Dear Parishioners and Friends, God Bless Frederick
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MARCHMARCH 2019 2019 RATHMICHAEL PARISH NEWSLETTER www.rathmichael.dublin.anglican.org Dear Parishioners and friends, These are some of the less savoury bits and pieces of parish, school and wider life for each to Gosh. My last rector’s letter after 26½ years. Do I say look out for and challenge head on for everyone’s all nice things about parish ministry or do I tell the sake. truth? Whichever, I wager that few enough parishes are When I was appointed to Rathmichael Archbishop blessed with such competent people who voluntarily Donald Caird summoned me to “Marry the High take on the many tasks of administration, prayer Road and the Low Road and work assiduously on support and otherwise in a parish to keep life and soul the school.” There was only one response to that in the community. archbishop. “Yes boss”. And see how that turned out:- Being a parish rector is a peculiar old business. There is the dichotomy of needing to be as hard as nails in some situations and with some people, against hope- fully the default position of being pastoral from deep within one’s heart in other situations. Over time roots grow into one’s heart and when death or other reason rips them out it can be difficult to smile sincerely for awhile. The ‘loading’ of Small issues versus Big issues can be a frustration in ministry and school management. Where great good is being affected, there a countering evil force in the spiritual realm will be present. The opening lines of the Evening Service of Compline (page 154) are clear if a tad blunt. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roar- ing lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5: 8,9. When the sea is millpond calm the rocks may be unseen just inches below the surface. Such is parish and school management. At those times be vigilant and not complacent. Occasional storm and swell and the acerbic tongue, though unwelcome, identify the Sonia, Hayley, Debbi, Doola the dog and I will ‘white horses’ and you know where you stand and grieve Rathmichael and its beloved people of what to avoid. God. It is not easy but “For everything there is a season…………” It happens in offices, factories, villages, clubs, schools, and parishes. What does? Unfounded rumour which in some cases can be toxic. Whatever urges these critters have to be super-sleuth and perspicacious God bless whilst then getting the wrong end of the stick is hard to stomach when it hurts decent people and organisa- Frederick. tions. CHURCH SERVICES - MARCH 2019 DATE 08.30 11.00 HRS 19.00 HRS LECTORS HRS The SUNDAY before LENT HOLY COMMUNION TRANSFIGURATION H.C. Exodus 34: 29-35 EVENING Catherine Millar Psalm 99 White 2 Corinthians 3: 12 - 4:2 PRAYER 3rd MARCH 2019 Luke 9: 28-36, (37-43) The FIRST SUNDAY in LENT FAMILY SERVICE Deuteronomy 26: 1-11 Psalm 91: 1-2, 9-16 H.C. HOLY Luke 4: 1-13 Shirley Farrell Violet COMMUNION 10th MARCH 2019 Please join us for Coffee following the service The SECOND SUNDAY in LENT HOLY COMMUNION Deuteronomy 32: 1-9 Psalm 145: 1-13 ST. PATRICK H.C. COMPLINE 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12 Marian Conboy White John 4: 31-38 17th MARCH 2019 The THIRD SUNDAY in LENT MORNING PRAYER H.C. Isaiah 55: 1-9 Psalm 63: 1-9 HOLY Luke 13: 1-9 Violet COMMUNION Michael Hill 24th MARCH 2019 Please join us for Coffee following the service The FOURTH SUNDAY in LENT HOLY COMMUNION MOTHERING SUNDAY Exodus 2: 1-10 EVENING Helen Darcy Violet H.C. Psalm 34: 11-20 SERVICE 31st MARCH 2019 John 19: 25-27 ASH WEDNESDAY 6th MARCH 2019 ASH WEDNESDAY - 20.00 HRS - WORSHIP SERVICE MARCH ROTAS CHURCH & BRASS CLEANING CHURCH FLOWERS DATE CHURCH BRASS 2nd Mar Marian Hofmann Volunteers 3rd & 10th Anne Golden 9th Frances Marshall 16th Ève McAulay required 17th St. Patrick’s Day 23rd Eve McAulay 24th & 31st Thelma Clinton 30th Thelma Clinton SUNDAY CRÈCHE SUNDAY CLUB 3rd Jan Ovington 4-6 YRS 7-9 YRS 10-12 YRS 10th Family Service 3rd Sarah Grimson Carol Beamish Debbie Duncan 17th Valerie Grier 24th Danielle Fletcher 31st Noreen White 24th Hannah Harty Gillian Nevin Katie Fox CHURCH COFFEE ALPHA/IN-BETWEEN BOOK CLUB 10th Mark Duncan Peter Richardson Gareth O'Keefe Jim Hendry 24th John Bolton Ronnie Whelan Chris Byrne RATHMICHAEL WALKERS The Book Club will meet on Tuesday 26th March, 2019 @ 8.00 p.m. in the home Rathmichael Walkers meet at the Church of Marian Conboy, 8 Shrewsbury Hall, at 11am on Saturday March 