Newsletter July 2022

Parish website:  www.traleedingle.ardfert.anglican.org           Email: stjohns.ashestreet@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Tralee-and-Dingle-Group-of-Parishes-680304582052423/

Rev Jim Stephens @ 087 0529107

 

The Liturgical Welcome for Bishop Michael was held on Saturday the 11th June at 7pm in St Johns Church and it was a wonderful and very encouraging to have a full Church. Both the parish choir and the Kerry Chamber Choir participated and led the worship which was in the context of the word.

Bishop Ray Brown and some of the local clergy and civic guest attended.

We enjoyed generous hospitality in Teach an tSolais after the service and there was an abundance of sandwiches, cakes and buns to cater for all tastes.

Many thanks to all who contributed to preparations and who gave so generously of themselves to make it such a memorable event. It was a lovely occasion in Teach an tSolais afterwards and our first big parish gathering since the out break of Covid -19. I must say I was very proud of all those parishioners who worked so hard to make it a success. Many thanks to you all.

 

Confirmation was held in St Johns on the 19th June and it was great to be able to have a good number in the church as Hazel, Sunnite, Keelin, Nicholas, Josh, Graham, Abigail, Elsa and Grace confirmed their baptismal promises.

Thanks again to the Church wardens, The Choir and to Bishop Michael for making it such a memorable occasion for the candidates and their families.

 

We extend our sympathy our Sympathy:

To the family of the late William Fitzell, Billy was born in Belfast and on retiring to Toherbane Kilmoyley in the early 1990's he was instrumental in restarting The Boys' Brigade in Tralee.

William was always meticulously turned out in the correct BB Uniform and promoted a great sense of discipline and esprit de corps with the boys and girls of the newly reformed 1st Tralee Company which used to meet in the old KPH before we moved to Teach an tSolais Parish Centre.

To the family of the late Ann Fitzell, Ann lived in Meadowlands Tralee. She died unexpectedly after a very short illness and the suddenness of her death must have been a terrible shock to her family. We extend our sympathy to her husband Francis and her daughters Caroline and lucy and son Harry and their families, her funeral was held in St Johns Castle Street on Saturday 4th June.

To Noel King and family on the death of his father Brendan, this follows the death of his mother Margaret a few months ago. Brendans funeral was held in St John’s Castle Street.

 

Congratulations to Sarah (nee Drew) and Brian Dennehy on the birth of their daughter Rose Karen, a little sister for Adam.

 

 

Graveyard Services were held in St John’s Oakview and in the grounds of Kilflynn

Church. The service in Kilflynn was led by The Rev Jim and Fr O’Mahony while the service in Kilflynn was led by Fr Amos and Rev Jim preached.

Both grounds are kept in such good order by the local community and burial ground committees, and it’s wonderful to see how a church such as the one in Kilflynn can be reordered to serve the community.

Tea was served following both services and great credit must go to those who have been organising these inclusive services.

 

Graduation Service St Johns Parochial School was held during the Wednesday morning service on the 22nd June. The Service was in the contest of the word and the children played a prominent part in the service, Leading the prayers, the readings and the singing (which was excellent). During the service we gave thanks for all the young people had learnt and achieved during their time in St Johns and we wish those who are leaving every blessing as they move to new schools in August and September.

The service in the church was followed by a Bar-be-que in the school grounds, which was prepared by Collette and Mary and enjoyed by The Children, Staff and Parents.

 

More School News.

Congratulations to Danny Murphy on being appointed as the third class room teacher in St Johns Parochial School.

Its good to see the school return to having three mainstream teachers in addition to a full time SE Teacher. A part time position for an EAL Teacher was also filled and the School board has been given sanction to build an additional classroom. Congratulations to Mike the Principal, the staff and the BOM on this achievement. This increase in resources is such good news for the pupils and the staff.

Dedication of a seat in Ballyseedy.

A garden seat will be dedicated in memory of the late Yvonne Blennerhassett in Ballyseedy Church grounds on the 24th July at 12.15. A  collection was made by the Diocesan Council to mark Yvonne’s retirement as Diocesan Secretary and some of the funds gathered have with the  agreement of Tom, Jonathan and the Select Vestry have been put towards this seat.

The service will be held around the time of her first anniversary and all are welcome.

 

Parishioners in Hospital

Routine Hospital visiting is still not the norm and if you have a family member in hospital that you would like visited, please inform the staff that they would like a visit from The Rev Jim. The Hospital may then contact me.

At present I am only called when someone is very unwell.

 

A Concert and Show, Known as Memory’s Well, featuring Brighid Daly and Nick Owens will take place in St Johns Ashe Street on the 17th July at 8pm.

Concerts in St James Dingle.

Eoin Duignans concerts are currently running on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays in St James Church Dingle.

 

Thought

'Don't ever be your own worst critic. Always try to be your own best friend. There are times when it helps to acknowledge that I am aware that I am less than some people prefer me to be, but most people are unaware that I am also so much more than what they see.' ~Douglas Pagels