MULLINGAR UNION OF PARISHES
Dear Parishioners,
Pentecost
The Service of ‘Festival of Sacred Song and Music’ on Pentecost Sunday 28 th May
was a lovely inspiring church service. We sang hymn 310 and were reminded that the
fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy and peace and, if we live in the Spirit, let us walk in
the Spirit (Galatians 5, verse 22). At the service I invited parishioners to pray the
words of the hymn each morning and to start each day living in the Spirit.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me
Break me, melt me, mould me, fill me
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
We pray that as we live by the Spirit and show God’s love, joy and peace that people
will recognise that Christianity is so important in the world today.
Mayfair
The Mayfair on Saturday 20 th May was an outstanding success and a lovely day in the
Parish as we met to share conversations with each other. It was marked by the
wonderful cross-section of people who attended, from young children up to mature
parishioners. I would like to again thank all the stallholders and helpers for their
wonderful contribution and much hard work. Again, on behalf of everyone, I would
like to thank Emma Coburn for her amazing leadership and enthusiasm as Organiser
of the Mayfair again this year. We happily include the note below from Emma:
Parish Sale – Thank You
Saturday 20th May proved to be an ideal day weather wise, not too sunny and limited
rain! Thank you to everyone who supported the sale. There was a great crowd and we
brought in €8k (rounded) on the day – a terrific result. A special big ‘thank you’ to the
stall holders, their helpers and everyone who helped stock the stalls. Thank you to the
Friday afternoon group who brought tables across from the Greville Arms, the early
Saturday morning team who set up and the afternoon tidy up gang. All these pairs of
hands make all the difference. ‘Guess the name of the puppy’ was a treat for 2023.
Thanks to Alice Potterton for this novel fundraising idea. Big Brown Bear was raffled
on the day, thank you to the young ladies who brought the bear about and managed
the draw. (Anna Rolston donated the bear and drew the winning ticket).
Baking Competition – Thank you to everyone who entered. The judges were once
again very impressed with the high standard of baking, decorating and presentation of
the buns and muffins. Emma Coburn
General Easter Vestry
The General Easter Vestry, held on Sunday 23 rd April, went exceptionally well and we
wish the members of the Select Vestry everything good for their year of office. It is
so encouraging that so many parishioners are prepared to help in the organization and
running of the Parish and I thank everyone for the good work they undertake and do.
Lighten Our Darkness
I again congratulate the young leaders on their amazing presentation at the General
Synod in Wexford on Saturday 13 th May. Their presence and presentation was so
warmly appreciated by the House of Bishops and the members of General Synod and
received a standing ovation. The young people are a credit to themselves, their
families and the Parish and we congratulate them on all the acclamation they have
received. A copy of the booklet on biodiversity will be sent to parishioners in the
July issue of the Union notes
Select Vestry
The next meeting of the Select Vestry will be in All Saints’ on Tuesday 13 th June at
7.30 pm. Olive and I sincerely hope that now that the pandemic is behind us we will
be able to resume holding the Select Vestry meetings in the Rectory from the autumn.
All Saints’ School
We would like to congratulate all the children in All Saints’ School on their amazing
performance of their musical in the Arts Centre on Tuesday 30 th May. Everyone who
had the privilege of being there was treated to a wonderful performance and in
congratulating the children we would also like to thank the Principal, teachers and
staff of the school for all their work in preparing the children.
End of Year School Service
On Sunday 18 th June the End of Year School Service will be held in All Saints’ at
11.00 a.m. This is always a delightful occasion and the young people leaving the
school will receive a special blessing as we wish them well in their transition to
secondary education.
Parish Remembrance Sunday
Every year we have the sad privilege of remembering those parishioners who have
gone to the eternal reward and who through their life have been dearly loved and are
now so fondly remembered by their families and friends. The Service this year will be
held on Sunday 25 th June at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’ church.
Summer Madness
Summer Madness is a very exciting and enjoyable festival weekend for young people
from all over Ireland. This year it will be held from Friday 30 th June until Tuesday 4 th
July. Each year a good number of young people at secondary school level attend and
without exception they always have a wonderful time in the most beautiful venue in
North Antrim where Summer Madness is held. If any young people in the Parish
would like to consider going please contact me as soon as possible. I am delighted to
be able to say that already a good number will be attending from the Parish.
