Issue 185 “UNION NEWS” December 2025 & January 2026
Peace In The Past, Present & Future
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’
Luke 2:14
What robs your soul of peace – regret, worry, guilt, shame, fear? Who can bring you the
peace you long for? Only Jesus. Remember those angels long ago who appeared to some
shepherds in a field near Bethlehem. They brought them the great news that the Saviour
had been born. Then they glorified God and announced that his peace would be with all
those on whom his favour rested. Jesus can bring us peace from our past because, on the
cross, he would deal with our sins, and wipe all believers’ slates clean. Jesus can bring us
peace in the present – a permanent peace that no difficulty or circumstance can take away.
Jesus can bring us peace in the future. Life’s ‘what ifs’ often fill us with anxiety, but there’s
no ‘what if’ with Jesus because we know that he sticks with all those who stick with him and
that the hope of heaven is very real and cannot be taken away from those who trust in him.
May the peace of Christ be with you, and real to you, this Christmas and forever.
There will be a full programme of Christmas services in December. Can I encourage you to
come along to worship and why not invite someone to the carol services! It is always a
great time to come together and thank God for sending the Saviour. Jenny, Sam, Leo and I
wish you all a blessed Christmas and a happy new year!
All Saints’ National School Enrolment
All Saints’ National School is accepting applications for enrolment for the school year 2026 –
2027 from Wednesday 12 th November 2025 to Friday 14 th February 2026 The school
admission notice and application form are available online on our website –
allsaintsnsmullingar.ie.
Please return the form by closing on Friday 14 th February We look forward to hearing from
you. Hard copies of application forms are available from the school office 044 93 48206
Advent Bible Study
Our Advent Bible Studies begin just before Advent Sunday. You have two options to choose
from each week. You can join us on Tuesdays at 10:30-11:30am in All Saints’ Church on 25 th
November 2 nd , 9 th and 16 th December. Alternatively, you can come along to the rectory on
Thursday evenings from 7:30-8:30pm on 27 th November 4 th , 11 th and 18 th December. Feel
free to swap between Tuesdays and Thursdays if needs be, and to join in later if you miss
the first week or two. We will be looking at the Beautiful story of Ruth one chapter at a
time. Whether you are well versed in the Bible or you’ve never looked at it before you are
welcome.
Advent Reading
Don’t forget to start reading this year’s Advent booklet, Hallelujah by Dave & Sally Gobbett,
which guides us through the Advent season using the themes of Handel’s Messiah.
Each day from November 30 th until Christmas Day the booklet includes a short Bible reading
and reflection. There are still some booklets available in the churches. Please take them
for friends and family.
Looking Forward to Christmas
Christmas is a special time in the church calendar. There will be all sorts of ways for us to
come together in worship during the season this year (see below for the times, dates and
venues). Between the Advent Carol Service, Christingle, the Nativity, Carol services and the
Christmas Eve/Day celebrations there should be something for everyone. As we are a Union
of Parishes who want to warmly welcome everyone through the doors of our churches, can I
encourage you to invite people along who may want to worship with us – especially to the
carol services, which are a favourite for many.
Wilson’s Hospital Carol Service
We are delighted that Wilson’s Hospital School will be having their carol service on Monday
8 th December in All Saint’s Church at7pm. All welcome
Coffee Mornings
All Saints’ church has revived their wonderful Thursday coffee mornings! Join us in the
church hall between 10:30am and 12noon for a cuppa, some delicious home-baking and a
chat. All for a good cause. Our December charity is Saint Vincent de Paul, and the January
charity is the Mullingar First Responders.
Grounded Youth Group
Grounded is our new youth group for secondary school-aged teens. Run in partnership with
Mullingar Presbyterian Church and Mullingar Christian Fellowship, the first month has been
fantastic. It’s been such a joy to see the group come together each week for fun and games,
food, and some teaching from the Scriptures. We have a brilliant group of young people!
