Daily prayers in Ordinary Time with USPG: (130) 5 October 2023

Saint Michael’s Church, Waterville, Co Kerry, was built in the 1860s (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Patrick Comerford

We are in Ordinary Time in the Church Calendar, and the week began with the Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity (Trinity XVII, 1 October 2023).

Before today begins, I am taking some time this morning for prayer and reflection.

The Church celebrated Saint Michael and All Angels last Friday (29 September). So my reflections each morning during Michaelmas last week and this week are taking this format:

1, A reflection on a church named after Saint Michael or his depiction in Church Art;

2, the Gospel reading of the day in the Church of England lectionary;

3, a prayer from the USPG prayer diary.

In the porch of the Church of Saint Michael and All Angels, Waterville … renovated in recent years to serve as a church and a heritage centre (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Saint Michael and All Angels Church, Waterville, Co Kerry:

Waterville is on the Ring of Kerry on a narrow strip of land between Currane Lake and the Atlantic Ocean. The Church of Saint Michael and All Angels is the Church of Ireland parish church in Waterville. The parish has also been known as Dromod and Templedrome. The original church at Dromod or Dromid was at Salahig, outside Waterville, and dated back to the 12th century.

The list of vicars and rectors of the parish dates back to the early 15th century when Maurice O’Sullewayn (O’Sullivan) was appointed Vicar of Inishnosail or Drummad in the Diocese of Ardfert, after obtaining a dispensation because he was the son of a priest. A similar dispensation, for the same reason, was granted in 1430 to his successor, Maurice O’Cuoma.

By the mid-15th century, the Papal letters note that the parish was a sinecure. The appointment was often filled by non-resident pluralists, who left their pastoral and parochial duties to low-paid curates. For example, in the early 19th century, Daniel Eccles Lucas was Rector of Dromod or Waterville in Co Kerry (1812-1828), and at the same time Rector of Castleblakeney, Co Galway (1823-1828), in the Diocese of Elphin.

George Blake Concannon was Rector of Dromod in 1855-1872, but during that time was also chaplain to the Earl of Gainsborough (1865-1870). This second appointment is all the more surprising because Charles Noel (1818-1881), 2nd Earl of Gainsborough, was a prominent Whig politician who became a Roman Catholic in a very public conversion in 1850, along with his wife and children.

I told this story in ‘Four Victorian weddings and a funeral,’ published as a chapter in Marriage and the Irish: A miscellany, edited by Salvador Ryan (Wordwell: Dublin, 2019).

While Concannon was Rector of Dromod, the Church of Saint Michael and All Angels was built in 1861 and was consecrated by Charles Graves, Bishop of Limerick and Ardfert, in 1866. The church is set in an interesting graveyard, with the former parish school beside it, and commending views out across Waterville Bay.

Inside Saint Michael’s Church, designed by Welland and Gillespie (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Saint Michael’s is a double-height over part-basement Gothic Revival church, dated 1866. It was designed by Joseph Welland and completed by the partnership of Welland and Gillespie.

The church has a four-bay nave, a single-bay, double-height lower chancel at the east end, a vestry projection on the north side, a corbelled limestone ashlar spirelet at the gable, and a single-bay porch on the south side,.

The church is built with random rubble red sandstone walls with grey limestone dressings and has a pitched artificial slate roof with gable limestone copings and springers. There is a buttress at the centre of the west gable, a limestone corbel table to the gutters, carved rosettes at the west gable and a base batter. The lancet windows have limestone surrounds and leaded diamond glazing with stained glass margins. The east window is a triple lancet.

The church was first planned in 1858-1859 and the foundation stone was laid in March 1859. The contractor was DW Murphy of Bantry, Co Cork. The plans were modified by Joseph Welland and William Gillespie in 1861-1866, and the church was consecrated on 29 September 1866.

The two-light west window, designed by Heaton, Butler and Bayne, was erected in 1882 in memory of John Edward Butler of Waterville and Youghal.

A later Victorian Rector of Dromod, Canon William Augustine Blood-Smith, was in Waterville in 1881-1883. He was a son-in-law of Canon Samuel Willis, Rector of Rathkeale, and later became Archdeacon of Killaloe and Kilfenora.

A lighting strike around 1900 and an increase in the size of the congregation with the expansion of the Commercial Cable Company provided the impetus for extending the church and adding a new belfry.

There are two memorials in the church to Archdeacon John George Fahy and his family. He was Rector of Dromod for over 40 years (1883-1924), was also Archdeacon of Aghadoe from 1912 and Archdeacon of Ardfert and Aghadoe from 1922, although Ardfert is misspelled on his memorial as Ardeert.

A new reredos in Saint Michael’s Church was dedicated on 18 September 1960. The church was rededicated to Saint Michael and All Angels on 29 September 1966, when the Revd James Leslie Enright was the Rector of Waterville and Valentia.

The Friends of Saint Michael’s, Waterville, was set up in 2010, after the church was a venue during the Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival.

Five years ago, the local parish and the Rural Development Agency signed an agreement on a 10-year lease for the church. The parish still uses the church for services, but a heritage centre has been added to the vestry, and the church is being used for exhibitions, films, concerts and other events.

The completion of the first stage was celebrated at an ecumenical service on Trinity Sunday, 27 May 2018, when Father Gerald Finnucane and Saint Finian’s Parish, Waterville, were thanked for the use of the Waterville Oratory during the project.

A report from the Kenmare and Dromod Group of Parishes in the diocesan magazine Newslink was inviting: ‘We look forward to welcoming our regular Sunday visitors, following in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin and General Charles de Gaulle – why not join them for a day out to the far West of the Kingdom of Kerry.’

The Waterville community, through the local development company IRD is dedicated to the protection, restoration and enhancement of the church.

The Revd Michael Cavanagh has been the priest-in-charge of Kenmare, Kilcrohane, Dromod and Valentia since 2010.

The windows at the west end of the church are in memory of John Edward Butler of Waterville (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Luke 10: 1-12 (NRSVA):

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. 2 He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace to this house!” 6 And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the labourer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; 9 cure the sick who are there, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” 10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.” 12 I tell you, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town.’

The reredos in Saint Michael’s Church was dedicated on 18 September 1960 (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Today’s Prayer:

The theme this week in ‘Pray With the World Church,’ the Prayer Diary of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel), is ‘Supporting Justice for Women in Zambia.’ This theme was introduced on Sunday.

The USPG Prayer Diary today (5 October 2023, World Teachers Day) invites us to pray in these words:

We thank you, Lord, for teachers across the world. May we value their work and their wisdom.

