Dear Parishioner(s)
Harvest Thanksgivings
The Harvest Thanksgiving Services in Killucan and Kilbixy were the best attended Harvest Services in recent years. I would like to thank everyone who decorated the churches so beautifully, to those who took part in the Services and to those who provided such delightful refreshments in both churches. Everyone’s heart was truly warmed and inspired as we gave thanks to God for His great goodness and love – Thank you.
This month the Harvest Services will be held in Almoritia on Sunday 14th October at 3.30 p.m. and the special preacher will be Rev. William Steacy, Rector of Athlone.
On Sunday 21st October the All Saints’ Harvest Festival will be held on at 11.00 a.m. and the preacher will be Canon Cecil Hyland.
After the Harvest in All Saints’ the parents of the School will hold a Cake Sale which I know will be very well supported.
Harvest Decorations
The churches at Almoritia and All Saints’ will be decorated for the Harvest. The parishioners of Almoritia will also be decorating the church on Saturday 13th October.
The decoration in All Saints’ will be held on Saturday 20th October at 10.30 a.m. I warmly invite parishioners to help and we will welcome greenery, vegetables, flowers and other symbols of the Harvest.
Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association
The new Session will commence on Tuesday 9th October at 7.00 p.m. in All Saints’. We look forward to welcoming all the young people again and I take this opportunity to thank our Captain, David Webster, and the Leaders for their great commitment. It is hoped to start a Book Club in the Brigade and if any parishioner has a small bookcase they would like to donate perhaps they would contact the Rectory.
Circle of Prayer
It is very encouraging that so many parishioners are praying daily in the Parish. On Sunday 14th October, at the 10.00 a.m. Service, special prayers will be offered for healing and I warmly invite the members of the Circle of Prayer, and parishioners, to attend. Prayer is such an important part of our Parish life and prayers of healing are particularly comforting and inspiring.
Parish Bible Study
The monthly Bible Study in All Saints’ will be held on Saturday 20th October at 9.30 a.m. I warmly invite parishioners from all the churches.
Rock Solid Youth Club
The monthly session of our new Parish Youth Club will be held on Thursday 18th October from 7.30 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. in All Saints’. All young people from 11 years of age are warmly invited.
J.A.M. Sunday School Outing
The All Saints’ J.A.M. (Sunday School) will be held on Sunday 7th October at 10.00 a.m. This will be the only Sunday School this month due to the Harvest Service and Confirmation Service. I encourage parents to bring their children along and again I thank the leaders for their time and commitment.
Saturday Lunchtime Concert
Charles Marshall is organising a Lunchtime Concert in All Saints’ on Saturday 6th October at 1.00 p.m. Everyone is most welcome and those who have attended before will know that the Concerts are wonderfully enjoyable occasions and an opportunity to listen to the finest music.
Westmeath Orphans Society
The AGM will be held in the Rectory on Thursday 18th October at 3p.m.
All Saints’ Choir Festival
The Choir Festival will be held on Saturday 20th October at 8.00 p.m. and will feature truly inspiring singing. I warmly commend this occasion to you. It is an opportunity to show your support for the Senior Parish Choir and its’ Director, Bill McConnell. There will be some scintillating musical guests and all the proceeds will be given to TEAM, a local charity in Mullingar which provides emergency accommodation to people in urgent need.
New Organist
I am delighted to announce that David Lamb has been appointed the new organist of All Saints’ Church. David’s organ playing has earned him a very worthy reputation and we are delighted that he is joining our music ministry in All Saints’. David is currently the organist in Coolock Parish in Dublin, and will be playing at his first Service on Sunday 21st October at the Harvest Festival.
Mrs. Liz Sheridan
A special occasion to mark the retirement of Mrs. Sheridan as Vice-Principal of All Saints’ School will be held on Friday 5th October in the Annebrook Hotel at 8.00 p.m. Mrs. Sheridan gave sterling service over many years, first as Principal of Killucan National School and then, in recent years, as Vice-Principal of All Saints’. Her leadership and teaching will be sadly missed but we wish her well with her well-earned retirement.
Confirmation
The Confirmation Service will be held on Sunday 28th October at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’. We will be delighted to welcome the Bishop again on this important occasion for the young people, their families and the Parish.
At the Confirmation Service this year the Bishop will also dedicate the three stained-glass windows from Moylisker Church that have recently been erected in All Saints’.
As we prepare for the Confirmation we remember in our prayers those who are to be confirmed – Mark Webster, Jane Duggan, Joanna Meskeniene-Murdoch, Kundai Manzira, Anna Gillespie, Luke Ray.
Holy Days in October
There will be a celebration to mark St. Luke’s Day on Thursday 18th October at 12.00 noon. and to mark All Saints’ Day on Thursday 1st November at 12.00 noon. The Services of Holy Communion will be held in All Saints’ Church.
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.
Tiny Tots Club All Saints continues on Fridays 10 -12pm with Zoe Hales 085 2026188 All are welcome to attend preschool children and babies only.
Bereavements
We offer our deepest sympathy to Joe and Carol Carlyle following the death of Carol’s mother. We pray that Joe, Carol and the family will be comforted by their rich memories of her and that her Mum, now in the fuller presence of God may rest in peace.
We also offer our sincere sympathy to the family of Michael Moroney who died following a long illness which he bore with great courage and dignity. Michael’s funeral service took place in All Saints’ and we pray that his wife Valerie and the family will be comforted by the love of their extended family and wide circle of friends and that Michael may rest in peace.
Holy Baptism
We recently welcomed into God’s family Benjamin John Clendenning and we pray for his parents and godparents.
Parish Website
The address is www.mullingarunionofparishes.net
Our Social Media Pages on Facebook and Twitter have been suspended for the moment until all GDPR policiesare in place.
With God’s blessings,
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector,
The Rectory, Gaol’s Hill, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath. Phone No. 044-934 8376
