St Brigid’s and All Saints’

Newsletter September

2014 The Rector writes...

PARISH DETAILS

Clergy: Rev. Ian Gallagher 2881091 086-8119544 Rev. Robert Marshall 2886170 Rev. Jack Black 2780300 086-8120004 Parish Secretary: Clare MacManus

Parish Office

Open: Tues, Wed, Thurs 9.30am—12.30pm

Tel: 2881091 / Email: office@stbrigidsandallsaints.com www.stbrigidsandallsaints.com

facebook.com/StBrigids

Hall Committee Hon. Secretary: Anona Fitzell Ph. 2722130

Director of Music: Clive Armstrong Tel: 087-2588481

St. Brigid’s National School Merville Road, Stillorgan Principal: Ann Andrews

Ph: 2833095

St. Brigid’s Parish Playschool St. Brigid’s Church Road, Stillorgan

Contact: Barbara FitzPatrick Tel: 0871202245

All Saints’ National School Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock

Principal: Andrea Black Ph: 2885355

Baptisms: We had a number of Baptisms over the summer months and warmly welcome those children to our Parish: 29th June in St. Brigid’s Church: Jack Jan Victor, son of Jan & Clare Fitzell 13th July in All Saints’ Church: Anna Molly, daughter of Patrick and Claire Mitchell 27th July in All Saints’ Church: Adam John, son of John & Kelly Caul 3rd August in St. Brigid’s Church: Lloyd McNally, son of Shivaun McNally & sister of Lucia.

Deaths: We extend our sympathy to Jackie and David Corcoran on the death of Jackie’s brother Tommy and to Mary & Geoff Lovegrove on the death of Geoff’s brother Jim. We were saddened by the news of Tom Gifford’s death, a loyal member of the 8.30 Holy communion service. Our sympathy goes to his brothers at this time. CONFIRMATION: Please note that confirmation will take place in St Brigid’s Church in 2015. If you have a child interested in preparing for confirmation please contact the parish Office at the times printed opposite, as soon as possible.

It is September again. Everything is back! All the organisations such as the Scouting and Guiding groups, Bowls, Badminton and the Dramatic Society to name but a few are up and running again. School is also back. There is lots happening on campus but one thing I’d love everyone to remember is that all these organisations and the school are here because the Church is here. Church isn’t here because they are here. As all these organisations start, it would be great if everyone made the effort to come on a Sunday morning so that we complete the community. We warmly welcome Kevin Conroy, his wife Olive and family to our Parish. Kevin is a Deacon intern. He will be with us for the next two years as he completes his training for Ministry. Kevin will be made a Deacon in Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday 21st September at 3.30 p.m. and I am sure he would appreciate your support by attending this special service. Kevin and his family would also like to invite those who attend the Cathedral to join him for some celebratory refreshments in St. Brigid’s Parish centre afterwards.

St Brigid’s Church All Saints’ Church

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER

Sunday 7th September 11.30 am HC 6.00 pm SET Sunday 14th September 11.30 am MP SS

Sunday 21st September 11.30 am HC SS

Sunday 28th September 11.30 am SOW

Sunday 7th September 10.00 am HC Sunday 14th September 10.00 am MP Sunday 21st September 10.00 am HC Sunday 28th September 10.00 am MP

OCTOBER OCTOBER

Sunday 5th October 11.30 am HC 6.00 pm SET Sunday 12th October 11.30 am MP SS

Sunday 19th October 11.30 am HC SS

Sunday 26th October 11.30 am SOW

Sunday 5th October 10.00 am HC Sunday 12th October 10.00 am MP Sunday 19th October 10.00 am HC Sunday 26th October 10.00 am MP

Regular services: 8.30 a.m. Holy Communion St Brigid’s Church Every Sunday 10.00 a.m. Holy Communion St Brigid’s Church Every Wednesday

HC Holy Communion MP Morning Prayer SOW Service of the Word SET Sunday Evening Together SS Sunday school during this service

Schedule of Worship

Tea and coffee served after Church every Sunday in St Brigid’s and All Saints. Everyone welcome. Volunteers always required! Please contact Anona Fitzell if you can help.

