LINK DIOCESAN VISIT
LINK DIOCESAN VISIT
We were all thrilled to welcome our visitors from the Diocese of Connor in May. It is always a pleasure to spend time with friends, and most of those who travelled have been friends for a long time, and we feel very at ease with them!
Under the leadership of their Diocesan President, Norman Bell, the bus arrived in Kilkenny to the Deanery on the Friday Afternoon, where they were joined by C & O Executive Committee for the evening. Many thanks to the Dean and Nichola for providing the splendid venue and for making everybody feel so welcome. We were also thrilled to be able to introduce our new Bishop Peter and his wife Anne, who met many old friends amongst the group!
On the Saturday the group did the tour of the south-east, by cars! They travelled to Waterford where we presume they spent lots of pounds in the Waterford Crystal Shop. Then on to New Ross where they visited the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship Project.
The Saturday culminated with a meal in Hotel Kilkenny when a beautiful cake was cut, ending off the evening. Special thanks must go to Ann Jacob for her magnificent organisation and also to Betty. Also very many thanks to all the hosts who had to work very hard preparing, driving and entertaining and doing many other things well beyond the call of duty!
Each visitor went to Morning Service in the local parish where they were staying, and afterwards travelled to St. Canice's Cathedral for our Diocesan Festival Service.
DIOCESAN FESTIVAL SERVICE
The rain managed to stay away for the afternoon, so it was pleasant for all travelling to St. Canice's Cathedral for our 2003 Festival Service. Thanks to Kilkenny and Kells Branches for the very organised and prepared tea, and to the Dean Lynas and the Kilkenny ladies for preparing for the Service itself. (They did look splendid in their sashes! Many orders have been taken.) The Bishop of Tuam, the Right Revd. Richard Henderson was our special preacher and his sermon centred on our current theme IN LOVE AND SERVICE. In Love and Service was interpreted by him in many different ways and loyal service is portrayed by MU members and it is always in love.
In the speeches afterwards, Norma Bell thanked all for making the visit to C & O possible and presented Joan Dier with a specially commissioned Diocese of Connor China Plate. A special permanent place will be chosen.
DEDICATION OF SPECIAL CUSHIONS - St. Canice's Cathedral
Last October St. Canice's Cathedral celebrated the 800 Anniversary of its foundation and to mark the occasion Kilkenny Branch decided to present the Cathedral with three specially designed cushions for use in the Sanctuary. At the Festival Service, Lilia Harper and Denise Hughes presented the cushions to the Dean and Bishop Barrett blessed them for use. The Branch are to be congratulated on this initiate and it follows on from the kneelers which were made some years ago now, by the Branch and friends. Again Kilkenny Branch are grateful to the help given by 'friends' of the Branch. Without this help production might have been a little slower.
VISIT TO IRELAND BY ABIGAIL TUKULU
Abigail will visit Ireland in September and members of this Diocese will have an opportunity to meet her on Wednesday 17th September in Athy, Co. Kilkenny. Please note this will be the closest place to this Diocese she will visit. Please make every effort to have your Branch represented at this Meeting.
BRANCH ACCOUNTS
One point which arose at a recent Executive Meeting regarding Branch Accounts. It is VERY necessary to have your Annual Branch Accounts audited, by someone else other than the person preparing them. This does not mean that you need to give them to an Accountants Office, but just ask somebody who understands your system to look over them. Also it is very advisable to have two people signing cheques. This is for safety purposes.
Happy Summer Months to all