The Collect:

Almighty God,
you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you:
pour your love into our hearts and draw us to yourself,
and so bring us at last to your heavenly city
where we shall see you face to face;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

The Post Communion Prayer:

Lord, we pray that your grace
may always precede and follow us,
and make us continually to be given to all good works;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Archdeacon John George Fahy and his family are commemorated by two memorials in Saint Michael’s Church (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Yesterday’s Reflection

Continued Tomorrow

Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition copyright © 1989, 1995, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org

Saint Michael’s Church looks out onto Waterville Bay and the Wild Atlantic Way (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ February 2022

The Baptism of Ella Roseline Hilary Delbarry in 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.

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Welcoming the new Bishop:

Congratulations to Bishop Michael Burrows on his election as the Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. Patrick and the new bishop have worked together on many projects, including the Decade of Evangelism, USPG and USPG Ireland, and the talks between the Church of Ireland and the Moravian Church.

Christmas and Carol services:

Christmas celebrations included the Carols and lighting the Christmas tree at the Old Abbey, in Rathkeale, the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in Askeaton, and the Epiphany chalking of the church and rectory doors in Askeaton. Thanks to Michael Holly for the generous gift of flowers and candles in Tarbert, and to our Parish Reader, Siobhán Wheeler, for looking after Sunday services on Saint Stephen’s Day.

Baptism:

Ella Roseline Hilary Delbarry, daughter of Elizabeth (Ebie) Delbarry and Emanuel (Manu) Delbarry, was baptised on 27 December in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton. The sponsors were Samantha Bowen, Wendy Mullins and Rob Foley. Ella is a granddaughter of Hilary and Simon White of Nantenan.

Parish services in February 2022:

Sunday 6 February 2022 (Fourth Sunday before Lent):

9.30, Askeaton, the Parish Eucharist; 11.30, Saint Brendan’s Church, Tarbert, Morning Prayer.

Sunday 13 February 2022 (Third Sunday before Lent): 9.30, Castletown Church, Parish Eucharist; 11.30, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.

Sunday 20 February 2022 (Second Sunday before Lent): 9.30, Askeaton, Morning Prayer; 11.30, Tarbert, Parish Eucharist.

Sunday 27 February 2022 (The Sunday before Lent): 9.30, Castletown, Morning Prayer; 11.30, Rathkeale, Parish Eucharist.

Wednesday 2 March 2022 (Ash Wednesday): 11 a.m., the Ash Wednesday Eucharist, with traditional Ash Wednesday distribution of ashes, Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton.

Lent 2022: ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’

‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ is the title of the new course for Lent 2022produced by the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). The title of this course comes from I Peter 2, the epistle for the Bible study at the Lambeth Conference later this year.

We, the Church, are the living stones, and we are called to bring living hope though faith in Christ, who is the cornerstone of our faith. ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ explores this from the perspective of five partner churches around the world, inviting us to reflect on our own experience of being ‘living stones’ bringing ‘living hope’ in our own situations, in the light of the experiences of others.

Canon Patrick Comerford is one of the international theologians invited by USPG to contribute one of the five studies in this new Lent course. In his Bible study and video, he draws on his experiences in ministry and mission in the Rathkeale area, including ecumenical engagement with the Traveller community.

It is planned to use this USPG course during Lent in this group of parishes. Subject to COVID regulations, dates and details will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Epiphany chalking of the church doors in Askeaton

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the February 2022 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine

‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ … Rathkeale features in USPG Lent Course for 2022

‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ … a Lent Course for Lent 2022 produced by the Anglican mission agency USPG

‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ is the title of the Lent Course for 2022 produced by the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). The course includes reflections from five global theologians, including Canon Patrick Comerford, who draws on his experiences of Church co-operation in Rathkeale.

The title of USPG's Lent course comes from I Peter 2, ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’. This epistle (I Peter) is the text of the Bible study for the Lambeth Conference in July 2022. In basing this Lenten study on this text, USPG is in solidarity with the bishops preparing for this important meeting in the life of the Anglican Communion.

The metaphor of the Christian community in 1 Peter 2 as living stones is rich and evocative. ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ explores this from the perspective of five partner churches around the world, inviting us to reflect on our own experience of being ‘living stones’ bringing ‘living hope’ in our own situations.

Canon Patrick Comerford of the Rathkeale Group of Parishes is one of five international theologians contributing to this Lenten course. He writes about the experience of the Church of Ireland in the study for Week 4, looking at the impact of Brexit on a cross-border church, of the tensions that remain after the peace process, and other social and political changes in Ireland.

He also writes about the work of the three main churches in West Limerick, offering the work of the churches in Rathkeale as ‘one small example of applying our understanding’ of ‘the stone that the builders rejected.’ The project in Rathkeale seeks ‘to create understanding and a shared space for Travellers, who are a large ethnic minority in the area, and the people of Rathkeale, who fear losing their social, economic and cultural place in the town.’

He writes, ‘As the Church takes stock once again, it needs to be less worried about how it is perceived or whether it is losing credibility, and more willing to engage with these questions, even when this is costly.’ As part of the Lenten Studies, Patrick is also leading a USPG webinar on the Celtic Church on 24 March.

The other contributors to ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ are from Brazil, India, Korea and Zambia. Canon Comerford has also contributed to a video produced for this course. ‘Living Stones, Living Hope’ can be viewed and ordered through the USPG website (uspg.org.uk).

Canon Comerford and Bishop Michael Burrows of Cashel Ferns and Ossory are also the two contributors from the Church of Ireland taking part in USPG’s 24-hour global wave of prayer on 30 November.

Many of the 42 provinces in the Anglican Communion are joining the Anglican Communion Day of Prayer on 30 November. Canon Comerford’s contribution was filmed in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, while Bishop Burrows recalls his friendships with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, and Bishop Elinah Wamukoya of Swaziland, a former mission partner of this diocese who died earlier this year.

This news feature is published in the December 2021/January 2022 edition of ‘Newslink’ (Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe), p 17

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ December 2021

Seven candles and seven names … November has been a month of remembrance

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Remembering and Remembrance:

From All Saints’ Sunday, throughout November, seven candles on the altars in the four churches have remembered seven parishioners buried since last Christmas: Alan Fitzell, Arthur Gilliard, Gill Killick, Joey Smyth, Kenneth Smyth and Linda Smyth.

Remembrance Sunday was marked with a special Remembrance Service of the Word in Rathkeale, and Gerard Griffin laid wreaths at the two church plaques remembering the dead from the parish from World War I and World War II.

Preparing for Advent and Christmas:

An ecumenical carol service, organised with the support of the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, takes place in Ballingrane Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 1 December. All are welcome.