All Saints News August 2014 marked the centenary of the commencement of the Great War, later known as the First World War. Nearly six years ago we published in All Saints News the names of over sixty men and women from, or associated with, All Saints parish who served in this war. The names are listed on two illuminated cards, now framed and kept in the church. It is not a record of those who were killed or declared missing in action, though this was the fate of many of the persons listed. This is an appropriate occasion to reprint these names, allowing us in our local community to remember and honour their participa-

tion; and for many the sacrifice of their lives.

Hospice Coffee Morning

Come and join us for a cuppa in aid of Blackrock Hospice On: Thursday 18th September Where: The Parish Room Time: 10.30 am to 12 noon And also Sunday 21st September after 11.30 am service in the Parish Centre

Joseph Poulton, R.I.Rifles. F C Tehan, HMS Good Hope. W Palmer Parkinson, Trooper. S Norman Mitchell, Sub Lieut, RNVR. Archibald Evans, Capt, RHA. J Fullerton Evetts, Lieut, Cameronians. Douglas Ferguson, Lieut, A&S Highlanders. Lionel Rundall, Lieut, Ist Gurkhas. Donald Seymour Smyth, Lieut, Ist R Irish. Geoffrey Moore, Lieut, 8th R Irish. B G O’Rourke, Chaplain. John Harold Orchard, D. Rider, Q Westminsters. Charles Romney Sampson, Commander,RNFC. Reginald Triggs, Lieut. Robert Holmes, Major AVC. Roland Trusboal, Capt. E Gilbert, John Heenan, Wireless Operator. W Heath Eves, Lieut Paymaster Walter Greer, RIR. Trooper Whorton, 2nd Life Guards. Drummer Farrington, 2nd Life Guards. Private Priestland, N Staffords. John Kennedy, Lieut Scottish Rifles. John Pentland, 1st Dragoon Guards. Venables Vernon, Major NSWales LI. Frederick Stephens, Surgeon Hospital Ship. William R Semple, Driver, ASC. Samuel Semple, Warrant Officer, RN. Martin Meleady, L Corporal. Bertram Lefroy, Capt Warwicks. John Elvery Stokes, L Corporal 23rd RF.

A E Stokes, 23rd R Fusiliers. Frood (?) Perrin, Lieut Royal Irish. Oliver Perrin, Gunner SAA. T H Nesbitt, Lieut 22nd London Regt. Arthur Waters,Capt ASC. Charles Stewart Wallis, Lieut Commander RN. Edgar Evetts, Capt. William Holt Smyth, Commander,RN. Strange Butson, Capt ASC. E J B Gahan, Lieut ASC. S S Martin, Corp. 16th Middlesex. T L Martin, Lieut 4th Cheshire. Temple Smyth, Lieut Col SAMS. Edmund Mitchell, Lieut RAMC. Rev C E Davis, CF. W H Davis, Commander RNR. E O Davis, Capt 54th CEF. C L Davis, Major ASC. H S W Bennington, Major ASC. Vera Darley, VAD. Cyril Dudgeon, Sub Lieut RNR. Ralph Davis, Lieut Sherwoods. Eric Davis, R Flying Corps. Archibald Evetts, Lieut SARegt. William Arnold, LCorporal,RDF. Phyllis Dawes, VAD. Sister Barclay, Army Nursing Service. Arthur Evetts, Capt O&B Light Infantry. Monsell Davis, Corporal. William Coates, Arthur Williams, Lieut 4th—.

Note: The names of three women are listed above. If you know of them, or anything about their lives, please contact Michael

O’Flaherty (087 9081855) who is researching the part played by local women in the Great War.

