JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2020
FROM THE RECTOR We had
our Gift Day on 24th
November. Thank you to all who donated, despite the supposed ‘economic recovery’
we still struggle along with the finances of the parish so Gift Day is an
important date in the diary of the running of the parish. The sum of
approximately €5,600 was raised.
We had our Annual Christmas Sing Along on Friday 29th
November in the Parish Hall. We were grateful to the local ICA choir, DAMS
(Domincan Active Men’s Social) choir, the Now and Then Musical Drama Group and
last but not least our own Music Group. It was a lovely evening and we are very
thankful to Ronnie Scott and his helpers for organising the event.
At the start of February, December and
Christmas seem like a distant memory so writing these notes gives me time to
reflect on the festive season of 2019. Tallaght
Community Forum / Tallafest had the lighting of the Christmas tree in Tallaght
Village on 1st December an event which gets us all into the festive
spirit and an opportunity to come together as a community. In the run up to
Christmas I attended a lovely Carol Service in Old Bawn National School, the
blessing of the crib in Mount Seskin Community School in Jobstown and a Carol
Service which the Marthoma Church (who use our Church on Saturday mornings)
invited the Archbishop and myself. I went to our Parish School’s Christmas
Concert followed by mince pies on 19th December and I attended a lunch in Molloy’s hosted by TUD (ITT) Student Services on
Tues 16th December.
On Saturday 14th we had the
now annual ‘Christmas’ Tree of Angels inside the
Church gate (our common graveyard is used by the local community). Parishioner
Mark Luttrell and his
daughter Melisa (who lost a baby through miscarriage) are raising awareness for
the need to have a means to remember those who have had infant loss, people
came to the churchyard and hung a little angel in memory of their lost loved
one on the tree.
We had the decoration of the church on
13th December. We are very fortunate in St. Maelruain’s to have such
a talented group of ladies lead by Regina in our Flower Guild who so
beautifully decorated the church for the Christmas season, thank you to all
involved.
We had our Nine Lessons and Carols on
Sunday 15th at 7pm which was well attended and supported by the
wider community. Thank you to all who read at the service and thank you to
Barbara who organised the refreshments following the service.
On Sat 21st our Good News Club had the rehearsal of their
Nativity Play followed by their Christmas Party and then at our 11am Family Service
the next day they performed their play for the congregation. Well done to all
involved.
We had
good attendances over the Christmas period, I have noticed that there is now a
‘season’ of Christmas running from the Carol Service through to Epiphany when
people attend church when they have the opportunity due to work and hosting
commitments on Christmas day. A little belatedly perhaps, but may I take this
opportunity to wish all the readers of our Parish Newsletter blessings for the
new decade of 2020.
William.
BAPTISM On Sunday 22nd December we had the baptism of Ethan
Chidumeje baby son of Chibuzor
and Lynda Okoye, we welcome Ethan into Christ’s flock and pray for him
and his family.
LENTEN COURSE. We will be using the Biblical Association of the
Church of Ireland’s Lenten course, on the very current topic, ‘Caring for the
Garden of the Earth’ on Wednesdays, 10am starting 4th March for the five weeks of
Lent.
CONFIRMATION Our Confirmation Service this year takes place in
Christchurch Cathedral on 31st May (Pentecost Sunday, the arrival of
the Holy Spirit) at 3.30pm. If you are interested in having your child
Confirmed please contact William 086 803 0239
TAIZE VINE SERVICE We continue to have a
Taize service on 4th Saturday
of each month, as
part of the local Vine initiative and everybody is welcome.
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.
TACT (Tallaght Adult
Community Training) Are running classes in our Parish Halls on weekday mornings,
they currently have space for new participants in their Yoga class on Wednesday
mornings at 9.30am and for their Pilates class, same day, at 9.50am if you are
interested please contact Anne at 087 233 1330
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST We had a great night out in 50 /50 in Templeogue on Monday 13th
January. We were very well looked after and enjoyed a lovely meal which was
really great value, €18 for 2 courses and €22 for 3 courses, that's hard to
beat. It was the same day as storm Brendan but thankfully Brendan had decided
he'd done enough by the time we time were going out and the weather was
reasonable for us so that was a real blessing.
