On Saturday, 20th November 2021, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton attended the re-opening of Cork Airport after having been closed for ten weeks due to the reconstruction of the main runway.
In attendance were An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and members of the cabinet, as well as about 400 guests. Along with Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop Paul blessed the new runway for safe flying for the next twenty years and beyond.
Carrigrohane Union of Parishes (the Church of Ireland parishes in and around Carrigrohane, Blarney, Ballincollig & Inniscarra) are hosting a weekend of Christmas cheer and reflection this weekend – 10th to 12th December 2021. Details of events can be found on https://www.christmasfestivalcork.ie
The festival – which builds upon a festival held for five years – is a celebration of the Christmas Nativity story and whilst also taking time to reflect upon the times that are currently being experienced in 2021.
At the heart of the festival are 50+ trees which tell the gospel story. These are decorated by schools, individuals and community groups in the area, and some are dedicated to prayer and remembrance of those who have died during the pandemic. The majority of trees are outside to allow for social distancing. Inside masks are required and hand sanitiser is provided. In addition to the trees, each venue has a Sheep Hunt for younger children.
On Saturday a pop-up market is being held in the West Wing of the Carraig Centre in Ballincollig. The market Stalls include: books, crafts, tasty treats, a local wood turner, art and handmade bears and more.
St. Peter’s Church at Carrigrohane has a number of reflective prayer stations. Inside the building, there is a special focus on the journey made by Mary and Joseph and an opportunity for visitors to reflect upon their own faith journey following reflective prayer stations in the peace and space of the church building.
On Sunday, the parish is hosting a carols by car light service in St. Senan’s Church, Inniscarra, where families and individuals are welcome to drive in and join in with some familiar carols from the comfort of their car. This is a ticketed event – 1 ticket per car – and details are available on christmasfestivalcork.ie/events.
The Rev. Robert Ferris, Rector of Carrigrohane Union says:
No matter what the weather we encourage people to come along to Carrigrohane Union this weekend! Wrap up warm and experience the Christmas story with us this weekend in this unique way. At the end of a crazy year the hope of the Christmas story and the joy of community is important. I encourage all of our neighbours, and those reading this near or far to pop along to our tree trail across our four locations and to take a bit of time to reflect upon the story which has changed the world.
Admission is free for all and buckets will be available for donations towards parish mission and ministry appeal. A collection cup is available beside the ‘homeless tree’ to support the work of St. Vincent de Paul. We will also be collecting gifts of non-perishable foods which will be donated to a local food bank.
Pop-up choirs will be performing outside at random times during the festival to bring an extra level of festival cheer. If you are coming after dark you might want to bring a torch with you as you tour the trees!
Each of the church buildings is open during the festival for private prayer. A programme and news sheet is available.
Timings of all events are as follows:
Friday 10th December
12noon-7pm Reflective Prayer stations – St. Peter’s Church Carrigrohane
12.30pm-2pm Seniors Lunch (Tickets Required) – The Carraig Centre
2pm-7pm Christmas Trees & Churches open
7.30pm Youth Festive Fiesta ’21 (Tickets Required)
Saturday 11th December
10am-7pm Christmas Trees open
10am Pop-up Christmas Market – Carraig Centre West Wing
11am-7pm Reflective Prayer stations – St. Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane
3.30pm-4.30pm Live Crib & Carols – St. Peters Field
Sunday 12th December
11am Church Service – St Senan’s Inniscarra
11am Sunday AM – Carraig Centre (Booking Required)
11am Church Service – Blarney Service of the Word
2.30pm-4.30pm Prayer Stations St Peter’s Church, Carrigrohane
2.30pm-5.30pm Christmas Trees Open
3pm-4pm Family Christmas Crafts (booking required)
6pm-7pm Church Service – Choral Evensong (Booking required)
7.30pm-8.30pm Carols by Carlight – St Senan’s Inniscarra (Booking required)
How do I book?
Where booking is required – you can find the events & links for tickets on www.christmasfestivalcork.ie/events
Where?
For information on the festival contact info@cupcork.ie or phone 0874137560
CDYC were able to hold their Annual Table Quiz in the Carraig Centre in Ballincollig back in November. On the night there were two different groups, one with young people from first to third year and the other from fourth to sixth year.
Diocesan Youth Officer Hilda Connolly said:
There was some fierce rivalry between the teams, but all done in great jest. Some of the CDYC leaders were on hand on the night to help with cooking pizza, correcting, and gathering sheets. Some members even put together a few of the rounds – some more difficult than others, but it is always good to throw a curve ball in there. The Carraig Centre was a great venue. The Rev. Ferris welcomed the group and helped with the more technical aspects too!
It was CDYC’s first indoor event since before the Covid-19 pandemic. As it was a table quiz, the teens could sit in small groups and keep within their pods, adhering to current health guidelines.
“People and Places” is back this week with a video from Templebreedy Group of Parishes. The Rev. Isobel Jackson shows us around Holy Trinity Church and the famine graveyard in Crosshaven.
As of Tuesday, 30th November 2021, the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross has an account on Instagram.
Denise Brueckl, Media and IT officer for the diocese, writes:
I am really excited to finally start posting on Instagram. Different social media platforms attract different groups of people. I feel that especially for people in my generation Instagram is a primary source of connection, interaction and inspiration. These three aspects, I believe, are also of fundamental importance to the communication in the Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross and everywhere for that matter.
Like on Facebook and Twitter, we will be sharing news, photos and videos on Instagram and I hope to show a new audience the many wonderful aspects of our diocese.
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