February 2016
FROM
THE RECTOR
We
had our Christmas Sing Along on Friday 4th December and despite
storm ‘Desmond’ we had, I think, our best attendance yet. It was a lovely
evening, not just a fundraiser but a lovely social evening and a great way to
start off the festive season. We enjoyed the musical talents of The ICA, Now and Then and not forgetting our
own Music Group. Thank you to Ronnie Scott who co-ordinated the event and
thanks to all those who helped in anyway, it really is appreciated.
On
Sunday 6th we had our annual Gift Day and are thankful to
Parishioners to have raised over €6,000.
We have cut back on spending on the fabric of the Church and Halls to the
barest minimum in recent years with the down turn in the economy therefore we
are now faced with remedial work on the Church roof which the money raised will
be used for. Thank you once again to everyone who donated to Gift Day.
The
run up to Christmas was busy as usual. I attended the South Dublin Chamber of
Commerce Christmas dinner on Friday 11th December in the Red Cow
Inn. The Chamber had very generously given storage space for the Operation
Christmas Child Annual Shoe Box Appeal in the month or so prior to the
dispatchment of the boxes for sorting and distribution which they were very
grateful for. The following night I attended the Bowls Club Christmas dinner in
Lucan Golf Club which was an enjoyable evening as usual.
On
Sunday 20th we had our ‘Nativity Play’ at our 11am service. There
were 15 children with parts plus four youth ‘prompters’. The scene looked very
authentic, at least Palestine,
if not further afield, as many of the children involved were of Indian or
African heritage. That evening at 7pm we had our Nine Lessons and Carols
Service. This Christmas, we had a Christmas Tree decorated at the entrance of
the Churchyard in memory of lost babies and at the Carol Service there were two
pews of parents remembering their lost
little ones. The Service was well attended by both parishioners and those from
the wider community and was followed by refreshments in the hall. A big thank
you to all involved in the kitchen, all you help was much appreciated.
The
Church had been beautifully decorated for Christmas on Sat 19th and thanks go to Regina Donoghue, Vivienne
Bright and their helpers for all their creativity. Regina and Vivienne have just taken over the
Flower Guild from Janet Edgely. I would like to take this opportunity to thank
Janet for all her work over the last number of years in organising the Guild,
we are very gratefully to her and I’d like to thank Regina and Vivienne for
agreeing to take over from Janet.
The
rest of our Christmas Services went off well and were well attended. We rounded
off 2015 with our Annual Multicultural New Year’s Eve Service to ring in 2016.
I’d
like to thank three of our parish organisations for the money they raised for
the parish in 2015, to the Whist Drives who gave just shy of €2000, to our
monthly ‘Coffee Morning’ who gave just over €800 and to our Crafty Chatters who
raised almost €1000. Many thanks to all
involved, it really is much appreciated.
We
were sad to say goodbye to the Donaldson family in January. David and Mandy and
their children Aaron and Dana have moved to London. The family, originally from South Africa
first came to St. Maelruain’s for the baptism of one of the Hoffmeester’s
children and had be worshiping with us since then for the past six years. We
will miss them but wish them every blessing as they start their new lives in England.
God Bless William.
FUNERALS On Saturday
5th December, the funeral of Sarah (Turtington) Maher took place
here in St. Maelruain’s. We extend our deepest condolences to her husband Neil,
her children Jake and Josh, to her parents Susan and John and to her extended
family and friends.
On Saturday 19th December, We
had the funeral of Sylvia Kiernan here in St. Maelruain’s. We extend our
deepest condolences to her husband Michael, her sons Rory and Tyrone, and to
her extended family. Sylvia was predeceased by her son Dominic.
On Monday 8th February, the
Funeral of May Boothman, formally of Virginia House and sister of Dickie
Boothman (Richard), will take place here in St. Maelruain’s at 11am.
LENT We will began Lent with an
Ash Wednesday Holy Communion service at 10am on 10th February. This
year during Lent we will be using the Bible Association of the Church of Ireland’s Lenten Course ‘Reconciliation’.
The topics we will cover each Wednesday at the 10am service are: Power and
Service, Transcending Boundaries, Taking Down the Walls and Do as you would be
done by.
BENEFIT
NIGHT in Aid of Daniel Parkhill (10year old Boy’s
Brigade member who is a cancer patient) in Roadstone Social Club, Kingswood on Friday 12th February at 8.00pm.
Tickets from Amy in Church or Contact
Susan on 0852853398. Lots of prizes and kids go free
FLOWER
GUILD Many
thanks to all the ladies that turned out to help decorate the Church for
Christmas. We had donations of lots of flowers which were quickly transformed
into lovely arrangements all around the Church, which looked beautiful for the
Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Thanks
also to Valerie who always provides us with tea / coffee and biscuits while we
arrange the flowers for the various occasions. The chat is always good too. If
anyone would like to join the Flower Guild at any time or join us to decorate
the Church at Easter, Harvest or Christmas, please come along to the Church on
the dates announced nearer those occasions.
Everyone in the Flower Guild should have received the rota for 2016 by now. Please contact Regina at 4522930 if you haven't received yours, or if you would like to join us.
MOTHER’S UNION
/ FAMILIES FIRST Our Annual
Dinner was held on Monday 11th January in the Blazin Grill and
greatly enjoyed by those who attended.
We extend our thoughts
and sympathy to Eileen Dunne on the death of her brother and to Rev William on
the passing of his aunt Ada Deverell.
On Monday 8th
February at 8pm Sgt Mark Redmond will give a talk on crime prevention. We cordially invite any parishioners and
friends to come along. We would be
delighted to have extra numbers. Also on 8th February at 9.30am
“Breakfast Briefing” – Springfield Hotel, Leixlip, Stella O’Malley,
psychologist will speak on “Bringing up Happy Children in an Anxious World”
On March 14th
Brian Murtagh of YMCA will give us a talk on his work in Tallaght. On 15th
March, Diocesan President Karen Nelson Commissioning Service, Holmptrick Church,
Skerries
at 8pm.
SAOIRSE
Donations: February – antibacterial hand wash. March - Toilet Rolls. April - Kitchen Rolls.
TEA Ladies February:
Noelle Lewis/Miriam Gibney TEA Ladies
March: Iris Harley/Yvonne McGlynn
TABLE TENNIS We started back after Christmas with a full attendance of
players as well as three new ones. We would like to welcome Eddie ,Stephan and
Aaron who are students from Tallaght I.T. We are hoping they will encourage
some more new members to join us. There's plenty of room for more players on Thursdays
. We play from 8 pm to 10 pm in The Parish Centre.
BOWLS The members of Tallaght Bowls Club wish to
extend our sincere sympathies to Pat Dunne and Family on the death of her
husband Peter. We wish Nigel Beattie a speedy recovery. We are honoured to host
the McLlwaine Final on the Tuesday 8th of March.
WHIST DRIVE The February Whist Drive is on Monday 15th at 8.00pm in the Small Hall. All Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS Crafty Chatters meet on the
first and third Tuesday of each month at 2.00pm in the small hall. Come
along and bring whatever craft you are working on or learn a new one! A
warm welcome awaits all.
PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH continue on Monday evenings at 8.00pm, in
the Main Hall, needs your support.
BIBLE STUDY of the reading for the following Sunday continue on Tues evenings at 8.00pm
upstairs, Parish Hall.
PARISH COFFEE
Our next Coffee Morning will be held on Friday, 26th February at 10.30am in the old hall. All welcome!
Our next Coffee Morning will be held on Friday, 26th February at 10.30am in the old hall. All welcome!
