APRIL 2019
FROM THE RECTOR
On
5th March I attended an event in St. Dominic’s Community Response
Project which began from very humble beginnings 25 years ago; it was mothers in
the community who came together with a common interest, their children were
being lost to drugs and as a result, criminality.
These
mothers, now along with professionals accredited
in the field of addiction and recovery have made such a difference to lives of
many in the area that have been impacted by addiction. It was an inspiring
afternoon listening to the stories of those affected by drug addiction, the
stories of those who spent their lives chasing the high of their first ‘hit’ to
profession people who could no longer hide their ‘problem’ and ended up losing
everything.
Today
they have a very vibrant project that supports anyone whose lives have been
impacted by addiction. The project is linked with others around the city.
Local MEP, Lynn Boylan also attended the event and there was a certain
poignancy that the event was held on the eve of Women’s Day and continues to be
run by women including the women who started it.
During
Lent we have been using the BACI (Biblical Association for the Church of
Ireland) Lenten Course which was requested by our Bible Study group with the
topic this year ‘Transforming Repentance:
Coming Home to God’ for both our Bible Study group and our weekly Lenten
Services. Initially I was concerned the
course was a study of the Sunday readings but it has been interesting looking
from a different prospective. We looked at the readings line by line and also
went through the commentary provided by BACI which we found thought provoking. Thank
you to BACI for the only five session Lenten Course between Ash Wednesday and
Holy Week.
Friday 15th March was a dark day in the history of New
Zealand with the attacks in the two Mosques in Christchurch. I called to the
local Tallaght Mosque in Greenhills the following Thursday to offer by
condolences. I was invited to attend lunch time prayers on Friday and I was
also asked to speak to the congregation. I told them how appalled I was at the
atrocity and noted how I recognized how people in the West can be radicalized to
white nationalism just as some Muslims can be radicalized. If only these people
could recognize each other as fellow humans, the Prime Minister of New Zealand
Jacinta Ardern’s symbolic gesture of wearing a head scarf in solidarity for
Muslims was much appreciated by the people I met. After prayers I couldn’t get over how many of
congregation came to thank me for coming and I was invited to stay for lunch.
The Mosque in Greenhills in the religious centre for Muslims who live and work in
the Tallaght area who originally came from all over the Middle East, Eastern
Europe, Africa and Asia.
On Sunday 24th March our Good News Club hosted coffee after
our family service in aid of ‘Church in Chains’ which is a charity which helps
persecuted Christians. This charity has
particular significance to the Nigerian and India children of our GNC who are
aware of the persecution of Christians in their parent’s countries, for the
Nigerians, in Northern Nigeria and in Indian, with the rise of Hindu
nationalism, promoting the idea that you are not really an Indian unless you
are Hindu! Ignoring the fact that doubting Thomas brought the faith to Kerala
in Southern India. Thank you to all who supported our GNC at coffee, a sum approaching
€400 was raised.
CYPSC (South Dublin Children and Young People Services Committee) who
offer support to families experiencing homelessness asked me to take part in a
photovoice journal of the voices from the frontline of homelessness. I provided
six photos depicting homelessness following a Thursday morning ‘workshop’ on
how to take photos without breaching confidentiality. I used a photo of a crib
with just one slat for the roof depicting the roof at the Inn for Mary, Joseph
and Jesus was a temporary home. The second photo was one of a crib depicting an
African house which has a roof and includes the three wise men, ‘by the time
the wise men arrived he was housed’. My
others photos showed the statue of the Homeless Jesus lying on a park bench in
the grounds of Christchurch Cathedral, a picture of the cover of ‘the poverty
and justice Bible’ which highlights the over 3,000 references to poverty and
justice in the Bible, in Ireland one could be forgiven to think that the Jesus
was always talking about sex, far from it. If anyone is interested in seeing
the publication ‘ Many Hearts, No Homes’ please ask me.
On Mothering Sunday I was asked by some of our African mums if they
could replicate an African Mothering Sunday so on Mother’s day we were
delighted to see the African Mums joyfully dance their way up the aisle to give
an offering dressed in their Mary Sumner Mother’s Union
African style wrap around skirts.