Three short Advent reflections on prayer are planned for the Rectory on Monday evenings: ‘Why do we Pray?’ (28 November) ‘Where do we Pray?’ (6 December) and ‘How do we Pray?’ (13 December).

As part of this year’s Advent Study programme in Saint Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe – ‘The Church of Ireland – who are we?’ – Canon Patrick Comerford spoke on Wednesday 24 November on the theme, ‘Apostolic and Catholic, Protestant and Reformed.’

Parish services in December 2021:

1 December (Wednesday): 7 pm: Ecumenical carols, in association with Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, Ballingrane Methodist Church.

5 December (Advent II): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert; 4.30, Carols and Lighting the Christmas tree, the Old Abbey, Rathkeale.

12 December (Advent III): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Castletown; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Rathkeale.

19 December (Advent IV): 9.30, no morning service, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert; 3 p.m., Carol Service, Askeaton, followed by refreshments in the Rectory (subject to Covid restrictions at the time).

Christmas Eve, Friday 24 December:

7 pm, Tarbert, Christmas Eucharist (HC 2); 9 pm, Castletown, Christmas Eucharist (please note times).

Christmas Day, Saturday 25 December:

9.30 am, Askeaton, Christmas Eucharist; 11 am, Rathkeale, Christmas Eucharist.

26 December (Saint Stephen’s Day, Christmas 1): 11 a.m., Morning Prayer, Rathkeale (note the time; this is the only service this Sunday).

Sunday 2 January 2022 (Christmas 2):

9.30, Askeaton, the Parish Eucharist; 11.30, Tarbert, Morning Prayer.

Thursday 6 January 2022 (The Epiphany):

11, Askeaton, the Epiphany Eucharist, followed by traditional Epiphany ‘chalking’.

Sunday 9 January (Epiphany 1): 9.30, Castletown, Parish Eucharist; 11.30, Rathkeale, Morning Prayer.

Sunday 16 January (Epiphany 2): 9.30, Askeaton, Morning Prayer; 11.30, Tarbert, Parish Eucharist.

Sunday 23 January (Epiphany 3): 9.30, Castletown, Morning Prayer; 11.30, Rathkeale, Parish Eucharist.

Saturday 29 January: afternoon ‘Muddy Church’ in Curraghchase for the Limerick, Adare and Rathkeale groups of parishes.

Sunday 30 January (Epiphany 4, the Presentation): 11 am, United Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

A special thank you:

Barbara and Patrick are overwhelmed by the recent presentation on behalf of parishioners and the four parishes. This was surprising and unexpected, and your generosity is truly appreciated.

Staying online:

Sunday sermons and Monday morning school assembly talks are available online through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com). Links to the sermons are sent out in a weekly email. Please contact Patrick if you would like to receive this weekly email.

Remembrance Sunday in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the December 2021 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ November 2021

Harvest Thanksgiving decorations in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, and Saint Brendan’s Church, Tarbert

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Harvest services:

Harvest was the theme for the two Sunday Services on successive Sundays, 3 and 10 October. The guest preacher in Castletown and Rathkeale on 10 October was the Revd Dr Leonard Madden, Dean’s Vicar and curate in the cathedral group of parishes, Limerick. Canon Patrick Comerford preached at the Harvest services in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, and Saint Michael’s Church, Pery Square, on that Sunday.

The Harvest collection and sale in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 3 October raised over €500. This is being shared with the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) and with the Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal for work with women and girls Afghanistan.

The Harvest collection in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, was €338, and is being donated to the Butterfly Club, which provides leisure activities in a safe, fun-filled environment for children with special needs and respite for parents and guardians. The Harvest collection in Castletown was over €200.

Thursdays in Black – Resistance and Resilience:

The ‘Thursdays in Black’ campaign, which is being supported in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays – declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. Often black has been used with negative racial connotations. In this campaign, Black is used as a colour of resistance and resilience.

Parish services in November 2021:

7 November (Third Sunday before Advent): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert.

14 November (2 before Advent, Remembrance Sunday): 9.30, the Parish Eucharist, Castletown Church; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale (Remembrance Sunday).

21 November (The Kingship of Christ): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Askeaton; 11.30, the Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

28 November (Advent Sunday): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Castletown; 11.30, the Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

Looking forward to Advent and Christmas:

An ecumenical carol service, organised with the support of the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project, takes place in Ballingrane Methodist Church at 7 p.m. on Wednesday 1 December. All are welcome.

Three short Advent reflections on prayer are planned for the Rectory on Monday evenings this Advent: ‘Why do we Pray?’ (29 November) ‘Where do we Pray?’ (6 December) and ‘How do we Pray? (13 December).

As part of this year’s Advent Study programme in Saint Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe – ‘The Church of Ireland – who are we?’ – Canon Patrick Comerford is speaking on Wednesday 24 November on the theme, ‘Apostolic and Catholic, Protestant and Reformed.’

Staying online:

The Sunday morning sermons and the Monday morning school assembly talks are available online through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com). They attract more viewers than Sunday attendances. Links to the sermons are sent out in a weekly email. Please ask Patrick if you would like to receive this weekly email.

Harvest Thanksgiving decorations in Castletown Church and Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the November 2021 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine (pp 22-23)

In addition, the Limerick city parish notes (pp 20-21) include this paragraph and photograph:

Choir News:

On Sunday 10the October the Precenor (Canon Comerford) admitted Grace Stewart to the Choir. Welcome Grace!

New Choir Member (Photo Canon P Comerford)

Reflecting on 12 years with USPG, the oldest Anglican mission agency

Canon Patrick Comerford with Bishop Elinah Wamukoya of Swaziland and the Revd Duncan Dormor of USPG at a recent USPG conference … the Diocese of Limerick has centuries-old links with SPG and USPG

Patrick Comerford

My time as a trustee of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel) has come to an end after six years.

I have served two three-year terms as a trustee of USPG. Before that, I spent six years as a member of the council of USPG, which is one of the oldest mission agencies in the Anglican Communion.

During those 12 years, my commitments to USPG included engaging with the Anglican churches in Korea, Egypt and Pakistan. However, Covid-19 restrictions put an end to plans to an extensive visit on behalf of USPG to the Anglican Church in Myanmar, which was celebrating its 50th anniversary last year.

I have spoken at USPG conferences, led conference workshops, chaired conference sessions and presided at the conference Eucharist, and taken part in USPG events throughout Ireland and England.

The Diocese of Limerick and Killaloe has a long link with the USPG, and those links were expressed in recent years in the close links with the Diocese of Swaziland in Eswatini and Bishop Elinah Wamukoya, who died earlier this year (21 January 2021) due to complications caused by Covid-19.

