches of
Sanctuary in the coming weeks.
In a wonderful showing of ecumenical solidarity, four churches of different denominations spread right across the island are being recognised as Churches of Sanctuary during the four-week period of Advent, the season of preparation within the church year leading up to the celebration of Christmas. The four churches are:
· Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin (27 November)
· Tullamore Presbyterian Church, Co Offaly (4 December)
· Carrigaline Union of Parishes, Co Cork (11 December)
· Parish of Clane and Rathcoffey, Co Kildare (18 December)
While each church will be marking the receipt of its Church of Sanctuary designation locally, all four will be united under the theme ‘No Room at the Inn’, in recognition of the serious strain on availability of accommodation and other services for refugees and those seeking international protection in Ireland.
All four of the churches will be using a prayer prepared by the Sanctuary in Faith Stream to highlight the ‘No Room at the Inn’ theme, as part of their individual recognition services, and others wishing to use the prayer during the Advent season are welcome to do so:
God of our journeys, you called Abraham and Sarah to journey with you,
you led your people Israel to journey from slavery to freedom,
in Christ you journeyed from your heavenly throne
to take on flesh and dwell with your children.
You came as the Son of Man: born in a crowded town, with no room at the inn, living your vocation with nowhere to lay your head,
and being laid to rest in a borrowed tomb.
God with us: we confess that our society does not always offer a welcome to the last and the least, for this we repent and ask forgiveness;
we acknowledge the work of your Spirit within us
empowering us to open our hearts, our homes, and our communities
to those who have come to us seeking sanctuary;
for this grace we give you thanks.
God of the nations, we pray that you will continue to work in us:
that in the words of our lips and the actions of our lives
we may faithfully do justice, love kindness and walk humbly before you.
We offer this and all our prayers in the name of Christ. Amen.
For information on how to become part of the Sanctuary in Faith Stream please visit: https://ireland.cityofsanctuary.org/sanctuary-in-faith
Music Notes 04-12-2022
Hymns at St Mary’s
385 Rise and hear
204 When Jesus came to Jordan
126 Hark! A thrilling voice
365 Praise to the Lord
William Henry Monk (1823-1889) wrote the melodies for two of our hymns this morning. He was organist at various churches in London and held numerous academic posts teaching vocal music and composition. He was a lover of Gregorian chant which he used for all canticles and psalms at St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington where he played and trained the choir for 37 years.
He was very keen to promote congregational singing and was editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern for many years.
Monk’s hymn tunes have remained popular, the most notable being ‘Eventide’ which he wrote for the poem ‘Abide with me’.
The first notes of hymn 126 recall the famous Advent piece written by J.S. Bach ‘Wachet auf’ (Sleepers awake!) which you will hear as a closing voluntary today.
Bébhinn 087 228 5965
bebhinnmuire@gmail.com
Eco Group
Ways to have a more sustainable Christmas
Climate Change is front of mind for so many this winter. More of us than ever before are looking to make truly sustainable changes to protect the planet in our daily lives.
Christmas is a brilliant time to be part of the movement towards a more sustainable future.
Eat with the seasons – with Irish Growers – leeks, potatoes, sprouts, carrots and parsnips.
Cut back on Christmas Waste
Reuse Everything
Reduce Food Waste
Planting A Tree Gift
Give a gift of a native Irish tree, very personal, with nothing but good for the environment by helping to reduce the carbon footprint and improves biodiversity.
Random Notes CDXLI
Not every spy resembles James Bond. Instead, the three German spies who landed in England during World War Two behaved more like Mr Bean.
Spy no. 1 was spotted riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road. When stopped by police and asked to turn out his pockets, his fate was sealed when a large piece of German sausage was revealed among their contents.
Spy no. 2 was caught when he walked into a shop and asked where could he buy a large amount of explosives. One assistant kept him talking while another called the police.
Spy no. 3 fell foul of the licensing laws. He went into a pub at 9am and ordered a glass of cider. Since pubs never opened before lunchtime in those days, this immediately raised the landlady’s suspicions. Who was this man with a strange accent who didn’t know it wasn’t opening time? He then asked where he could buy a newspaper and was sent to a nearby shop. On his return to the pub, instead of the promised cider, he found the police waiting for him.
MMPC
Today 4th December
Sunday 2pm GAA Hall Tractor & Car Run
9th December Monday St Mary’s School
School Christmas Fayre 12 till 2pm All Welcome
14th December Wednesday Monkstown Golf Club
Mothers’ Union Christmas lunch 12:30pm €22
11th December Sunday 11am St Mary’s Church
Presentation of the Churches of Sanctuary Accreditation to the Parish.
16th December Friday 7:30pm Our Lady & St John’s Church,Carrigaline
Community Carol Service
18th December Sunday 4pm St John’s Church
Nine Lessons & Carols Service
24th December Saturday 4pm St Mary’s Church
Carols around the Crib Service for children
Advance Notice
Parish Fundraising Auction, Saturday, 18th February, 2023
If you have have any furniture, pictures, silver, jewellery, brass ware kitchen ware or appliances (in good and working order!), garden furniture and implements, clocks, toys (in good order), etc., etc., and would be prepared to donate same for the forthcoming, and much needed, auction, please contact any of the following:
Madeleine Geary, Rowland Newenham, Cecil Poole, Olna Trotter, or Lesley Roberts.
Collection of larger items etc. can be arranged.
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