Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin notes in ‘Newslink’ September 2019

The Baptism of Tamsin Anabel Foley in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

The fifth Sunday of the month in September provides an opportunity to celebrate the end of Summer in the Rectory in Askeaton after a united group Eucharist in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton. Summer this year was filled with the celebration of baptisms and the fun of barbecues. Autumn sees the return to school and plans for the Harvest.

Tamsin Anabel Foley was baptised in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Sunday 21 July

Tamsin Anabel Foley, daughter of Nicky White (Nantinan) and Rob Foley (Cork), who were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, last year, was baptised in Saint Mary’s on Sunday 21 July.

The parish summer barbecue took place in the Rectory Gardens after the United Group Eucharist on Sunday 30 June.

Enjoying the parish barbecue in the Rectory in Askeaton

It was good to see Edward Buckingham back in the pulpit as reader emeritus in this group of parishes when he led Morning Prayer and preached in Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert) on Sunday 5 August.

As President of Irish CND, Canon Patrick Comerford was one of the speakers at the annual Hiroshima Day commemorations in Merrion Square, Dublin, on 6 August. Later in the month, he spoke in Tarbert on 15 August at the annual service commemorating 17 people, including some parishioners, who drowned in a tragedy on the Shannon Estuary in 1893.

An altar from Saint Brendan’s Church, Tarbert, is on loan to Saint Mark’s Chapel in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick

The Dean of Limerick, the Very Revd Niall Sloane, has written to thank Kilnaughtin Parish for lending Saint Mary’s Cathedral an altar that had been stored in Saint Brendan’s Church. This altar now provides a focus point in Saint Mark’s Chapel, a place for quiet and reflection in the cathedral, and there are plans to invite parishioners to a re-hallowing or blessing service in the weeks to come.

September Services:

Sunday 1 September (Trinity XI): 9.30, the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert (with the Revd Joe Hardy).

Sunday 8 September (Trinity XII, the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary): 9.30, the Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.

Sunday 15 September (Trinity XIII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin, Tarbert.

Sunday 22 September (Trinity XIV): 9.30 a.m., Morning Prayer, Castletown Church; 11.30, the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.

Sunday 29 September (Trinity XV, Saint Michael and All Angels): 11 a.m., United Group Service, the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, followed by an end-of-summer celebration at lunchtime in the Rectory.

September Diary:

Mothers’ Union: Opening Eucharist to mark the new season on Monday 9 September at 8 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Church.

Harriet Monsell: Patrick Comerford is speaking in Ardagh on 13 September on Mother Harriet Monsell (1811-1883), who is commemorated in the calendar of the Church of England. She was a sister of William Smith O’Brien (1803-1864) of Cahermoyle House.

Heritage Walk: Saint Kieran’s Heritage Association is organising a walk and talk on Sunday 22 September. The walk starts at Ardagh Community Centre, at 2 pm, strolls on to Cahermoyle, and then to Rathronan Graveyard for an ecumenical blessing of the graves and wreath-laying, before moving on to Community Centre in Ardagh for a talk and ‘cuppa.’ All are welcome, and the walk can be joined at any stage.

Clothes Swap: Another fund-raising clothes swap takes place in the Rectory on 27 September. Further details from Barbara Comerford.

Harvest Plans: This year’s Harvest Thanksgiving service takes place in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Friday 4 October, which is also the Feastday of Saint Francis of Assisi. This year’s guest preacher is Canon Aisling Shine, of Drumcondra Parish and Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin.

Fine food and fare at the parish barbecue in the Rectory in Askeaton

This is an edited version of the parish notes for the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes in the September 2019 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the magazine of the Church of Ireland United Diocese of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert.