FROM
THE RECTOR We
are now all back into the swing of things as the Parish resumes activities
after the summer break, looking back over my diary, it’s hard to know where the
summer went! On 12th June we
had the final ‘annual blessing of St. Columchille’s Well’ in it’s present
format as the Augustinians are selling
the Orlagh Retreat Centre this year but the Carmelites in Knocklyon Parish have
taken on the running of the service. We had a number of historical tours of the
Village and the church and grounds, lead by local historian Tomas Maher. We
hosted a visiting choir from the US who used our facilities for rehearsals (as
they were staying in a hotel in the locality) for their concert in Christchurch
Cathedral and the following week our church was the venue for a concert by the
Waterbury Choir visiting from Connecticut along with an Irish Choir, Hamemus,
who performed
a variety of pieces including contemporary
American, Irish traditional, Gospel and
Spiritual. The annual Dominican
blessing of the graveyard took place on 3rd July, the closest Sunday
to St. Maelruain’s day. We were delighted to welcome the new Prior of St.
Mary’s Priory, Fr Donal Roche to St. Maelruain’s.
Tours continued of the Church and
grounds in the month of August led by local historian Tomas Maher, including
during heritage week.
On 25th June our BB had a BBQ with games in the ground
of the Parish Centre, we were blessed with good weather, despite one summer
shower, and it was good to see the event so well attended considering the boys
had ‘broken up’ weeks earlier. It was also an opportunity for the parents to
socialize and get to know one another. That evening the Bowls Club had their annual BBQ in the home of the Captain Alan and
his wife Joy Thank you to them both for their hospitality.
For
the second year in a row I attended an event organised by Melissa Luttrel, for
‘Light up the Sky’ on 27th August in the green space beside the Tallaght
Leisure Centre on Fortunestown Way,
in memory of babies that have been lost through miscarriage. The evening
involved the release of balloons and lanterns, with members of the public
encouraged to bring a balloon or lantern, Melissa hopes the event gave
comfort to parents.
On
Sunday 28th we were
sad to say goodbye to Thomas and Surenna Matthew and their boys Nevin and
Nihall who have moved to Australia. We will miss them but wish them every blessing
with their new life ‘down under’.
Our
organist, Joyce Smart is currently
recovering from a medical procedure. On the first Sunday of her absence our assistant
organist, Gerard Moody, was
unavailable to cover so on the suggestion of Joyce we asked one of young Indian
parishioners, 12 year old Braden Huxley,
who regularly practices on our digital organ, if he would play for our Holy
Communion Service on 4th September.
He played beautifully and we were very grateful to him for filling in. We wish
Joyce a speedy recovery and look forward to having her back playing on Sunday
mornings in the near future. Many thanks to Gerard for covering for Joyce in
her absence.
From
9th September I spent
time introducing myself to the students in the Institute of Technology
Tallaght during induction
week in my role as part time chaplain to the college.
On
11th September I went
along, with my daughter Amy, to the installation service of Rev’d Abigail Sines as Deans Vicar of
Christchurch Cathedral. Amy was leader at the Diocesan Summer Camp (along with
Lionel) which were organised by Abigail. We both wish Abigail well with her
innovated and creative ministry and in particular with her upcoming Halloween
Service in Christchurch, ‘What are you afraid of?’ and
her work with Street Pastors etc.
Tallafest took place in Saturday 10th September. The village was a hive of
activity with community group stands and fun activities for all the family. We
hosted an Art Exhibition, poetry readings and held tours of the church. I also
managed to advertise the revised Alpha
Course (which we are currently running, along with six other churches in Tallaght Methodist Church, An Solas, Jobstown on Thursday
evenings), with banners showing the new Alpha course promoter Bear Grylls
displayed, in the hope we may attract newcomers to the course.
On
Sunday 25th September we were delighted to welcome back to Tallaght
Rev Robert Kingston to celebrate the anniversary of 20 years since the opening of the Parish Hall. We were also pleased
to present our sexton, Hazel Walshe, a bouquet to mark the almost 21st
anniversary since coming to St. Maelruain’s.
God
bless William.
HARVEST Our Harvest Service is on 9th
October, we will welcome Rev Brian O’Reilly of Rathdrum to preach on Jesus
bringing in the ‘spiritual harvest’ by both preaching and healing. The service
will be followed by refreshments in the Small Hall. (Please see
below regarding the decoration of the church for Harvest).
FUNERALS The funeral of Stewart Whitten took place
in St. Maelruain’s on 29th July. We extend our deepest sympathies to
his wife Eileen, daughter Lynn, son-in-law Joe and extended family and friends.
