PARISH OF CREGGAN, BALLYMASCANLAN UNION and RATHCOR
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS MARCH 2002
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER SERVICES
Palm Sunday 24th
10.45 Combined Service Ballymascanlan Church (No service Bush)
Maundy Thursday 28th
20.00hrs Holy Communion Ballymascanlan.
Good Friday 29th
11.15 Creggan. 20.00 Ballymascanlan.
Easter Day 31st
Holy Communion
9.30 Creggan 10.45 Ballymascanlan 12.00 Bush.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE.
Some of our prejudices are harmless, dislike for particular food or music or art. The difficulty arises when we make our opinions absolute or when we are led into misunderstanding what is right or wrong because of it. One litmus test can be how far our views lead us to discriminate against others. This is one of the basic problems with the absolute forms of religion practised on both sides in Northern Ireland, where many fail to see that their dearly held prejudices are in fact contrary to Gospel values.
From time to time such prejudices can also extend into the political arena. For example yesterday Mr. David Trimble, leader of the moderate Ulster Unionist Party described the country in which I live as "a pathetic, sectarian, monoethnic and monocultural state." Despite what Mr. Trimble may think, this is not the view of most southern Irish protestants. We experience generosity, tolerance, respect and influence far in excess of the 4% of the population that we represent. Whatever short term political advantage the First Minister of Northern Ireland may hope to achieve, such language is unworthy of the normally sensible Mr. Trimble, especially coming in the same week when the plain people of Ireland expressed their views in the anti-abortion referendum in a way that was contrary to what they were encouraged to think by the Irish Roman Catholic Bishops, whose own authority has been further dented yet again by the outcome of the referendum. Presumably also Mr. Trimble may actually wish to encourage some Roman Catholics living in Northern Ireland to vote for his party. His gratuitous insult expressed in inconsiderate and intemperate language is unlikely to achieve that objective.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS SEPTEMBER 2001
FROM THE DIARY. 23rd September 10.45am Joint Service Ballymascanlan. No service Bush. A Joint Service will be held on the 4th Sunday of each month starting in August in Bush and alternating with Ballymascanlan.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS JULY 2001
A protestant clergyman living beside a community interface on Belfast's Crumlin Road at Ardoyne had the courage to offer board and lodging to a Roman Catholic overseas student who arrived in Belfast, literally with just the clothes he stood up in, after sleeping rough on the streets of London. One year later the young man's life has been turned round. After a year at College in Belfast, he has gained a place at Manchester University. His self respect has been restored. Now he has prospects and a future, which he did not have a year ago, when his life had fallen apart.
While parish visiting last week I met the five year old child of a local Sinn Feinn Councillor who was regularly minded by a unionist and orange family in Crossmaglen. This is good community relations in action and one of the small signs of hope that we can move beyond our continuing sectarian conflict. It happens when ordinary people are prepared to offer a Christian witness in their own place, in how they live and in what they do, in simple things. "Live right and things will come right". There are others of course who wish to keep the aggravation going and who remain imprisoned by the past in their attitudes and outlook.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS MAY 2001
At a Combined Service in Ballymascanlan last month we celebrated the 450th Anniversary of the Irish Use of the Book of Common Prayer by using the 1549 Holy Communion Service in Cranmer’s original form. A Fair Trade stall, kindly provided by Gerard Bourn from Crossmaglen, was available after the service giving parishioners the opportunity to support the Third World.
As we witness the spectacle of the bones of St. Therese being paraded around the country by the Irish Roman Catholic Bishops in order to boost church attendences, and with the continued promotion of Indulgences during the Jubilee Year by that Church, we can reasonably conclude that the arguments for Reform are still compelling. This of course should not diminish the courtesy and good neighbourliness that we wish to promote in the community in which we live. Reform must embrace tolerance and diversity rather than seek to impose a new uniformity, which when taken to extremes gives rise to some of the uglier forms of religion that we see in Northern Ireland.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS MARCH 2001
From the Registers -- Creggan Christian Burial 2 December 2000 at Clonallon. William Stephenson Turkington 10 Chapel Road Killeavy, aged 69. Billy was rector’s churchwarden for three years, and parish treasurer and secretary for the past five years. We shall miss his cheerful reliable and efficient manner. We extend our sympathy to his partner Anne, his wife Betty and all the family circle.
We extend our sympathy to Eileen Marks on the death of her grandson’s wife Jacquline Henry and to David Lowe on the death of his son in law’s brother Derek Herron. Both were young people full of the joys of life who died in tragic accidents.
We express our good wishes to our Creggan organist Mrs. Molly Donaldson who retired from the organ stool on 31 January. Molly is a wonderful lady who will be 90 on 17 March. She has given unstinting service. All her work was done willingly and with her whole heart.
We thank Paddy Allen for undertaking the duties of organist at Creggan and for his help on occasions in Ballymascanlan and Bush.
Work has now started on the coach house at Creggan and will be completed by the end of March. We look forward also to choosing three sculptures and a mosaic for the Poets Glen Public Park by open competition. These will be in place when the project finishes in June.
We look forward to welcoming 50 teachers from Sacred Heart Grammar School Newry to Creggan for a guided tour on 16 March.
17 March -Parish Outing to Down Cathedral for 11.45 service. Dep. Ballymac 9.30am with packed lunch. Return dep. 5pm arr. back 6.30pm. Adults £5 children £1. 14 seats. First come first served.
