Issue 92 “UNION NEWS” October 2017

Dear Parishioner(s)

Harvest Festivals
During this month the Harvest Festival Services will be held in each of the churches and I hope they will be very well supported. We are blessed to have four inspiring preachers. The Harvest in Killucan will be on Sunday 8th October at 11.30am, the Harvest in All Saints’ on Sunday 15th October at 11am, the Harvest in Kilbixy on Sunday 15th October at 3.30pm and the Harvest in Almoritia on Sunday 22ndOctober at 3.30pm. I am sure, as always, the churches will be decorated very beautifully. In Killucan the church will be decorated on Saturday 7th October, from 10.00 a.m. and in All Saints’ on Saturday 14th October from 10.00 a.m. Everyone is warmly invited to come to help with the decoration of the church and we would welcome plenty of flowers, greenery, fruit and other items to enrich the harvest atmosphere in all the churches. The arrangements for decorating in Kilbixy and Almoritia will be made locally.

Rev. Trevor Holmes
The Rev. Trevor Holmes was with us for the last two years and we greatly benefited from his ministry. The Bishop has now invited Trevor to take up duty in Dunboyne Parish. We wish him well with his new ministry but will also miss having him in the Parish. On Sunday 15th October we are holding a special Service of Evensong at 7.00 p.m. in All Saints’ to thank Trevor for his ministry and to make a presentation to him. I do hope parishioners will make a special effort to be present on this occasion.

Choir Festival- Saturday 21st October in All Saints’ at 8pm
The Choir Festival will be held on Saturday 21st October at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’. The Festival is growing in popularity. Last year there was a wonderful attendance and we were inspired by some magnificent singing. This year, in addition to the All Saints’ Senior Choir, we will also have the pleasure of listening to the Mullingar Choral Society and other choirs. There will be a retiring collection for the MRI Scanner Appeal for Mullingar Hospital. I do hope everyone will come along to support the Choir, who put so much time and effort in to preparing for this occasion.

Bible Study
The Parish Bible Study is always a lovely occasion when we have the opportunity to learn more about our faith and the meaning of God’s story in the Bible. The next Bible Study will be held in All Saints’ on Saturday 21st October at 10.30 a.m. and I warmly invite everyone to come. I know you will not be disappointed.

St. Luke’s Day
St. Luke’s Day falls on Wednesday 18th October and we will be having a Service of Holy Communion in All Saints’ at 12.00 noon. This provides us with an inspiring opportunity to pray for healing and to seek God’s healing power in our lives. I warmly commend this Service to you.

Parish Whist Drive
The November Whist Drive will be held on Friday 3rd November at 8.30 p.m. in All Saints’ Parish Hall. The Whist Drives are wonderfully entertaining and most enjoyable and everyone is invited. I do hope you will come – you are assured of a great evening with a delicious supper. If you have any unwanted gifts or if you would like to donate a prize for the Whist Drive, please let Olive know as soon as possible as she will then know how many prizes she will need to buy for the Whist Drive on 3rd November. You can telephone Olive at the Rectory on 044-9348376.

Confirmation
The Confirmation Service will be held in All Saints’ on Sunday morning 29th October at 11.00 a.m. I do hope that parishioners from each of the churches will come to support the young people for this very special day in their lives. I would also like you to pray for the young people as they prepare for their Confirmation – Ross Ashmore, Ronan O’Neill, Rachel Holmes, Liam O’Fearghail, Ella Shaw, Ciara Mulhern, Josh Farrell. The Confirmation Service will be at 11.00 a.m. and we look forward to welcoming the Bishop again to our Parish.

All Saints’ Patronal Festival
The All Saints’ Patronal Festival Service will be held on Sunday 5th November at 11.00 a.m. The Patronal Service will be Sung Matins. Our special preacher this year will be Very Rev. William Morton, Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. We are very honoured that the Dean has agreed to preach as he has a very busy schedule and diary. This will be the Dean’s first visit to the Parish and I sincerely hope that all parishioners will attend this Service and give him a very warm welcome.

Sunday Schools
On Sunday 8th October at the Services in All Saints’ and Killucan, the new session of the Sunday Schools will be launched. This year we will be supported by a very fine group of parents who have agreed to help with the organisation of and teaching at the Sunday Schools. The Sunday Schools provide an important opportunity for children to learn about the Christian faith and I sincerely urge parents in the Parish to support the Sunday Schools and bring the children to church. None of us need any reminding of the importance of Christian values and Christian behaviour in today’s world and we have a great opportunity to provide children with a Christian foundation for their lives in our Parish.

CoffeeMorning every Thursday -10.30am – 1.30pm in All Saints’

Wedding Congratulations
I would like to warmly congratulate Sharon Coady and James Ennis who were married in All Saints’ on Saturday 23rd September. We pray that God will bless them richly with His love and with good health and happiness for their married life.

Tots Club every Friday 10am – 12 noon in All Saints’.

Mrs. Anne Purdon
Killucan church was full to capacity for a Service of Thanksgiving for Mrs. Anne Purdon on Sunday 24th September. For many years Anne, with other parishioners, has worked tirelessly for the Parish and her faith and care of people has been legend. At the Service we had a wonderful opportunity to show her our appreciation and thanks for all that she has done and to offer her the lovely Christian compliment – ‘well done good and faithful servant’. We wish Anne continued happiness and health for the future.

In the light of the recent increase in postal charges the Select Vestry would like to offer options for parishioners on receiving the ‘Union Notes’ each month.
Please Email info@mullingarunionofparishes.net with your Name Address and Mobile number� And let us know if you would like to receive your Union Notes as�
Email Version �
Collect a printed copy in the church�
Continue to receive by post �(we are happy to continue to do so)
Some parishioners have returned the completed forms or emailed their details and have recieved an email friendly version of the Union Notes. There will e printed copies of the notes available in the church.

Website
You may like to keep in touch with the Parish through the website and your family and friends may also like to have the web address. The address is www.mullingarunionofparishes.net. I encourage you to continue to look at the website and to also advise your family and friends about it.� �

Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/mullingarunionofparishes.net Keep up to date
on our Parish Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @MullingarUP

With God’s blessings,
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector

The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Telephone No. 044-934 8376