Zumba Fitness Classes @ St Brigids Parish Centre every Tuesday & Thursday at 9.30 am Contact Colette at 0873576673

Let us at A Helping Hand reduce your to-do list with a friendly, reliable service. Just some of our services: • Gardening • Weekly Grass Cutting • Garden Clearance & Tidy Up • Decks, Driveways & Patio’s Powerwashed • Grave Maintenance • Pet Sitting • Property check when you are away

For further information: contact Andrew Dennison by phone: 087 2937903 or 01 2143589 email: andrew@ahelpinghand.ie

STILLORGAN PLAYERS

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

‘BLITHE SPIRIT’ By Noel Coward

Thursday 23rd – Saturday 25th October Tickets on sale end of September

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PANTOMIME READING/CASTING

‘OLD KING COLE’

Wednesday 3rd September 2014 8.00 p.m.

Parish Centre

If you are interested in taking part in our next Pantomime please come to this Reading

STILLORGAN PLAYERS DRAMA SOCIETY We held our AGM on 28th May and the new Committee is composed as follows: Chair Robert Lambert Hon. Secretary Edwina Scanlon Hon. Treasurer John Ellaway Committee Ann Rath Carol Fitzsimons Cherith Dalzell Linda Montgomery Geoff Lovegrove Simon Grier Next Production Our next production will be ‘Blithe Spirit’ by Noel Coward and will be held on Thursday 23rd – Saturday 25th October. If you would like to be involved in any way we would be delighted to hear from you. Panto Our Parish Pantomime will be ‘Old King Cole’ and will be presented from Friday 2nd January – Saturday 10th January 2015. There will be a Reading to cast parts for the Pantomime on Wednesday 3rd September at 8.00 p.m. in the Parish Room. The Panto gives an opportunity for those who do not perform in our ‘normal’ Plays to take part and while it takes time and effort it is always a fantastic event and thoroughly enjoyed by all those who take part. Please come to the Reading if you are interested – we would love to see you there. New Members As I mentioned in the last Newsletter we are always looking for people to join the Society – not just on stage but behind the scenes too. If you feel you would like to get involved in any way please feel free to come along or contact me or any of the Committee. We need people to help with building the sets, doing sound, lighting, helping front of house, doing teas and coffees during Play Week etc. In the last Play those involved ranged in age from 15 – 80 years so this is a Society for all ages which makes it even more enjoyable.

Edwina Scanlon Honorary Secretary 087-4170912

Missing!!

Can you help? Two cream tablecloths have been missing from the Parish kitchen in St Brigid’s for a couple of months. If you took these home to wash them and accidentally forgot to return them we would be grateful if you could do so as soon as possible.

Many thanks!

Guide notes—Summer adventures... The guides had two trips over the summer. One was a quick trip to larch hill at the beginning of the summer. We stayed in the centenary lodge and enjoyed orienteering, tragia cooking, making pet logs and outdoor challenges. The weather was very mixed with too much rain! Then the big adventure which had been planned since early 2014: A group of twenty headed off on the lunchtime ferry to Wales to stay at a Welsh Girl Guide centre in Cricceth. We had 2 houses an old farm house and a converted barn which provided very comfortable lodgings for the group. We travelled by train,bus,coach and by foot over the 6 days. The coach company we used were very accommodating, the driver was quite happy to wait for us to fill 2 trolleys full of supplies on our way from the boat to the centre. Activities included hiking along the coastal footpaths of north Wales in brilliant sunshine, sea mists and for one day of unwanted rain. We visited local towns, castles, coffee shops,tea rooms and chips shops (a happy sight on the rainy day ) along the trails of the north Welsh coastline. We visited a local pub in Potmadog for some pub grub on one evening followed by ice cream in town. Evening activities included creating gourmet deserts and evening meals in the kitchens, hair dying and night hikes. Days out included a visit to Llanberis where we survived the highrope activities at an outdoor centre ( the 'big' swing caused some melt downs, but everyone who tried it survived). We visited a slate museum and learnt about the experiences of working in a slate quarry from the age of 13 years and culminating by gaining expertise in splitting slate. The museum showed how life has changed with respect to living accommodation and standards over the last 100 years.

