Newsletter

November 2014

FROM THE RECTOR   Our Harvest Evensong Service took place on Sunday 4^th 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 9^th  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 12^th 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 5^th and 6^th 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 16^th 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 22^nd 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 10^th 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 9^th 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 5^th 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 18^th 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 22^nd 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 18^th 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 6^th November: MU Holy Communion Service Christ Church Cathedral (Malahide, Tallaght, Taney, Donoughmore & Dunlavin)

7.30pm Monday 10^th 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 20^th 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 8^th 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 17^th  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).