November 2016
FROM THE RECTOR October continued to be busy, on Saturday 1st we hosted the ‘Walk in my Shoes’ homeless and refugee talks in the Church followed
that evening by a concert with the homeless High Hopes Choir and the All
Ireland Peace Choir. The theme continued the next day in other local Churches.
On 3rd I attended the local RC Deanery where I was able to announce
our Harvest Service and on 6th the Parents Association of the parish
school held an open evening in the school to give the parents an opportunity to
meet the new Principal, Helen Molloy
and teachers. We had tours of the church and graveyard by the pupils of Sacred
Heart, Killinarden. I accompanied the Parish School
to the Diocesan Primary School Service
in Christchurch Cathedral on 13th .
It
was with enormous sadness that I learned of the fatal assault of parishioner
and passionate conservationist Michael
McCoy while he was on an early morning walk with his dogs in Ballinascorney
Woods near his home. Michael’s funeral took place on Saturday 8th
October with the congregation overflowing into the church grounds, fortunately,
for the first time, we had a sound system so that those outside could listen
and be part of the service. Michael married into the parish following his
wedding to Caitriona and as a builder I recalled all the work he had done
around the church and parish buildings, in the parish school and the work he
had completed in parishioners homes and in the wider community. Although
Michael had a quiet nature, we all enjoyed his thoughtful conversation, I was
not surprised when I learned that he was studying in Trinity College,
Michael was looking forward to his graduation in November. Our heartfelt
sympathy goes to Michael’s wife Caitriona (nee
Kelly), and to his daughters Rachel, Suzanne and Sarah, all of whom have
contributed to parish life over the years in their roles in either Sunday
School, Boy’s Brigade and our Summer Fete. Please remember Michael and his
family in your prayers.
We
had our harvest Service on the
afternoon of 9th October and we were delighted to welcome Rev’d
Brian O’Reilly from Rathdrum, who spoke to us on Jesus bringing in the
spiritual Harvest not just by preaching but by healing as well. We had a lovely
supper in the Hall after the service, thank you to the ladies for organising
the refreshments and also a big thank you to the ladies who decorated the
church so beautifully for our Harvest service and to those who donated flowers,
fruit and vegetable, it was very much appreciated.
I
was sad to attend the funeral mass of Sr. Paddy of the Carmelite Convent in Firhouse. The convent is now down to three
nuns and the decision has been made to sell the facilities, the end of an era,
I shall personally miss them as neighbours, friends and fellow travellers.
God
bless William.
FUNERALS As mentioned in the Rector’s letter the
funeral of Michael McCoy took place in St. Maelruain’s on Saturday 8th
October. We express our deepest condolences to his wife Caitriona, daughters
Rachel, Suzanne and Sarah and to Michael’s wider family and friends.
The funeral of Seanie
Byrne took place on Tuesday 18th October. We give our sincere
sympathies to his children Paul, Sharon, Elaine and John and to his extended
family and friends.
GIFT
DAY Sunday 27th November has been set
for our annual GIFT DAY. A letter will be going out to all parishioners laying
out the position of the parish. Can I on behalf of the Select Vestry encourage
all to give as generously as possible. The financial situation of the parish
continues to be critical, we are very grateful to everyone who gave last year
but your continued support is vital to the viability of Tallaght Parish
Church. If you would like
to receive your letter by email please let the parish office know at
tallaghtparish@gmail.com.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY Our annual CHRISTMAS SING ALONG takes place in the
Parish Centre on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm where we sing Carols and Christmas
songs, we have a Gift stall, a raffle and refreshments of wine, tea, coffee and
mince pies. Please do what you can to help, buy / sell raffle tickets,
donations of wine, mince pies and items for the gift stall would be greatly
appreciated. Please phone Ronnie Scott
086 804 5090 for more information.
TEAM HOPE CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL We had the launch of the Christmas shoe box
appeal on 23rd October and the date for the returned boxes is
officially Friday 11th but please have them returned by Sunday 13th
at the very latest.
REMEMBRACE SUNDAY there will be a
Remembrance Service on Sunday 13th November at 10.45am before the
Boy’s Brigade Enrolment Service at
11.00am.