During this year’s diocesan synod, Bishop Kenneth Kearon pointed out that the links between this diocese and USPG were in place when he came to the diocese. He suggested those links had been developed by Bishop Michael Mayes, a former USPG missionary, who was Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe (2000-2008).

Bishop Michael worked with USPG in Japan in 1968-1974, and when he returned to Ireland he was USPG Area Secretary for Ireland (1974-1975) and USPG Area Secretary for Cashel, Cork, Limerick and Tuam (1975-1993).

However, the links between these dioceses and USPG and its predecessor SPG date back long before that.

Harry Vere White (1853-1941) was elected Bishop of Limerick, Ardfert and Aghadoe 100 years ago on 29 September 1921. He was an SPG missionary in New Zealand (1880-1875), and when he returned to Ireland he was the organising secretary of SPG in Ireland (1894-1900).

He was the Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin (1918-1921), when he was elected Bishop of Limerick in 1921. His short history of SPG in Ireland, Children of Saint Columba, is an interesting account of Irish missionaries who worked with SPG, including many from these dioceses.

Some of my predecessors in the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes had strong family links with SPG and USPG. The Revd Willoughby William Townley Balfour (1801-1888), Vicar of Askeaton in 1833-1837, was the uncle of Francis Richard Townley Balfour (1846-1923), an SPG missionary in Southern Africa.

Balfour worked with miners on the diamond diggings in Kimberley, translated the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer into Sesotho, and was Archdeacon of Bloemfontein and of Basutoland (1908-1922). When he was consecrated an Assistant Bishop for the Diocese of Bloemfontein in 1911, he was effectively the first Anglican Bishop of Lesotho.

The Revd James Napier Clarke (1870-1934) was the curate of Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Co Kerry, in 1905-1908, served with SPG in Honduras and Southern Africa for seven years.

A portrait of Bishop Harry Vere White in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

This feature was first published in the November 2021 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine (pp 5-6).

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ October 2021

Simon Michael Foley was baptised in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 22 August

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

A Baptism in Askeaton:

Simon Michael Foley, son of Rob and Nicky Foley, and grandson of Simon and Hilary White of Nantenan, was baptised in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Sunday 22 August.

The godparents or sponsors were Emanuel Barry, Ann-Marie Ryan and Lucy Taylor.

Simon’s parents were also married in Saint Mary’s Church.

Rathkeale ‘Fun Day’:

Canon Patrick Comerford and Siobán Wheeler (Parish Reader) took part, along with Father Robbie Coffey (Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Rathkeale) and the Revd Ruth Watts (Adare and Ballingrane Methodist Churches), the ecumenical service in Rathkeale on 4 September. The service in the Abbey ruins in Rathkeale was organised by the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Group, and marked both Rathkeale ‘Fun Day’ and the opening of the Greenway.

Visitors to Rathkeale:

Patrick Coleman and members of Rathkeale Historical Society visited Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, recently, and were shown the Southwell Communion Paten and Chalice and the Southwell monuments by Susan Shorten.

A funeral in Askeaton:

Canon Patrick Comerford was invited by Father Sean O Longhaigh to take part in Funeral Mass in Askeaton of Myles ‘Miley’ Harty (20), who died on the morning of his wedding in a single-car crash on the R518 Askeaton to Rathkeale road.

New Diocesan Registrar:

Congratulations to Raylene Downes, a parishioner of Castletown Church, Kilcornan, who has been appointed the new Diocesan Registrar.

Harvest services:

Harvest is the theme for the two services on Sunday 3 October. Patrick is preaching at the Harvest in Limerick on 10 October, when the guest preacher in Castletown and Rathkeale is the Revd Dr Leonard Madden, the new cathedral curate who was ordained priest on 11 September.

Parish services in October 2021:

3 October (Trinity XVIII): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert (Harvest theme in both churches).

10 October (Trinity XIX): 9.30, HC, Castletown; 11.30, MP, Rathkeale (with the Revd Dr Leonard Madden).

17 October (Trinity XX): 9.30, MP, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

24 October (V before Advent, Bible Sunday): 9.30, MP, Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

31 October (IV before Advent, All Saints): 11 a.m., United Group Service (HC), Askeaton, followed by reception at the Rectory (subject to weather and Covid-19 regulations at the time).

A summer thanks:

Siobhán Wheeler, or parish reader, kindly looked after Sunday services and sermons while Canon Patrick Comerford was on holidays in September.

Staying online:

The Sunday sermons continue to be posted online through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com), and attract more viewers than Sunday attendances. A link to these sermons is available by email on request.

Canon Patrick Comerford and Siobhán Wheeler, parish reader, taking part in the ecumenical service organised by the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Group

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the October 2021 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine

Hiroshima Day commemoration hears warning on global warming

Canon Patrick Comerford (left) at the Hiroshima Day commemorations with (from left): Councillor Joe Costello, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin; the Japanese Ambassador, Mr Mitsuru Kitano; and Dr David Hutchinson Edgar of Irish CND

Global Warming and the Covid-19 pandemic are wake-up calls that governments around the world are totally unprepared to handle the ‘truly civilisation-ending threat posed by nuclear war,’ Canon Patrick Comerford told this year’s annual Hiroshima Day commemoration.

Canon Comerford of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes (Diocese of Limerick), was speaking as President of the Irish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (Irish CND), at the Hiroshima Day commemorations in Merrion Square, Dublin, on 6 August.

He warned that the world’s nuclear powers had ‘learned nothing’ and continue spending on nuclear weapons that are useless when it comes to defending their countries against the threats posed by the global pandemic and global warming.

‘Fires continue to rage across Greece and Turkey as I speak, and no amount of nuclear weapons can ever protect us against climate change and global warming, against the folly of world leaders who have brought this crisis to a head in our generation,’ Canon Comerford said. He was speaking at the cherry tree planted in memory of the victims of the Hiroshima bombing.

The spread of cyber attacks also posed a real threat, he said, warning that if hackers gained control of nuclear systems, they would have the ‘capacity to destroy all life as we know it.’

‘Nuclear weapons protect us against none of threats we face in the world today. They never protected us against the threats the world faced in the past. And they have no place in the world as we face the challenges of the future.’

Also speaking at the commemoration, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Joe Costello, warned that more than 13,000 nuclear weapons still exist in the world, most of which are more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb that killed 80,000 people instantly and another 140,000 by the end of 1945.

Mr Costello acknowledged Ireland’s work in campaigning for nuclear disarmament, including its role in negotiating the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017.

The Japanese Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Mitsuru Kitano, welcomed the move by the United States and Russia to extend the New Start treaty for five years, and also acknowledged Ireland’s role in international disarmament efforts. He spoke of Japan’s commitment to work for a world free of nuclear weapons, and called on all states to strive towards a world without nuclear weapons.

