The Parish of Saint Catherine & Saint James with Saint Audoen
Canon Mark Gardner (Editor) Tel: 01 454 2274 Mobile 087 266 0228
Email: markgardner@eircom.net
Review Distribution: Margery Bell Tel: 01 4542067
Website: cja.dublin.anglican.org
Organist: Derek Moylan
Service times every Sunday
10.00 Eucharist, St Audoen, Cornmarket. (Parking in Francis Street is free on Sundays)
11.30 Eucharist (and Sunday School, in term time) St Catherine & St James, Donore Avenue.
(Family Service and Church Coffee, usually Second Sundays)
Sunday School & Family Service 2017 (subject to change)
10 September Family Service. Theme, the Family of Jesus. Tea and coffee
17 September, 24 September, 1 October, Sunday School
8 October Family Service. Theme Harvest Thanksgiving. Tea and coffee
15 October, 22 October, 29 October, 5 November, Sunday School
12 November Family Service. Remembrance Sunday (Scouts in attendance). Tea and coffee
19 November, 26 November, 3 December, 10 December, Sunday School
17 December Family Service ~ Carol Service (Scouts in attendance) & mince pies
24 December (morning) The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Many thanks to those who have been willing to volunteer for Sunday School, including Natalie Malone, Catherine Kirby, Victoria Ogbata, Barbara Barnes and Orla Honer, and also those who are prepared to be Garda vetted for the same purpose, in taking care of our little children and young people.
Doreen Bertram
The removal of some shelving at the Rectory has uncovered wallpaper of a child’s bedroom, perhaps dating from the time when Doreen and Dick Bertram and family lived here. He was the last Rector of St Catherine’s Thomas Street. Doreen’s grandmother was my grandmother’s older sister. I attended Dick’s funeral at St Patrick’s Church Greystones, little more than a year before returning for the funeral of Doreen. They are both remembered in this Parish with great affection. The newspaper insertion read: BERTRAM, Doreen Florence (née Thompson), August 28th 2017, (peacefully) in the wonderful care of Susan and all the staff at Brabazon; beloved wife of the late Dick, much loved Mum of Dudley (Australia) and Lynne, adored Yan Yan of André; loved and remembered always by her family, daughter-in-law Charmane, brother Bob, sister-in-law Ada, nephews and nieces, cousins, the extended family and friends. Funeral Service on Thursday (August 31) at 2.30 o’clock in St. Patrick’s Church, Greystones.
St James’ Churchyard
Many people still have a connection with St James’ Churchyard. Will you let me know if you are one of them? It is now in the care of Dublin City Council, and accessible to the public, a welcome change after many years of isolation and neglect. The Council representatives want to know more about public interest in the Churchyard, which will strengthen their arm is wresting funding from the Council to spend on the conservation and maintenance of the Churchyard. I receive many requests for information about burials and monuments, as does Fr. John Collins of St James’ Catholic Church James Street.
New use for old Churches
Not only have Dr Pearse Lyons and his wife spend lavishly on the restoration of St James’ Church, they have also set about restoring the houses standing between the Church and the street, which now look magnificent, among so many buildings in shabby or derelict condition, in what was once the principal thoroughfare into the city from the West ‘the rocky road to Dublin’ snaking over the Camac River and through old Kilmainham.
The splendid Church of St Catherine, built on this important route, was completed in 1769. After years of neglect and decay it is in use as a Church again, with a large and vibrant congregation, and about to celebrate its 250th anniversary.
St Luke’s Church in the Coombe has been reroofed and looks very fine in its new state. The former Chancel will be preserved as open or sacred space. The restorers are hopeful of recovering the half-moon Parkes memorial window which graced the East end of the Church and is currently suspended in the vestibule of the YMCA, on the site of St Peter’s Church, sadly demolished.
St Catherine’s Meath Street was badly damaged by a malicious fire, but has risen from the ashes. It is an example of a Church which might have been given over to new use, but the current rules and regulations required it to be reinstated as it had been. Perhaps a more imaginative policy is required. I have only just learnt that in the immediate aftermath of the fire, when everyone who had gathered to rescue what they could were exhausted and covered in grime, they were greatly heartened when they were joined by Archbishop Michael Jackson, who with no fuss and no photographs boosted their morale and restored their flagging spirits.
Mark Gardner
Ecclesiastical Insurance
At a recent conference looking at the problem of theft from churches, one crime reduction officer said: “My advice would be to lock up everything.” Ecclesiastical endorses that advice, but adds the caveat, “except the front door”. Keeping churches open outside of services of worship is a vital element in the link they have with the community they serve. An open door enables people to find a quiet place to pray, it offers somewhere to sit and think, and it enables visitors to the area to enjoy any historical treasures you may have. A steady flow of legitimate visitors also helps deter those with criminal intent.
Church Times
School Calendar, 2017-18
Monday, October 30 – Friday November 3rd inclusive: Mid-Term Break.
Friday, December 22nd : closing at 12:00 for the Christmas Holidays.
Monday, January 8th: School re-opens. Full school day.
Thursday February 15th – Friday February 16th inclusive: Mid-Term Break.
Monday, March 19th: closed for St Patrick’s Day Public Holiday.
Friday, March 23rd closing at 12:00 for the Easter Holidays.
Monday, April 9th : School re-opens.
Wednesday, April 11th : closing at 1:20 for Staff Meeting.
Monday May 7th- Friday May 11th inclusive: closed for May Bank Holiday / Mid-term Break.
Monday June 4th: closed for June Bank Holiday.
Thursday, June 28th: closing at 12:00 for the Summer Holidays.
