JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2018
FROM THE RECTOR The 1st December was a busy day, I attended the
Parish School Christmas Bazaar in the morning before our own parish annual Christmas Sing Along that evening which
was a delightful event to get into the festive spirit. The evening began with
our junior organist Braeden playing before we were joined by our Music Group,
‘Now and then’, the ICA Choir and DAMS (Dominic’s active men’s social) who
entertained us with Christmas music and song, Braeden’s sister, Brianna made
her debut playing at the event also, thanks go to all involved. I would also
like to thank Ronnie Scott for coordinating the event and to those who
supported him in the kitchen with the teas, mince pies, to those who helped
with the wine, raffle and the gift stall and finally thank you to those who
stayed to help with the tidy up after the event.
On 14th
December we hosted a concert in the
church with Shane O Fearghail, an Irish singer-songwriter now based in
Vienna and the Prison Wardens Ukulele Band, it was a lovely concert and we were
delighted to welcome both parties.
On 15th Mount
Seskin Community College, Jobstown, invited me to the blessing of their Crib and on 16th we had the decoration of the Church for Christmas.
A huge thank you to Regina Donohue and her band of helpers for all their work,
the church looked beautiful for the festive season. That afternoon our Good News Club had their Nativity Play
rehearsal followed by their Christmas party. Later on early that evening I
attended the switching on of the lights of the Christmas tree in the Village organised by Tallaght Community
Council following which I managed to bring Christmas greetings to our Saturday
Indian congregation who normally have a service in the church on Saturday
mornings but who had their Carol Service that Saturday night.
On Sunday 17th
we were joined by the children of our Parish School for our Children’s Carol Service at 11am. Our
Good News Club performed their Nativity Play and the children from the school
sang. It was great to have the school parents as well. The excitement was
palpable! That evening we had our Nine
Lessons and Carols which was well attended and supported by the wider
community. Thank you to all who read at the service and thank you also to the
ladies who organised the refreshments following the service.
In the week before
Christmas our ‘Whist’ had their Turkey
Drive in the Main Hall, our Music
Group had their party after their practice and I attended the Parish School’s concert in the school.
Our Christmas services went well including the Sunday Services on the
morning of Christmas Eve and ‘midnight’ Holy Communion at 11.30pm, we had our
8.30am Holy Communion but with Hymns for Christmas Morning which was followed
by our Christmas Day Family Holy Communion at 11.00am, all services were well
attended. On New Year’s Eve we had a Multicultural Service at 11.15pm finishing
at midnight to welcome in the New Year.
Since the beginning of the
January the parish organisations are all now all back in full swing. I have
been joint leading Philip Yancey’s ‘What’s so Amazing about Grace?’ a ten week course (following on
from the Alpha course) which has been taking place in St. Thomas’ RC Church,
Jobstown along with ourselves and the Methodists. The topics covered are: The
Missing Ingredient, Letting Grace Soak In, An Unnatural Act, The Art of Forgiving,
Skin Deep, Grace Put to the Test, Grace Abuse, The Church Backslides,
Dispensing Grace and Counterforce. The course takes a good look at the broken
world and how Grace / Forgiveness will heal it. It’s not too late to join, it
takes place on Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in St. Thomas The Apostle Parish
Church, Jobstown and runs until 22nd March.
This years Christian
Unity Week service took place on the afternoon of Sunday 21st
January and was hosted by Sacred Heart Church, Killinarden and led by Fr Fintan
O’Driscoll. It was an enjoyable service and was followed by a cup of tea
afterwards.
On 14th February (Ash Wednesday and St.
Valentine’s day!)) BACI launch their
Lenten course, the Five Marks of Anglican Mission which we will be using
during Lent.
God bless
William.
LENT
We will have a service on Wednesdays mornings at 10am during Lent where we will
be using the above mentioned course beginning on Ash Wednesday, 14th
February.
CONFIRMATION
The date for St. Maelruain’s confirmation has be set for Sunday 20th
May, if you or your child is interested in Confirmation please contact the
Rector on 086 803 0239
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
We will have our St. Patrick’s Day Holy Communion Service at 11.00am. This year
there will be a parade starting in ITT, coming out of the pedestrian gate, past
our Church, along Main St., passing the Priory and turning left onto the
Greenhills Road before re entering the College side gate. On returning to the
College grounds there will be musical entertainment. I am delighted to see the
local third level college at the heart of the community in Tallaght. We are
hoping that we can have the church open so those passing can come in and see
our Church and grounds, any volunteers to help man the Church and grounds on
the day? Please contact the Rector on 086 8030239.