The other speakers included the chair of Irish CND, Dr David Hutchinson Edgar. Musical reflections were contributed by violinist Niall Coakley, and Eriko Tsugawa-Madden and Tony Madden read poems in Japanese and English.

This is edited version of news reports in the September 2021 editions of the ‘Church Review’ (Dublin and Glendalough) and ‘Newslink’ (Limerick and Killaloe)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ September 2021

Sarah Drew and Brian Dennehy were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on 14 August

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

A wedding in Askeaton:

Sarah-Ann Drew of Askeaton and Brian Antony Dennehy of Lixnaw were married in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Saturday 14 August. Sarah is the daughter of Ann Drew, Askeaton Parish Secretary, and Ralph Drew, Askeaton Parish Treasurer.

The late Arthur Gilliard:

Arthur Gilliard of Ballingrane died on 4 July. His funeral service took place in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, on Wednesday 7 July and he was buried in Saint James’ Churchyard in Nantenan.

Arthur was the husband of the late Lil. He is survived by Heather, Hazel, John, Sarah, Mark, Jennifer, his grandchildren, his sisters Olive and Margaret, and a wide family circle.

The late Gill Killick:

Gillian Killick of Purt, Adare, and formerly of Glin and Currachase Caravan Park, died on 21 July 2021. She was predeceased by her husband Clive and son Paul and is survived by her sister June, son David, daughter Andy, daughter-in-law Becky, son-in-law Con, grandchildren Kevin, Emma, Róisín and Conor, and great-grandchildren Noah and Jacob. Her funeral in Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, was followed by cremation in Shannon Crematorium.

Parishioners were also saddened by news of the recent deaths of Mrs Yvonne Blennerhassett, former diocesan secretary, who was involved in parish life in the past as a visiting reader and in the Rathkeale Pre-Social Cohesion Project; and of Mrs Beth Mayes, wife of the Right Revd Michael Mayes, former Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe.

Parish services in September 2021:

5 September (Trinity XIV): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert.

12 September (Trinity XV): 9.30, MP, Castletown; 11.30, MP, Rathkeale (both services with Siobhán Wheeler, parish reader).

19 September (Trinity XVI): 9.30, MP, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

26 September (Trinity XVII): 9.30, MP, Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

29 September (Saint Michael and All Angels): 11 a.m., Festal Eucharist, Askeaton.

Vandalism in Askeaton:

The notice board inside the gates of Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, and the bench outside the gates were recently vandalised in two separate attacks. This brings to four the number of acts of vandalism at the church in the space of four months.

Painting and decoration:

Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, is looking bright and cheery inside after the recent painting and decoration in time for the recent wedding. Thanks to all involved in this work.

Celebrating 20 years:

Canon Patrick Comerford celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at the Eucharist in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Saint John’s Day, 24 June 2021. Thank you to all who joined in this celebration and sent kind messages.

Staying online:

The Sunday sermons continue to be posted online through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com), and attract more viewers than Sunday attendances. A link to these sermons is available by email on request.

Canon Patrick Comerford celebrating 20 years of priesthood with parishioners and neighbours in Askeaton

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the September 2021 edition of ‘Newslink’, the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine

Who are the Christians caught in the conflict between Israelis and Palestians?

Archbishop Hosam Elias Zakaria Naoum preaches at his consecration as the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem

Patrick Comerford

There is an apocryphal story about Liam Cosgrave’s address to the United Nations as the Irish Minister for External Affairs in 1956. Ireland had just joined the UN, and Cosgrave was speaking in the wake of the Suez crisis and a war between Egypt and Israel. The story says the future Taoiseach embarrassed himself and his country by calling on the Muslims and Jews in the Middle East to settle their differences like Christians.

His speech was drafted by Conor Cruise O’Brien, and Cosgrave suggested to Frederick Boland, the Irish ambassador, that the speech should include: ‘I appeal to the Jews and the Muslims to settle their differences in accordance with Christian principles.’

O’Brien pointed out that this was likely to impress neither Jews nor Muslims, and Boland told Cosgrave it would not ‘go down all that well in the Middle East.’

Cosgrave smiled enigmatically, and Boland turned to O’Brien and said: ‘It may not go down well in the Middle East, but the minister seems to think it will go down well in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown.’

The words in question were not included in the actual speech, but the story has become one of the most enduring anecdotes in Irish journalism and political history. It points too to the way Christians are often marginalised by or seen as irrelevant to accounts of conflict in the Middle East.

The recent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians has been caricatured – by journalists and protesters – as a conflict between Jews and Muslims. In all the reports and narratives, the plight of Christians in the region was ignored and forgotten.

As the latest conflict raged, few news outlets reported the installation and enthronement of Archbishop Hosam Elias Zakaria Naoum as the 15th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. The new bishop, who also carries the title of archbishop, was installed in Saint George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem, on Ascension Day (13 May).

Although Anglican clergy and laity from Israel and the West Bank were present, none from Jordan, Lebanon or Syria could attend. Scenes of serious disorder close to the cathedral, as well as in the mixed towns and cities inside Israel’s pre-1967 borders, were cause for great concern, while all-out confrontation in and near Gaza was causing many deaths and injuries.

The large congregation included Muslims and Jews, and Archbishop Hosam preached in both Arabic and English. He is a former dean of Saint George’s Cathedral, and a former coadjutor bishop of Jerusalem. The ecumenical guests included the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, the Latin Patriarch, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Lutheran bishop and clergy from other Christian traditions.

Archbishop Naoum soon issued an urgent appeal for financial support for Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. He said the diocese was continuing its ‘Christian mission of bringing healing to the wounded, relief to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods, and comfort to those who mourn the loss of loved ones.’

Archbishop Hosam Elias Zakaria Naoum with his family after his consecration in Saint George’s Cathedral, Jerusalem

The first Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, Michael Solomon Alexander (1799-1845), who was bishop from 1842, was ordained in Dublin by Archbishop William Magee in 1827. Today, the diocese has 7,000 Anglicans, 29 parishes, 1,500 employees and 200 hospital beds.

Palestinian Christians belong to a diversity of churches or denominations, including the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Western and Eastern Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches. They are estimated to account for 20% of the 13 million Palestinians, but 70% live outside Palestine and Israel.

Estimates suggest there about 50,000 Palestinian Christians in the West Bank. There are four groupings of Christians in Israel: migrant Christians without permanent status (150,000), Palestinian Arabs who are citizens of Israel (120,000), Hebrew-speaking Christians who are sociologically part of Jewish society (40,000), and expatriate Christians working in the Church (1,000). Only 1,300 Christians are left in the Gaza Strip, and their numbers are declining rapidly on a weekly if not daily basis.