30th. Shankill. Phone: 086 307 0968 Choice of walks, pick on the day. The Book we are reading for this meeting is Helen Darcy 087 234 2689 “Becoming” by Michelle Obama PARISH REGISTERS: A Place to call Home th Funerals: Wednesday 6 February 2019: John This is a project initiated by the Diocese Edward Lewis, Cabinteely, Dublin 18. We extend our deepest sympathy to our organist Valerie on the of Dublin and Glendalough to raise sudden death of her husband John. €3,000,000 over 3 years to assist the We will keep both her and John’s sister Norma, the wider family circle and his friends in our prayers at Irish Refugee Council in their efforts to this sad time. provide housing and related support to **** refugees who have come to Ireland, and Saturday 16th February 2019: Arthur Murphy, especially to those in Direct Provision. Loughlinstown, Dublin 18. Arthur was the husband of the late Patricia and father of Shane and Mark. We extend our condolences to Shane and Mark and The Chief Executive of the Irish Arthur’s wider family circle and friends and assure Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, will them of our prayers as they grieve their loss. speak about the project at the 11.00 hrs. service on Sunday 24th March and it is **** Wednesday 20th February 2019: Elizabeth Edwina hoped there will be a good attendance to Gordon, Rathmichael, Co. Dublin. Elizabeth was hear about this project. the wife of the late Rev. John M. Gordon. We extend our sympathy to her daughters Kate, Emma and Edwina, her grandchildren Natasha, Joshua, Further details about the project are on Harriet, Gordon, Myles, Cosmo and Albert, her sons -in-law, her wider family circle and many friends. a poster in the church porch. Geoffrey Perrin O Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. FAREWELL TO FRED, SONIA, HAYLEY AND DEBBI Here in Rathmichael Parish and Rathmichael Parish Behind every good man etc. etc., and Sonia was School we are preparing for a very big change in our always at Fred’s side with encouragement and parish life as, at the end of February, we say farewell help. When the flag went up for help with fund raising for the church or for charity Sonia always to our dear rector Fred when he retires. We will also managed to rally the troops and, over the years, be saying farewell to his wife Sonia and daughters organised fund raisers and social occasions for Hayley and Debbi who will not be retiring but will be different causes. Flower festivals, painting leaving the rectory. exhibitions, good as new sales, and the dress up occasion – An Edwardian Tea Party. Fred has been rector of Rathmichael Parish for 26½ years which makes him the record holder as the long- Quite a number of parishioners have watched est serving incumbent in the history of the parish.. Fred and Sonia’s daughters, Hayley and Debbi, Over those years his compassion and spiritual grow from toddler and baby, when they arrived in guidance has been a source of comfort and encour- Rathmichael, to now working in their chosen pro- agement to parishioners through all the changing fessions - Hayley as a Primary School teacher stages in life. His pastoral care of people dealing with and Debbi as a Midwife. Well done girls - you bereavement, sickness, financial distress and some- have made us all proud! times just dealing with the strains of daily life has been appreciated by many both in the parish and beyond. We wish Fred and Sonia, Hayley and Debbi every blessing for the future – and we hope they This man has a stubborn streak and no more so than will always remember us because we will when he stuck his heels in years ago and pushed the always remember them. Department of Education and the local county council- lors until Rathmichael Parish School got extra class- rooms and became one of the most sought after Anne Thompson schools in the area. Many children have already had the benefit of their education there and many more will do so over the years to come. Blessed with good humour, Fred took part in the lighter P45 and ADIOS – the rector’s viewpoint. side of parish life too – acting in pantomimes, oversee- ing numerous parish functions, raising money for the Basically over the last 26½ years I have just held church and for charities, and shed blood, sweat and Sonia’s coat while she and others launched new probably tears over many parish fetes in Rathmichael. projects, supporting ministry, and kept the show He was always first to roll his sleeves up and help with on the road.