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Joint Christmas Message from the Bishops of Cork: The Most Reverend John Buckley and the Right Reverend Paul Colton Christmas 2012 This remains a time of extraordinary need in our country and in our local communities. Economic uncertainty, commercial vulnerability and people strained to their financial limit continue to be a major concern to us all. Christmas, with the message that ‘God is with us’ brings hope where there may be hopelessness, and light in darkness. The meaning of Christmas, which is both comforting and challenging, can all too easily be lost in a seasonal world of pantomime, party, decorations and festivity. All of those do, of course, have their traditional place at this time of year. Within the Churches, Christians too, over the centuries, have dressed Christmas up in all sorts of ways, such as manger scenes far removed from reality, Victorian carols, and much else that risk concealing the life-changing and radical good news – the Gospel - that, in Jesus, God came among us and shared our human experience. The birth of the baby at Christmas - the Incarnation of the Word of God - altered the course of human history and has been a force for change in society, as well as in the lives of people, in every age and place. In our message this year, as again we personally witness as local bishops to our shared journey of Christian faith, we invite all people of faith to mark out this Christmas as a time of personal faithfulness and witness to the heart of the Christmas message. We can do this by reaching out with friendship and practical support to our neighbours of all religious outlooks; by taking time to reflect again on the Gospel account of the birth of Jesus Christ; by putting worship at the centre of our Christmas celebrations; through acts of generosity and kindness; in the hospitality and service we offer to those in need, whether ourselves or through organisations and charities that we support. In the words of one traditional seasonal blessing, therefore, we wish you and yours the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the perseverance of the wise men, the obedience of Mary and Joseph, and most especially, the peace of the Christ-child for this Christmas 2012 and for the New Year, 2013. Paul Colton, John Buckley, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross Bishop of Cork and Ross. Disclaimer: Any views or opinions expressed in these letters DouglasPostAd_Layout 1 29/11/2011 11:55 Page 1 are solely those of the individual author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of The Douglas Post.
Building our community together
Kieran McCarthy
B.A., M.Phil. INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR, CORK CITY COUNCIL South East Cork City Richmond Villa, Douglas Road, Cork Mob: 087 6553389 E: info@kieranmccarthy.ie
www.kieranmccarthy.ie
www.corkheritage.ie
Heritage on facebook: Cork: Our City, Our Town
• (left to right)Coordinator Anne Moore, Catherine Costello, Macroom E and Brid Collins, Coláiste Mhuire Crosshaven at the the South Cork Enterprise Board's South Cork Student Enterprise Programme in Douglas Village Shopping Centre. Pic Darragh Kane
Smokelss Coal In August 2012 new regulations came into force extending the “smokeless coal” area in Cork. The area now extends well beyond Cork City and includes Ballincollig, Ovens, Tower, Blarney, Glanmire, Little Island, Glounthaune, Passage West, Monkstown, Ringaskiddy and Carrigaline.
cities in subsequent years. It has led to huge improvements in air quality in the urban areas where it has been introduced. Medical experts estimate that this improvement in air quality has saved over 300 lives per annum in the Dublin area alone. It is quite literally a matter of life and death.
It is now an Offence to sell or distribute any coal, that is not in a sealed bag and marked “Smokeless Fuel”, anywhere in this extended ban area.
Not only is smokeless coal better for the environment, it is also more cost effective. Smoky coal burns more quickly with increased heat loss through the chimney. Smokeless coal burns for longer and it works out to be about 20% more efficient and therefore 20% cheaper in the long run.
It is also an Offence to burn such coal anywhere in this extended ban area. Banned coal is generally sold as “Premium” or “Polish” coal and it is illegal to burn it in the ban area. The ban on smoky coal first came into effect in Dublin in the 1980s and was extended to other towns and
If you suspect that someone in the extended ban area may be selling, distributing or burning smoky coal, please contact your Local Authority.
Cllr Kieran McCarthy
Art Grants 2013, Cork City Council Cllr Kieran McCarthy, a member of Cork City Council’s arts committee, is inviting all community and voluntary groups throughout the south east ward to avail of Cork City Council’s Arts Grant Scheme 2013. Arts grants provide direct revenue funding for groups in support of their core work. Cork City Council will also early next year offer artist bursary awards to individual artists. Commenting Cllr McCarthy noted that: “There are many groups who contribute to the creative arts and culture of Cork city; in the south east ward alone there are several groups involved in providing drama education, dance instruction, music instruction and even perform for our local communities sending out the right positive message in these times. The arts grants provide much needed finance to keep such organisations going. The money is there; please apply for it. Our communities would be less spirited because of your presence”. Applications should be made on the official application form, which is available from the Arts Office, T.E.A.M. Unit, Corporate Affairs, City Hall. Application forms are also available from www.corkcity.ie and by email from arts@corkcity. ie. The Grant is provided to a number of professional arts organisations and community and voluntary groups throughout the city area. Completed application forms, accompanied by the documentation specified on the application form, should be returned to the Arts Office T.E.A.M. Unit, City Hall, Cork, not later than Friday 18 December 2013.
The Douglas Post Magazine | Unit 29C | St Patrick’s Mills | Douglas West | Cork | Ireland Email: frontdesk@douglaspost.ie | www.douglaspost.ie The publishers have made every effort to ensure all information is correct at time of print, however no responsibility is accepted for errors or omissions. The views expressed in the articles herein are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher of The Douglas Post Magazine. The Douglas Post is published weekly by South Link Publishing Ltd, Unit 29C, St Patrick’s Mills, Douglas West, Cork.
2 - Thur 20 December ’12