Issue 168 “UNION NEWS” March 2024

Dear Parishioners,

Revd. Hazel Scully
The special Service held on Sunday 25 th February will long be remembered in the
annals of the Parish. At the Service we had both the privilege and pleasure of
celebrating Hazel’s ministry in the Parish since 2003 and her valued role as a
parishioner prior to her Ordination. Hazel’s contribution to the Parish was nothing
short of colossal and in showing our appreciation we also thanked her husband, Ray,
and the members of her family for all their support over the years. We hope that
Hazel can now look forward to many years of rest after her wonderful ministry in the
Parish.

Whist Drive – Friday 1 st March at 8p.m.
Over the last 15 years Olive has taken a very keen interest in organising the Parish
Whist Drives. The Whist Drive on Friday 1 st March will be the last one she will
organise. The Whist Drives provide a most enjoyable occasion for those who attend
and, in thanking Olive for all she has done, we would also like to express our sincere
thanks to all those who assisted her so generously with their time and prizes over the
years. Everyone will be most welcome to attend the Whist Drive and you are assured
of a most enjoyable evening.

All Saints’ School
On Sunday 3 rd March Bishop Storey will preach at the 60 th Anniversary Service of the
location of the school at All Saints’. The school has provided an excellent education
to children over all those years. It is wonderful to see that it is still thriving and the
opportunity the children get in their education from the Principal, the teachers and the
staff is nothing short of wonderful. Their dedication and care of the children is utterly
impressive. Everyone will be most welcome to attend this very happy occasion at
11.00 a.m. this Sunday.

General Easter Vestry
The General Easter Vestry will be held on Thursday 7 th March at 8.00 p.m. in All
Saints’ Church. This is the annual meeting of the Parish and this year I do hope the
meeting will be very well attended. We will elect the new members of the Select
Vestry and their role is going to be exceptionally important in preparing for the arrival
of the new Rector and the continued benefit of the Parish. The current Select Vestry
will meet at 7.15 p.m. on Thursday 7 th for a short meeting prior to the Easter Vestry
meeting at 8.00 p.m.

God’s Gardens of Hope
On Saturday 2 nd March the Lighten Our Darkness churchyard working group will meet
at Stonehall churchyard at 9.30 a.m. I will also be at All Saints’ at 9.00 a.m. to offer
anyone a lift to Stonehall who may not be familiar with its’ location. I warmly invite
parishioners to come and join the young leaders as we undertake this very important
work to protect biodiversity in each of the Parish churchyards.
Liverpool
The visit by the young leaders of the Lighten Our Darkness initiative to the Diocese of
Liverpool on the weekend of 18 th February was a truly wonderful success. The young
leaders’ presence and enthusiasm was greatly appreciated and their presentation was
simply outstanding. On the Sunday morning the young leaders visited a number of
Parishes to speak about the project and the clergy and people of Liverpool were
simply enthralled and, most importantly, inspired to undertake a programme of
creation care to help repair the damage that has been done to God’s creation. I cannot
commend the young leaders more highly and their outstanding tutors who have given
them such support and assistance. Lighten Our Darkness has been an initiative that
has gained a national profile in the Church of Ireland and beyond and it is all our
hopes that the work and example the young leaders have given will inspire countless
people in the Church to take on a role of stewarding the beautiful natural world God
has bequeathed to us. I wish all the young leaders the very best for what will be a
bright future for them all.
Holy Baptisms
We pray for all those children who have been recently baptised and also for their
parents and godparents.
Bereavements
We offer our deepest sympathy to Edna Craig following the recent death of her sister
in Canada, to David Webster following the death of his uncle in Co. Wicklow and to
Dr. Willie Fearon following the death of his brother in Chester, England. We pray
that Edna, David and Willie will be comforted by their lovely memories of their loved
ones. We pray that each of their loved ones, now in the fuller presence of God, may
rest and rise in glory.
St. Etchen’s Killucan
It has recently come to the attention of the churchwardens that the number of prayer
books available for public worship has diminished. It may be that unintentionally
parishioners have taken prayer books home with them and, if this is the case, we
wonder would they be kind enough to return them to the church please.

