Rathkeale Parish notes in ‘Newslink’ May 2018

Following the Good Friday processions in Thessaloniki … a week after Easter celebrations in the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

Priest-in-Charge: The Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,
The Rectory, Askeaton, Co Limerick.

Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Easter, with all its hopes and joys, has dawned … and Patrick had an opportunity to commemorate Good Friday and celebrate Easter in Thessaloniki, where the Greek Calendar marked Easter a week later this year.

Sharing the Light of Christ at the Easter celebrations in Castletown Church

Although the Easter Vestries have met, one after another, the Easter Season, with all its celebrations and liturgical greetings, continues until the Day of Pentecost, Whit Sunday (10 May).

These celebrations continue with special celebrations marking three particular days in May: Ascension Day (10 May), the Day of Pentecost or White Sunday (20 May) and Trinity Sunday (27 May).

Sunday 6 May (Easter 6): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Sunday 13 May (Easter 7): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.

Sunday 20 May (Pentecost, Whit Sunday): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s, Askeaton; 11.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Brendan’s, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Sunday 27 May (Trinity Sunday): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown; 11.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity, Rathkeale.

Easter Vestries:

Askeaton Easter Vestry: Churchwardens: Simon White (Rector’s), Ann Drew (People’s) Churchwarden; Glebewardens: Simon White (Rector’s), Ralph Drew (People’s), Treasurer, Ralph Drew; Secretary, Anne Drew. Additional vestry members: Hilary White, Betty Cregan, Donogh O’Grady, Gerald Griffin, Richard Langford, Brian Fitzell.

Castletown Easter Vestry: Churchwardens: Declan Shier (Rector’s), David Downes (People’s); Glebe Committee: Thomas Downes; Treasurer, Thomas Downes; Secretary, Raylene Downes. Additional vestry members, Valerie Downes, Linda Smith, Victor Gardiner.

Kilnaughtin Easter Vestry: Churchwardens: Eric Parkinson (Rector’s), Alan Fitzell (People’s); Glebewardens: Alan Fitzell (Rector’s), Joe Gleeson (People’s); Treasurer, Nikki O’Mahony; Secretary, Margaret Fitzell.

Rathkeale Easter Vestry: Churchwardens: Niall West (Rector’s), Daphne Casey (People’s); Glebewardens: George Shorten (Rector’s), Niall Shorten (People’s); Treasurer, Jennifer Shorten; Secretary: Susan Shorten. Select Vestry: Edward Buckingham, Jean Fitzell, Pearl Mitchell, Evelyn Lambert, Shirley Sheehan, Isaac Langford.

Group Treasurer: Victor Gardiner.

Rectory work parties:

Over three or four weeks, work parties have been busy in the Rectory Garden, cutting back the growth, pruning the shrubs and bushes, tending to the trees and the grass. The garden is now a welcoming place, and already, on sunny mornings, it has become a place to work, to think and to pray. A warm thank you to all involved.

The Rectory Garden in Askeaton … ready for summer after successive work parties

Forward planning:

10-12 May: General Synod meets in Armagh.

23 May: end-of-year service in Coláiste na Trócaire, Rathkeale.

24 May: Patrick Comerford speaks at book launch, The Preacher and the Prelate, by Patricia Byrne, O’Mahony’s Bookshop, Limerick.

Newcastle West font: The Baptismal Font from the former Church in Newcastle West is about to find a new home in the Desmond Castle in May. Parishioners interested in attending the events to mark this should contact Patrick.

This is an edited version of the Parish Notes in the May 2018 edition of the diocesan magazine ‘Newslink’