December was a busy month, as usual. On 15th December we had our annual ‘Turkey Drive’ in the main hall. We are very grateful to the ‘Whist Drive’ who presented the parish with a cheque for €1500.00. Thank you to George Furney who runs the drives each month and to all his helpers.
On Tuesday 16th the Irish Variety Ensemble Concert Brass Band had their Christmas concert which was followed on Saturday 20th by the Leinster Singers Christmas Concert. Both these events were delightful and were followed by refreshments in the small hall.
On the morning of the 20th the church was decorated for Christmas. Thank you to Janet Edgely and her helpers, the church looked lovely for the festive season. On the same day the Indian Marthoma Church had a Christmas Service in the Church with their Bishop present (they use our church for services on a fortnightly basis) and we had a group of people from Zimbabwe praying for their country in the small hall.
Sunday 21st saw our Primary School Carol Service along with our Sunday School nativity ‘sketch’. That evening we had our Nine Lessons and Carols. Thank you to all involved in providing the refreshments following both these services.
On the Sunday immediately after Christmas we had the baptism of Daniel Ademola Osho. His granny, Victoria is one of our longest standing African parishioners. We had a full church with the family’s relatives and friends dressed in colourful traditional African dress. Thank you to Victoria and her friends who provided the meal after the service.
On New Year’s Eve we had a memorial service for Arthur Gwynne who had died in Australia having lived there for many years. His Australian relatives wanted to have the service for his Irish relatives who include our parishioner Caitriona McCoy, daughter of past parishioner and artist, Oisin Kelly. It was nice to meet all the Kelly and Gwynne family who have all had a connection with St. Maelruain's.
The Christmas services were followed on New Year’s Eve by our midnight multicultural service to welcome in the New Year. Thank you to Rev Obinna Ulogwara for all his work in organising it. Tendai Madando of Christian Aid (and is also running as a councillor in South Dublin County Council elections in June) preached.
I attended a talk on the ever current issue of Palestine by Dr. Susan Hood, archivist and publications officers at the RCB library, which was thought provoking and informative and it inspired me to give a sermon on Palestine on Sunday 11th January.
On the afternoon of Sunday 18th January I was asked to take part in an interview on Radio Tallaght along with other local clergy on the subject of religion today.
I was delighted to attend a thanksgiving service in the home of our former Indian Churchwarden John Thomas on the anniversary of his illness. When John was struck down by his sickness his family and friends prayed continuously for his recovery. It was great to see him walking, although aided, and talking again.
God bless William
