FEBRUARY LOSSET

A word from William

In the last week a new ecumenical Christian Radio station has been launched. You can listen to Spirit Radio on 89.9 FM (between RTE 1 and RTE 2). If modern music isn’t your thing you might tell your children or grandchildren about the station. I often worry about the attitude to women in ‘hip hop’ fearing that what you listen to can have a subliminal influence.
While Spirit radio may be predominately a music station, in the morning it could be 50/ 50 talk to music. As we enter an election, there is nobody more fond of current affairs than I, but sometimes it’s nice to get a break from the politicians and their policies. Why not tune in and see what Spirit Radio is about? There are sheets with their schedule in the pews of the Church with the weekday schedule on one side and the weekend on the other. There are also sheets with a donation form as they don’t have advertisers as yet and are listener funded.
On 15th December I was invited to the 10th anniversary of The Horse Project, I was there for the opening of the project 10 years ago. The project was initialized to rectify the problem of the urban horses running loose on estate greens. Archbishop Walton Empey was a patron. At the celebration I reminded those present of the part the donkey played in Jesus life; carried his pregnant mother; the flight to Egypt and on Palm Sunday. In popular music, according to ‘The Rubber Bandits’ if you wanted a woman you needed a horse! This is a very worthwhile project which not only benefits the animals but the youth in the area.
I attended the Bowling Club Christmas dinner on 17th December in Lucan Golf Club, this was an enjoyable evening.
On 19th December we had our Primary School Carol Service, along with our Good News Club nativity sketch at the 11.00am service. At that point our new school principal, Berna Daly, had learnt of her appointment and joined us at the service. It was lovely to have her and since the service has taken up her post as Principal of our Primary School.
That evening we had our Nine Lessons and Carols Service which was well attended and got us into the festive spirit. The Church was beautifully decorated and I would like to thank Janet Edgely and her band of helpers for all their work and creativity. Thank you also to those who helped with the teas following the service.
As we all know we certainly had a white Christmas this year! All our services went ahead despite the weather and thank you to those who helped clear a path to the
Church for car parking. We had our usual Christmas Eve service at 11.30pm, Christmas Morning 8.30am Holy Communion and 11.00am Family Holy Communion. It was a busy few days with Sunday falling the day after Christmas but we went ahead with both 8.30am and 11am services as normal on that Sunday. At the 11.00am service the baby son of Tim and Susan (nee Griffin) Holliday, Tullis, was blessed. Tullis had been dedicated in London where the family live but had blessings both here in Tallaght for Susan’s family and in Northern Ireland for Tim’s family.
On New Year’s Eve at 11.00pm we had our annual Multicultural Service to welcome in the New Year. It gave people the opportunity to partake in a festive service if they hadn’t been able to get out to Church over the Christmas period due to the weather and it really was a most enjoyable way of welcoming in the New Year. People started to arrive around 10.30pm and this gave the children a chance to compare Christmas presents!
Our Archbishop John Neill retired on 25th January. We are very grateful for all the times he visited us here in Tallaght, along with his wife Betty, not just for Confirmation but also for our Discovery Services. We wish them a long, happy and healthy retirement.
As previously mentioned, we are facing an election. There are booklets on how to vote wisely in the Church porch. They were actually published for the election in ’07but as the points are based on biblical truths I think they will still be relevant and will be of help in this up coming election.

God bless, William

Whist Drives

Our postponed Christmas Drive was held on Monday 24th
January with a full hall, good craic and good raffle.

Thanks to Janet Edgely, Mary Lucas, Hendrikje Mahon and Yvonne McMahon and Yvonne McGlynn who looked after the catering. Also thanks to all who donated raffle prizes. All support was much appreciated during the year which enabled us to make our annual contribution to parish funds.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2011. our February drive will be held in the small hall on Monday 21st at 8.00pm.

Bowling

“A warm welcome back to all after the Xmas break. Our league teams are busy catching up on matches that were cancelled before Xmas.

Our Xmas dinner was well attended in Lucan Golf Club and enjoyed by all, thanks goes to Ann and Denis Kane for organising a lovely evening. Our sincere sympathies goes to Imelda, Pat and Alex and those close to them, who have lost a dear family member over the Xmas period”

School News

Everybody continues to be very busy as we all look forward to the Spring. First and Second Class are preparing for a Drama Workshop which will take place on March 1st . While 3rd and 4the Class were rewarded for their excellent behaviour with a ‘Chocolate Day on Friday February 4th . Everyone had a yummy time!

