Issue 38 “UNION NEWS” April 2013

MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES
Issue 38 “UNION NEWS” April 2013

Dear Parishioners,

Holy Week
It was a great privilege to be able to pray each day during Holy Week in the four churches in the “Union”. The Children’s Musical of the Passion was a most moving occasion and again I would like to congratulate all the young people on their excellent performance, and, of course, Diane Ashmore for all the work she did in directing the Musical which helped make it such a success. I would also like to congratulate the Parish Choir, their director Bill McConnell, and Ivan Bourke the organist, on their superb Good Friday Service in All Saints’ with the Hood Valley Choir, and also Rosanne Broderick for her most thoughtful readings. All those who attended were both moved and inspired by the occasion and it was certainly a most fitting way to bring Good Friday to a close.

Easter Day
At each of the Services on Easter Day, in All Saints’, Killucan, Kilbixy and Almoritia, we had a wonderful opportunity to share in the joy of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and to feel God’s risen power. It was lovely to see so many people attending church during Holy Week and Easter and the large congregations for the Children’s Musical Passion, the Good Friday Service and on Easter morning. I would also like to thank all the parishioners in each of the churches who helped with the arrangements for Holy Week and Easter and decorated the churches so beautifully. The Sunday Club in All Saints’ displayed a beautiful presentation of the events of Holy week and Easter which was very much appreciated.

Killucan Bi Centenary
There will be a special Thanksgiving Weekend on 17th-19th May to celebrate the Bi-Centenary of the church at Killucan. On Friday 17th there will be a special Songs of Praise led by the Meath Diocesan Choir, a Family Fun Day on Saturday 18th and a special Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 19th at 11.30 a.m. The preacher at the Service will be Archdeacon Andrew Pike from Vancouver. The Pike family, of course, have had a long association with Killucan and we very much look forward to welcoming Andrew as our special preacher. Following the Service there will be a Bi-Centenary lunch held in the Mullingar Park Hotel. We hope this weekend will be generously supported by all parishioners and that the Bi-Centenary lunch will be well attended. Tickets for the Lunch are available from Jean Kilmartin at 044-9375144.

Cathy Hallissey
Cathy is training for the Ministry and I am delighted to announce that, following conversations with the Principal of the Theological Institute, she will be undertaking a placement in the Parish for 3 weeks this month, commencing on Monday 15th April. I know you will give her a very warm welcome and help make her time in the Parish particularly memorable.

Parish Plant and Cake Sale
The Parish Plant and Cake Sale will take place in All Saints’ on Saturday 25th May from 12.00 noon – 2.00 p.m. This will be the only major parish fundraiser this year and I hope it will be very well supported by everyone.

General Easter Vestry
The General Easter Vestry will be held in All Saints’ Parish Hall on Thursday 18th April at 8.00 p.m. This is a very important meeting in the church’s year and I hope it will be very well supported by parishioners.

Christian Forgiveness
Following the lecture by Prof. Robert Enright last January on ‘Forgiveness’ a special follow-up workshop will be held on Sunday 28th April from 3.00pm-6.00 p.m. at the Franciscan Friary in Multyfarnham. I warmly invite you to attend this occasion.We will meet with Christians from other churches to discuss how best we can deal with the issue of Christian Forgiveness in our personal lives and communities.

All Saints’ School Concert
The All Saints’ School Concert will be held in the Arts Centre on Thursday 2nd May. This is always a most enjoyable occasion and we thank the staff and the children for all their preparation for this year’s concert.

Christian Voices Together – 12.30 pm – 2.30pm
The Welcome Centre will be open on Thursday 18th April and I would like to formally invite all parishioners to attend. It has been decided to open the Centre once a month on a trial basis and I hope this will be very successful.

Bishop’s Consecration
Our new Bishop will be consecrated at a special ceremony in Christ Church Cathedral on Wednesday 1st May at 3.00 p.m. I invite you to remember Leslie in your prayers as he prepares for this very special occasion in his life and ministry.

Congratulations
We warmly congratulate Arthur and Irene Neale and Dot Love on their success in winning the Irish Grand National with their horse ‘Liberty Council”

Holy Baptism
There will be a number of baptisms in the Parish this month. I ask you to pray for each family as they prepare for this important occasion.

Bereavement
We offer our deepest sympathy to Proinsias and Valerie O’Fearghail following the passing of Proinsias’s aunt who lived in Rochfortbridge. We pray that Proinsia’s and Valerie’s faith will sustain them at this time and that they will be comforted by the support and love of their family and friends. We pray that Proinsias’s aunt will rest in peace.

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