MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES
Dear Parishioner(s)
September
This month Parish activities resume. We look forward to a very interesting and inspiring autumn. On Sunday 16th September at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’ we will have a special Service for Grandparents and Grandchildren. Last year this was a lovely occasion and I hope that grandparents will invite their grandchildren, and grandchildren invite their grandparents to the Service.
Harvest Festivals
Each autumn we look forward to the Harvest Thanksgiving Services in the Parish. On Sunday 30th September at 4.30 p.m. the Harvest Service at Kilbixy will be held. This year we welcome Rev. Isaac Delamere, Rector of Tullamore, as our special preacher. This is also an ecumenical service and the Parish Priest and parishioners of Ballynacargy will also be in attendance. The Harvest Service in Killucan will be on Sunday 30th at 11.30a.m. Nigel Foley – Fisher will be the preacher. Almoritia Harvest Sunday 14th October at 3.30p.m. All Saints’ Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday 21st October at 11.00 a.m.
Confirmation
The Confirmation Service will be held on Sunday 28th October in All Saints’ at 11.00 a.m. We will remember the candidates in our prayers as they prepare for this important occasion in their lives.
All Saints’ School
The School recommenced on Thursday 30th August. We remember the Principal, teachers, members of staff, the children and their parents in our prayers as they begin a new school year.
Heritage Week
This year was the most successful year for visitors to the churches. I thank everyone who acted as stewards in the four churches during the week, and who took the time to welcome our visitors. In All Saints’ the inaugural Civic Service was held on Wednesday 22nd August and went very well indeed. I would like to thank Harry Haskins for his help and assistance in organising the different occasions in All Saints’ and Brigid Geoghegan who led the liturgy at the Civic Service and also gave the talk at the Cooke Mausoleum.
Christ Church Cathedral
Bill McConnell, our Musical Director, Lesley Denniston our organist, and the members of the Choir are to be warmly congratulated on their singing of Evensong in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday 19th August. It was truly inspirational and their singing matched the quality of any choir. So many compliments have been forwarded from people in Dublin who were delighted to attend the Service or watch on the Cathedral webcam.
J.A.M. Sunday School Outing
The J.A.M. Outing will take place on Sunday 9th September, leaving All Saints’ Church at 10.30 a.m. All the children from All Saints’ and Killucan are invited to attend. I would be very grateful if parents would contact Anne McDonnell (All Saints’) or Jean Gorrison (Killucan) by Thurs. 6th September to book a place. The Outing is to Glendeer Park in Athlone and the children are assured of a very special occasion. The bus will return by 4.30 p.m.
Coffee on Thursdays
The coffee morning in All Saints’ is held every Thursday morning from 10.30 a.m.–1.00 p.m. with midday prayers at 12.00 noon. All proceeds support the work of local charities. I warmly invite parishioners to attend.
Ploughing Championship
There was a very good response from parishioners to help at the Diocesan marquee. I would like to thank those who are giving so generously of their time and I am sure the occasion will be most enjoyable.
Rock Solid Youth Club
The new Rock Solid Youth Club will hold their first session on Thursday 20th September from 7.30 p.m.–9.00 p.m. in All Saints’ church. I hope parents will give their very full support to this important initiative and we are so fortunate to be able to avail of the services of Youth for Christ. The youth club is for young people aged from 11 years.
Bible Study
The September Bible Study will be held on Saturday 15th September at 10.30 a.m. in All Saints’. The Bible Study is both important and informative and helps us have a clear understanding and appreciation of our faith. I warmly invite parishioners of all ages to attend and you will all be most welcome.
Saints’ Days in September We will celebrate St. Matthew’s Day on Friday 21st September at 11.00 a.m. at a Service of Holy Communion and St. Michael and All Angel at 9.30a.m. on Saturday 29th September, in All Saints’.
Stained Glass Windows
Three valuable and beautiful windows from Moylisker Church have been erected in All Saints’ and will be dedicated by the Bishop on her visit for Confirmation. These are truly outstanding and I would like to thank Norman Black who proposed this initiative and who has given the whole project his fullest support. Information about each window will be included in the new booklet on items of interest in All Saints’ church.
Institutions
As was mentioned in the last Issue, we offer our prayers for the new rectors of Athlone and Galway who will be instituted this month.
A Day of Faith Raising – Would you like to come?
A day of Faith Raising will be held on Saturday 22nd September from 11.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. in St. Anne’s Retreat Centre, Killenard, Co. Laois. The Bishop will preside and participants will include Emma Rothwell, Chaplain of Wilson’s Hospital School, and Rev. Philip Heak, Rector of Naas. Please either email me or telephone to confirm your reservation.
Emma Rothwell
At the end of last month Emma Rothwell concluded her time as Diocesan Youth Officer. I would like to warmly thank Emma for her inspiring ministry and for all the good work she did among the young people in the Diocese. Emma is a wonderful witness of Christ’s love and grace and we wish her continued success with her invaluable ministry at Wilson’s Hospital School.
Select Vestry
The Select Vestry meeting will be on 1st October at 8.00 p.m. in the Rectory.
Memorial Service
The Midland Branch of the British Legion will be holding a special Service for Remembrance for Alan Brabazon on Sunday 16th September at 2.30 p.m. in Almoritia.
Bereavements
We offer our sincere sympathy to Cathy and Michael Finnegan following the passing of Cathy’s mother. Cathy and Michael provided outstanding support to Cathy’s mother who benefited greatly from their sensitive care and devotion. We pray that Cathy’s mother, now in the fuller presence of God, may rest in peace and that Cathy and Michael and the members of their family will be comforted by God’s grace and by their fond memories of her.
We also offer our deepest sympathy to Brendan McKeogh whose brother passed away in Chicago over the summer. Brendan’s brother had spent most of his adult life living in the United States. We pray that he will rest in peace and that Brendan, Susan and the family will be comforted by knowing that God’s promises are true and that those who die in faith rise in glory.
Ordination of new Bishop of Meath
I will be representing the Parish at the Ordination of the new Bishop of Meath on Sunday 2nd September. This will be a very special occasion and the new Administrator has extended a very warm invitation to the Church of Ireland for this significant occasion for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Meath. We pray with the new Bishop as he prepares for his new role in the Diocese.
Blessing at St. Biseach’s Well
The Ecumenical Blessing will be held on Sunday 9th September at 6.30 p.m. The location of the Well is on the back road from Kilbixy to Slanemore. Parishioners from Kilbixy will be able to advise on directions.
With God’s blessings,
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector,
The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. Phone No. 044-934 8376