On Friday 19th Aug the funeral of Jemma daughter of Lorraine & Christy Cahill took place here
in St. Maelruain’s. We express our deepest condolences to her parents,
brothers Bryan and Phillip and to Jemma’s extended family and friends.
A Receiving Service for
Nigel Beattie took place on Thursday 29th Sept followed by his
funeral Service the following day. Our sincere sympathies to Nigel’s daughters
Sarah, Ruth and Claire and to Nigel’s extended family and friends.
WEDDINGS The marriage of
Deborah Morgans and Robert Hand took place on 23rd July and on
Friday 16th the marriage of Mandy Fletcher and Jared Bressman took
place. We wish both these couple every blessing for the future.
BAPTISMS On Sunday 14th August we had the baptism of Thomas Joshua Gould baby son
of David and Natalia and on Sunday 28th Zarah Moyinoluwa baby daughter of Tosin
(nee Kuti) and Malek Sanusa was also baptised. Please pray for Thomas, Zarah
and their families as they begin their Christian life.
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST We had our opening service on Mon 12th Sept with Holy Communion celebrated by
Canon William and Rev. Avril preached.
On
Sat 15th October, we will meet at the church gates at 10.30am
for a visit to the Pearse Museum and St. Enda’s Park near Marlay Park.
Please come along and bring your friends, all are welcome.
Saoirse
are looking for washing up liquid and black bags. We look forward to another
year and hope you find our programme of interest. Please be assured of a warm
welcome if you’re new or haven’t been in a while. See you then.
TABLE
TENNIS The club reopened with most of our regular
members back again. It was great to see everybody back for another season. We
were delighted to to see Tommy Dunne back with us having decided at the end of
the season to call it a day due to a few recent health issues, but the rest
during the summer has worked and he is back setting us all a challenge. We
are actively seeking new members (over 18) to play on Thursday nights . We play
from 8 pm to 10pm in the Parish Centre and welcome all players from beginner to
advanced. Regina
Donoghue
FLOWER
GUILD
Many thanks , as always to all the ladies who continue to put flowers in the
Church each week and to Hazel, who opens the Church each week to allow us check
and replace flowers. The date of
the Harvest is Sun 9th Oct.
It's the time of the year when we decorate the Church with fruit and veg as
well as flowers. We will be decorating the Church on Sat 8th Oct,
from 2 pm and would welcome donations of flowers, greenery, fruit and
vegetables as well as help from anybody who would like to join us. No
experience needed, so don't be afraid to come along. Regina Donoghue
BOYS
BRIGADE
We started back officially on
Friday 23rd and we had a couple fresh faces and it was a good night.
We are lacking boys especially in our anchor boys section (4 to 7 year olds).
So if anyone knows anyone who might be interested feel free to drop up on a
Friday night or even ring myself 0831015657. The parents are welcome to stay if
their child is shy or not 100 percent sure if they want to stay. Evan
McAuley
GIRLS
BRIGADE The
Girls’ Brigade is a great, safe place for girls to make friends while learning
lifeskills and having fun. We are now open for another season are
accepting new members. We meet every week from September to April in St
Maelruain’s Parish hall where the girls learn dancing, singing, and arts &
crafts. Our Explorer group (aged under 9 years old) meet every Saturday
morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Our older girls (aged 9 years old and up)
meet every Wednesday from 7pm to 8.30pm/9pm. If you are interesting in
joining please contact Fiona Monahan
(086-8519163) or go to www.girlsbrigadeirl.ie for more information.
BOWLING CLUB Welcome back to all members
after the summer holidays. Looking forward to our club and league
competitions starting soon. We are hosting a friendly match with Leeson Park
and also having a friendly match with Lucan Parish in their parish
centre. We send sympathy to the Beattie family on the death of Nigel who
was a member of the bowling club. Heather Wright
WHIST
DRIVE The October Whist Drive is on
Monday 16th at 8.00pm in the
Small Hall. All Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS Crafty chatters will be meeting on the 4th and 18th
of October from 2 - 4pm in the Parish hall. Please come and join in the chat
and maybe learn something new. Janet Edgely
PRAYERS FOR THE PARISH meet on Monday
evenings at 8.00pm, 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 Coffee Morning for October is on 28th from
10.30am - 12.30pm. The usual fare will be available and donations will go
towards parish funds. Do drop in, bring a friend, enjoy a cuppa and a
chat and while away a leisurely hour with us.
Barbara Barrett
