around the parishes...

AROUND THE PARISHES...
L-R: Stephen Newel (Architect), Mark Orr (Contractor), Rector, Elizabeth Rountree, Richard
Bird (Project Co-ordinator) at the handing over of keys at Powerscourt New Rectory.
Gospel Eucharist
The first Gospel Eucharist of the New Year will take place in
Powerscourt Church on Sunday 2nd January at 11.30am.
Archbishop
We send our very best wishes to Archbishop and Mrs Neill as the
Archbishop celebrates the 25th anniversary of his consecration as a
bishop on 25th in the Cathedral. This will also be the occasion for the
diocese as a whole to mark his impending retirement at the end of the
month and to say thank you to him and Mrs Neill for eight wonderful
years in our United Dioceses.
Lyric FM Concert in Powerscourt Church
On February 3rd 2011, Lyric FM will host a
concert in Powerscourt Church at 7pm. The
programme will consist of music by Ina Boyle, who
lived all her life at Bushy Park, Enniskerry. Ina was a
prolific composer, writing music for operas, ballets,
quartets, song cycles, and choral works. She wrote
a symphony called “Glencree” and one of her
hymns, is titled “Enniskerry.” Her work has been neglected in recent
times, but she was once well respected in musical circles, and not just
in Ireland. In the Carnegie Collection of British Music, set up in 1917 to
encourage young musicians, she is the only female composer
represented. It will be excellent to be able to hear her music again.
RATHDRUM & DERRALOSSARY
WITH GLENEALY
Canon John McCullagh. Tel: 0404-43814
Email: rathdrum@glendalough.anglican.org
The Fifteenth of the Month
This day strikes horror into those who scribe parochial notes
sending us scrabbling for information, names and even an apposite
word. Imagine however our weary editor who must toil to get the
Review out by the beginning of the following month in the midst of his
parochial duties. Thinking of the balancing act he must undertake in the
midst of this festive season reminds us how much we owe to the Rev
Nigel Waugh and his staff. So many thanks for the patient editorial hand
and even the heavenly forbearance when we stray across the deadline.
Another wonder is that despite the budget the price remains the
same for 2012 so encourage your neighbours to get their own copy and
not await the arrival of your well thumbed second or third hand Review.
Chaplains
With a number of parishioners and a family member in hospital
recently it is wonderful to hear expressions of appreciation for the
encouraging support and spiritual comfort given by our hospital
chaplains. As the vast majority have parochial duties as well their
assiduous care to the patients is all the more remarkable. It is important
to stress that frequently they will only be aware of a patient’s presence if
they are told by a family member or the rector or if the patient makes a
personal request as hospitals are increasingly bound by data restrictions.
Holy Baptism
Anakin and Saskia the children of Suki Stuart and Laurent Mellet
were baptised in St John’s on the Sunday next before Advent. May the
Holy Spirit be stirred up in them and we wish them well on their move
to France.
Sympathy
Robert Naidoo was a regularly visitor to St Saviour’s when on
holidays with his in-laws the Griffin family. His death in England is
mourned by his wife Sue and their family as well as by Charlotte Griffin
and Sue’s siblings. We pray they will feel the comfort of the promise of
a joyful re-union in the heavenly places.
Our sympathy is also extended to Dick Mahon and Margaret
Armstrong and their families on the sudden death of their brother Hugh.
Hugh’s funeral took place in Preban where the rector assisted Canon
Heaney. We continue to uphold Hugh’s daughter Sarah in our prayers.
Confirmation
The first meeting of the confirmation group for 2012 will take place
in Kilbride Church in the Arklow group on Friday 27 January at 6.30pm.
Mindful of the Archbishop’s encouragement to involve parents the clergy
are devising an inclusive programme for candidates and parents including
a service for parents and godparents to pass on the light of Christ,
symbolised by the baptismal candle, to the candidates themselves.
Advent carols
As these notes are written the various Christmas services are in
planning. Already there has been a very well attended Advent Carol
service followed by wonderful refreshments in Laragh. The rector is
torn between his duty to sample and praise all the baking and the good
manners of not talking to parishioners and visitors with a mouthful of
delicious cream sponge but then Advent is a penitential season. The
“Blue Christmas” service in Glenealy is a quiet and reflective time and
the lighting of candles to commemorate loss has become a significant
and moving moment. The lady who normally presides at the organ is
temporarily hors de combat and we are grateful to Paddy Mulligan, Jean
Woolmington and Florence Binons who have played at some services.
We wish Ruth a speedy recovery as John’s nursing abilities are limited.
Concert
St Cecilia’s Singers under the guiding hands of Sandra Ganley again
opened the Christmas season by their concert in Glenealy Church.
Their poignant dedication of the concert to the memory Ruth
McDaniels was wonderfully thoughtful. The Church as always was
beautifully decorated and the option of non-alcoholic mulled wine to
accompany the mince pies was availed by many. Hilary Bradshaw’s
recipe for the wine is to be recommended: perhaps the first item for a
future book of helpful hints and tasty recipes.
WICKLOW AND KILLISKEY
Rector: Canon John Clarke. Tel: 0404 67132.
Associate Vicar: The Revd. Ken Rue. Parish Phone: 087 2766590.
Review Distributors: Mrs. Frances Douglas. Tel: 0404 67137 (Wicklow).
Mrs. Vera Webster. Tel: 0404 40299 (Killiskey).
The Year of the Volunteer
The year passed was designated as the Year of the Volunteer. Rightly,
it was intended to highlight the vital need for volunteers in every aspect
of community life and to express appreciation for those who give their
time, talents and hard work in a variety of valuable ways. I would like
to pay tribute to the very many people in the Parish who have given of
themselves in church based activities during this last year and who, as a
result, have enriched the lives of others. Some – but not all – will be
mentioned in notes below.
“The Hub”
On 8th December, Ashford Gift and Book Shop was opened in “The
Hub”, our new parish centre in Ashford Village. It is being managed by a
team of volunteers, headed up by Sandra Hart as Shop Manager. Stocks
include books and CDs from Scripture Union and Veritas, greeting cards,
craftwork and gift items. The shop will order any books, which are not
66 CHURCH REVIEW