Dear Parishioner(s)
Ash Wednesday and Lent
This year Ash Wednesday falls on Wednesday 14th February, St. Valentine’s Day. As is our custom, there will be a Service of Holy Communion in each of the churches:
Killucan 10.30 a.m.
Kilbixy 12.00 noon
Almoritia 5.00 p.m.
All Saints’ 7.30 p.m.
I do hope parishioners will make a strong effort to attend the Services as Lent is still an important time in the Christian calendar. This year I am providing an opportunity for those who wish to use Lent as a journey of prayer and reflection. There will be a Lenten Programme in the Parish and everyone will be most welcome to attend any or all of the special occasions.
Confirmation
Last year the Confirmation was held on the last Sunday in October and a number of families were supportive of it being held again this year at that time. The Bishop will be with us for Confirmation on Sunday 28th October at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’. I would like to meet with the candidates who will be making their Confirmation this year on Sunday 04th March at 10.00 a.m. in All Saints’. As you will know, attending church on Sundays is a very important part of preparation for Confirmation. This year I will be expecting the candidates to attend church most Sundays. I hope to have the parents’ support for this as the Bishop expects the candidates to have attended church. I am put in a very difficult situation when asked by the Bishop if candidates have not attended Church. I think it is not unreasonable to note that for commitments to other organisations, either sporting or otherwise, people are expected to attend if they want to participate and benefit. Confirmation is no different.
Whist Drives
The next Whist Drives will be held on Friday 2nd February and Friday 2nd March at 8.30 p.m. in All Saints’ Parish Hall. As I have mentioned on many occasions, the Whist Drives provide an occasion for great enjoyment with a delicious supper and I warmly commend the Whist Drives to you.
Annual Parish Sale
The annual Parish Sale will be held on Saturday 12th May in All Saints’. The first meeting to plan for the Sale will be held this Saturday, 3rd February, at 10.00 a.m. in All Saints’ Parish Hall. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
Killucan Patronal Festival
Each year we hold the Patronal Festival in Killucan to remember and mark the ministry and Christian witness of St. Etchen. This year the Service will be held on Sunday 11th February at 11.30 a.m. and the special preacher will be Rev. William Seale, Rector of Kells Union of Parishes. We very much look forward to welcoming him to our Parish for this special occasion. I hope this Service will be well attended and I invite the parishioners of Kilbixy and Almoritia to attend, along with the parishioners of All Saints’. The Senior Parish Choir will be in attendance.
J.A.M. (Sunday School)
The legislation, which was enacted in December last, now requires the leaders to be fully vetted before they can act as a leader in the Sunday School. As some of the leaders in All Saints’ are awaiting approval, the holding of the Sunday School in All Saints’ has had to be delayed. We sincerely hope that the approval will come through in the near future.
Boys Brigade and Girls Association
A similar situation pertains as with the Sunday School. As soon as the vetting is complete the sessions will restart.
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Select Vestry
The next meeting of the Select Vestry will be held on Monday 26th February at 8.00 p.m. in the Rectory.
Thanksgiving Service for Muriel Ray and Douglas Matthews
As a mark of our appreciation to the long and outstanding service of Muriel and Douglas to the Parish, a special Service of Thanksgiving will be held in All Saints’ on Sunday 25th February at 11.00 a.m. We have held similar Services in Kilbixy and Killucan and I believe it is very appropriate that these Services are held to show the appreciation of the Parish to those who have given such longstanding service. We warmly welcome their family and friends and I hope parishioners from each of the churches will attend.
Parish Website
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.
With God’s blessings,
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector,
The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. Phone No. 044-934 8376
