Newsletter July 2021

Columba and Barnabas

Columba and Barnabas

These are two names that you would not hear around these parts too often, or in our Churches either unless their feast days occur on a Sunday. Columba was born in Donegal in 521 and Barnabas was a friend of St Pauls. We were able to remember both in Church this year on their feast days. We commemorated Columba at the Mid-week Holy Communion in St Johns on the 9th June.

2021 marks the 1500 anniversary of his birth. It was also important as Richard Hilliard a member of our neighbouring parish of Killarney who died in the past 12 months was one of the crew that re-enacted in 1963 the journey that Columba and his friends made from Derry to Iona in Scotland 563.

As we talked about Columba in Church, Mona told us how she was one of a number of people from Kerry who waited on the Island of Iona to welcome Richard and his fellow rowers when they arrived on the Island. This trip in 1963 was organised by the Rector of Tralee, The Rev Canon Kermode.

Two days later we had an opportunity to remember St Barnabas on his feast day, the 11th June at the end of term service for the senior class in St Johns. This was a much smaller and socially distanced celebration in our Church and Rev Jim spoke to the class about one of Barnabas great gifts which was one of encouragement.

During the service we gave thanks for all the encouragement that the young people received in the school from the staff and from their parents and I encouraged then to have courage and to be encouragers as they move to new school in the Autumn.

Congratulations also to Ms Maura Doherty who was married on the 19th June, Congratulations to Maura and Jason as they begin their married lives.

 

On the 23rd June I celebrated the 30th Anniversary of my ordination to the Diaconate at the mid-week service in St Johns.

BB and Random Acts of Kindness

The final event that was organised by Collette for the boys and girls of the Tralee company was to perform random acts of kindness.

So Jake washed his grandparents' windows,

Ruby and Ross made cupcakes and delivered them to their neighbours

Isaac made a treat box for the postman and delivery drivers

Iona made a card for her mum’s aunt

Grace P helped make banana bread while Luke swept the floor

Grace K hung out the washing and Abigail made breakfast for her family

Jotham and Jovia help dad dig out the vegetable patch and Emmet and his friend Sebastian made a comic for their favourite teacher.

Well done to our creative Captain Collette and to the Boys and Girls who engaged so willingly with the various challenges.

 

Tours of St Johns Ashe Street.

This is very kindly facilitated by Paddy who is the pastoral worker at St Johns Castle Street.

He has formed a group of youth ambassadors who will give tours of the two parish churches.

Tours of St Johns Ashe Street will take place every Wednesday until the end of July at 10.15am and at 11.30am. The tours will commence at the entrance gate.

 

Hospitality

Since the easing of restriction it has become a joy to walk around our town centres in the last few weeks, many of which have been transformed by the café culture that has emerged on our streets particularly when the weather is fine.

The presence of people makes all the difference and it’s the same story in our churches when we gather in numbers, we create a warm, welcoming and supportive atmosphere which allows the spirit to work in ways that are beyond our imagination.

 

Return to church

Its good to see parishioners returning to Church and attendances have been good,  we continue to give thanks for your  support of the parish by your prayers, presence and by the giving of your financial contributions.

 

House visits. I will be making my way around the parish, but I am happy to have a chat at the door.

 

School and Colleges.

All our young people have finished college and school for the summer with many of our primary schools closing this week. We wish our parents, children and the staff in our schools a restful summer.

Sympathy

To the extended Groves family on the death of Kathleen in the UK.

 

Fun and laughter

One of the essays in this year’s Leaving Cert English Paper was: "Write a personal essay in which you reflect on the role of humour, fun and laughter in life."

I am told that it was well received by students. Given all the sadness and stress that has been a part of Covid 19, it must have been good to focus on what makes us laugh.

In the midst of all the challenges difficulties, pain and struggles that we face as we journey through life, there will be always opportunities to smile and to laugh. For those who feel that life is difficult and there is little to smile about, Please remember, we are holding you in our prayers.