Our hope is that these meetings can help young people become deeply rooted in God,
building a strong foundation of faith that guides their lives. The meetings will move
between the 3 church buildings. We also hope to meet monthly on a Saturday night for a
worship service called Lost and Found.
Here are the December dates and Venues:
Friday 5 th December – 7-9pm @ Mullingar Presbyterian
Friday 12 th December – 7-9pm @ All Saints
Please get in touch with Ian for the link to the registration form or if you have any questions.
Remembrance Service
A large crowd gathered in All Saints’ on Sunday 9 th November for our annual Service of
Remembrance. It was a dignified and poignant service, and it was great to see the
uniformed organisations in attendance as we remembered those who have given of
themselves in services of others, and those who protect and care for us today. Many thanks
to all who took part, to the choir for the work they put in, and to all who organised – in
particular David and Liam.
Young Adults Supper
Our Christmas Young Adult’s Supper and bible study will take place at the rectory at 7:30pm
on Monday 22 nd December. All 18 – late twentysomethings welcome. Please let Ian and
Jenny know if you are coming so we know how many to cater for!
Board Games Saturday
Our next Board Games Saturday will take place on 10 th January in All Saints from 3-4:30pm.
This is for 7-year-olds and older. All welcome!
Whist Drives
The first Whist Drive of 2026 in Mullingar will be on February 6th followed by March 6th.
Both start at 8pm in All Saints’ Church Hall. All welcome. ( There is no January 2026 Whist
Drive in Mullingar).
Re-Turn Bottle Donations for All Saints’ School
All Saints’ school is raising money through the Re-Turn scheme and would be delighted if
members of the community donated their cans and bottles to the school. There is a yellow
bin on site for donations. Please feel free to drop your empties into the school – they will be
greatly appreciated.
Christmas Jumper Sale
Over the last few years All Saints’ parents council have run a successful second-hand
Christmas jumper and accessories sale. The sale happens in the school and is open to both
children and parents. It is a great way to recycle clothes and accessories which prevents
them from ending up in a landfill. The parents council would be delighted to accept
donations of Christmas items in saleable condition from members of the community.Donations can be dropped into the school.
Sunday Club
Sunday School continues at the 10am serv ice in All Saints, every Sunday during school term,
except when there is a family service. All welcome.
Baptism
On Sunday, 2nd November, we were delighted to celebrate the baptism of Rudolf Von
Bonau during the morning communion service at Kilbixy. Congratulations to Rudolf, and to
his proud parents, Julianne and Rudolf. We continue to hold the whole family in our prayers
as young Rudolf grows in the faith into which he has been baptised.
Join the Parish Choir
Our parish choir adds so much to our morning worship and we are grateful for all they do.
The choir is always looking for new members. If you think you might be interested, please
talk to Bill McConnell or get in touch with Rev Ian.
Select Vestry Meeting
The next meeting of the Select Vestry will be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday 3 rd February in the
Rectory.
Services Times For December/January
Sunday 7 th December
All Saints’ 10am Christingle
Killucan 11.30am Holy Communion
Monday 8 th December
All Saints 7pm – Wilson’s Hospital Carol
Service
Saturday 13 th December
All Saints’ 11:30am ‘A Quite Christmas
Remembrance’
Sunday 14 th December
All Saints 10am Nativity
Kilbixy 3pm Carols
Killucan 7pm Carols
Sunday 21 st December
All Saints 10am Morning Prayer
Killucan 11.30am Morning Prayer
All Saints 7pm Lessons & Carols
Christmas Eve 24 th December
Almoritia 7pm Holy Communion
All Saints 10pm Holy Communion
Christmas Day 25 th December
All Saints’ 10am Family Service
Killucan 11:30am Family Service
Sunday 28 th December
All Saints’ 10am Holy Communion
January 2026
There will be services on all four Sundays
in January in All Saints’ at 10am, and in
Killucan at 11:30am.
Kilbixy will meet on
4 th January at 11:30am, and Almoritia on
18 th January at 7pm.
Parish Website : www.mullingarunionofparishes.net