Issue 44 “UNION NEWS” October 2013

All Saints National School
The celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the location of the School on its’ present site were held on Saturday 28th September. It was a truly memorable occasion and was enjoyed by all who attended. No words of mine would be adequate to express our thanks and appreciation to the members of the Board of Management, the Principal, the teachers and staff at the school, and parents, for the wonderful work they did in organising the Exhibition, planning the Sensory Garden, participating in the Anniversary Service, arranging the Dinner in the Greville Arms Hotel and compiling the School Booklet to mark the Anniversary. Everyone associated with the School should take a bow as we warmly applaud their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.

Harvest Festivals
This month Harvest Festival Services will be held in each of the churches and I hope they will be very well supported by parishioners. After the wonderful summer we have much to be thankful for. The harvest is gathered in and we are called to come as thankful people to offer our praise and thanks to almighty God.

” Kilbixy Harvest will be held on Sunday 6th October at 5.00 p.m. followed by a Harvest Supper. The special preacher will be the Rev. Stella Durand, Rector of Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow. Stella’s husband was once a Rector at Kilbixy and it will be a very special occasion when she comes to preach next Sunday.
” All Saints’ Harvest will be held at 11.00 a.m. on Sunday 13th October when the preacher will be Bishop Ken Clarke. Bishop Clarke is a magnificent preacher and it will be a privilege to hear him preach on this occasion.
” Almoritia Harvest will be held at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday 13th October and Bishop Ken Clarke will also preach at this Service.
” Killucan Harvest will be held as part of the Bi-Centenary celebration on Sunday 27th October at 11.30 a.m. The special preacher will be Bishop Roy Warke who is well known to many of you. We had the privilege of having him at Confirmation last May and we very much look forward to his visit for this very special occasion in Killucan.

At the Harvest Services you will have the opportunity to support the Kenya School Project for which the young people who were confirmed last May are raising money.

All gifts of flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables will be warmly received in each church. Everyone is invited to help with the decorating of the churches.

All Saints’ Sunday Club
This year we are going to experiment with a totally new format for the Sunday Club which will be held Sunday 20th October and Sunday 17th November. The Sunday Club Service will be held at 11.00 a.m. and a letter explaining the new format will be sent to all parents in the next few days. The nurturing of young people in Christianity is so important for their lives and for our community and the wider world, and I hope this new experiment will be well supported.

Killucan Bi-Centenary Organ Recital
A special Organ Recital to mark the Bi-Centenary will be held on Sunday 20th October at 8.00 p.m. in Killucan church. The guest organist will be Stuart Nicholson, who is the Organist and Master of Choristers at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. This promises to be a most inspiring occasion and I hope it will be very well supported by the Parish.

Christian Voices Together
The very successful Lecture Series held last year will commence again on Sunday 13th October at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’ Church. The first lecture will be given by Professor Ferdinand Von Prondzynski, who is currently Principal of the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland. Prof. Von Prodndzynski is one of the leading lights in education at this time and, of course, had a formidable influence when he was Principal of Dublin City University prior to taking up his current position. The title of his lecture is “Education Skills and Values – Have we got it right?” I warmly invite you to this lecture and I know it will be of particular interest to teachers and parents involved in education.

Kilbixy Lecture
The Lecture which was planned for this Friday 4th October has had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. However, Jennifer Moore hopes to hold it on a date next year.

All Saints’ Whist Drive
The All Saints’ Whist Drive will be held on Friday 1st November at 8.00 p.m. Everyone is warmly welcome and you are assured of a most enjoyable evening. If anyone has gifts they would like to donate for prizes please contact either Elsie Bourke or Olive Graham

Bereavements
A number of families in the Parish have been bereaved in recent weeks and we offer them our deepest sympathy and prayers at this time:

Fiach O’Broin’s father passed away and we remember Fiach, Tracey and the family;
Olivia Corcoran’s father had a tragic and untimely death and we remember her and all her family;
Lesley Dennison’s dear uncle passed away suddenly and we pray for her and Richard and the family;
Olive Graham’s cousin died after a brief illness in London.

We pray that those who mourn will be comforted by God’s presence and the love and support of their family and friends at this sad time.

New Bishop
You may already have heard that when the Bishops met on 19th September they appointed Rev. Pat Storey as Bishop Elect to the Diocese of Meath and Kildare. The consecration will take place in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 30th November and we look forward to welcoming our new Bishop to the Diocese. I have written to her offering her the congratulation and good wishes of the Parish.

With God’s blessings,

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