Around 50% of Palestinian Christians belong to the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, led by Theophilos III. The Latin Patriarch, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, is an Italian-born Franciscan. But there is a variety of churches in communion with Rome, including the Latin Rite, the Melkite Church (which has many similarities with the Greek Orthodox Church), the Maronite Church, and a branch of the Chaldean Church.

In recent years, Christians in Palestine and Israel have felt forgotten by outside Christians, and often see Christian tourists and pilgrims as interested in Biblical sites but not in the ‘Living Stones’ who are the Christians in the region today.

Prominent Christians in the ‘Holy Land’ include the theologians Naam Ateek (Anglican) of the Sabeel Foundation and Archbishop Elias Chacour (Melkite), the Palestinian negotiator Dr Hanan Ashrawi (Anglican), the writer and critic Edward Said, who was raised an Anglican but later became an agnostic, the nonviolent peace activist Mubarak Awad (Greek Orthodox), and Yasser Arafat’s widow Suha Arafat (born a Latin-rite Catholic).

During the latest conflicts, the patriarchs and heads of the Churches in Jerusalem joined in expressing deep concern over growing Israeli-Palestinian violence. They said: ‘The special character of Jerusalem, the Holy City … compels all parties to preserve the already sensitive situation in the Holy City of Jerusalem. The growing tension, backed mainly by right-wing radical groups, endangers the already fragile reality in and around Jerusalem.’

The patriarchs and heads of the Churches in Jerusalem have joined in expressing deep concern over growing Israeli-Palestinian violence

This full-page feature is published in the July/August 2021 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the Diocesan Magazine of the United Dioceses of Limerick, Killaloe and Clonfert (p 4)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ July/August 2021

Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, in the summer sunshine

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Easter General Vestries:

The easing of the Pandemic lockdown restrictions has allowed the four Easter General Vestries to meet in sequence, one after another.

Askeaton: Churchwardens Simon White (Rector), (People); Glebewardens Simon White (Rector), Ralph Drew (People); Ann Drew, Secretary; Richard Langford, Treasurer; Select Vestry: Barbara Comerford, Ebie White-Delbarry, Brian Fitzell, Gerard Griffin, Patricia Ruttle, Charles Slagel, Trixie Slagel, Donagh O’Grady, Siobhán Wheeler, Hilary White.

Castletown: Churchwardens Declan Shier (Rector), David Downes (People); Glebe committee, Thomas Downes; Raylene Downes, Secretary; Thomas Downes, Treasurer; Select Vestry: Valerie Downes, Jackie Gardiner, Victor Gardiner.

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

Tarbert: Churchwardens Eric Parkinson (Rector), Nigel Fitzell (People); Glebe committee, Joe Gleeson; Margaret Fitzell, Secretary; Nikki O’Mahony, Treasurer; Select Vestry: Ajay Philip, William Fitzell.

Group Treasurer: Victor Gardiner.

Safeguarding Trust Panel: Raylene Downes (Castletown), Nikki O’Mahony (Tarbert), Shirley Sheehan (Rathkeale), Hilary White

The late Ena Downes:

Ena (Florence) Downes (nee Shier), of Beagh Cross, Askeaton, died on 1 June at Thorpe’s Nursing Home. Ena’s funeral will took place on 3 June, in Castletown Church with burial afterwards in the church grounds.

Ena was the wife of the late Sam Downes, and the mother of David, Tommy, Janet and Helen, and sister of the late Bertha and Bobby. She is survived by her sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and her 11 grandchildren.

Ena was involved in church life at every level from parish to diocesan level, and speakers at her funeral recalled her work with the Mothers’ Union, the Girls’ Brigade, the Girls’ Friendly Society and the Irish Countrywomen’s Assocation.

Parish services in July and August 2021:

4 July (Trinity V): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert.

11 July (Trinity VI): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Castletown; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Rathkeale.

18 July (Trinity VII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

25 July (Trinity VIII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

1 August (Trinity IX): 9.30, Parish Eucharist, Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer, Tarbert.

8 August (Trinity X): 9.30 Parish Eucharist, Castletown; 11.30 Morning Prayer, Rathkeale.

15 August (Trinity XI): 9.30 Morning Prayer, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

22 August (Trinity XII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Rathkeale.

29 August (Trinity XIII): 11 a.m., Joint Parish Eucharist, the Rectory, Askeaton, and Parish BBQ (subject to Government and Diocesan Covid guidelines).

Painting and decoration:

Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, is looking bright and cheery inside after the recent painting and decoration arranged through Councillor Adam Teskey. The gutters, chutes and downpipes at Saint Mary’s, Askeaton have been painted in recent decades. However, the interior works at Tarbert are facing some unexpected snags. But things are looking brighter, and thanks are due to all involved.

Staying online:

The Sunday sermons continue to be posted online through Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com), and still attract more viewers than Sunday church attendances. A link to these sermons is available each Sunday by email by request.

An early summer sunrise at the Rectory in Askeaton

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the July/August 2021 edition of Newslink, the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Magazine (pp 21-22).

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ June 2021

A work party clears away ivy and growth in the old church ruins and around graves in Askeaton

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

The aftermath of vandalism in Askeaton:

Since the attack on Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, in the early hours of Easter Day, when extensive damage was caused to the panels of the window at the south-east end of the church, the window has been repaired, and the church was looking particularly well when it opened again on Ascension Day, 13 May.

The messages of support from the community, including clergy and politicians, have been deeply encouraging for the parish.

Once again, many thanks are due to the dedicated parishioners who spent time cleaning up the church, securing the windows and clearing away the shattered glass strewn around the church.

Work party:

The repairs to the window were followed by a weekend work party, clearing away ivy and growth in the old church ruins and around some graves in Askeaton.

Among the gravestone now visible is one marking the grave of the Revd William Henry Durell Lodge (1841-1883), a curate in Askeaton for 15 years until he died in 1883.

The late Joseph ‘Joe’ Smyth:

Joseph (Joe) Smyth of Deegerty, Askeaton, died on 9 May 2021, just three months after the death of his wife Linda. He is survived by his sons Kenneth and Victor, Gillian and Caroline, his sisters Susan, Dorothy and Evelyn, and a large, extended family. Late of IVETA Vintage Club.

His funeral took place in Castletown Church, Kilcornan, on Ascension Day, 13 May, and he was buried in Saint Mary’s Churchyard, Askeaton.

Darkness into Light:

Pieta House is making on enormous impact in its work with people in crisis and those impacted by suicide. A number of parishioners supported the ‘Darkness into Light’ walk at sunrise on 8 May, helping to spread light and give the gift of hope.

