09 April 2019

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin
notes in ‘Newslink’ April 2019

Simon White speaking at the reception to mark the completion of work on the west front of Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Lent 2019:

Lent and Easter are relatively late this year. Four Lenten study evenings are taking place in the Rectory at 8 p.m. on Thursdays in Lent. In March, the study evenings looked at the Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed. There are two further evenings in April: Thursday 4 April, the Athanasian Creed; Thursday 11 April, the 39 Articles.

These evenings are open to all parishioners and friends. Tea/coffee are provided at each of these study evenings, which last for about an hour.

Askeaton scaffolding:

The scaffolding that covered the west front of Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, has come down and this stage of securing the church façade has been completed successfully. At a reception in the church Sunday afternoon, Simon White explained the work involved and what has been achieved.

Many thanks to Simon and Hilary White, Bill Conroy, Leo Sullivan, Ralph and Ann Drew, Donagh O’Grady, Sabastian Billioud, Charlie Slagle, Brian Fitzell, Richard Langford, Tom Carew, Moran’s Shop, Peter McGarry, and the many parishioners, friends and neighbours who helped with this work, and to Ann Drew, Kaye Griffin and Betty Cregan who worked hard to bring the church interior back to pristine condition.

Attentive listeners in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, at the reception to mark the completion of work on the west front of the church

Rathkeale railing:

Limerick City and County Council has approved €3000 funding for railing at Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, under the current Community Employment Scheme. Thank you to Councillor Adam Teskey for his role in securing this funding.

Ministry training in the Rectory:

The Revd Anne-Marie Stuart, FJ, of the Kilcolman Union of Parishes lead two workshops for clergy and readers on ‘The Adventure of Prayer’ and ‘Faith Development’ in the Rectory in Askeaton, on 4 March. The next workshops take place in Askeaton Rectory on Monday 13 May.

Services in April, Holy Week and Easter 2019:

Sunday 7 April (Lent 5): 9.30, Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert).

Sunday 14 April (Palm Sunday, Lent 6): 9.30, The Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale.

Monday 15 April: 8 p.m., Evening Prayer, Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton.

Tuesday 16 April: 8 p.m., Late Evening Office, Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin.

Wednesday 17 April: 8 p.m., Compline, Holy Trinity, Rathkeale.

Thursday 18 April (Maundy Thursday): 8 p.m., the Maundy Eucharist, with Washing of the Feet, Castletown Church.

Friday 19 April (Good Friday): 12 noon to 3 p.m.: The Three Hours, Christ’s journey with the Cross to Calvary, Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton.

Saturday 20 April (Easter Eve): 8 p.m., The Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity, Rathkeale; 10 p.m., The Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Castletown Church.

Sunday 21 April (Easter Day): 9.30 a.m., the Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30 a.m., the Easter Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Saint Brendan’s Church, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert).

Sunday 28 April (Easter 1): 9.30: Morning Prayer, Castletown Church; the Parish Eucharist (Holy Communion 2), Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale (with the Revd Joe Hardy).

Ann Drew, Richard Langford and Canon Patrick Comerford at the reception marking the completion of recent work at Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton

This is an edited version of the parish notes for the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes in the April 2019 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the magazine of the Church of Ireland United Diocese of Limerick, Killaloe and Ardfert (pp 27-28).

Praying through Lent with
USPG (35): 9 April 2019

‘Jesus falls for the First Time’ … Station III in the Stations of the Cross in the Chapel of Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co Kildare (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2019)

Patrick Comerford

During Lent this year, I am using the USPG Prayer Diary, Pray with the World Church, for my morning prayers and reflections.

USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) is the Anglican mission agency that partners churches and communities worldwide in God’s mission to enliven faith, strengthen relationships, unlock potential, and champion justice. It was founded in 1701.

This week [7-13 April], the USPG prayer diary focusses on the theme of ‘Hope.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday [7 April 2019] with ‘Tagori’s Story,’ an article based upon a report from the ‘Let My People Go’ programme, which is run by the Church of North India Synodical Board of Social Services (CNISBSS) to support marginalised Dalit and tribal people.

Tuesday 9 April:

Pray for the Dalit of India and all born into poverty who live with daily prejudice and rejection, that they may discover their worth, find their voice and campaign for change.

The Collect:

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
Grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross,
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Lenten Collect:

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yesterday’s reflection

Continued tomorrow