St. Patrick’s Day
There will be a celebration with the usual lovely music provided by the choir, on
Sunday 17 th March. However, this year the streets will be closed to traffic due to the
St. Patrick’s weekend celebrations in the town. Therefore parishioners are invited to
park at the Rectory on St. Patrick’s Day and to walk through the Rectory garden to the
church. Some parishioners may also decide to park at Dunnes Stores and take the
short walk to All Saints. We hope for a large attendance on what is always a very
special occasion.

Church Services
After the 10 th March the Archdeacon will be responsible for arranging the church
services in the Parish. The Archdeacon has been furnished with the times of Sunday
services and it is hoped to make these available to parishioners during the vacancy.
Closing Services
As everyone is aware, I will be retiring as Rector of the Parish following the church
services on Sunday 10 th March. I would like to hold a church Service in each of the
churches before I depart. On Sunday 3 rd March at 7.00 p.m. I will conduct a Service in
Almoritia. On Saturday 9 th March I will conduct a Service in Kilbixy at 5.00 p.m. On
Sunday 10 th March I will conduct a Service in All Saints’ at 10.00 a.m. and in Killucan
at 11.30 a.m. My final Service will take place in All Saints’ on Sunday 10 th March at
4.00 p.m. Sacred music is such an important part of our worship of almighty God and
the final Service will be a Songs of Praise when we will all come to church to sing
some of the inspiring hymns that lift all our hearts in our worship of God. I look
forward to meeting parishioners at these final Services to express my gratitude and
thanks for the magnificent support Olive and I have received over the last 15 years.
We will miss you all very much

Union Notes
These are the last Union Notes that I have prepared for distribution in the Parish. The
first yellow sheet was posted to everyone in September 2009 These final Union Notes
are no. 168. I have kept a copy of each of the Union Notes and I am going to leave
them in the Parish so that there will be a lovely record of all the many and different
occasions we shared together since 2009.

A Warm Farewell
Olive and I will naturally be very sad to be leaving all of you in the Parish. We leave
with the most wonderful memories of your friendship and love and we will look
forward from time to time to our visits to your amazing county of Westmeath and in
particular the area embracing the Mullingar Union of Parishes. You are truly amazing
parishioners and your next Rector will be utterly blessed with the opportunity of
working, praying and living with such lovely people. May God bless each of you with
His grace and love.

With God’s blessings,Revd. Alastair Graham

Church Services this Month – March 2024

Sunday 3 rd March
All Saints’ 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion (said)
11.00 a.m. 60 th School Anniversary Service
Preacher Bishop Storey
Killucan 11.30 a.m. Morning Prayer
Almoritia 7.00 p.m. Evening Prayer

Saturday 9 th March
Kilibxy 5.00 p.m. Holy Communion

Sunday 10 th March
All Saints’ 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion
Killucan 11.30 a.m. Holy Communion
All Saints’ 4.00 p.m. Farewell Service and Songs of Praise

Sunday 17 th March
All Sainta’ 11a.m. St. Patricks Day Service (with music)
Sunday 24 th March – Palm Sunday

Good Friday 29 th March – 12 noon Holy Hour-All Saints’

Sunday 31 st March – Easter Day
All Saints 9a.m. Holy Communion
11a.m. Easter Family Service
Killucan 11.30a.m. Morning Prayer

All Saints’Sunday School-The leaders will arrange a monthly children’s
Service at 5p.m on Sunday 28 TH April, Sunday 26 th May and also on
Easter Day 31 st March. On Sunday 23 rd June there will be a Bible Camp
from 3- 5 p.m. led by Luke Hawkins followed by a service at 5p.m. The
leaders are also going to hold Saturday games in All Saints’ starting on
Saturday 23 rd March at 2p.m.and also on Saturdays 13 th April, 11 th May
and June 8 th for children ages 7 years and older. We hope lots of children
will attend

Parish Sale – Saturday 11 th May
Please pop the above date in your diary for the Annual Parish Sale. We will
have all the popular stalls along with a few more. There will also be the
children’s baking competition, full details in the April yellow sheet. If you are a
gardener please keep any extra plants or parts of your divided plants that you
may have for the sale. Helpers always welcome for the stalls, please let us
know if you are available to help, 10am- 2pm. Emma 0876374131