Tralee & Dingle Newsletter for January 2018

Mid-week Services –

Holy Communion each Wednesday at 11.00am in St. John's Church, followed by coffee and fellowship in the Ashe Hotel.

Healer Prayer Group:

The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 8.00pm in Teach an tSolais.The next meeting will be on the 6^th February.

The names of those who have asked for prayer will be remembered. Books where names can be entered are provided in each church.  All are welcome to this short service which is followed by light refreshments and fellowship.

Maraquita Blennerhassett:

The family of the late Maraquita Blennerhassett wish to express their thanks to the people who honoured her memory by donating to the two charities that were dear to her heart.  The Fenit Lifeboats and Kerry Hospice shared €615 from the collections that were taken at her funeral.

Christmas fair.

The Christmas Fair was held on Sat 16th Dec in Teach an tSolais, Ashe St. It was a great success and exceeded all expectations. The parish is blessed to have so many people who gave so generously of their time, energy and talent to make it such a positive event and worth while event.

The funds raised will help with the financing of the parish and will go some way towards closing the gap between expenditure and income.

Occassions such as these are also important community building events as they bring the parish family together. The wider community were very supportive , with good crowds attending throughout the day.

The organisers would like to thank everyone who supported the day,and we are very appreciative of those who put so much time into the preparations, We are very thankful to all our sponsors and customers and supporters.

Well done everyone. 

Christmas Services:

It was a delight for me to be present at so many lovely service over the Christmas period, It all began with a wonderful Christmas play by the children of St John’s on the 10^th December. The Students and their Teachers can be so proud of their production.This was followed by a lovely time together in Teach an tSolais at which we enjoyed seasonal refreshments that were supplied by the Parents Council of the School. Santa also arrived with a present for all the boys and girls.

The Christmas carol service in Tralee went off very well on the 17^th December, it was the first time that this was held in the evening, we had over thirty people taking part, leading the readings and in the preparation of the crib.

It was the first outing for our junior choir under the direction of Shirley and Amanda and the boys and girls not only looked well in their white shirts and blouses and neckties, but they also sang very well.The senior choir were also in great voice and they gave a lift to our worship and praise.

The ecumenical Carol service in Dingle resulted in a full house which was a great boost to the parishioners of Dingle.

Services were also held in Killiney and Camp.

Christmas eve and Christmas day services were well supported through out the parish with good crowds in all the churches from Ballymac to Dingle.

The Christmas season will come to an end with a service for the feast of the Epiphany in Killiney at 6.30pm followed by a meal in Ashe’s bar in Camp.

Many thanks to all those who in so many ways helped to make our Christmas Liturgies special.

Thanks to those who prepared and decorated the churches, organised and served the teas , read the lessons and to the church wardens for their presence and assistance.

Sympathy:

To Eileen Peevers and her family on the death of her mother Nellie Lynch just before Christmas. Her funeral was held in St Johns Castle Street on the 18^th December.

To Olive Hoffman on the death of her brother in Richie Tanner in Waterford, His funeral service was held in  St. Carthage's Cathedral, Lismore.

To Vivienne and John Ruane on the death of John’s brother Adrian in Tralee, His funeral service was held in St John’s Church Castle Street.

Baptism:

Bartholomew O Neill -Reid , son of Deborah O Neill-Reid and Bartholomew O Connor was welcomed into the Christian family at a service of Holy  Baptism on the 30^th December in St Johns Church Ashe Street.

Confirmation:

The confirmation service will be held on the 6^th May in Tralee, Classes will begin toward the end of January and in preparation for that I would like to invite the candidates and their parents to the morning service in St Johns on the 14^th January, which will be followed by a short meeting to organise classes. I will lead the classes but I will need the assistance of the parents aswell.