Heading west along the coastal path we visited a small village where Lloyd George grew up. This was a very quaint village which also was home to the 'Rabbit Ranch'. We enjoyed an afternoon meeting and feeding rabbits, goats, llamas, donkeys and pigs. There were pony rides and cuddling young bunnies. We had brilliant sunshine which made the hike very enjoyable along this part of the coast. Our last day arrived too soon, we packed up and headed off to Greenwood adventure park, here we enjoyed slides, boat rides, a roller coaster and lots more. Before heading for the boat at Holyhead we had our last meal at the adventure park and enjoyed welsh burgers, chips,scampi and jugs of squash were devoured after an active day. Then off to Holyhead and the late sailing home to arrive in Dublin port at midnight. The trip was a huge success, and the many comments we received on the girls excellent behaviour was fitting. We had the pleasure of travelling with a very well behaved group who enthusiastically seized each day and the challenges thrown at them. Special thanks to all the leaders some who took time off work (some on unpaid leave) and Rachel who travelled from Scotland to make the trip possible. Guides starts back 19th September. We will be in touch by text as we hope to take part in culture night again this year. Hope to see you all back after your summer break. Susan

St. Mary’s Autumn Fayre 2014. St. Mary’s Home in Pembroke Park, Ballsbridge is a Nursing Home for elderly ladies. Each year a fund raising ‘Autumn Fayre’ takes place in September. This year the Fayre is being held on Thursday 25th. September 10 a.m - 2p.m in St. Conleths School, Clyde Road, adjacent to St. Mary’s Home. Different Parishes in the Dublin Diocese are responsible for the various stalls. As in previous years we ask the parishioners of All Saints and St. Brigid’s for contributions to the Tombola Stall and particularly, small wrapped items to the value of €1 & €2 for the Lucky Dip. A group of parishioners from the combined parish of St. Brigid’s and All Saints look after this stall. The raffle is very tempting this year with wonderful prizes. Please come along on the day to support the Fayre. Contacts: Hazel Bowles 2886519. and Marion Kenny 2889822.

A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look what I found," the boy called out. "What have you got there, dear?" With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it's Adam's underwear!”

In support of Blackrock Hospice Acclaimed Soprano Niamh Murray has gathered some celebrated musical friends for a very special evening of music in aid of the Blackrock Hospice. Accompanied by Cormuin Ó Raghallaigh the evening features Tenor David Martin, Mezzo Soprano Eimear Mangan, Violinist Miriam Cahill and the Garda Ladies Choir under the musical direction of Rodney Baldwin accompanied by Mairead Reidy. It promises to be a wonderful evening of music, song and entertainment. An Enchanted Evening indeed! Date: Thursday 6th November Venue: Pavillion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire Time: 8pm Tickets: €25.00 Proceeds to Blackrock Hospice The support of Parishioners would be greatly appreciated For additional information: Please contact Victor Boyhan 086-2350382.

Garden News What a wonderful summer we have had. The downside was all the watering that had to be done to keep everything alive. We currently have a clutch of chicks being raised by Ugly Betty (a hybrid hen); she is a wonderful mother despite having eaten her way through all the children’s lettuce. The Harvest unfortunately happens when the children are off on their holidays. To address this, we had two

successful harvest days followed by a BBQ. Our local vet Argyle and Bainbridge came to talk to the children about keeping animals and Robert, our bee keeper, answered questions about honey bees.