THE DUBLIN AND GLENDALOUGH DIOCESES will be celebrating it’s 800th anniversary with a service
in Christchurch Cathedral on Sunday 13th November at 3.30pm
Members of parish choirs from all over Dublin and Glendalough are being invited to
join Christ Church Cathedral Choir at a special Diocesan Come & Sing, on Sunday November 20th at 3.30 pm in Christ Church Cathedral and
forms part of the cathedral’s Diocesan Music Outreach Project along with the
Dublin & Glendalough 800 celebrations.
CHURCHYARD We are
very grateful to a local gentleman, Declan Poynton who initially started
looking after his mother’s grave which in turn led to him looking after the
cutting of the grass in the new part of the graveyard and the bank on the left
hand side of the drive into the Churchyard.
We are very grateful to Declan who volunteers his own time to do this
work. It is a quite a lot for one person in the ‘growing season’ so we are
asking if there is anybody in the parish who would like to give him a helping
hand? Please contact the Rector if you are interested in helping out.
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST On Saturday 17th
Oct we had a great outing to the Pearse
Museum in St Endas Park
near the Marley Grange. We had a great tour guide around the house who was full
of information and kept us entertained till nearly lunch time. How he
remembered it all I don't know. After the tour we adjourned to Brambles
coffee shop on site where we had our lunch before going our separate ways.
Thanks to those who pooled cars to get us all there and to all who came to make
a great morning out.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 11 November 8pm in
small hall as usual when our speaker will be Amy who is going to reflect about
her experiences walking the Camino in Spain during the summer. All are
welcome as usual so do come along even if you haven't been in a while or never
before. You'll be assured of a warm welcome.
In November Saoirse are looking
for sugar.
See you all soon. Valerie
TABLE
TENNIS We continue to play on Thursday gets at 8 pm
in the Parish Centre ( over 18s)
We are looking for new members and welcome all who
would like to play, whether you are a beginner or an experienced player and our
club is open to all.
FLOWER
GUILD
Many thanks to the ladies who came along to decorate the Church for the Harvest
on Saturday and to everybody who kindly donated fruit and flowers. Without all
your help it wouldn't be possible. We had a lovely afternoon together and have
to say thanks you also to Valerie, who always arrives with flasks for tea,
coffee and biscuits. It's always a nice social occasion with time for a chat
along the way. Everybody is welcome to come and help either with the flowers or
to help clean up or sit and watch!!!
BOYS
BRIGADE
Just an update for the
Newsletter for the Boys’ Brigade.
We changed our running times going forward on
a trial run basis. This was changed due to some feedback that some of the times
maybe a little late for the younger Boy’s. Our current running times are as
follows:
Anchors: 7pm to 8pm (4 – 8 yrs)
Juniors: 7pm to 8:30pm (8 - 12 yrs)
Company:
7pm to 9pm (12+ yrs)
Some of the Boys and leaders took part in the Annual Founders Day
service in St Ann’s
Church Dawson Street
on Sunday 16th October 2016.
We hosted our BB Coffee Morning Fundraiser yesterday after the 11am
service in the Hall. It was a great success and we raised much needed funds for
the company. The support we received from the parents and the Parish was
fantastic and myself and all the leaders wish to thank everyone for their kind
donations and support including the lovely cakes and biscuits that parents
baked for the fundraiser.
We won’t be running this Friday 28th October
because of the bank holiday but will be back on the 4thNovember at
the new start times.
We are running low on Boys this year particular in Anchors and if anyone
knows any boys that might be interested we would love to have them join.
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 We wish all the teams who are competing in the Hope, Miller,
Price and Rohu competitions best of luck. We congratulate Whitechurch Bowling
Club on celebrating their 25 years of bowling.
WHIST
DRIVE The November Whist Drive is on
Monday 21st at 8.00pm in the Small Hall. All Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS Crafty chatters will be meeting on the 8th and 22nd November 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 This month's Coffee Morning is on Friday 25th November
10.30am - 12.30pm. As there is no Coffee Morning in December this will be
our last catch up before Christmas. As usual, drop in if you fancy a
cuppa or a chat. We are so experienced now we can even do both
together!!! All welcome