Our
next meeting is on Monday 10th
February at 8pm in the Small Hall when Janet and Regina will give
us a flower arranging demonstration which we are really looking forward to.
Saoirse are looking for toilet rolls. Looking forward to seeing you all then.
New members very welcome or if you haven't been in a while why not come along
and renew some friendships.
On
Saturday 29th February there
will be the annual morning meeting in Springfield hotel in Leixlip from 9.30 - 11.30am. The speaker will be John
Saunders CEO of Shine, a national organisation dedicated to the support of
people affected by mental ill health. Cost €8. Valerie
BOWLS CLUB The ladies are into the next round of the Hope and
will play Zion on Saturday 1st February.
Our
Rohu and Mcilwaine are busy with league matches. We thank all subs who
stepped in at short notice
We
hope to see Ann Kane back bowling shortly.
Heather
TABLE TENNIS We are back in action for the new year. We
have had some new members joining us and we welcome Marlene and Laurent and
hope they’re enjoying Thursday nights with us.
We have two fold away, rolling tables complete with nets in good condition (need a bit of attention) for sale . They are surplus since we bought two new ones and we are keen to move them on now. They would be good for a club or community hall or indeed if anyone has room at home and would like one. €100 each complete with nets. If you are interested, give me a ring at 0861255161 to arrange to see them.
FLOWERS GUILD
Happy New Year! Very many
thanks to the ladies and gent that helped decorate the Church for Christmas and
to all that donated flowers and greenery. The Church looked lovely for all the
Christmas Service so thanks to all involved. The morning was very enjoyable and
there were lots of different ideas this year, resulting in lovely colour and
arrangements.
Thank you to William, who
made coffee and tea for all the workers. The Flower Rota for 2020 should have
reached everybody by now. We are always looking for new people to help. Perhaps
you would consider donating flowers during the year in memory of a loved one,
as some of our parishioners do. Due to bereavement and parishioners moving, we
have lost some special friends over the last year or two and now need some
help. No experience necessary, there are plenty of us to help! If you would
like to help, please contact
Regina (086 1255161) or speak to the Rector.
Regina (086 1255161) or speak to the Rector.
Christine
Hughes of Christine Hughes Flower School is beginning classes in our small hall
on Monday and Thursdays, 10.30 to 12.30. Christine assisted Richard Haslam at
our flower festival and was responsible for some of the beautiful arrangements.
Some of the ladies in the flower guild already attend Christine’s classes which are informal, good fun and really helpful. We’ve all learned such a lot from her. The classes are €84 for 7 classes to be paid on the first day. If you would like to attend , contact Christine at 087 6864620 or e mail her at christineb.hughes@gmail.com. Classes begin on Monday 3rd February. Regina.
Some of the ladies in the flower guild already attend Christine’s classes which are informal, good fun and really helpful. We’ve all learned such a lot from her. The classes are €84 for 7 classes to be paid on the first day. If you would like to attend , contact Christine at 087 6864620 or e mail her at christineb.hughes@gmail.com. Classes begin on Monday 3rd February. Regina.
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 The Girls Brigade are busy
getting ready for National and District Competitions where we will be competing
in a number of different categories - best of luck to all our girls! Following
that, we will have our annual Company Display on April 25th, when we’d love to
have as many of our past members, friends and families join us on the day.
WHIST DRIVE Our
next Whist Drive is on Monday 18th February at 8.00pm in the Main Hall. All
Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS Crafty Chatters will meet on the 5th and 19th February from 2
- 4pm in the Parish Hall. We are all delighted to hear Mary is back on
her feet again and hope to see her back in Crafty Chatters very soon. Janet
PARISH COFFEE MORNING Our next
Coffee Morning is on Friday, 28th February at 10.30am. Join us for a
cuppa and a chatand bring a friend along
too. All welcome.
