Issue 80 “UNION NEWS” October 2016

Dear Parishioner(s)

Harvest Services
During the month of October there will be Harvest Thanksgiving Services in each of the churches. We very much look forward to welcoming our visiting preachers:

Rev. Niall Stratford will preach in Killucan on Sunday 9th October.
Canon Bertie Kingston will preach in Kilbixy on Sunday 9th October.
Rev. Philip Heak, Rector of Naas, will preach in All Saint’s on Sunday 16th
Rev. John Tanner, Rector of Tullow in Dublin, will preach in Almoritia on Sunday 23rd October.

As always, the churches will be decorated for Harvest and all parishioners are welcome to help.

Children’s Ministry
As part of the our Parish Year of Faith, there will be special Children’s Services held in both All Saints’ and Killucan from October to June 2017. In Killucan the Children’s Service will be held on the 2nd Sunday in the month and the children will prepare for this with their families at Sunday School. In All Saints’ the Children’s Service will be held on the 3rd Sunday in the month On the 2nd Sunday of each month the children are invited to come along to the church and during the Service they will take part in a special children’s activity in preparation for the monthly Children’s and School Service. I do hope these Services, and the involvement of children in the preparation, will be generously supported by grandparents, parents and godparents

Boys Brigade and Girls Association
The new Session will commence on Tuesday 4th October and we welcome children from the age of 7. We are so blessed in the Parish to have the Company Captain, David Webster, and his leaders, Fergus Mulhern and Sonia Lucas, who give so freely of their time to organise and oversee the activities.
Anyone who would like to assist the leaders would be most welcome and should speak with David Webster.

Presentation to Mr. Pat Horan
The presentation to the former Principal of All Saints’ School, Mr. Pat Horan, will take place on Friday 14th October at 8.00 p.m. in the Greville Arms Hotel. We are all looking forward to the opportunity to show our deep appreciation and thanks to Mr. Horan for his magnificent contribution to All Saints’ School over the last 41 years.

All Saints’ Choir Festival
The third All Saints’ Choir Festival will be held on Saturday 22nd October at 7.00 pm in All Saints’ church. Each year the Festival is growing in popularity and this, of course, is due to our Musical Director, Bill McConnell, and the members of the Senior and Junior Choirs. This year the Mullingar Choral will be participating in the Festival, as will the Kings’ Hospital School Choir and Orchestra, and the cast of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. The proceeds of the Choir Festival will be donated to the Regional Hospital in Mullingar as a contribution to the purchase of the much needed MRI scanner. Everyone is most welcome to attend this inspiring musical occasion. Having a four-part Parish Choir leading our worship Sunday by Sunday, is a wonderful inspiration to everyone in their worship of Almighty God and the Parish is blessed by the commitment of the Musical Director, Organists and Choir members.

Christian Healing Services
During October the church remembers the work and ministry of St. Luke who is the patron saint of Christian healing. Last year we transferred St.Luke’s Day, which is held on 18th October, to a Sunday in order to highlight the importance of Christian healing in the life of the parish. This year, we will celebrate St. Luke’s Day on Sunday 30th October and there will be a special Healing Service in each of the churches.

Year of Christian Faith
On Sunday 25th September, and on Sunday 2nd October, we launched our Year of Faith in the Parish. During the year there will be many opportunities to learn about Christian faith and to deepen our faith in God through worship, prayer, service and Bible study. The Christian faith builds our personal lives, our families, our community and God’s world, on a very sure foundation and it is my prayer and hope that during the year, as we focus on faith in the Parish, we will feel greatly inspired by God’s love and grace and upheld by His wonderful promises.

Select Vestry
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 11th October at 8p.m. in the Rectory.

Whist Drive
The November whist drive will be held on Friday 4th November at 8.30p.m. in All Saints’.

Bereavement
We offer our deepest sympathy to Doreen Deering on the death of her sister Olive. The Deering family was highly respected in Mullingar and Olive (Poppy) lived most of her life in Leeds in England. We pray that Poppy now in the fuller presence of God may rest in peace. We also offer our sympathy to Doreen Lynch on the death of her Aunt.

Youth Forum
A ‘Youth Forum’ will be held during this month and all the young people will be invited to attend.

Charity Collection – Coordinated by Brian Garrett
During this month there will be an opportunity to donate items to charity. Details will be announced in all Churches.

Coffee on Thursdays in All Saints’
On Thursday 20th October in All Saints’ Arthur and Marion O’ Toole will host the first of our regular Thursday coffee mornings from 10.30a.m.-12 noon. The first coffee morning will be in aid of the Hospice. Do call in on Thursdays to All Saints for coffee and conversation.

Tiny Tot Group with Zoe
Tiny Tots Morning – each Friday during school term 10am -12pm Text Zoe for details 0852026188

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