GIY Dundrum are continuing to visit us and helping out with heavy jobs, the ‘Community Garden’ network are looking at taking over school gardens during the summer so that they don’t become neglected, this is a great idea – not so much for us as we have the amazing Geoff, but other school gardens could be used to feed needy families in return for some maintenance. We continue to sell seasonal produce on the ‘Honesty’ table - please visit and buy our lovely eggs and plants- all funds go towards buying feed and bedding for the animals. We’re looking forward to next term and as always, if anyone would like to join our

happy team, please let us know!

Caroline Jolley

Choir Our choir practice resumes on Monday 8th September at 7.45 pm for All Saints choir and on Wednesday 10th September at 7.30 pm for St. Brigid’s choir. New members will be made most welcome.

Sunday Evening Together Our next Sunday Evening Together Service is on Sunday 7th September at 6.00 p.m. We look forward to seeing everyone there. As usual this short service will be followed by sausages, wedges & rice krispie buns.

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TRIP TO CLARA LARA On Sunday 25th June a very excited group of children together with their families met outside the Parish Hall waiting on the bus to Clara Lara. A full busload and two carloads of St Brigid’s and All Saints’ families set off for Clara Lara complete with wet suits, changes of clothes and picnics. Upon arrival everyone was given a bracelet which allowed full access to the facilities of Clara Lara. There was great excitement as we had the park almost to ourselves and the children could roam freely around, exploring all that was on offer which included; canoeing, pedal boats, rafts, water slides, karting, crazy golf and lots more. The children and adults alike had a wet and wonderful time! The bad weather held off too which made for an even more enjoyable day. We had reserved a Bar-B Que area and once we eventually got the charcoal heated (!) thanks to the generosity of the Parish, everyone enjoyed burgers and hot dogs with liquid refreshments. At 5pm, it was all aboard the bus back to St Brigid’s for our SET service which was followed by tea, coffee biscuits and the infamous Rice Krispie buns (thanks to Wendy Gaynor and Jacque Armitage for manning the kitchen!). Many thanks to the Parish for heavily subsidising this trip. It was a wonderful family day out and marked the end of yet another enjoyable year of Sunday School and SET service.

A teacher was testing the children in her Sunday school class to see if they understood the concept of getting to heaven. She asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big car boot sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into Heaven?" "NO!" the children answered. "If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into Heaven?" Again, the answer was, "NO!" Now she was smiling. Hey, they're getting it, she thought! "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into Heaven?" she asked. Again, they all answered, "NO!" She was just bursting with pride for them. "Well," she continued, "then how can I get into Heaven?" A five-year-old boy shouted out,

"YOU GOTTA BE DEAD."

SUNDAY SCHOOL Sunday School takes place in St Brigid’s on the 2nd and 3rd Sunday of every month from September to May every year. Children attend service at the normal times and are brought to Sunday school by the two teachers on duty at the relevant point during service. During Sunday school we discuss the ‘theme’ of the day and then usually follow this with an activity or arts and crafts. Children are collected from the back entrance of the playschool after Church Service. All children (ages 4 and up) are warmly welcome to attend Sunday school and we look forward to seeing some new faces at our first Sunday school on Sunday 14th September. Sunday school leaders: Barbara FitzPatrick Stephen Bond Clare MacManus

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CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS & REGISTERED AUDITORS

BADMINTON CLUB NOTES The annual A. G. M. was held on the 16th. June before our end of season Barbeque. Thirteen members attended. The following were unanimously elected as Officers for the coming season: Richard Noble as Chairperson and he remains as Hon. Treasurer; David Douglas takes over as Hon. Secretary; Sylvia Wolfe takes over as Match Secretary; Andrew Dennison remains as Captain; And Cilla Turner and Iona Campbell are Committee members. Ian, our President, attended and presented the President’s Prize to the winner’s: Iris Murphy and Andrew Dennison. The runner’s up were Liz Shekleton and David Douglas. The evening concluded with a most enjoyable B.B.Q. During the year a number of friendly matches took place, home and away. The results were mixed, but we hope to do better this season. The “away” weekend was held on the 9/11th. May when 11 members went to two holiday homes in Youghal. The walking and craic were great. An afternoon visit was made to Cobh, and a diversion to Ballymaloe on Sunday. Our 2014/15 season opens on Monday 1st. September. The Club would welcome new members of any ability. Anyone interested can contact any committee member, or come along to the Hall on a Monday evening after 8.30 pm.