CHURCH REVIEW Subscription of €40 on orders of the Diocesan Church Review Magazine are
now due (thank you, if you have already paid)
please forward payment to Parish
Office or leave on the plate in Church in an envelope with Church Review Sub and your name marked on it. Thank
you.
ODD JOBS We are looking
for volunteers to help with some odd jobs around the parish. Has anyone any
experience mending lawnmowers? How are your painting skills? Are you handy at
DIY? There is always a need for little jobs to be done around the Church,
Graveyard and Parish Centre. If you think you could offer your skills please
contact Billy Gould on 087 986 4551 or
the Rector on 086 803 0239
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST On Monday 11th December we went to the Leisureplex
in Tallaght Village for ten pin bowling. We had a great turn out and I
think everyone enjoyed themselves. We all entered into the fun
and Eileen Dunne was the winner at the end of the night. After the bowling
we had worked up an appetite so we had a lovely supper of a couple of finger
food platters and some festive treats.
On Monday 8th January we
went to McGettigans Cookhouse in Kingswood for our Christmas Night Out.
We had a good turn out and once again we were very well fed and looked after in
the Cookhouse. We are lucky in Tallaght Parish as we manage to get two nights out
for Christmas!
Amie Hourie the Diocesan
action and outreach representative is going to talk to us on 12th February and we look forward to hearing what
she has to say to us.
Saoirse are looking for
tea towels. Thanks to all our members who still give so generously to
this worthy organisation, after so many years, which was started as a
project the branches were asked to do, and especially so at Christmas,
when lots of goodies were donated, as well as the monthly request. Look forward
to seeing you all in February. Valerie
TABLE TENNIS We have reopened for 2018 and pleased to see everybody back.
We have had some new members join us before Christmas and hope they are
enjoying Thursday nights with us. The more, the merrier, so if you fancy giving
table Tennis a try, just come along to the Parish Centre on Thursdays at 8 pm.
Everybody welcome.
FLOWERS GUILD Happy
New Year to all. Thank you to the ladies and gents that helped with the
decorating of the Church for Christmas. Thank you to everybody that donated
flowers and greenery too. We all had good fun and enjoyed the chat as we
worked. Thanks too to Valerie and William who are always on hand with tea and
coffee.
We
are looking for extra people to join the flower list for 2018. Every month, two
people share the task of putting an arrangement in the Church for a particular
month. Over the last year or two, we have lost some members and would welcome
new people to help us out. I think you will agree that the flowers always
look lovely and lift our spirits on darker days. If you think you can help,
please call Regina at 0861255161.
BOYS BRIGADE If anyone has a boy that may be interested in joining Boy’s Brigade please come on down
we would love to have them. Friday
evenings: Anchors 7pm – 8:00pm Juniors 7pm - 8:30pm Company 7pm - 9pm.
GIRLS BRIGADE Girls
Brigade takes place on Wednesdays at 7pm
for Juniors, Seniors and Brigaders (ages 9 and up) and Saturdays at10.30am for
Explorers (under 9 years). Please contact Captain Fiona Monahan (086-8519163)
if interested in joining. Visit our website at www.girlsbrigadeirl.ie Fiona
WHIST DRIVE Our
next Whist Drive is on Monday 19th February at 8.00pm in the Main Hall. All
Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS
Crafty Chatters will meet in February on Tuesdays 6th
and 20th in St. Maelruain's
Parish Hall from 2 - 4pm. You are very welcome to come and join us to do a
craft or just to come and chat and see what is going on. Janet
PARISH COFFEE Our next two dates for Coffee Morning are 23rd
February and 23rd March (March meeting is a week earlier due to Good Friday
falling on our normal date). All are welcome to join us for a cuppa and a
chat.
CROSSROADS is
a Church of Ireland Social Club for those in their 20’s & 30’s and a little
older….
They meet
on the last Friday of the month in Buswells Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. For
more details, David @ 085 7272 019.You can also follow them on Facebook, to
join Crossroads Group, please send
message request to Valerie
Raitt Thomas or Beryl Healy.
SUMMER SALE The date for this year’s summer sale has been set,
Saturday 26th May. We are looking forward to a stretch in the
evenings and to Spring, time to clear out those cupboards, attics and garages?
Donations of unwanted gifts, furniture and household items (in good
condition!) gratefully received. Please
put the date in your diary and bring along your family and friends on the day.