5th and 6th Class began a six week programme on Drug Awareness on January 30th. The Programme runs for six weeks and judging from their responses, they have learned a great deal about the dangers of all kinds of drugs. The course was provided by the Killinarden Enterprise Centre. They also competed in the Credit Union Quiz in St. Marks GAA Club on Friday February 4th. Well done to everyone in 5th and 6th for taking part and being so well behaved on the day.
All the senior classes were invited to a talk about Dublin Bus given by Joanne Courtney. The children learned about safety on public transport. The Parent Teacher Meetings have been held for all classes except 5th and 6th. Both teachers and parents were very pleased with how they turned out and all the pupils can feel very proud of what they have achieved so far this year.

Mother’s Union

Monday 13th December at 8pm we held a Beetle Drive and
Festive Supper. This was a really successful evening…thoroughly enjoyed by all. What a wonderful supper we produced between us! Thank you everyone.

Valerie attended the Diocesan Council Meeting on Saturday 20th November
We had our ‘Christmas’ dinner on Monday 10th January in the The Grill Room, Kingswood House. It was a very enjoyable evening and a good night was had by all.
Diary Dates:

11.15am Thursday 3rd February: HC Christchurch Cathedral.
8pm Monday 14th February at 8pm we will have a talk on Mindfulness. Any parishioners interested (male or female) will be most welcome to join us. Monday 14th March 8pm: History of Tallaght by Mayor Eamon Moloney.

SAOIRSE, Thank you everybody for contributing monthly… for February they would like donations of hairbrushes.

TEA Rota:

Monday 14th February: Mary Lucas, Monday 14th March: Yvonne McGlynn
Best Wishes for New Year!

BOYS BRIGADE

We have re opened after the Christmas break . In order to
make up for lost time due to adverse weather and to allow work on display items, we are extending our times as follows: All section begin at 7.30pm sharp...Anchors will finish at 8.45pm, Juniors will finish at 9.15 pm and Company section will finish at 10 pm.

The leaders are planning some outings for the boys over the next few weeks and we are looking forward to taking part in the drama competition and to hosting the Battalion drill competition in February.

Gift Day

Gift day was in October and as you know we were encouraging parishioners to give as generously as possible to raise funds for the Parish. The amount raised was €3610.00.

Thank you to all who gave, especially in these times of recession.

Women’s World Day of Prayer

Tallaght’s Women’s World day of Prayer service this year takes place here in St. Maelruain’s on Friday 4th March at 8.00pm, all welcome.

There will be a planning meeting in the Parish Centre on Wed16th February at 8pm, anyone interested is welcome to come along.

The Church Review Magazine

The Church Review Subscription is now overdue if you have not already paid please forward payment (€40.00 - cheques made payable to Tallaght Parish Church) to the parish office as soon as possible. If you no longer want to subscribe please let the parish office know. You will be liable for the January and February editions.

The Church of Ireland Gazette

The Church of Ireland Gazette is a weekly newspaper which has news from the Church of Ireland from the whole island of Ireland. If you would be interested in ordering a weekly copy please contact the parish office 462 6006. The annual subscription is €40.00. Thank you to Ronnie Wallace who, until recently, had been looking after the ordering of the Gazette on behalf of the parish for many years.

Ash Wednesday and Lenten Services

Ash Wednesday is on 9th March, which will see the start of our weekly Wednesday evening Lenten services, at 8.00pm.

This year we are planning on using CMS ‘s ‘Discover’ for our Lenten services. This is a dynamic new resource that helps people explore the biblical background to mission.

Christmas Sing Along

We had our Christmas Sing Along on 10th December in the Parish Centre. At lunchtime myself, Ronnie Scott and Billy Gould were on the verge of cancelling the event due to the state of the ice and snow covered car park when a snow plough arrived to clear the entrance to the church gate. The crew very kindly came into the car park and cleared away the top layer of snow and gave us salt and grit to spread in the car park meaning that we could go ahead with the sing along as the car park was now safe. God is good!

