Latest News from the Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

During the months of July and August, Fanlobbus Union, Co. Cork organised twenty-four  hours of prayer in each of their four churches; Dunmanway, Drimoleague, Drinagh and Coolkelure. 

Each day of prayer started at 12.00 noon on Friday and finished at 12.00 noon on Saturday. Throughout the day there were fixed times for Holy Communion, Morning and Evening Prayer, as well as fifteen prayer stations in each church to reflect on different topics and guide attendants in their prayers. 

Between twenty-five and forty-five people of all ages attended each of the churches, with many coming for the services and staying on to use the prayer stations. A virtual tour of the prayer stations can be viewed on the Fanlobbus Facebook page.

The Rev. Cliff Jeffers said:

The purpose of these days of prayer was to encourage the church to pray for our priorities for the future as we approach the re-opening of our activities later this year. The feedback from these days of prayer is being processed by a mission and ministry group in the parish. Going forward, this will help to clarify the parish vision for the next phase of ministry and activity in Fanlobbus Union of Parishes

During the past year of restrictions, two parishioners of Douglas Union with Frankfield, Co. Cork have been busy knitting hats for seafarers, continuing an activity that started in the parish on Sea Sunday 2017. This year, thirty-six woolly hats have been posted to the Port Chaplain in Dublin for distribution.

The Rev. Hazel Minion explained: 

At present, due to Covid 19 limitations, seafarers do not visit the centre in Dublin where formerly many supports were available. But the port chaplains continue to visit ships to meet seafarers, to chat with them and offer assistance where it is needed and possible. They are delighted to be able to take some woolly hats to give to them, both to keep them warm and as a token that people on land are thinking of them as they transport our goods across the world.

The Mission to Seafarers says:

Imagine getting on a ship in summer in the Philippines, dressed in shorts and t-shirt. Soon you find yourself transiting freezing Arctic waters with only your overalls to keep you warm.

Seafarers often set out on new contracts not knowing where their ship will end up or travel through, and they may need to stock up on warm clothes to see them through some of the chillier parts of the globe. We are always grateful for gifts of warm knitted items which our chaplains can pass on to seafarers.

On three consecutive Fridays over the past weeks Ballydehob Union of Parishes met at the Danno O’Mahony Statue in the centre of Ballydehob to host a Summer Fundraiser.  

Members of the congregation and visitors alike brought home-baked goods, handmade crafts, country produce, and books for sale. 

The event was also an opportunity for community-building and socialising after many months of not being able to meet up, and in line with current government guidelines.

The Rev. Steve McCann, Rector of Ballydehob Union, said:

The highlight of the three Fridays was witnessing so many friends and neighbours sharing reunions with one another.

Thank you to all those who organised, contributed to, and supported this new opportunity of fundraising for the Ballydehob Union of Parishes. A special thank you to Mrs. Annie O’Donovan who oversaw the organisation of the event with her gifted insight and her mindfulness for detail. 

We look forward to future events which foster the growth of our community and parish.

The parishioners and friends of Mallow Union came together on Saturday 7^th August to welcome the wider community to their annual Summer Fête. Despite the wind and rain, people came in large numbers and several gazebos ensured both shelter and safe distancing for everyone. As well as bric-à-brac, home baking and other home produce, there was an excellent barbecue lunch. The church was open throughout and their organist, Eamon Winter played appropriate music to ensure there was a prayerful, reflective atmosphere inside the church throughout the afternoon.  

The Summer Fête was the first major event in the parish since the arrival of the new Rector, the Reverend Meurig Williams. He was delighted to ‘fling wide the gates and open the doors’ to receive many people, some of whom were Mallow residents visiting the church for the first time. ‘It was also a great a team effort and a wonderful reflection of how everyone pulled together’, he added.

The Rector was keen to stress the importance of these events in enabling the Church of Ireland to play a full part in the life of the local community. With this in mind, he has also encouraged the Mallow Farmers’ Market to move to a new permanent home in the grounds of St James’s Church from the end of August. 

Inviting the Farmers’ Market to have a central location at the heart of the town is not just a way of signalling the Church’s support for local farmers and producers; I hope it will also be good for other shops and businesses in Mallow as more people have a reason for coming into town. It is just one small example of how mission happens when the Church becomes positively involved in a range of activities that touch different aspects of community life.