After the service we went over to the Parish Hall for a sumptuous sit
down lunch. I was grateful to all the
parishioners who came over for the lunch even if they took theirs as a ‘take
away’ as they headed out for lunch with their families.
God
Bless
William.
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER There will be a service each morning of Holy
Week, services as follows:
Mon 15th
– Thurs 18th
10am Holy Communion
Friday 19th Good Friday
10am Good Friday Ante Communion.
8.00pm Good Friday
Ante Holy Communion.
Easter Sunday 20th
April
8.30am
Easter Holy Communion.
11.00am Easter Holy
Communion.
FLOWER GUILD The Church will be decorated for Easter on Saturday,
April 20th from 10am to 12pm.
We
look forward to seeing anybody who would like to help and would welcome gifts
of flowers and greenery. All welcome, no experience necessary, there’s a job
for everyone and plenty of chat.
EASTER VESTRY The
Easter Vestry (Parish AGM) will take place this year on Sunday 12th
May after a shortened Service. This is an opportunity for you to have your say
in the running of the parish.
CONFIRMATION The date
for St. Maelruain’s confirmation has be set for Sunday 9th June
(Pentecost Sunday), if you or your child is interested in Confirmation please
contact the Rector on 086 803 0239.
SUMMER
SALE The
date for the Summer Sale has been set for Saturday 11th Mayat 10am,
you have plenty of time to clear out your cupboards / garages / sheds and
donate items for the sale! Any unwanted gifts? We will have all the usual
stalls, raffle, teas and
refreshments….volunteers always needed, please do what you can to make our
Summer Sale a great success!
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES For our March meeting after being let down at
the last minute by our speaker on De-cluttering we went to the Civic Theatre in
Tallaght to a one women play / monologue called "Charlie’s a Clepto
" We met before hand and had a coffee and a catch up. The play was
entertaining and was performed and written by Clare Monnelly. It was Clare’s
first one woman show and we were all amazed how she could remember all the
words and keep going without a break for 75 minutes. We had an enjoyable
evening in spite of nearly getting blown and washed away both getting to and
home from the Civic. As ever, we were very well looked after by Sandra and the
very helpful and friendly staff in the theatre.
Our next meeting is on Monday 8th April at 8pm, small hall and is our AGM and
Bring and Buy. Tea will be provided by Noelle Lewis and Carol
Laughlin. Saoirse are looking for antibacterial hand wash. Please come along
and have your say and let us know what you would like to see on next year's
programme. See you then. Valerie
D + G CAMP The Diocesan kids summer camp takes place this year from 1st
– 5th July in the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation,
Enniskerry. Plenty of games, outdoor pursuits, music, arts and crafts, good
friends, laughter and fun. Cost €175 incl. food, accommodation, trips and
activities and the camp is available to
those finishing 4th class to 6th class. Booking deadline 28th May.
Booking forms available from Amy Deverell and the Rector. Email:
dublinandglendaloughkidscamp@gmail.com A limited number of
bursaries are available to assist families in need.
BOWLS CLUB The final of the Miller took place in Stillorgan
Parish Centre. Dalkey won the final against Tallaght on the night.
Well done to our team for getting into the final.
Our AGM
will be held on Tuesday 30th April at 7.30 in the Parish Centre . Heather
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 If you are interested in finding out more about our
Company, please contact Captain Fiona Monahan (086)8519163.
WHIST DRIVE Our
next Whist Drive is on Monday 15th April at 8.00pm in the Main Hall.
All Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS Crafty Chatters will meet on the 2nd and 16th April from 2 - 4pm and on 7th and
21st May in the Parish Hall. In July and August we will meet each
Thursday from 7-9pm. Come along with whatever craft you are working on, come
and see what others are creating or just for the chat, all welcome. Janet
PARISH COFFEE MORNING Our next Coffee
Morning takes place on Friday, 26th April 10.30am - 12.30pm as usual.
Don't forget to bring along two photos at least, one from the previous
generation i.e. parents / grandparents / aunties or uncles, and one of
yourself. We will then attempt to match up the correct photos. Will
there be a curve ball or two thrown into the game to confuse us? We'll
wait and see. All welcome. Barbara
NOW AND THEN will be performing ‘Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat’
in the Priory from Tuesday 9th April – Thursday 12th 7.30
/ 8pm.