Ballingarry churchyard:

The Heritage Council has awarded €14,880 to Ballingarry Development Association to carry out conservation works on the McCarthy vault in the churchyard in Ballingarry. Additional funding of €2,000 has come from Councillor John O’Donoghoue in match funding from his GMA allowance.

Although the church closed in 1978, Ballingarry remains a cherished part of this group of parishes, and it is encouraging to see community groups continuing to take an interest in the graves in the churchyard.

Planning ahead:

6 June (Trinity I): 11 a.m., Parish Eucharist, Saint Brendan’s Church, Tarbert, followed by Easter Vestry.

13 June (Trinity II): 9.30, Castletown (HC); 11.30, Rathkeale (MP).

20 June (Trinity III): 9.30, Askeaton (MP); 11.30, Tarbert (HC).

Thursday 24 June: Birth of Saint the Baptist, 11 a.m., Askeaton, HC.

27 June (Trinity IV): 9.30, Castletown (MP); 11.30, Rathkeale (HC).

Supporting the ‘Darkness into Light’ walk at sunrise on 8 May

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the June 2021 edition of Newslink, the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Magazine (pp 19-20)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ May 2021

The damage to the south-east window in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, on Easter morning (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Vandalism in Askeaton:

Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, was attacked in the early hours of Easter Day, causing extensive damage to the panels of the window at the south-east end of the church. It was shocking to open the church on Easter morning and to find the church has been attacked, yet again.

A protective, perspex panel was removed from the window, a large rock was thrown through the window, and glass was strewn everywhere. This is the second time this has happened in Askeaton.

The Gardai arrived immediately, and the attack has been condemned by members of the local community and local politicians, there have been messages of support from by Father Sean O Longaigh, Parish Priest of Askeaton, and from people across these islands, and the attack was reported extensively in the Limerick Leader.

The Minister for the Office of Public Works, Patrick O’Donovan, condemned the actions of the ‘mindless thugs’ involved. He said it is ‘scandalous that any church would be attacked and desecrated in such a fashion at any time of the year but, particularly around Easter it is mindless thuggery.’ He added, ‘It must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. It bears no reflection on the wider community of Askeaton.’

Local councillors Adam Teskey and Kevin Sheahan visited Saint Mary’s Church together and condemned ‘the disgraceful act of vandalism.’ They added, ‘This sort of behaviour should not be occurring or be tolerated’ and appealed ‘to anyone with information to contact the Gardai.’

Many thanks are due to the dedicated parishioners who spent time over the holiday weekend cleaning up the church, securing the windows and clearing away the shattered glass strewn around the church.

The Easter decorations in Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton (Photograph: Patrick Comerford)

Easter Joy:

Our Easter joy is undiminished, and the Parish Eucharist continues to be celebrated on Sundays, albeit behind closed doors due to the pandemic lockdown and restrictions.

In the meantime, Sunday sermons and intercessions continue to be available through the Parish Facebook page, and through Canon Patrick Comerford’s blog and YouTube channel. If you would like to receive these by email, please contact Patrick.

Planning ahead … just in case:

The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions make it difficult to know when Church services with congregations are going to resume. Should restrictions ease for May, these are the times of planned services:

2 May (Easter V): 9.30, Parish Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton; 11.30, Morning Prayer (MP2), Tarbert.

9 May (Easter VI): 9.30, Morning Prayer (MP2), Castletown; 11.30, Parish Eucharist (HC 2), Rathkeale.

13 May (Ascension Day): 11 a.m., Ascension Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton.

16 May (Easter VII): 9.30, Morning Prayer, Askeaton; 11.30, Parish Eucharist, Tarbert.

23 May (Pentecost): 9.30, Pentecost Eucharist, Castletown; 11.30, Pentecost Eucharist, Rathkeale.

30 May (Trinity Sunday): 11 a.m., United Group Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton.

Saints’ Days in May: Saint Philip and Saint James (1 May), Saint Matthias (14 May), The Visitation (31 May).

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the May 2021 edition of Newslink, the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Magazine (pp 18-19)

Remembering champions of justice at virtual meetings of USPG trustees

Bishop Humphrey Taylor … instrumental in the USPG response to apartheid in South Africa

Patrick Comerford

For the past year, I have continued to attend meetings of the trustees of the Anglican mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). But, instead of travelling to London a few times a year for these meetings, the pandemic lockdowns mean these have been ‘virtual’ meetings, attended online in the Rectory in Askeaton, without the benefit of the sideline meetings that help to foster and nurture friendships.

At the end of each meeting of USPG trustees, we remember in prayer former missionaries, staff members and supporters who have died since the previous meeting. At our latest ‘virtual’ meeting, those we remembered included Bishop Humphrey Taylor, a former USPG general secretary, and the Revd James Potts, who had been a missionary in Tanzania.

Bishop Humphrey Taylor (1938-2021) was a former USPG general secretary (1984-1991) and later the Suffragan Bishop of Selby.

He went with SPG to Malawi, where he was the Rector of Saint Peter’s, Lilongwe. But President Hastings Banda expelled the Humphrey family from Malawi in 1971. Back in England, he was chaplain at Bishop Grosseteste College in Lincoln and worked for the General Synod Board of Education.

Humphrey Taylor returned to USPG as Missions Programmes Secretary in 1980 and General Secretary in 1984. He visited South Africa on behalf of USPG in 1982, with Geoffrey Cleaver and Roger Symon, visiting 15 Anglican dioceses and people and groups, from parish level to the Provincial Standing Committee of the Anglican Church.

Their joint report expressed admiration for a Church that was ‘strong in numbers, rich in talent, efficiently led, active in evangelism, powerful in stewardship, deeply involved in social concern.’ But they were also worried that the Church was part of the status quo and pointed out: ‘Despite the black majority (80%) in its church membership, of seventeen diocesan bishops … only six were black.’

The close links between USPG and the Anglican Church in South Africa made USPG a respected source of information for the media, and USPG was instrumental in setting up the South Africa Crisis Information Group. When I was working as a journalist, I relied on USPG as one of my sources for church life in South Africa at that time.

When the life of Bishop Simeon Nkoane was threatened violently in Johannesburg in 1986, Humphrey Taylor and USPG arranged a high-profile visit to South Africa by Bishop Keith Sutton of Lichfield as the representative of Archbishop Robert Runcie of Canterbury. Later, Humphrey Taylor accompanied Archbishop Runcie to the enthronement of Archbishop Desmond Tutu in Cape Town, and it is said he wrote Archbishop Runcie’s sermon for the occasion.

