MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES
Dear Parishioner(s)
Killucan Songs of Praise
On Sunday 1st July at 7.00 p.m. we are going to hold an ecumenical Songs of Praise in Killucan church. I hope this will be well supported by parishioners and the wider community. Come and enjoy singing much loved hymns.
Parish Remembrance Service – 8th July – 11.00 a.m.
This will be the third year we have held this important Service of Remembrance for former parishioners and family members. The act of remembrance is very important and the continuing support to those who are bereaved is a necessary comfort. I do hope parishioners from each of the four parishes will again, this year, support this occasion with their presence. As we did last year, we will be singing some very beautiful and suitable hymns.
All Saints’ School
On Friday 29th June, as the children leave for their summer holidays, we pray that they will have a very safe and restful summer. The sense of delight at the beginning of the holidays was tinged with a natural sadness as we said farewell to Mrs. Liz Sheridan, the Vice-Principal, who is retiring. Liz has won the admiration and affection of everyone over the years. Her teaching and interest in children’s education coupled with an empathetic support for parents has distinguished her career. She was also a most faithful and much loved colleague. We pray that God will bless Liz’s retirement with good health and happiness.
Parish Prayer Circle
It is inspiring to know that every day parishioners offer prayers in the Parish. Prayer is an essential part of our Christian faith and I would like to invite other parishioners to join the Prayer Circle by simply taking the Prayer Card and making the commitment to pray each of the prayers some time every day. Prayer truly helps.
Adolphus Cooke Mausoleum
A special ceremony will be held with civic leaders, the Follies Trust and members of the Select Vestry, on Friday 6th July, to mark the completion of the restoration of this very historic mausoleum in Westmeath. The Select Vestry is very grateful for the statutory funding and the Grant from the Follies Trust which enabled this work to be undertaken.
Christ Church Cathedral
The Parish Choir has been invited to sing Evensong on Sunday 19th August at 3.30 p.m. in the Cathedral. This is a wonderful honour and is a further indication of the reputation the Parish Choir is gathering under the direction of Mr. Bill McConnell (Choir Director), Lesley Denniston (Organist) and the very committed members of the Choir. If any parishioners would like to travel with the Choir please book your place on the bus, with Arthur O’Toole (0879733233) and Bridget Geoghegan (0876157052).
Ploughing Championship
This year the Mullingar Union of Parishes will be manning the Hospitality and Prayer Marquee at the Ploughing Championship in Tullamore on Tuesday, 18th September from 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 noon. I hope a number of parishioners will be able to assist me. I would be very grateful if you could contact me by e-mail or telephone as soon as possible so that I can confirm the rota with the Rector of Tullamore and secure the complimentary passes.
J.A.M. Outing – Sunday 9th September
The J.A.M. Sunday Schools in All Saints’ and Killucan will be going on an outing on Sunday 9th September at 10.30 a.m. to Glendeer Park in Athlone. This will be a very special occasion. I will be writing to all the young families in the Parish and I hope a large number of children will attend. It is very encouraging to see the two Sunday Schools doing so well and the Bible course that we are following has been widely acclaimed by all the leaders.
Data Protection
As you are aware, the EU Directive became effective from 25th May. I would again like to advise parishioners that if you wish to continue receiving the Union Notes and other news about the Parish, you must return the Data Protection Form signed, to me in the Rectory. Data Protection Forms are available in each of the churches, or on request to the Rectory. I urge parishioners to sign the forms as I wouldn’t like people to be disappointed later in the year, to find that they no longer receive the Union Notes and other parish correspondence.
Installation in Kildare Cathedral – 8th July at 4.00 p.m.
Olive and I were deeply touched by the presence of parishioners in Trim Cathedral for the Installation on Sunday 24th June. We would like to thank everyone who attended and, if any parishioners would like to join us in Kildare Cathedral for the Installation on 8th July, you would be most welcome.
Farmers
In the midst of this very good spell of weather which so many people are enjoying, I would like to invite everyone to hold farmers in your prayers. From the flooded ground in April to the drought of June, a huge transformation has taken place and, while the good weather has brought many benefits, we should remember the Trojan work the farmers are doing in very challenging circumstances at the moment. I know the return of some rain will be very welcomed indeed in Westmeath.
Holy Matrimony
We pray for Stephen and Valentina Lynch who were recently married in Italy. In warmly congratulating them we pray that God will bless them with a long life together with good health and happiness.
Bereavements
We offer our deepest sympathy to Harry and Barbara Haskins following the death of Harry’s sister Joan. The loss of a sibling is always saddening and we certainly hold Harry in our prayers at this time. Joan’s funeral took place in St. Mary’s Church, Crumlin. We pray that Joan, now in the fuller presence of God, may rest in peace and that Harry, Barbara and the family may be comforted by their warm memories of Joan and the assurance of knowing that God’s promises are true.
We also offer our deepest sympathy to Colin and Veronica White following the passing of Colin’s dear mother, June. June had lived a very long life and her human presence enriched and enhanced the life of her family and friends. We pray that she is now at rest with her beloved husband, Arthur, and that Colin and all the family will be comforted by their rich memories of June and in the assurance of the Christian faith.
Parish Duty
Canon Lawrence will be on call for any emergencies from Saturday 28th July until Saturday 11th August. His telephone number is 044-9222109 or 086-0562944. For part of this time Olive and I will be attending a family reunion outside Enniskillen, when members of the family from different parts of the world will gather for a special time of family celebration beside the beautiful Lough Erne. We will be enjoying the company of 24 young children and a number of adults- plenty of early mornings no doubt!!!
Holidays
I hope everyone will have the opportunity to enjoy some rest and relaxation over the summer.
Congratulations
Warmest congratulations to all the young people in 5th and 6th Class and Mrs. Webster for their amazing presentation of the Story of the Old Testament in the Bible on Sunday 10th June in All Saints’.
Boys Brigade & Girls Association
The display on the 18th of June was a very special occasion and again we offer our sincere thanks to the Captain of the Company David Webster and all the leaders
Parish Website
You may like to keep in touch with the Parish through the website.. The address is www.mullingarunionofparishes.net.
Thursday Coffee
Coffee is served every Thursday in All Saints’, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Do join us for coffee and help support those organisations helping people in need in Mullingar. Your Hosts are Arthur and Marian and they bring with them a wonderful assortment of homemade delights.
Tiny Tots Club
Summer Dates and times – Friday morning from 10.30am – 12.30 noon in All Saints’ there is a lovely occasion for parents and their young children to meet. I extend a very warm invitation to all the younger parents in the Parish. You will be most welcome. You can Contact Zoe on 0852026188
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.
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. Phone No. 044-934 8376