The help of a friend is always welcome. We are grateful to Michael Harris-Barke for his practical assistance with our application for listed building status for Ballymascanlan Church. When granted, along with the appropriate grant aid, we will at last be able to tackle the second round of urgent and necessary repairs.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS DECEMBER 2000
Following the Harvest Service at Ballymascanlan Parish Church on 8th October a presentation of inscribed plates and flowers was made to two ladies to mark their 56 years of combined service to Ballymascanlan Union Select Vestry. Mrs. Marjorie Campbell (Ballymascanlan) was Parish Treasurer for 26 years and Mrs. Frances Bothwell (Carlingford) was Parish Secretary for 30 years. The Rector paid tribute to the quiet, efficient, diligent and unstinting service given by both ladies over so many years.
We welcome the posthumous apology proposed by Killkenny Council to the late Hubert Butler, who was unjustly ostracised by the local community for offending the Papal Nuncio of the day, when he truthfully drew attention to the forced conversion of Orthodox Christians to become Roman Catholics in Croatia during the second world war.
We were pleased to welcome Rev. Walter Patrick Rennison and his brother, sons of the late Dean Rennison to Ballymascanlan recently. It is over 60 years since their father was Rector of the Parish. He had the distinction of being the only clergyman in Armagh Diocese who did not sign the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant in 1912.
Last month the Rector took part in the Blessing of the new Sewerage Works in Carlingford. This might be described as taking ecumenism one step too far. The prayer included “may those who use this facilities do so with vigour and imagination”.
TIDINGS - PARISH NEWS FEBRUARY 2000
From the Registers Holy Baptism. 5 December 1999 Sophie Ellen Stewart, Scots Pine Cottage Bellurgan.
Christian Burial. 2 October 1999 at Creggan. (Interment of ashes.) Anne Hewitt Burns 50 Cedar View Redditch Worcestershire. Anne died 19 July, following a short illness.
20 December 1999 at Bush. Alice Sophia Grills, Bradshaw House, Ballynamoney, Carlingford. Alice was a quiet thoughtful person who cared for her family with great devotion.
16 January 2000 at Ballymascanlan. William Desmond Craig, Avila Nursing Home, Bessbrook formerly of Blackgate, Ravensdale. Desmond repaired machinery throughout the countryside. He was held in great affection by his neighbours, family and friends. We express our sympathy to all who are bereaved.
In memory of the late Emily Horgan £332 was donated in lieu of flowers to Ballymascanlan Church and £380 to Newry Hospice. We thank all who contributed for their generosity.
Christian Aid: Bishops Appeal The special collections at the Christmas Community Carol Services for work in Sudan amounted to £226.60 Creggan, £159.32 Ballymascanlan and £122.35 Bush. Total £508.27. This was a splendid response.
Church Unity Week. The parish supported three services held in Dundalk, Newry and Carlingford to celebrate Church Unity week.
Each year the Armagh Clerical Union concludes its annual dinner with the loyal toast to Her Majesty the Queen. Such a gesture may be appropriate in the Orange Order or at the local District Council. Rather than be faced with a test of political loyalty at a clerical function, now that others are trying to be more inclusive in Northern Ireland, is it not time that this practice was discontinued?
National Marriage Week 7 - 14 February 2000
Service of the renewal of Marriage vows
Sunday 13 February
9.30 Creggan
10.45 Ballymascanlan
12.00 Bush
Please feel free to invite any one who was married in Creggan, Ballymascanlan and Bush to attend this special service in each church.
St.Patricks Tide
The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Carey have accepted an invitation to come to Armagh on the evening of 17 March and to spend the following day with our diocese. The Archbishop of Armagh has also invited the bishops of the Church of Ireland to join along with a selected group of clergy and laity from each diocese. This will give the arrangements an all-Ireland significance. This will be a very special occasion. Please plan to share in these events by your presence.
Friday 17 March: 8 p.m. Evensong in St.Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh
Preacher: The Archbishop of Canterbury. (Diocesan clergy, retired clergy and readers are invited together with parochial representatives.
Saturday 18 March: 11 a.m. in the new Civic Theatre in Armagh
Lecture by the Archbishop of Canterbury - who will speak in the context of a day-long conference on the role of the Church in the new millennium. It is hoped that each parish will be represented at this important event.
Parishioners are asked to consider offering accommodation for some of our diocesan guests for the nights of 17th and 18th March. An early response to this request would be appreciated. The Archbishop hopes this event can be a significant and memorable occasion for the Diocese of Armagh. The new theatre will be an ideal centre for the Conference. Your support and help can make it so.
Sudan.
A small delegation from our diocese is preparing to visit the site of the Bishop Allison Bible College, Sudan, now relocated for safety across the border in Uganda, which we will be supporting with financial aid as part of our diocesan Decade of Evangelism Outreach Programme. We wish them a safe and benefical visit. Please remember them in your personal prayers. The diocesan team was commissioned by the Archbishop on Sunday 9 January in the Cathedral. We look forward to hearing of their experiences on their return at a special meeting on Tuesday 15 February: 8 p.m. St.Nicholas’ Church Dundalk (Rural Deanery of Louth). Please plan to attend.
Sudan Video
The professional video The Resurrection People telling the story of The Anglican Church in Maridi Diocese Southern Sudan is available for home viewing. The programme is directed and presented by Paul Clark (UTV) and produced by the Church Missionary Society.
Mission Magazines
A range of magazines from Mission and Community Organisations is available at the back of Church. Please feel free to borrow them on a read and return basis. This will help you to be more informed on the wider work of the Church. Please return them promptly so that others can also benefit from them.
Read the Church of Ireland Gazette each week. Only 35p
At the invitation of the Prime Minister the Rector attended an evening reception at 10 Downing Street on February 2nd in honour of members of the Rural Community.The Rector also met the American Consul Eric Green on his first visit to south Armagh, at the launch of the new cross border tourist map.
Church Calendar
8 March Ash Wednesday 11.15 Creggan 20.00 Ballymascanlan
