March 2017
FROM THE RECTOR
In my role as Canon to
Christchurch Cathedral I completed one of my twice yearly weekly slots as ‘Canon
in residence’ starting on Sunday 29th January. I preached on the
Beatitudes where I tried to demonstrate that it wasn’t the blessed who are
(financially) poor but those who were poor spiritually and it is the meek that
shall inherit the earth as they are spiritually humble. I argued that the
Beatitudes may be more practical then they initially appear, the spiritually
humble are those who don’t think they can earn their way to heaven but are
grateful for what Christ did for them on the cross. Perhaps inheriting the
earth is the new heaven and new earth that we read about in the Book of
Revelations?
I attended the funeral
of the Rt. Rev. Samuel Poyntz (former Archbishop of Connor) on Saturday 25th
February in my capacity as Canon and for more personal reasons as he had been
very supportive to me as I prepared for ministry, in my curacy and in my first
parish. Following my return to Dublin from Northern Ireland whenever our paths
would cross he continued to have an interest in Tallaght which I greatly
appreciated.
On 27th February
I was invited to the 10th Anniversary of Kilnamanagh Community
Centre Senior Citizen’s group. They had invited both archbishops but as Archbishop
Michael Jackson was unable to attend he asked that I go on his behalf. The
Centre provides great facilities for the elderly. They are open from mid
morning to mid afternoon Mon – Thurs and provide a hot meal along with
activities, outings and organise holidays not to mention the ‘Lounge’ which
seems to have filled the gap on the closing of the Cuckoo’s Nest! Well done to
all involved on the great work and support they are providing for the senior
citizens of the area.
The following day Sr.
Bernadette, the Chaplain in the I.T.T. had an exhibition of the different world
faiths which I attended. We will be welcoming Sr. Bernadette to Mothers’ Union
on Mon 13th in the Small Hall to talk to about reaching out to young
people.
Many of you may have
read in the Echo Newspaper of the passing at the age of 33 of local historian
Shane Kenna. Shane’s Mum, Olive, is a member of our Music Group and Shane came
along to our major festivals to hear his Mum sing. We send our love and support
to Olive who sadly lost her husband a number of years ago, to Shane’s fiancée
Adele, to his brother John and the wider family and friends. Shane’s funeral
took place on Saturday 4th March in St. Dominic’s.
We began our Lenten services
on Ash Wednesday and will be using the Bible Association of the Church of
Ireland’s (BACI) Lenten Course ‘God’s heart for Migrants’. The topic’s covered
are: (1) God’s People as Migrants (2) God’s Heart for Migrants (3) Ruth - a
Story of Migration (4) Ruth - a story of Integration
(5) Migrant People.
God bless William.
FUNERAL
The funeral of Jim Neill took place on Friday 3rd March in
St. Maelruain’s. We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Geraldine, children
Emma and Dylan and to his wider family and friends.
ST. PATRICK’S DAY
There will be a
service at 11.00am on St. Patrick’s Day led by Rev. Avril Bennett to celebrate
our Patron Saint’s day.
MOTHERING SUNDAY
Sunday 26th
March. Some may call this day a ‘Hallmark’ holiday but I think it is an
opportunity to stop in our busy lives and show our Mothers just how much we
care. As it will be Family Sunday our Good News Club will be telling us about
their Lenten Project ‘Church in Chains’.
CLOCKS SPRING FORWARD Also on
Mothering Sunday 26th March, don’t forget the clocks springs forward
one hour.
PARISH
SCHOOL Enrol your child We are currently enrolling Junior Infants for
September 2017. Should you wish to apply for a place for your child in our
school, please contact the school office at 01 4527933 for an application form
for admission between 8:30am and 11:30am.
Website https://www.stmaelruainscoi.com
CAPELLA Mixed Voice Choir are having a
concert in the Church on Friday 24th March at 8pm. They will be
singing Choral music to suit all tastes and will be led by musical director
Vincent Whelan with accompanist Celine Kelly. Admission €10 payable at the
door.
MOTHER’S UNION / FAMILIES FIRST Saoirse
are looking for washing powder for March. I went to a morning continental
breakfast meeting on Saturday 18th Feb in Springfield Hotel Leixlip,
the speaker was Anna Keely business entrepreneur, business woman and the
principal of Bronwyn Conroy School of Beauty. She gave a very interesting and
inspiring talk on empowerment of women and encouraging us to achieve our
potential and achieve our dreams while we juggle the various roles in life
which we all have. A most interesting and enjoyable morning and an opportunity
to meet up with fellow members from the different branches.
Next
month’s March meeting is with Sr Bernadette from IT Tallaght who will be giving
us a talk on the work of the college chaplain. I'm sure this will be very
interesting so do come along on the 2nd Mon in March (13th ) at 8pm in the Small Hall. You are assured of a
warm welcome whether you are a regular member, new to us or haven't been in a
while. Look forward to seeing you on then.
Valerie
BOWLS CLUB Congratulations to the Hope and Price teams for
reaching the finals in both competitions. Wishing both teams the best of
luck. We send good wishes to Imelda Bird as she recovers in South Infirmary
Hospital in Cork after her accident.
Heather Wright and family would like to thank everyone
who supported them in the sudden loss of Neville. Special thanks to Canon
Deverell and members of the Bowling Club at this difficult time.
BOYS BRIGADE We had a Table Tennis night courtesy of
Regina Donoghue and St. Maelruain’s Table Tennis Club on Friday 3rd March
which was enjoyed by all. We are looking forward to our Annual Display on
Saturday 22nd April at 7pm and all are welcome to attend. We want to
try and get as big a support as possible for the boy’s on the night..
If anybody is interested in joining
Boy’s Brigade please come along on any Friday evening Anchors 7pm – 8:00pm (ages
4 – 7) Juniors 7pm - 8:30pm
(ages 8 – 11) Company
7pm - 9pm (ages 12 – 18)
GIRLS BRIGADE The Girls Brigade would like to invite
you to their Annual Company Display on Saturday April 1st at 3pm in St Maelruain’s Parish Hall.
It promises to be a terrific show, and everyone who attends will be treated to
a cup of tea or coffee afterwards. We always love to see our regular
guests, and we especially enjoy seeing our past members and meeting new friends
who are thinking of joining GB. So please come along!!
WHIST DRIVE The
March Whist Drive is on Monday 20th at 8.00pm in the Main Hall. All Welcome!
CRAFTY CHATTERS We
will be meeting on the 7th and the 21st March from 2 - 4pm in the
Parish Hall. Please get you knitting needles, crochet hook, needle and
thread or anything else you are working
on. The chat is always good and the cup of tea always hot, you
would be most welcome!
PARISH COFFEE Our next
Coffee Morning will be held on the 31st March, 10.30am - 12.30pm in the Old Hall.
Drop in for a cuppa and a chat, all welcome.
SUMMER SALE The date for this year’s summer sale has been set, Saturday 27th May.
Thankfully there is a stretch in the evenings at last and we are now looking
forward to spring, time to clear out those cupboards, attics and garages?
Donations of unwanted gifts, furniture and household items (in good
condition!) gratefully received. Please
put the date in your diary and bring along your family and friends on the day.