We had a lovely evening with a good attendance, I think people were beginning to get cabin fever with the weather and the main roads were fine for driving, so many came along to join in the festive spirit.

I would like to thank Ronnie Scott, the coordinator of the event, for all the work he put in organising the hall, publicity, DJ, raffle and refreshments for the evening. I would like to thank everyone who helped in any way, your efforts are much appreciated and also to those who donated items for the raffle and the gift stall. The DJ played backing music which the Music Group sang festive songs along to and there were even a couple of karaoke solos. Thank you once again to all who helped make the night such a success.
The amount raise on the evening was €1147. - William

Funerals

We express our condolences to Alex Bryan and family on
the death of his mother Matilda (Tilly) Bryan. Her funeral
took place here in St. Maelruain’s on 22nd December.

The funeral of Anne O’Callaghan took place on 12th January and we extend our sympathies to her brother George O’Callaghan and to Anne’s cousin Peter O’Callaghan who played the organ at the service and to the rest of her family.

Our sincere sympathies to Des Haine and family on the sad loss of Shirley. Shirley passed away after a brave battle against illness over the last number of years. Her funeral took place on 27th January in Taney Parish Church.

Blessing

At the 11.00am service on 26th December the baby son of Tim and Susan (nee Griffin) Holliday, Tullis, was blessed. Tullis had been previously been dedicated in London where the family live.

Service of thanksgiving

On Thursday 13th January we had a service of thanksgiving in memory of Kulea Oropo who you may remember was tragically assassinated last year in Nigeria.

We continue to pray for his wife Lydia and to her children Dimeji and Michelle as they come to terms with the loss of Kulea. It was lovely to welcome back Obinna as Diocesan Chaplain for the service.

National Bible Society of Ireland

Dr. David Hutchinson Edgar will be giving the Bedell Boyle Lecture entitled the King James Version – 400 years on, Thursday 10th February in Purcell House, All Hallows College, Gracepark Road at 8.15pm . Admission is free and all welcome.

Offertory Envelopes

Offertory Envelopes are available for 2011. Please ask the
Church wardens, the Rector or contact the parish office at
462 6006 if you would like to join the Offertory Envelope
Scheme

If you give over €250 to the parish per annum the parish can claim back
from The Revenue Commissioners either 20% or 41% depending on your tax rate.
Anam Cara Bereavement Event – Dominic Community Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24

Anam Cara is a national voluntary support group set up by bereaved parents who provide support, understanding and a forum for families who have experienced the death of a child, regardless of age or circumstance of death.

On Monday 14th February Anam Cara will be facilitating a Bereavement Talk at a new venue for our Support group meetings, which takes place on the second Monday of each month.

The event is open to all bereaved parents. Anam Cara doesn’t identify itself by the age of the child, how they died, or when they died. It may have been a cot death or a still birth, suicide, road traffic accident, drug related deaths or serious illness. Anam Cara identifies itself as a group set up by and for parents who have lost a precious son or daughter, trying to find their way through the grief and pain.

The guest speaker for the evening is Ger O’Brien who will give her talk on “Coping as a Bereaved Parent”.
Dominic Community Centre, 60 Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght.

Flower List

February:

Imelda Bird and Janette Wilson

March: No flowers for Lent


Monday 14th February 2011: 7.30pm – 9.30pm

NOTICEBOARD 13TH FEBRUARY

Sun 13th February
8.30am Holy Communion.

11.00am Morning prayer.

Mon 14th Feb 2.15pm Parish Primary School board of management meeting in the St. Maelruain's Church of Ireland School, Kilclare Ave., Jobstown.

8.00pm Mother's Union talk on 'mindfullness'

Wed 16th Feb 8.00pm Women's World day of Prayer allocation meeting in the small hall.

Sun 20th February
8.30am Holy Communion.

11.00 Holy Communion.

Mon 21st 8.00pm Whist Drive in the small hall.

Thurs 24th 8.00pm Music group practice in the small hall.

Sun 27th
8.30pm Holy Communion.

11.00pm Family Service

Wed 2nd 11.00am first Wednesday of the month Holy Communion with laying on of hands for the sick.

8.00pm Women's world day of Prayer reheasal in Church.