November 2014
FROM THE RECTOR Our
Harvest Evensong Service took place on Sunday 4th October at 3.30pm.
We were delighted to welcome the Christchurch Cathedral Choir – only their
second time in their history to come out to the parishes – to St. Maelruain’s. It
was a delightful service with over 200 people in attendance including
parishioners and people from local R.C. parishes, it was a great Tallaght
occasion. It was lovely to hear the choir in the intimacy of a small church
like ours, in the congregation it almost felt like you were among the choir in
the choir stalls. As it happens, the organ scholar, Martina Smyth is from
Firhouse parish. Thank you to the ladies who decorated the Church for Harvest
so beautifully, it really did look fantastic. Thanks also to those who donated
flowers, greenery and vegetables.
We
were also delighted to welcome Rev. Robert Kingston back to preach. We were
also joined by several Dominicans and our Indian congregation’s (who use the
church on Saturday mornings) priest. One of our African parishioners gave
thanks for her one year old son and her sixteen year old daughter. Following
the service the ladies put on a magnificent harvest supper in the hall, thank
you to all involved. We were able to donate five hampers of fruit and vegetables
to a local women’s refuge, which they were very grateful for.
October continued to be a busy month and on 9th
I joined our new school principal
Jennifer Hackett and the senior class teacher Ms Caroline Rountree along with
the senior children of the school for the Diocesan Primary School Service in
Christchurch Cathedral. On ‘World Tree Day’ a tree was planted in Bohernabreena Cemetery by the suicide and mental
health charity ‘Tree of Hope’. The Megeough Home had their Harvest Service on
Sunday 12th and it was nice to see Tallaght parishioners at the
service to support Rev Robert Kingston after his visit to St. Maelruain’s the
previous Sunday.
I attended an open day for primary school pupils in
5th and 6th class in Mt. Seskin Community College (formerly Jobstown).
Part of the open day demonstrated to the children that when you study religion,
it’s a study of all religions. We had tables from the local St.
Thomas’ Parish, the local Imaam from the Muslim faith
and from ourselves giving information.
GIFT DAY Sunday 16th November
has been set for our annual GIFT DAY. A letter will be going out to all
parishioners laying out the position of the church boiler. Can I on behalf of
the Select Vestry encourage all to give as generously as possible. The
financial situation of the parish continues to serious but we need to keep on
top of the maintenance of the parish buildings for the future. The current
boiler in the Church is on it’s last legs so our GIFT DAY project for this year
is a new boiler and tank at an approximate cost of €12,000.
God bless, William.
FUNERAL The funeral of Anne O’Halloran took
place here in St. Maelruain’s on Wednesday 22nd October following a
reception service the previous evening. Anne had been a faithful parishioner to
Tallaght for over 40 years and we extend our deepest sympathies to her
children: Lillian, Allison, Grace, Linda, David, Bronwyn, Hilary and Jonathan and
to her extended family and friends.
REMEMBERANCE SERVICE is on Sunday 10th November and
we will have an act of Remembrance at 10.45am before the 11.00am service.
SHOE BOX APPEAL The return of filled shoe boxes for the Team Hope
Christmas Shoe Box Appeal is Sunday 9th November. The local centre
for sorting the boxes is An Solas, Tallaght
Methodist Church
and Community Centre. If you are interested to volunteering to help sort the
boxes email ansolas@dublinwestmethodist.net
CHRISTMAS
SING ALONG The annual Christmas Sing Along takes place on Friday 5th
December in the Main Hall at 7.30pm. Enjoy this lovely event and get into the
festive season with a raffle, gift stall, wine, tea / coffee and mince pies
along with the singing. Donations for the raffle, gift stall, etc. gratefully
received. Please contact Ronnie Scott 086 804 5090 for more information.
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST It
was with great sadness we learned that Anne O’Halloran, one of our members had
passed away on 18th October, peacefully, following an illness very
bravely borne, and in the wonderful care of her family. Anne was one of our
great knitters for the maternity hospital premature and still births, regularly
handing in her beautifully knitted little items
which were so gratefully received.