Evening of Reflection – Thursday 15 th June
I warmly invite parishioners to attend this evening of reflection at 7.30pm in All
Saints’. Lydia Monds of the Church’s Ministry of Healing, will lead a reflection on
‘Listening to God’. This will be a lovely prayerful occasion and I hope that
parishioners will attend. We look forward to welcoming Lydia to All Saints’.
The Malone Mausoleum
The Follies Trust have very kindly undertaken a significant restoration of this truly
amazing mausoleum which is located at Kilbixy. A special lecture will be held on
Thursday 1 st June in All Saints’ at 7.00 p.m. I warmly invite everyone to come.
Richard McLoughlin, the conservation architect, will explain the work that will be
undertaken and Ruth Illingworth will speak on the history of Kilbixy. A truly special
evening not to be missed.
All Saints’ Sunday School
The All Saints’ Sunday School will be held on Sunday 11 th June at 11.00 a.m. This
will be an outdoor service and we hope to have a lovely occasion for children and
their families. Everyone is most welcome.
Children’s Bible Camp
Luke and Esther Hawkins will run the Bible Camp in All Saints’ on Monday 31 st July,
Tuesday 1 st and Wednesday 2 nd August from 9.30 a.m.–1.00 p.m. each day. This will
be both an exciting and an enjoyable camp for children and I warmly commend it to
parents and children over the age of 7 years. Do come and have a wonderful time.
Holy Baptism
We congratulate twins Madison Mai and Hudson Tyler on their baptism recently in
All Saints’. We warmly congratulate them and pray that as they begin their journey of
faith that they will grow to treasure their relationship with God. We pray for their
parents and godparents as they journey with the children during their lives.
Bereavements
We were all so very sorry at the passing of Diane Miller on 14 th May. Diane had
borne her illness with such amazing courage and dignity and passed away peacefully
at home. We offer our deepest sympathy to David and her daughter Debbie, son-in-
law Enda and grandchildren Ursula and Lyle. Diane’s contribution to Kilbixy church
over so many years was truly immense and very deeply appreciated. We pray that
now in the fuller presence of God she may rest in peace and that David, Debbie and
the family will be comforted by their lovely memories of her.
We were all greatly shocked at the very sudden death of Olive Pearson on Sunday 21 st
May. Olive had attended the Mayfair the day before and was in great form. Olive
was a much-loved parishioner of All Saints’ Church and will be very sadly missed.
We offer our deepest sympathy to her husband John, their children Sarah, Denise,
Lynda, Heather, Aubrey and Shane, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and
the wider family. Olive had an inspiring faith and a very deep love for her family and
All Saints’. We pray that now in the fuller presence of God she may rest in peace and
that John and all the family will be comforted by their lovely memories of her.
Holy Days this Month
St. Columba Friday 9 th June
The birth of St. John the Baptist Saturday 24 th June
St. Peter Thursday 29 th June
Each holy day there will be a Service of Holy Communion at 11.00 a.m. in All Saints’
State Exams
This month we remember all the young people in the Parish who are undertaking State
exams. We wish them well and hope they will be very successful. Special prayers
will be offered for them on Sunday 4 th June at the church services.
Sunday Evening 11 th June
There will be a lovely summer evening service in Killucan at 7.00 p.m. of Evening
Prayer. Do come and join us for this special summer occasion.
Summer Holidays
Olive and I would like to wish you all a very happy summer and we hope you will
find some time for rest and relaxation. We also remember all the farmers in the Parish
whose work is always so demanding but so essential. We hope that they will keep
safe and may find some time for a little relaxation. We greatly appreciate all the good
work farmers do and from which we all benefit.
With kind regards and with God’s blessings,
Revd. Alastair Graham Mobile: 087-787 0985
Church Services this Month – June 2023
Sunday 4 th June
All Saints’ 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, Rector
Killucan 11.30 a.m. Holy Communion, Rector
Sunday 11 th June
All Saints’ 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, Rector
11.00 a.m. Sunday School Service – outdoors, Rector
Killucan 7.00 p.m. Summer Evening Prayer
Sunday 18 th June
All Saints’ 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, Rector
11.00 a.m. End of School Year Service
Killucan 11.30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Almoritia 7.p.m. Evening Prayer
Sunday 25 th June
All Saints’ 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion, Rector
11.00 a.m. Parish Remembrance Service
This service is a united service for the whole Parish
