Date	Ballyseedy 9.45 am	Tralee 10.45 am	Ballymac 12 noon	Kilgobbin 10.00 am	Dingle 12 noon
6th February	MP	HC	MP	MP	No Service
13th February	HC	MP	No Service	HC	HC
20th February	MP	HC	HC	No Service	MP
27th  February	No service	MP	MP	HC	HC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas fair and gofundmepage Thank you.

Many thanks to all who have supported this page and to the singers and readers who took part, and to Maurice who put so much time into the recording and editing.

All those who contributed either directly or indirectly were entered in a draw for a  pair of tickets for the Ireland -Scotland Rugby International. Congratulations to Shirley McEvoy who was the winner.

Maraquita Blennerhassett.

It was a wonderful surprise and an unexpected joy to receive a letter and cheque to the value of £10,000 from the family of the late Maraquita Blennerhassett. It was given for St Johns Church and will be ring fenced for something special that will go towards improving the fabric of the church, which we will then dedicate in her memory.

Maraquita like so many of her family  was a faithful and generous parishioner and its wonderful that her family have continued this generosity in her name four years after she has died.

Maraquita, Thank you ! you are still encouraging us.

Legacies are a great way of helping to maintain the church for the future generations.

 

BB Captain.

Continuing with the theme of generosity, Colette Price has been involved in the leadership of the BB for 25 years and has been its wonderfully creative Captain for the last 14 years. She has decided that it is time to step down after so many years of generous service.

We are grateful and thankful for all that Colette has done with the BB. She is a gifted, hardworking and imaginative leader. For the BB to continue we will need someone in the parish to come forward to continue Colette’s good work.

 

Sympathy,

To Alice Mason and her daughters Olive Flynn and Iris Conway and their families, relations and friends on the death of Billy Mason of farmers bridge Tralee. Billy was in his 95th year and died in his own home where he was looked after so well by his daughters Olive and Iris and their families. Billy was a kind and gentle man, gifted with his hands a man who loved nature and as a steam enthusiast travelled the country and abroad to steam rallies. He made many friends in the steam community and the lovely tribute in the Kerryman a few days after his funeral was a testimony to this. On the day of his funeral his own steam engine was parked in Ballyseedy churchyard. After his burial the hooter was sounded, an emotional and memorable moment for all who gathered.

To Jim Poff of Knocknagoshel and his family and to the Mangan family on the death of his partner

 

Mary Mangan who died last weekend and was also buried in Ballyseedy burial ground. Mary had been ill for some time and was cared for by Jim and the family at home.

We hold all these families in our prayers at this sad time.

 

Christingle On the fifth Sunday a united service is held in the Tralee for the Church communities in that area. On the 30th January we focussed on the Christingle or Christ light and an Orange, a lighted candle, red ribbon, fruits, tin foil and sweets are central to the illustration.

On occasion I try and celebrate Christingle around the feast of Candlemass which falls on 2nd February. Traditionally on Candlemass day, candles were blessed to be used throughout the year for many different occasions. Candles are also used in homes to create ambiance and atmosphere. They come in all shapes, colours, sizes and scents. From a faith perspective candles have always represented the light of Christ. We live in a world that is at times darkened by selfish forces. We believe that the light of Christ is powerful and strong enough to wipe out all forms of darkness. The Christingle reminds us to invite God’s light into our lives, into our darker corners.

 

Presentation to Confirmation Candidates

Our young people who were confirmed in 2021 were presented with their confirmation certificates and books by Bear Grylls and Katie Piper at the morning services in Tralee and Ballymacelligott on the 16th January.

Both Katie Piper and Bear Grylls have a strong faith and they connect their faith in a very real way to the Joys and Challenges of everyday living.

 

Godly Play. Aoife Daly from St Johns Castle Street has very kindly volunteered to lead monthly Godly play sessions in St Johns National School. Her first few lessons went down very well with both the staff and students in the senior room and she plans to alternate between around the different classes as the year progresses.

Tralee International Resource Centre have a wide number of activities supporting the international community- English classes, women’s group, parent and toddler group, craft classes and much more. All welcome – international and local. Phone 7127918 or check out www.tirc.ie.

Confirmation 2022 We will begin preparations for confirmation during the morning services with registration in Tralee  and Ballymac Churches during the Sunday services on the 20th February depending on which Church is most convenient for you. 

This will be followed by a short meeting on practicalities such as classes etc.

Confirmation is not obligatory and should only be undertaken by those who have an interest in confirming for themselves the promises that were made on their behalf at their baptism.

There are three parts to the preparation. 1. Lessons by the Rector, 2. The example and encouragement of the parents, 3. The young people and its my hope that they will embrace the course and will attend and take part in church services.

For the preparation to be effective all three parts must work together to support the young people.

 

Newslink and the Gazette Rhona Giles very kindly organises the distribution of the Gazettes and the Newslink in the parish. The magazines costs €45 each.

If you would like to order copies, please contact Rhona at 087 2869350 and make your payments to her.

Lent Begins on Ash Wednesday the 2nd of March with services in Tralee and Kilgobbin.

As usual we will support Bishop’s appeal during lent and we will have more news on this year’s project in next month’s newsletter.

Point to ponder, 

if we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.' ~Anne Bradstreet