Happy New Year to you and all your loved ones. I hope that, in the midst of all the festivities that go with Christmas celebrations, you would have had the opportunity to experience the close presence of Mary and Joseph’s baby son, Jesus, also known as Emmanuel, which means, “God is with us.” Some may think that such an experience is beyond us since Jesus was born over 2000 yrs. ago. That’s not true because the Bible reminds us of Jesus’ own words when He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of time.” (Matthew 28vs20).
As we begin this new year, we may have every reason to be pessimistic about the future, especially when we think that, in recent times, we have been through COVID-19 pandemic, and we are currently facing an energy crisis and a looming recession. May I remind you that we are God’s children, and we are not without hope. Jesus says in John 14vs1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.” This is easier said than done, I can almost hear you say. Not so, ours is to let God into our hearts and let Him take control. Revelations 3vs20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with you and you with me.” As we begin our journey into the new year let us put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the son of Joseph and Mary who was born on Christmas day and who is called “Emmanuel, God is with us.” May you choose Christ and have a blessed new year.
Revd. Ivan
Ballymoney School On the 30th November, the pupils of Ballymoney NS performed in a very entertaining comedy called ‘You really need to find a wife!’ They had rehearsed for weeks, and we were so proud of them all. They led the Parish Carol Service and Nativity Play in Kilmeen Church on 18th December, and they also took part in the Community Carol Service in the BEDA Hall on 21st December. It was a busy month which ended with one of the highlights of the year – ‘The Buttimer Bake Off’. This was a tradition that Jean Buttimer, our former Chairperson started, to congratulate the pupils on all their hard work in preparing for the Nativity Play and Carol Service which was held on the 18th December at St. Patrick’s Church, Kilmeen. Congratulations to everybody involved for an excellent service.
The pupils thoroughly enjoyed their creative month, especially their two weeks of kindness homework! On Sunday 12th December the pupils took a stall at the Craft Fair in the BEDA Hall. It was a particularly cold weekend and they decided to make crafts to fundraise for Cork Simon Community. They raised over €400 which will be used to support homelessness.
Mother’s Union On Tuesday 6th December the Mother’s Union Group enjoyed making a Christmas table decoration which was organised by Grace Hosford. They were joined by 2 ladies from Bandon and 2 from Dunmanway, and everybody enjoyed the evening. This was followed by a party with an assortment of Christmas food and non-alcoholic mulled wine.
The next meetings will be on Tuesday 10th January and Tuesday 14th February 2023 in St. Paul’s Parish Centre, Ballineen at 8.30pm.
We remind all members that their subscriptions are due for paid. Charitable Giving As part of our charitable giving a donation has been made to Lisheens House, which is a local charity based in Skibbereen, that deals with mental health issues and suicide. They also gave a talk at a recent meeting of our Mother’s Union Group, which was very enlightening.
Holy Baptism Congratulations to Oisin Samuel Lucey who was baptised on 20th November in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh. Oisin Samuel is the son of James and Amanda Lucey and grandchild to Florence Giles, Don Giles and Noel Dukelow. As we welcome new life into our Church Community and into the family of the worldwide church, we step forward and offer our support and prayers.
Select Vestry The next meeting will be on Thursday 19th January 2023 in St. Paul’s Parish Centre, Ballineen at 8.30pm
Condolences go to the family, relatives and friends of Charlotte (Chattie) Wilson (Lisnagat, Bandon) who passed away peacefully in the loving care of the Management and Staff at Grange Con Nursing Home on November 15th.The funeral was held in St. Patrick’s Church, Farranthomas followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard. At peace with her recently deceased sister Elizabeth (Betty).
Condolences also go to the family, relatives and friends of Edna Patterson (nee Kingston) who passed away peacefully in the care of the staff of Bridhaven Nursing Home, Mallow on December 1st. The funeral was held in St. followed by burial in St. Matthew’s Graveyard, Drimoleague. Together again with her beloved husband Victor.
Services for Year A – January 2023
| Dates & Time | 1-Jan The Naming & Circumcision of Jesus | 8-Jan Epiphany I: The Baptism of Christ | 15-Jan Epiphany II | 22-Jan Epiphany III | 29-Jan Presentation of Christ in the Temple |
| Readings | Galatians 4:4-7 Psalm 8 Luke 2:15-21 | Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 29 Matthew 3:13-17 | 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Psalm 40:1-12 John 1:29-42 | 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Psalm 27:1, 4-12 Matthew 4:12-23 | 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 Psalm 15 Matthew 5:1-12 |
| 10:00am | Kilmeen Morning Prayer | Farranthomas Holy Communion | Kilmeen Holy Communion | Farranthomas Morning Prayer | |
| 11:00am | Farranthomas United Service Holy Communion | ||||
| 11:30am | Kinneigh Holy Communion | Kinneigh Morning Prayer | Kinneigh Morning Prayer | Kinneigh Holy Communion |
Services for Year A – February 2023
| Dates & Time | 5-Feb 3rd Sunday before Lent | 12-Feb 2nd Sunday before Lent | 19-Feb Sunday before Lent | 22-Feb Ash Wednesday | 26-Feb Lent I |
| Readings | 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 Psalm 112:1-9 Matthew 5:13-20 | Romans 8:18-25 Psalm 136:1-9 Matthew 6:25-34 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 Psalm 2 Matthew 17:1-9 | Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1-18 2 Corinthians 5:20b – 6:10 | Romans 5:12-19 Psalm 32 Matthew 4:1-11 |
| 10:00am | Kinneigh Holy Communion | Kilmeen Holy Communion | Farranthomas Holy Communion | Kilmeen Holy Communion | |
| 11:30am | Farranthomas Morning Prayer | Kinneigh Morning Prayer | Kinneigh Morning Prayer | Kinneigh Holy Communion | |
| 20:00pm | Kinneigh Evening Service |
St. Bartholomew’s Church, Kinneigh – Eircode P47 W023
St. Patrick’s Church, Farranthomas – Eircode P72 CR20
Christ Church, Kilmeen – Eircode P85 RF40
Rev’d Ivan Ruiters, Telephone: 023 8847809 Mobile: 087 1779319
