January 2024

 

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• Date	Ballyseedy 9.45 am	Tralee 10.45 am	Ballymac 12 noon	Kilgobbin 10.00 am	Dingle 12 noon
  7th January	MP	HC	MP	MP	No Service
  14th January	HC	MP	No Service	HC	HC
  21st January	MP	HC	HC	No Service	MP
  28th January	No Service	MP	MP	HC	HC

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The Tralee, Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy Christmas fair

The Christmas fair was a phenomenal success, the result of so much hard work and planning. So much of this work is unseen and behind the scenes and is done so generously because of the love and commitment parishioners have for their parish. The Christmas fair is also a great community building event for our parish and its one of the many ways that we connect with and reach into the community in the Tralee area. Thanks to all who contributed, donated, attended and supported it any way and to Susie who coordinated it. It raised almost €15,000. All those involved  can be very proud of themselves. As Rector I am also so proud of them and what they achieved. It was just a great day for our parish. Many thanks and congratulations to one and all.

St. John's Library Corner.

A space has recently been set aside in the Kermode Chapel in St. John's to create a small library area.  This has been made possible by the generosity of the family of the late Mary Kinch, who kindly donated a bookshelf and table which had belonged to Mary.  Already a few interesting books have been donated to help start our little library.  We welcome further donations from parishioners of books of a religious/spiritual nature to add to the collection.  Anyone is free to borrow a book and to please return it when finished, for others to enjoy. This space should also prove useful during services, where families can sit and allow small children to amuse themselves using the colouring packs provided.  It is hoped that, as we further develop our tourism project, the area will also provide a tranquil and welcoming space for people to sit and read or pray or just enjoy quiet time.  Also, no doubt, in the future, other uses for the area will come to light.  We are most grateful to the Kinch family for their generosity.  The significance of the furniture's connection will surely add a special warmth to this little space for Mary's many friends within the parish. 

Confirmation.

We have been given the 9th of June for confirmation in the parish. Those interested should get in contact with me in the next few weeks. There will also be conformation in the parish in 2025.

School Concert and Play

Congratulations to all the children in the school and to the staff who prepared them for producing such a lovely event in the parish hall. This was the second time that it was held in Teach an tSolais and it worked so well.

Christmas services.

Thank you to all who took the time to prepare and decorate our five churches for Christmas, they were all so tastefully decorated. It’s really appreciated and adds so much to our worship.

Thank you also to all who took part in the various services, readers, singers, choirs. musicians and the Church Wardens who ensured that everything went so smoothly. It was very encouraging to see good numbers at all of our Christmas services.

 

Congratulations

With every Best wish to Karen Blennerhassett from Camp and Edward Clarke on their recent engagement. It’s a double congratulation for Karen who was also appointed Principal of Meán Scoil Nua an Leith Triúigh in Castlegregory in the same week and we wish her all the best in her role.

Concerts over Christmas in Tralee

Frank McNamara held another very successful Christmas concert in St Johns on the 10th December and in spite of all the other events taking place in Tralee and elsewhere that night he drew a crowd, it was the biggest number that I have ever seen at a concert in the Church. This was his second concert in St Johns and he will be back again in March.

Again, thanks to those who came along on the night under Olive’s guidance to show people to their seats.

The parish made the church available to a local group who were raising money for UNICEF to assist children who have been affected in Gaza by the war taking place there at the moment.

Also that week we made the church available to Mercy Mounthawk ,for two days to record a CD.

 

Wednesday group lunch.

This was our first Christmas lunch. Eighteen of us gathered in The Ashe Hotel, it was a lovely time together before Christmas. We meet in St Johns every Wednesday at 11 for Communion, Craic and Coffee in the Ashe afterwards. The group continues to engage on the Wednesday group Whats App group during the week. All are welcome,

Parishioners in Hospital

Due to privacy rules and GDPR its not possible to ask in hospitals anymore for a list of C of I patients. I am happy to visit any parishioner in any of the hospitals and care homes in the wider parish area. The provision of pastoral care to Church of Ireland patients in the hospitals such as UHK and the BONS is part of my role. I work  closely with the full time chaplains, but Please let me know if you or a loved one would like a visit or indeed if anyone known to you would like a visit.

 

Prayer as we begin another year

Grant, O Lord, that as the year changes, that we will continue to trust in your unchangeableness.

May we meet the new year bravely, sure in the faith that while life and circumstances change, that you are the same, guiding us with your wisdom and protecting us with your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Thank you for your support and generosity to the parish during 2023. 

Jim

Keep on Following the Star

Let your word continue to be a light to our feet and a lamp to our path.

 

Parish website: www.traleedingle.ardfert.anglican.org   

Email: stjohns.ashestreet@gmail.com    087 0529107