Issue 34 “UNION NEWS” December 2012

Dear Parishioners,

Parish Gift Day
The Parish Gift Day will be held on Advent Sunday 2nd December. Parish Gift Day envelopes have been distributed to parishioners. The Gift Day gives us an opportunity to support the Parish in a special way and each gift, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated. The Select Vestry is sensitively aware of the current financial pressures faced by everyone but we also appreciate that many parishioners welcome the opportunity to give an offering and extra support to the Parish at the Gift Day. I would like to thank you for your support again this year and for your generosity. The gifts, of course, will be used to support all the work undertaken in the Parish.

Christmas Carol Concert – Saturday 8th December
After the success of last year’s concert the Mullingar Allsorts – the children’s Parish choir – will be singing with the Midland Youth Orchestra at this special concert in All Saints’ Church. It will be a wonderful occasion. The children’s choir and their Director, Diane Ashmore, have worked very hard at their practices each weekend. I do hope parishioners will make a very special effort to attend and to support our young people on this occasion. The choir has over 35 members and we are blessed to have Diane as the Director with the support of Wendy and Aisling.

Christian Voices Together – Christmas Carol Singing in the Market Square, Mullingar
COn Sunday 23rd December at 3.00 p.m. members of all the Christian churches, local schools and the Mullingar Town Band will sing carols in the Market Square. We hope this event will be very well supported. I hope parishioners of all ages will make a special effort to join us for this ecumenical occasion. There will be a retiring collection for the work undertaken by local charities this Christmas. The carol singing is organised by Christian Voices Together.

Christmas Day Services in the Parish
Church is a wonderful place to be at Christmas. We remember that Christ is at the centre of Christmas. I look forward to meeting you at the church services at Christmas. Details of all Christmas Services can be found in these “Notes”.

Parish Carol Services – Sunday 23rd December
Parish Carol Services are a very important part of Parish life. Parishioners come together to sing their carols of praise. The Carol Services will be held on Sunday 23rd December- All Saints’ 10am, Killucan and Kilbixy 11.30am. I hope there will be a very good attendance by parishioners.

Christmas Eve – Monday 24th December
For the last three years we have held a Healing Service in All Saints’ at 10.00 a.m. At this service we remember before God all those who are not well at Christmas. There is also the laying-on of hands for those who seek His healing power. On Christmas Eve, at 11.30 p.m. the Midnight Candlelit Service of Holy Communion will be held in Kilbixy. It will be delightful.

Choir Christmas Party– will be held in the Rectory on Wednesday 19th December at 8.30pm.

Christmas Whist Drive
The Christmas Whist Drive is always a very enjoyable occasion and will be held on Friday 7th December. I warmly recommend it to you.

The Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association – Like last year will provide the ‘Jesse’ tree for All Saints’ Church.

Kilbixy – The Church will reopen for public worship on Sunday the 9th December following the major restoration of the building.

New Year’s Day
There will be a Service of Holy Communion at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’ Mullingar followed by coffee/tea and light refreshments. Attending church on the first day of the New Year will be a wonderful way to begin 2013.

Epiphany – There will be special services held on Epiphany – Sunday 6th January.
Holy Baptism.
We congratulate Sean and Rory Urwin who were baptised on Saturday 24th of November at All Saints’ Church. We continue to pray for them, their parents Jerry and Sinead and their Godparents.

Bereavement
We were all sad at the death of Mrs. Joan Birmingham. Joan was a wonderful person who touched the lives of so many people over the years through her good work and warm friendship. We offer our deepest sympathy to Johnnie and Joanna, her grandchildren and the wider family and large circle of friends

I would like to wish you a very holy and happy Christmas and I look forward to meeting you at the Christmas services in the parish.

With God’s blessings,
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector
The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Telephone No. 044-934 8376