Dear Parishioners,
Easter
This year we will be able to celebrate Easter Day in church for the first time since 2019. As we know, due to the pandemic, the churches were not open and so I hope we will all gather in large numbers to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Details of the times of Services can be seen in these Notes.
Holy Week
- Holy Week is an important time of preparation for Easter Day. On Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th April there will be a Service of Morning Prayer in All Saints’ each day at 10.30 a.m. and a Zoom Holy Week Service will be held each evening at 8.00 p.m. on those days.
- On Holy Thursday there will be a celebration of Holy Communion in Killucan at 10.30 a.m., in All Saint’s at 11.30 a.m. and in Almoritia at 5.00 p.m. There will be a Service of Evening Prayer in Kilbixy at 8.00 p.m.
- On Good Friday there will be a service of Morning Prayer at 10.30 a.m. in All Saints’, at 12.00 Holy Hour in Kilbixy, at 2.00pm Holy Hour in Killucan, 5.00p.m. Evening Prayer Almoritia and 8.00 p.m. Sacred Words and Sacred Music in All Saints’.
Decoration of churches will take place on Saturday 16th April.
Prayers for Ukraine
On Good Friday evening at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’ we will be having a special Prayer Vigil for Ukraine. This provides an opportunity for every parishioner to come and show their support by praying for the people of Ukraine and the end of hostilities.
Lighten Our Darkness – Zoom Lecture on Biodiversity
Dr. Dara Fitzpatrick will present his lecture on Biodiversity on Tuesday 5th April at 7.30 p.m. on Zoom for those who were unable to hear his lecture in All Saints’. Those who heard the lecture may indeed like to hear it again. If you would please send me your email address and I will happily send you a Zoom invitation.
Bio-diversity Church Yard Project – Saturday 2nd April 2022.
If you would like to help with this project on Saturday in Leney Churchyard please meet at Tormey’s Carpark, Bunbrosna at 11am. The work will conclude at 1pm. Everyone will be most welcome – we need plenty of willing hands!!
Bishop’s Pastoral Visit
The Bishop will be making a pastoral visit to the Parish on Sunday 10th April. She will preach at Almoritia at 11.00 a.m. and will then attend the Lighten Our Darkness presentation at 2.30 p.m. in All Saints’. I warmly invite parishioners to both occasions. The Bishop always enjoys meeting parishioners when she comes to the Parish.
General Easter Vestry
The General Easter Vestry meeting will be held in All Saints’ church on Sunday 8th May at 11.00 a.m. This is a very important meeting and I sincerely hope it will be well supported by parishioners.
Confirmation
I will be very grateful if those who wish to be confirmed this year by the Bishop could please let me know as soon as they can.
Mayfair – Saturday 14th May from 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m.
The planning for this year’s Mayfair is well underway. We will have all the popular stalls – cakes, plants, tombola, books, teas, burgers, raffle. The majority of the stalls will be located outside at All Saints’ church.
- Mayfair Competitions for Children
- Thank you again to all the December bakers. We plan to hold another Children’s Baking Competition at the Mayfair. Full details of the items to bake will be in the May issue of the Union Notes.
- We are introducing a new competition for the Mayfair – Garden on a Plate. Using a dinner plate as your base, create a mini garden of your own design. Hopefully with advance notice this will give you a chance to think about what you might like to do.
Following the pandemic we look forward to seeing everyone again at the Mayfair this year. As always it will be a most enjoyable occasion.
Holy Baptisms
We recently baptised into God’s family in All Saints’ church Grayson, Milo, Callum and Arlo. We will continue to pray for them and for their parents and godparents as they begin their journey in faith.
Bereavement
We offer our deepest sympathy to Penelope Mahon following the death of her dear husband Tim. We extend our sympathy to their children, Rupert, Antonio and Myles, her grandchildren and Tim’s wider family. Tim was a much-loved parishioner and member of the choir in All Saints’, and also sang with the Diocesan Choir. Tim had the most beautiful human spirit and his concern and love for people was truly inspired by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Tim had won the admiration and affection of a very wide circle of people over many years. He also had a wonderful faith and we pray that Tim, now in the fuller presence of God, may rest in peace and rise in glory.
Congratulations – 100th Birthday
We warmly congratulate Doreen Deering who celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday 20th March. Doreen is a resident in Rose Lodge Nursing Home in Killucan. It was such a special occasion as Doreen is a most endearing and engaging person. On her birthday she was able to reflect with a wonderful clarity on her 100 years of life. Doreen’s father had been in insurance and she was born in Clara, Co. Offaly where he worked. His job required the family to move around different parts of Ireland, finally settling in Mullingar in Harbour Street. Doreen was educated at a school in Dublin. In congratulating Doreen we pray that God will continue to bless her and that she will look forward to many more years of life. Her avid watching of television keeps her fully appraised of all the developments happening in the world and in sport.
Canon Lawrence
Olive and I hope to be able to visit our family in the United States after Easter. Of course we have not been able to visit recently due to the pandemic. While we are away Canon Lawrence has very graciously agreed to take the Services and to be available for any pastoral emergencies. Canon Lawrence’s telephone no. is 0860562944 or 044-9222109.
Olive and I would like to wish you all a very happy Easter. We look forward to meeting you at the Services and hope you will have a lovely time with your family and friends.
With God’s blessings,
Revd. Alastair Graham
087-7870985
