Tralee and Dingle October Newsletter 2023.

Email : stjohns.ashestreet@gmail.com

Rev Jim Stephens @ 087 0529107

http://www.traleedingle.ardfert.anglican.org/

Date	Ballyseedy 9.45 am	Tralee 10.45am	Ballymac 12 noon	Kilgobbin 10.00 am	Dingle 12 noon
1st October	MP	HC	MP	MP	No Service
8th October	HC	MP	No Service	Harvest	Harvest in Camp
15th October	MP	HC	HC	No Service	MP
22nd October	No Service	MP	3pm	HC	HC
29th October	No Service	HC 5pm	No Service	MP	MP

Confirmation.

Please let me know if you are interested in confirming your faith at the confirmation service which will take place next year at a date yet to be given by the bishop.

Confirmation is open to all those in 6th Class and older. Confirmation provides an opportunity for our young people and their parents and indeed for the whole parish family to think again about the Christian faith and what it means, its relevance to us, and to society in general, and to take the next step and confirm for themselves the promises that their parents and God Parents made on their behalf at their Baptism. It is an opportunity for me to get to know the young people a little better and to share a little of the Christian faith.

At the heart of confirmation is promising to keep those promises. When we make promises and give our word, we should not do so lightly but thoughtfully and prayerfully and with the intention of doing our best.

I believe that as Christians we are the custodians of something that is very precious and of value to ourselves and the world around us.

As the Hymn says, ‘We have a Gospel to proclaim, good news for all throughout the world.

Just think of the difference that those motivated by their Christian Faith have made in the world, and where we would be without them and what type of a world would we be living in now.

The Message of Christ still needs to be told and witnessed to in the world. I saw a challenging sign outside a church one time; it went like this ‘Jesus the Carpenter needs Joiners!

Harvests

The first of our Harvest Thanksgiving services took place in St Johns on Sunday the 24th September.

The church was wonderfully and generously prepared and decorated for the celebration.

Many thanks to all who put so much of their time, talent and generosity into preparing it so well.

The church remained open that weekend so that visitors could enjoy ambience.

On the Wednesday following the harvest the school joined us once again and sang for us at our mini harvest celebration.

Our second harvest is scheduled for Kilgobbin Church Camp on the 8th October at 3pm.This will be an ecumenical service and the Castlegregory parish choir will join us, and what a wonderful joyful sound they bring to our celebration. This will be followed by tea in the Old School rooms in Camp.

The Speaker at both services, Louise Quill is a primary school teacher in Killorglin and who has founded the Tír Na nÓg Children's Foundation in Tanzania and is the voluntary CEO of the organization. It’s truly amazing what she has achieved in Tanzania.

Congratulations:

To Ellie Roberts, Church warden in St James Dingle on her recent marriage to David Ogden. We wish them both every happiness as they begin their married life.

A Christian Aid fund raising walk took place on Saturday 16th September.

It began at 11am at the Car park opposite Blennerville Windmill. The walk continued out by the Canal towards the lock gate and on by the coastal path towards the Tralee Cricket Club and returned to Blennerville afterwards where some of the group stayed for refreshments. Over 800 euro was raised for the work of Christian Aid. We were blessed with a lovely morning in a beautiful place.

Many thanks to all who supported this walk.

Celebration in Ballymacelligott

A service will be held in Ballymacelligott church to give thanks for all that the Church means to the families who worshiped there for over two hundred years, through all the changing scenes of life.

To give thanks for their faithfulness and generosity, including that of those who currently worship there at the present time and still support it so faithfully.

It will also be a time to give thanks for the work that has been done in the grounds and to the exterior of the church in the last few years.

This will help safeguard the church for the future.

The service will be held on the 22nd October at 3pm and all are welcome.

Chopin by the candlelight

This concert by Frank McNamara of Late Late show fame and his son will be performed in St Johns on the 26th October as part of his Chopin by Candlelight concert.

Tickets can be found on eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/chopin-by-candlelight-tralee-tickets-716058619607

Family service on the fifth Sunday

This year we will hold the service at 5pm on the afternoon of the 29th October so that as many families as possible can attend. We plan to have refreshments in Teach an tSolais after the service.

Opening of St Johns,

This was the first year that we opening the church for a significant period over the summer.

It was a success and we are so thankful to those who volunteered so generously and to Olive who coordinated this.

The Church will be open again this weekend as follows to allow visitors to see the Harvest floral displays.

September 30th 12 to 2pm ,    October 1st 12 to 2pm

Ecumenical Service in St Johns Castle Street. on the afternoon of the 30th  between 3 - 4pm to pray for the synod of Bishops meeting in Rome who  on Synodality.

All Saints tide service of remembrance.

This will be held in Tralee on the 5th November. In preparation for this service we will have cards available near the memory tree where anyone can write the name of those they wish to remember. Candles will also be available that Sunday.

 4th October, Feast of St Francis of Assisi

We will remember St Francis on his feast day, this Wednesday the 4th October at the mid-week service in St Johns.

'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light and where there is sadness, joy.' ~St. Francis of Assisi