Issue 186 “Union Notes” February 2026
In Quietness and Trust
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God’
Matthew 5:3
In his book In Quietness & Trust, Matt Searles says that, ‘Being a
Christian is not seeking to ascend to God; rather it is a way down. We
follow the way of Jesus, who went the way of the cross before
resurrection.’ Searles says that the beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
‘…exemplify this downward way: the way of quietness and trust. But
the wonderful news is that this downward way is the blessed way. It is
the way of flourishing.’ This Lent and Eastertide let’s walk with Jesus
on the blessed ‘downward’ way. Let’s spend time in the Scriptures and
prayer so that our hearts may be turned toward the one who gave his
life up in quietness and trust, that we might live.
Lenten Reading
This year’s Lenten reading is In Quietness & Trust by Matt Searles.
Based around the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, this
book provides us with a reading and reflection and a daily liturgical
prayer pattern. This would be a good way for us to concentrate our
hearts and minds on Scripture and prayer in the run-up to Easter.
Copies will be available in the churches for €2 in the run up to Lent.
Lenten Bible Study
Following the success of the Advent Bible studies, we are going to run
a six-week Lenten Bible study starting in February. This time we are
going to use the gospel readings for the following Sunday which
revolve around encounters Jesus had with all sorts of people on the
way to the cross.
Once again there are two options to choose from.
We will meet on Tuesday mornings in All Saints church hall from 10:30-
11:30 beginning on 17 th February.
Alternatively you can join us in the
Rectory on Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:30pm beginning on 19 th
February. All welcome.
Ash Wednesday
There will be an Ash Wednesday Communion service in All Saints at
11:30am on 18 th February.
Confirmation
Confirmation Classes will begin on Sunday 19th April at 5pm in the
Rectory for this year’s candidates. The service will take place on
Sunday 7th June. Potential candidates are asked to make themselves
known to Rev. Ian, please. Candidates in 1st year and above are
welcome.
Coffee Mornings
Our coffee mornings continue in All Saints between 10:30am and
12noon on Thursdays. The donations for February will be given to
Mental Health Mullingar. Do come along to support these events.
Whist
There will be Whist Drives in All Saints with an 8pm start on 6 th
February and 6 th March. All welcome.
Board Games Saturday
Board Games Saturday will take place on 21 st February and 21 st March
in All Saints from 3-4:30pm. This is for 7-year-olds and older.
General Easter Vestry
The Annual General Easter Vestry will take place on Wednesday 15 th
April at 7:30pm in All Saints’ Church Hall. This is an important meeting
in the life of our Union of Parishes as this is where the select vestry are
elected each year. The more people in attendance the better it is for
our churches. Rev Ian will also give a report on the ministry in the year
gone past and look to the future of our churches.
Select Vestry
The next meeting of the Select Vestry will be held at 7:30pm on
Tuesday 3 rd February in the Rectory.
Grounded Youth
Grounded is our new youth group for 6 th class-6 th years. We meet most
Friday’s from 7-9pm. It has been brilliant so far and I would love to see
more of our teens coming along – do come and join in! Each week we
meet for games, food, and to learn something about God from the
Bible.
Here are the February dates and venues:
Friday 6 th February – 7-9pm @ Mullingar Presbyterian
Friday 13 th February – 7-9pm @ All Saints’ Church
Saturday 21 st February – trip to Winter Madness in Dublin (Day event –
TBC)
Friday 28 th February – 7-9pm @ Mullingar Presbyterian
Please get in touch with Ian for the link to the registration form and
information app or if you have any questions.
All Saints’ National School Enrolment
All Saints’ National School is accepting applications for enrolment for
the school year 2026–2027 from Wednesday 12 th November 2025 to
Friday 14 th February 2026 The school admission notice and application
form are available online on our website – allsaintsnsmullingar.ie.
Please return the form by closing on Friday 14 th February. Hard copies
of application forms are available from the school office 04493 48206
Re-Turn Bottle Donations for All Saints’ School
All Saints’ school is raising money through the Re-Turn scheme and
would be delighted if members of the community donated their cans
and bottles to the school. There is a yellow bin on site for donations.
Please feel free to drop your empties into the school – they will be
greatly appreciated.
Sunday Club
Thanks to our dedicated leaders Sunday Club takes place every week at
the 10am service in All Saints’, Mullingar – except when there is a family service.
We’d love to see more children coming along to hear
about and enjoy God’s love. All welcome.
Join the Parish Choir
The Choir in All Saints is looking for new members. If you think you
might be interested, please talk to Bill McConnell or get in touch with
Rev Ian.
Baptism
On Sunday 7 th December we were delighted to partake in the baptism
of Dorothy Pulbrook at All Saints’ Church. It was a tremendous
occasion and a real blessing to the church family. Please continue to
pray for Dorothy as she grows in the faith into which she has been
baptised.
Young Adults
It was great to have 13 of our young adults for a meal and Bible study
at Christmas time. The food was good, and the depth of conversation
even better. Please continue to pray for our young adults as they work
and study in the year ahead. There will be more gatherings on the way
so keep an ear out for details!
Service Times For February
Sunday 1 st February
All Saints’ 10am Holy Communion
Killucan 11:30am Morning Prayer
Kilbixy 11:30am Holy Communion
Sunday 8 th February
All Saints’ 10am Morning Prayer
Killucan 11:30am Holy
Communion
Sunday 15 th February
All Saints’ 10am Family Service
Killucan 11:30am Family Service
Almoritia 7pm Holy Communion
Ash Wednesday 18 th February
All Saints’ 11:30am Holy
Communion
Sunday 22 nd February
All Saints’ 10am Morning Prayer
Killucan 11:30am Morning Prayer
Parish Website : www.mullingarunionofparishes.net