MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES
Issue 126 “UNION NEWS” September 2020
Dear Parishioners,
Return to Church
We were happily able to open the churches again for worship on Sunday 5th July. The Services since then have gone very well and those who have attended have, I hope, felt safe and uplifted by being able to again worship Almighty God in church. I warmly commend the Services to all parishioners, young and old.
At the General Vestry Service I will give details of the Services that we hope to hold over the coming weeks. Like other activities in the community, it is very important that parishioners find a way to support the church.
In our Parish we can all draw strength from God’s love and protection and from the support we offer each other. Together we stand and under God’s love we will overcome adversity.
September
Normally September heralds the reopening of many Parish organisations after the summer break. Due to the ongoing pandemic this will not be happening in the way we normally expect. Little by little we hope to be able to continue the momentum of witnessing to God’s love and grace, always keeping in mind the medical advice concerning the Corona virus. In that regard, we would continue to urge everyone to take personal responsibility for their own hygiene and to encourage others to do likewise. If we all behave responsibly, we will be supporting the common good and helping to repress the spread of the virus.
I would again like to express our deep appreciation to all those in the Health Service who have so courageously and compassionately provided the much-needed care for those who have succumbed to the virus.
General Easter Vestry
Following a consultation with the Diocese, a General Easter Vestry Service will be held in All Saints’ Parish church on Sunday 20th September at 11.00 a.m. This is always a very important occasion in the Parish and I am sure, as always, it will be well supported.
All Saints’ National School
In accordance with the government’s guidelines, the School re-opened on Thursday 27th August and the daily life of the School is going exceptionally well. We warmly welcome all the new children who have just started attending school and we hope their school experience will be both enjoyable and beneficial for them. I would also like to thank the Principal, teachers and staff for all the good work they undertook to prepare the School for the re-opening and to all the parents and the Board of Management for their kind cooperation with all the protocols and procedures. It is a delight to hear the voices of the children in the church precincts and we hope that everything will go well in the life of the School this school year.
Students at Secondary School and College
We also offer all those attending Secondary School and Third Level Colleges, and all the teaching staff, our best wishes for the academic year. We pray that the academic year will proceed without disruption.
Harvest Festivals
Each year the Harvest Thanksgiving Services are greatly enjoyed by parishioners. This year, complying with the guidelines, I hope it will be possible to hold Harvest Thanksgiving Services in the Parish and times and dates will be given in the October issue of the Union Notes.
Bereavement
Following the sad death of Peter McGill, we offer our deepest sympathy to Sheila and their children Rachel, Clare and David, and all the grandchildren, family, and their many friends. We pray that Sheila and the family will be comforted by their wonderful memories of Peter. Peter passed away peacefully after a long illness borne with such courage and dignity. Peter, of course, was the highly respected and much-loved surgeon in Mullingar Hospital for many, many years and was also highly regarded by everyone in the community and in the societies and organisations in which he was involved. Peter was also a devoted husband to Sheila and a deeply loved father, grandfather, and dear friend. We pray that Peter, now in the fuller presence of God, may rest in peace.
Lighten Our Darkness
The amazing group of young people working on this project spent a lot of their time during the summer months developing the project and researching a lot of the facts and details that will be an integral part of the programme moving forward. From September, in addition to their Prayer Ministry, they will become more involved in the worship of God in the Parish. I would invite everyone to continue to pray for the good work the Holy Spirit is doing among the young people, both enhancing and enriching their faith and understanding of the Bible.
Vocation Sunday
On Sunday 13th September special prayers will be said in all churches in the Church of Ireland as we remember those who are responding to God’s call to a vocation in the church, and also for all those who may feel that God is calling them to ministry in the church. This is a significant Christian calling and as Diocesan Director of Ordinands I will be very happy to meet with anyone who might like to discuss a call to ministry with me.
Parish Website Address – www.mullingarunionofparishes.net.
You may like to keep in touch with the Parish through the website.
Rev. Alastair Graham, Rector
087-7870985
Some comforting words to support each day
Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”.
The psalmist wrote, “I lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence comes my help, my help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, the Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life, the Lord will watch over your coming and going, both now and forever more”
Prayers
The Presence of God
Lord, we come to you in the assurance that you are present with us now, we do not have to seek your presence, we are daily living in your presence. Make us aware of it, make it real to us and help us in these moments of prayer to know that we are speaking to one who is near and not far off, whose love is all around us and who knows our every need. Amen.
We lift our hearts and minds in prayer in the faith of God the Father who loves us, in the name of God the Son who forever lives to intercede for us, in the power of the Holy Spirit who comes to aid our weakness. Hear us in your mercy O God this day and always. Amen.
Remember in mercy our Father those who are passing through illness and especially of whom we are now thinking in our prayers. Bless all that is being done for their good and surround them with your healing love and power, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
May the God of peace who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him and may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit be with you now and always.
We pray that everyone in the Parish will keep safe and well.