Following her funeral service in St Maelruain’s on Wednesday 22nd
October, our members and friends were privileged to provide catering for
the family and those attending in the Parish Centre. Our sincere sympathy to
her extended family.
On Saturday 18th October some of us went to St Teresa’s Church
Clarendon Street Flower Festival – unfortunately
we didn’t realise there would be quite so many masses that morning so some
didn’t get much time to see the exquisite arrangements. A few of us went to Dublin Castle Chapel and
gardens and then went back to see the arrangements. This is truly a beautiful church with the
added bonus of a very good coffee shop ‘The Priory’. Next time you are in Grafton Street
it is really worth a visit.
SAOIRSE They have asked if anyone is sorting
their hand/bath towels and are discarding some in usable condition, they would
be gratefully received. For November they would like black plastic sacks and
December – kitchen towels. However, for
December can we contribute goodies as well.
Thursday 6th November: MU Holy Communion
Service Christ
Church Cathedral
(Malahide, Tallaght, Taney, Donoughmore & Dunlavin)
7.30pm Monday 10th November. Open Night & Quiz in aid of Church Boiler
replacement. 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Parishioners…please put this date in your
diary and plan to come and support this fund raising event – you
will be guaranteed an excellent supper! (Can all Members please bring along donation towards supper).
Thursday 20th November – 7.30pm Stillorgan Parish
Centre. Diocesan Council Meeting..all branch members invited to hear the latest
news in D & G Dioceses. where there will be as usual a stall, marketing
cards, calanders, etc.
Monday 8th December: Christmas Flower
Demonstration with Janet & Regina. Can we each bring your Christmas
favourite towards supper (excluding mince pies)
Finally, thank you to those who have paid their annual
subscription of €25 to Pam our Treasurer on opening night and a gentle reminder
to those who didn’t.
Miriam – Secretary.
BOY’S BRIGADE We would like to thank everyone for their support and
generous contributions on Sunday in aid of our coffee morning to raise
funds for the Boys Brigade. It was a lovely morning catching up with all the
parish members. Thanks a million
TABLE
TENNIS We have had a busy few weeks since
opening with 12 to 15 players each week. There's a great buzz and the chat over
tea and biscuits is a welcome break during games. We would like to welcome
Tomas who has joined us in the last few weeks.
There is still room for more players on Thursday
nights at 8 pm on the parish centre. Join us for a fun way to keep fit!
GIRL’S BRIGADE The Girls' Brigade and Boys' Brigade annual enrollment service
will take place on Sunday November 23rd in St Maelruain’s Church at 11am,
followed by tea and coffee in the parish hall. All are welcome
BOWLS
Our
bowls club are competing in the Hope, Miller, Price
and Rohu competitions starting on Thursday and running until
spring 2015. Wishing all our members an enjoyable time.
We
are having our Xmas party in Lucan golf club on Saturday
the 6th of December.
We
would like to thank Harold's cross bowling club for all their
support especially when Tallaght bowling club
started. We wish them well on celebrating their 40 years
of bowling.
WHIST DRIVE The November Whist Drive is on Monday 17th
at 8.00pm in the small hall. All
Welcome!
PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH Prayers
for the parish continue on Monday evenings at 8.00pm in the upstairs of Parish Hall, needs your support.
BIBLE STUDY of
the reading for the following Sunday continue on Thurs afternoon at 3.00pm
upstairs, Parish Hall.
PARISH COFFEE MORNING Our next Parish Coffee Morning takes place on Friday morning,
28th Nov 10.30am to 12.30pm. It’s lovely to see everyone again for our
monthly gatherings where parishioners past and present and friends of the
parish join together to catch up at their leisure over a cuppa. All are
welcome to join us. (N.B. We will take a break in Dec and return on Jan
30th).