Archbishop Tutu made Humphrey Taylor a Provincial Canon of Southern Africa in 1989 for his ‘inestimable contribution’ to the life and work of the Church there. After 11 years at USPG, he became Suffragan Bishop of Selby in 1991. He died on Ash Wednesday, 17 February, at the age of 82.

The Revd James Potts was a missionary in Tanzania for 12 years, where he was involved in theological education. He later lived in retirement in Lichfield, and we got to know each other at Lichfield Cathedral, where he regularly presided at the mid-day Eucharist in the cathedral, in the Lady Chapel or at the High Altar.

In retirement, he was also the chaplain of Dr Milley’s Hospital on Beacon Street, Lichfield. We last met at the mid-day Eucharist in Lichfield Cathedral many months ago. He died on 8 February at the age of 90.

This news report is published in the April 2021 edition of Newslink (pp 8-9), the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ April 2021

The church bells have been rung in Askeaton every Sunday during the lockdown

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

Priest-in-Charge: Revd Canon Patrick Comerford,

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

The Church is not closed:

The doors of the churches may have been closed throughout the latest phase of the pandemic lockdown, but the Church has remained open. Sunday worship has continued, the Eucharist has been celebrated, we have been ringing the church bells, and sermons have been streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

The schools have reopened (albeit partially), there have been funerals and there have been promises of new life, with plans for marriages and discussions about Baptisms, and the parish was part of the Lenten study group on the five points of Anglican mission, organised by the Dean and Chapter of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick.

In recent weeks, repair work has been carried out on the slates at Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton, and Holy Trinity Church, Rathkeale, and there are proposals to redecorate the church in Rathkeale.

The busy cycle of parish and diocesan life continues, with diocesan council and clergy meetings – even though they are ‘virtual’ meetings – and preparations for the upcoming Easter vestries and elections. In addition, Zoom meetings have introduced a multitude of people and organisations into the Rectory, including members of school boards and trustees of the mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel).

In a time of pandemic lockdowns and partial lockdowns, in times of uncertainty about the future, it is important to be reminded of and to rejoice in the promises of new life in the Resurrection.

Planning ahead … with hope:

The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions make it difficult to know when Church services with congregations are going to resume. Should restrictions ease in time for Easter and April, these are the times of planned services:

Saturday 3 April (Easter Eve): 7 pm: The Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Kilnaughtin (Tarbert); 9 pm: The Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton.

Sunday 4 April (Easter Day): 9.30 am: the Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Castletown; 11.30 am: the Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Rathkeale.

Sunday 11 April (Easter II): 9.30, HC, Castletown; 11.30, MP, Rathkeale.

Sunday 18 April (Easter III): 9.30, MP, Askeaton; 11.30, HC, Tarbert.

Sunday 25 April (Easter IV): 9.30, MP, Castletown; 11.30, HC, Rathkeale.

On-line sermons:

Meanwhile, during the lockdown, while church buildings remain closed, the Parish Eucharist continues to be celebrated, and the Sunday sermon and the intercessions go online through the Parish Facebook page and through Patrick’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com). The sermons are also made available on YouTube.

Church repairs and decorating have continued during the lockdown … repairs to the church roof in Askeaton

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes parish notes in the April 2021 edition of Newslink, the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Magazine

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in ‘Newslink’ March 2021

Holocaust Memorial Day was remembered in an empty church at the end of January

Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group of Parishes

Rathkeale, Askeaton, Castletown and Kilnaughtin

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

Parish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RathkealeGroup/

Lenten Study Groups

During Lent, members of the Joint Chapter of Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick, and Saint Flannan’s Cathedral, Killaloe, are offering a Lenten Study Course based on the Anglican Communion’s Five Points of Mission.

These Lenten study evenings at 8 p.m. on Tuesdays began on 23 February: ‘Proclaim the Kingdom’s Good News,’ Canon Jane Galbraith (Roscrea). It is not too late to join these Tuesday evenings:

2 March: ‘Baptise and nurture new believers,’ Canon Liz Beasley (Adare); 9 March: ‘Respond to human need by loving service,’ Archdeacon Terry Mitchell (Cloughjordan); 16 March, ‘Change society’s unjust strictures,’ Canon Patrick Comerford (Rathkeale Group); 23 March: ‘Safeguard the integrity of creation,’ Canon Jim Stephens (Tralee).

To join these talks, please email the Dean of Limerick for a Zoom link.

Planning ahead … just in case:

The Covid-19 pandemic restrictions make it difficult to know when Church services with congregations are going to resume. Should restrictions ease during Lent or in time for Holy Week and Easter, these are the times of planned services:

Sunday 7 March (Lent III): 9.30, Askeaton, Parish Eucharist (HC 2); 11.30, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Morning Prayer.

Sunday 14 March (Lent IV): 9.30, Castletown, HC 2; 11.30, Rathkeale, MP.

Wednesday 17 March (Saint Patrick’s Day): 11, Askeaton, HC 2.

Sunday 21 March (Lent V): 9.30, Askeaton, Morning Prayer; 11.30, Kilnaughtin (Tarbert), Parish Eucharist (HC 2).

Thursday 25 March (The Annunciation): 11, Askeaton, HC 2.

Sunday 28 March (Palm Sunday): 9.30, Castletown, MP; 11.30, Rathkeale, HC 2.

Holy Week:

Monday 29 March Evening Prayer, Askeaton (8 pm); Tuesday 30 March, Late Evening Office, Tarbert (8 pm); Wednesday 31 March, Compline, Rathkeale (8 pm); Maundy Thursday 1 April, Maundy Eucharist, with Washing of the Feet, Castletown (8 pm); Good Friday 2 April, The Three Hours, Askeaton (12 to 3 pm).

Easter:

Saturday 3 April (Easter Eve): 7 pm: The Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Kilnaughtin (Tarbert); 9 pm: The Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Askeaton. Sunday 4 April (Easter Day): 9.30 am: the Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Castletown; 11.30 am: the Easter Eucharist (HC 2), Rathkeale.

On-line sermons:

Meanwhile, during the lockdown, while church buildings remain closed, the Parish Eucharist continues to be celebrated, and the Sunday sermon and the intercessions go online through the Parish Facebook page and through Patrick’s blog (www.patrickcomerford.com). The sermons are also made available on YouTube.

Linda Smyth:

Linda Smyth of Deegerty, Askeaton, died on 13 February. Her funeral service took place in Castletown Church, and she was buried at Saint Mary’s Church, Askeaton.

Candlemas on 2 February marked the end of the Christmas season in an empty church

This is an edited version of the Rathkeale and Kilnaughtin Group parish notes in the February 2021 edition of ‘Newslink,’ the Limerick and Killaloe diocesan magazine.