Issue 50 “UNION NEWS” April 2014

MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES

Dear Parishioners,
Palm Sunday and Holy Week
This month we will remember, during Holy Week, Christ’s passion and crucifixion and celebrate His resurrection on Easter Day. These are all significant occasions for Christians and I hope you will be able to attend the ceremonies. Details of all the Services are in this issue of the Union Notes.

Children’s Passion Musical
The Passion Musical will be held on Palm Sunday 13th April at 12.00 noon in All Saints’. This is a most moving and inspiring occasion and I do hope parishioners will support the young people in the Parish by their presence.

Good Friday
Each year on Good Friday at 9.00 p.m. we hold a special Service in All Saints’. It is a most thoughtful and prayerful way to conclude our thoughts on Good Friday and I extend a warm invitation to you.

Easter Day
Easter Day is one of the most important Sundays in the Christian calendar and I very much look forward to celebrating the Resurrection with you at the different Services.

Easter General Vestry
The Easter General Vestry will be held at 8.00 p.m. on Thursday 24th April in All Saints’ Parish Hall. This is a very important occasion in the life of the Parish and I hope it will be very well supported.

All Saints’ Bi-Centenary Celebrations
At the 10.00 a.m. Service in All Saints’ on Easter morning we will be launching the Bi-Centenary celebrations.

Choir Festival
As part of the Bi-Centenary celebrations a special Choir Festival will be held on Saturday 17th May in All Saints’ at 5.00p.m. .

Parish Cake and Plant Sale
The annual fundraiser – the Cake and Plant Sale – will be held on Saturday 17th May in All Saints’ Parish Hall from 12.00noon – 2.00p.m. Olive Graham would love to hear from anyone who can help with supplying cakes, savouries and pastries. Her phone no is 044-9348376. Catherine Gibson-Brabazon (087-7461650) and Ari and Jean Gorrison (044-9375496) will look forward to receiving plants and shrubs.

Christian Voices Together
The Lenten Lectures by Mr. Seamus Mallon and Fr. Peter McVerry went very well indeed and a total of just over 430 people attended the two lectures.

Holy Baptism
We recently baptised into God’s family Caroline Chukwuemeka. We will continue to pray for her and her parents and godparents.

Archdeacon Ralph Stratford
The Service to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Archdeacon’s ordination was a truly memorable occasion. I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make this occasion so special for Ralph, Phyllis and their family.

Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study took place each Saturday during March. We will hold Bible Study on the first Saturday each month except for July and August at 10.30 a.m. in All Saints’. Everyone is most welcome to attend. The passage of Scripture to be read and discussed at the next Bible Study is Ephesians Chapter 4.

Lenten Lunches
The Lenten Lunches at Kilbixy went very well and over €350 was raised for the Westmeath Hospice Movement.

Bereavement
We offer our deepest sympathy to Stephen and Helen Gibney following the death of Helen’s father. In remembering them at this time we also pray for Helen’s mother and the members of her family. Christians know that God’s promises are true and we pray that Helen’s father, now in the fuller presence of God, may rest in peace and that Helen and the family will be comforted by their lovely memories of their father.

Prayer Shawls
The crafting of shawls for others has been around for centuries. Whether in times of bereavement, illness or birth, these items were always created with love and compassion. The making of a prayer shawl is a wonderful act of caring. Prayers are said for the recipient before, during (with each stitch) and prior to presentation. Given together with a small card, it helps to remind us that God is with us always. Prayer shawls can be knitted or crocheted. Anyone interested in joining a group to provide the parishioners of the Mullingar Union of Parishes with this special service should contact Karen Lomax (044-9332699) who would like to form a group to meet in the Parish to make the shawls.

Parish Web Address
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. –
www.mullingarunionofparishes.net

Congratulations
We warmly congratulate Mrs. Rosemary Eager on her appointment as the new Warden of Wilson’s Hospital School, Multyfarnham.
Union Notes.This is the 50th issue of the Union Notes and I am so pleased the Notes are so widely read and appreciated
I look forward to meeting you at the various Services during Holy Week and Easter and I would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed Easter.

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

The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Telephone No. 044-934 8376 Mobile 087 7870985