Dear Parishioner(s)
Ash Wednesday and Lent
On Ash Wednesday – 1st March – there will be a Service held in each of the churches:
Killucan 10.30 a.m.
Kilbixy 12.30 p.m.
Almoritia 5.00 p.m.
All Saints’ 7.30 p.m.
The season of Lent provides an opportunity for prayer and reflection as we prepare, over 40 days, for the great Christian celebration on Easter Day. I warmly commend the season of Lent to you. I hope parishioners will make a special effort to attend church in each of the churches on Ash Wednesday, and the other occasions between now and Easter Day.
March Whist Drive
The March Whist Drive will be held on Friday 3rd March at 8.30 p.m. in All Saints’. This will be the last Whist Drive in All Saints’ until November. The Whist Drive is always a most enjoyable occasion and everyone will be most welcome to attend.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This is a very important international occasion and, like last year, we are going to hold a special Service which will be led and conducted by women from each of the four churches. The Service will be held on Sunday 5th March at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to affirm the very important contribution women make to church life and also to the wider society. I hope men, along with women, will come in large numbers to show their affirmation and appreciation of all the good work that women do.
All Saints’ School Board of Management
A special Meeting of the School Board of Management will be held on Monday 6th March at 8.00 p.m. in the school.
Faith Forum
The next meeting of the Faith Forum will be held on Monday 13th March at 8p.m.in All Saints’. During our Year of Faith we have already had the opportunity of sharing special occasions together and at the next meeting the Forum will be discussing and agreeing further events. The Faith Forum is open to all members of the Parish and everyone will be most welcome.
St. Patrick’s Day
As is our custom, there will be a special Service held at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’ on St. Patrick’s Day. The Senior Parish Choir will give an inspiring rendition of St. Patrick’s Breastplate. It is always a lovely experience to celebrate part of the National holiday in church. I look forward to welcoming everyone and of course the shamrock will be blessed and sprigs will be given out to everyone at the church Service.
Select Vestry
A meeting of the Select Vestry will be held on Tuesday 28th March at 8.00 p.m. in the Rectory.
CMS April Visit
A delegation from the Church Missionary Society will be visiting the Parish on the first weekend of April. We look forward to welcoming the Rev. Roger Thompson the CMS organiser, the Provost of All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi, Kenya, and the project worker of the Urban Renewal Programme which the Parish has supported for many years. We will be holding a special Service on their visit and further details will be available nearer to the time.
Privilege and Pleasure
During the month of March I have been invited to conduct a Lenten Retreat and also to speak at the Church 21 National Conference. I feel very honoured to have received these invitations and I will look forward to bringing the kind regards of the Parish to both events.
Bishop’s Visitation
The Bishop thoroughly enjoyed her pastoral visitation to the Parish on Monday 13th and Sunday 19th February. It was a delight to have her with us and I would like to thank everyone who helped make her visit so special.
Confirmation
The Bishop is planning to hold the Confirmation Service on Sunday 29th October in All Saints’ Church. This is somewhat later in the year than usual and the Confirmation Classes will commence in early September. However, I intend to have an introductory meeting with all the young people who will be going forward for Confirmation and would be very pleased if parents would let me know the names of those they wish to have prepared for Confirmation.
Holy Baptism
We welcomed into God’s family through baptism, Donnacha Richard John Leavy-O’Neill on Sunday 19th February. We pray for him, his parents and godparents as they continue their journey of faith.
Almoritia Bi-Centenary
The Bi-Centenary Service on Sunday 12th February was a truly inspiring occasion and the church was packed to overflowing. Bishop McDowell preached a wonderful sermon and the music was led by the Senior Parish Choir and organist Lesley Denniston. I would like to thank all the parishioners for their truly magnificent work in restoring this ecclesiastical gem. The Parish has a lovely future to look forward to. Following the Service a delicious luncheon was held in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon.
Prayers for Young People
The Bishop has requested that prayers for young people would be offered at all churches in the Diocese on Sunday 26th February. We will be remembering all the young people in the Parish and warmly invite them to attend church for this important time of prayer for them.
Bereavement
We offer our deepest sympathy to Arie Gorissen, Jean and the family following the death of Arie’s father in Holland. Arie’s father passed away peacefully after a long illness and Arie’s loving care of him was a great comfort to his father. We pray that he will be safe in God’s presence.
We also offer our deepest sympathy to Rev. Trevor and Ann Holmes following the death of Trevor’s mother, Betty. Betty was a remarkable woman whose life touched her family and friends in so many special ways. Her inspiring goodness encouraged so many people to follow her example. We pray that Trevor, Ann, Trevor’s father and wider family, will be comforted by the assurance of God’s promise of eternal life and that Betty may now rest in peace.
Coffee Morning every Thursday from 10.30a.m – 1.30p.m in All Saints’
We warmly invite parishioners and friends to call in for a coffee and a chat in the very friendly atmosphere of All Saints’
Arthur and Marion O’ Toole provide delightful refreshments and this month all the donations will be given to Good To Talk Mullingar
Tiny Tots
The Tiny Tots continue to meet on Friday mornings 10am – 12 pm in All Saints’ during term time. It is lovely to meet the babies, small children and parents. Zoe Hales organises a most interesting programme. Do call in – you will be most welcome text Zoe on 0866052292
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
