FROM
THE RECTOR
On 24th June we said farewell to
parishioners Alroy and Liomia Hoffmeester and their children Leah and Lio as
they returned to their native South
Africa for employment reasons. I think they
found the decision to leave Ireland
a difficult one and Leah, according to reports, is missing her Irish friends.
Hopefully by now she is settling into her new school. Alroy had just agreed to
take on the role of Churchwarden for the second time. We are very grateful to
Colin Ackrell who has agreed to take over from Alroy. Colin and his wife Rita,
who sings in the Music Group, were married here in St. Maelruain’s in May this
year.
We had the cutting of the hedges in the
graveyard on 26th June in preparation of the Dominican blessing of
the graveyard on 1st July. Thank you to Billy Gould, who rounded up
members of the Bowls Club to help and to John Donoghue who organised for the
Boy’s Brigade leaders to help along with myself and our respective sons. The
graveyard looks in great shape now, many hands make light work. Thank you to
everyone who turned out to help.
Welcome back to all the organisations as we
look forward starting off the church calendar for another year. William
FUNERALS
The funeral of Vic Saunders took place here
in St. Maelruain’s on 8th June and on 14th June we had
the funeral of Norah Quinn. We extend our condolences to the families of both
these ladies.
WEDDING
On 27th July we had the wedding
of Natalie Ayres and Chris Raymond. Congratulations to you both and we wish you
every happiness in your future lives.
BAPTISM
On 29th July Paudie Rigley was
baptised, he is the son of Mark and Hilary (nee O’Halloran) Please pray for
Paudie as he begins his Christian life.
AMY’S TRIP TO UGANDA
On 3rd
August I headed out to Uganda
with a team from Fields of Life. We spent our first 5 days in Nakasongola,
which is in central Uganda.
We stayed in a children’s shelter called New Beginnings and ran a camp for
Leaving Cert age + students in the nearby Bethel Royal
High School, which is a
Fields of Life school. Eight other Fields of Life schools joined us. It was eye
opening to see the faith these young people have in God.
We then travelled onto
Lira, which is in Northern Uganda, seeing the very fast flowing Nile along the way. We stayed in Lira for a week while
painting Truth Primary School which is also a Fields of
Life school. We painted a lot more than was expected in the four days. On our
last day in Lira we travelled even further north to Pador Palwo, where we saw
areas where people had been moved to during the reign of Kony and the LRA 20
years ago.
Our last day in Uganda was in Kampala, the country’s capital, we had the
opportunity to visit a slum which was just like you would see in a documentary.
I would like to thank
everyone who supported me financially, by providing school or painting
equipment or by remembering my team in prayer. On Sunday 26th I
presented two collection baskets to the church in thanks for this.
Amy. ( Amy will be giving a talk on her trip at Mother’s Union
on Monday 12th November)
BOY’S BRIGADE
BB will re open on Friday 21st September in
the parish centre at 7.30 pm for all sections. We hope everybody enjoyed the
summer break and managed to get some sunshine at some stage! We are looking
forward to seeing all our old members back and hopefully, some new faces
too. All current members will receive notification by post along with
their consent forms for the new session. Please be sure to bring the consent
forms on the opening night. Subs for the coming year remain the same as last
year and are due on the opening night also.
BB is open to boys between the ages of five and eighteen. Activities include drill, gymnastics, stories, drama, crafts, dodgeball, Christian Bible study, hiking and various outings throughout the year. Why not give BB a try and bring along a friend. For further information ring John at 4522930.
BB is open to boys between the ages of five and eighteen. Activities include drill, gymnastics, stories, drama, crafts, dodgeball, Christian Bible study, hiking and various outings throughout the year. Why not give BB a try and bring along a friend. For further information ring John at 4522930.
TABLE TENNIS
The table tennis club will re
open on Thursday Sept
20th at 8pm. We are currently looking for new players of all standards for an
informal game of table tennis followed by tea, biscuits and a chat! We also
have teams in the United Churches Table Tennis League for the more serious
players.
MOTHER’S
UNION
I hope all our members and friends had an
enjoyable break. Our agenda for the coming year will be launched following our
opening service on Monday 10th September at 8pm when once again Rev
Avril Bennett will officiate.
If you care to join with us – you will be assured of a warm welcome
and friendship!
SAOIRSE would like antibacterial hand wash for
our September donation. TEA ROTA 10th September: Mary Lucas / Hendrikja
Mahon.
We will hold our celebration of “Mums in May”
tea party on Sunday 23rd September following 11am Morning Service.
Also on 23rd September at 3.30pm in
Christchurch Cathedral one member will represent our branch at Choral Evensong
of Thanksgiving to celebrate 125 years of Mothers’ Union in Ireland.
Mothers Union Anniversary dinner on Friday 28th
September in the Springfield Hotel, Leixlip – there are still places available,
details from Valerie or Miriam.
On Saturday 13th October we plan to
visit Rathfarnham
Castle to view the
Berkeley Costume and Toy Collection, a collection of 18th and 19th
century toys, dolls and costumes.
Finally, please note date 1st November for 11.15am service in Christchurch
Cathedral when our branch will be included along with Malahide and Finglas.
PARISH REUNION COFFEE MORNING
Drop in for a
cuppa and a chat. Ladies and Gents are invited to
bring along old photographs of our Parish groups and events from yesteryear for
our Memory Table. Were you one of Ninty’s playgroup
mums? Did you stroll with the Strollers? Do you remember the
Knit-ins, or the Mens’ Group, and those halcyon pre-fab days? Join
us on Friday morning
28th September in the Old Hall, 10.00am – 12.00 noon, refreshments €3.00,
proceeds will go towards parish funds.
BOWLS
CLUB
Our Bowling Club reopens on Tues. 11th. Sept. 2012 for the new season. Our annual summer
barbeque had to be cancelled due to poor weather. Instead we had a meal at the Spawell Templeogue on 17th. August, attended by most
members. New members are always welcome at our Club, join us on Tuesday and Saturday nights in the Parish Hall.
members. New members are always welcome at our Club, join us on Tuesday and Saturday nights in the Parish Hall.
BADMINTON CLUB
The badminton club will start
back on Monday 3rd September at 7.30pm. Come down and have a game of
badminton and a cuppa. New members welcome.
WHIST
Our Whist Drives which
successfully continued over the summer months carry on as usual. Our next Drive is on
Monday 17th September in the small hall at 8.00pm. All welcome.
THE
CRAFTY CHATTERS
A craft group have been meeting over the summer
months in the small hall. We are going to continue on over the coming session
on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 2pm – 4.30pm. starting on 4th
September. Come along with whatever craft you are working on, all welcome!
GOOD
BOOK CLUB
The Good Book Club will continue to meet on
Wednesday evenings in the Parish Centre where we study the gospel for the
following Sunday. All welcome!
NOW
AND THEN
Joe, who sings in our Music Group is looking for
secondary school age kids + for the musical drama group ‘Now and Then’ for a
production of ‘Joseph and his Technicolour Dream Coat’. If interested, contact
William on 086 803 0239.
