September 2024 Newsletter

The September edition of the Parish newsletter.

Table of Contents

  1. September Services
  2. October Services
  3. Harvest Festivals
  4. Rector’s Address
  5. Baptisms
  6. National Heritage Week Event at St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood
  7. Healer Prayer
  8. Sympathy
  9. Congratulations!
  10. Farewell
  11. Work at St. John’s, Ballymore Eustace
  12. School
  13. Parish Social
  14. Farewell and Welcome
  15. Flower Guild and Flower Arrangements
  16. Newsletter
  17. Contact Details

September Services

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October Services

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Harvest Festivals

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Rector’s Address

The opening words of the song ‘Tomorrow’ from the musical ‘Annie’ proclaim, “The sun will come out tomorrow….” Such words seem most appropriate for much of the time during the past couple of months. The sun has been somewhat shy – at least in this part of Wicklow!

Recently, I spoke with a woman from California who has come to live in Ireland. What did she enjoy most about Ireland? Surely not our weather! Her response: Ireland has no earthquakes or tornadoes, dangerous spiders, or venomous snakes! She absolutely loves Ireland. Perhaps Fáilte Ireland should consider adopting a new advertising campaign based around such an image of Ireland! Indeed, maybe we should all learn to appreciate the temperate climate with which we are blessed – particularly as we look ahead to celebrating our Harvest Festivals.

September is associated with being the start or the re-starting of many differing activities – educational, sporting, recreational, etc. We look forward to welcoming back those who have been absent from the parish churches for the summer months as well as welcoming many new faces to our worship and parish activities.

There has been significant work and activity in the parish throughout the summer:

We hope you have been able to take a break from the daily routine and are now ready to hit the ground running!

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”
2 Timothy 4 v 7

Rev’d Niall Stratford

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Baptisms

We welcome these new members to our parish family and pray God’s richest blessing on them and their families.

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National Heritage Week Event at St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood

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As part of the 2024 Heritage Week, the theme of which was ‘Connections, Routes & Networks’, an Open Day was held at St. Kevin’s Church, Hollywood on Sunday, 18 August, with almost 200 people attending throughout the day.

The day began with a service, followed by a well-attended presentation by the Conservation Team of Laura Bowen, Lisa Edden, and Yvonne Whitty, who provided details about the ongoing conservation project being conducted at the church. The discussion continued outside, where Laura, Lisa, and Yvonne, along with Deirdre Burns, the Heritage Officer for Wicklow County Council, highlighted the unique aspects of the church and engaged in discussion with those who recounted their memories of the church.

The afternoon’s events attracted many visitors, with an art exhibition of paintings by local artists and a series of history lectures on topics including ladies’ day fashion at Punchestown Races, Co. Wicklow (and Hollywood) and World War I, graveyards, and genealogical research, along with a tour of the graveyard. Younger visitors on the day partook in the art of gravestone rubbing, as well as learning about St. Kevin and the history of the church.

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Healer Prayer

The Healer Prayer Union Meeting for September is at 8 pm, 16th September at the parish room in St. Mary’s Church, Blessington.

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Sympathy

Our sincere sympathy goes to Graham and Caroline Cleary on the death of his mother, Mrs. Violet Cleary, on 19 June 2024, whose funeral was held on 24 June 2024, and then most sadly, his brother, Trevor, on 14 July 2024, whose funeral was held on 19 July 2024. Both funerals were held in St. John’s Church, Ballymore Eustace, being the church they had dearly loved.

Our sincere sympathy also goes to Sandra and John Doran and their family on the death of her mother, Mrs. Joan Williams, on 12 August 2024, whose funeral service took place in St. Mary’s Church, Blessington on 16 August 2024.

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Congratulations!

As a parish, we are delighted to celebrate Grania & Larry Glancy’s Golden Wedding Anniversary. We wish them both ongoing joy, health, and happiness.

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We are delighted to learn that Victor Coe – Cloughleagh – has been elected as the President of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Past Choristers and Pupils Association.

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Farewell

It was with much sadness that the parish family of St. John’s Church, Ballymore Eustace, bade farewell to Janet MacDermott, who has made such an immense contribution since her arrival 27 years ago, as she journeys to pastures new.

Grania Glancy thanked Janet for all she had done in the parish during her time amongst us and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. We will miss her presence and attendance with us deeply. We pray God’s blessing on her as she settles into her new home.

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Work at St. John’s, Ballymore Eustace

Thank you to the Griffith family, who carried out some much-needed drainage and excavation works in St. John’s Ballymore.

image The equipment arrives! The work continues. The finished job!

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School

We extend a very warm welcome to all new pupils joining Blessington No. 1 School and congratulate all who are moving up a class. We also extend best wishes to all who are starting secondary school and third-level colleges/universities.

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Parish Social

We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the 'Monster Table Quiz' on SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER at 7.30pm. The emphasis is on having a most enjoyable evening and meeting new faces!

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Farewell and Welcome

Fr. Richard Behan left the local community in Blessington after a period of some 9 years. At his final mass in The Church of Our Lady on 29 June 2024, he paid tribute to the excellent ecumenical relations with The Church of Ireland.

The parish was represented by the Rector and a number of parishoners on whose behalf a presentation was made to Fr. Richard. We wish God’s Blessing to him as he commences a new chapter in his ministry in Killiney/ Ballybrack, Co. Dublin.

We welcome Fr. Gerry Kane to Blessington and also wish God’s Blessings to him as he commences a new ministry in the community.

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Flower Guild and Flower Arrangements

Would you like to remember a loved one? A donation of €15.00 to any member of the Flower Guild can be made to have a loved one remembered during the year- outside of the usual Church Festivals.

The Flower Guild would be delighted to welcome new ‘faces’ and ‘hands’! to assist in the weekly flower arranging rota. Please contact Vivien Vincent for further information.

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Newsletter

If you have anything which you would like included in the newsletter, please contact the Parish Secretary.

The cut-off date for inclusion in the newsletter is the 25th of the month. Anything entered after this date will be entered into the following month’s newsletter.

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Contact Details

If you would like to send in news to the newsletter, please contact the office in St. Kevin’s.

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