Stillorgan Scout Group -Summer roundup BEAVERS: The Beavers had a busy finish before their Summer break with a game of bowling at the Leisureplex. Scottie took on some very adept beavers and nearly lost his crown to Abby & Dylan who had some very high scores. Congratulations to all the Beavers who took part in a 10K walk around Bothernabreena Reservoir which was a great achievement . It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed a lovely picnic. Some of the older beavers who are working towards the Chief Scout award, have already enjoyed a camp in Brittas Bay in May and the younger Beavers are looking forward to their camp in September and have been spotted practising carrying their rucksacks across the field in anticipation. CUBS: Summer 2014 saw the Cubs head off on June Bank Holiday down to Drewstown House near Kells in Co. Meath. This was an ideal location as it had everything on site including a games hall, a small forest, and our own lake. There is an old house on site and the Leaders were particularly excited at being able to avail of the facility of a hot shower! We set up camp on the Friday with support from parents getting the big marquee up and the cubs organised themselves. Boyne Valley Adventure Centre came and provided a fantastic fun filled weekend of activities. There were team challenges, indoor and outdoor forest games, climbing wall, archery and the highlight which the cubs loved was the canoeing on the lake and playing games on the water. There was a lovely wooden open cabin in the forest with a wood burner so we headed there on Saturday night while it rained and enjoyed the shelter there roasting marshmallows and telling stores in the darkness of the forest. We saw great talent at the campfire on Sunday night and the older cubs in particular entertained us all ! We were very lucky with the weather over the weekend with just the odd shower ( one of which the cubs built)! A great end to a busy scouting year. SCOUTS: Scout went on CAMP 2 in Lough Dan from 16th to 20 July. 2 Cubs also went along to get their first taste of the scouting life which can be a very different experience to being a cub! Three leaders and 2 ventures joined the troop. There where over 300 scouts and their leaders from all corners of Ireland came together for a Camp 2. The first two days the weather was fantastic and all the scouts had excellent fun on the lake and joining in all the activities. The camp was very well organised and the scouts got a lot out of the whole experience renewing friendships with some other scouts they met on Camp 1. Thursday night was a wet one and we woke up to a wet Friday morning, the scouts took it all in good cheer and got on with their days activities. By the end of Friday the weather had cleared and the weather picked up and we finished on a high on Sunday. The scouts had a great time and we look forward to the new scouts joining the troop. Stillorgan Scout Group will hold our annual ‘Camp on the Green’ over the weekend of 5th – 7th September with kind permission of the parish. Come and say hello !

KIDSZONE Make your own ‘Chatterbox’ Photocopy the large square below, enlarge as needed then follow the instructions! Get a grown up to help you look up the Bible passage & discuss the meaning.

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Cut out the entire square 2. Fold in half lengthways across

the middle. 3. Turn the square over so the

writing is facing down. Fold the four corners in to the middle.

4. Turn the square over again and fold the new four corners into the middle.

5. Fold in half so the questions face in.

6. Put your fingers into the pockets and reveal a Bible verse to look up and think about.

Craftsmanship on Glass

A. C. TAYLOR TRADING LIMITED. 126 East Wall Road, East Wall, Dublin 3. Telephone: 01 8182979 Fax: 01 8182980 Email: actaylorltd@eircom.net

Glass Double Glazed Units Mirrors Perspex/Plastics Glazing Plastic Leaflet Holders Bevelling Sign Letter Fixings Brilliant Cutting Brass & Plastic Nameplates Artwork on Glass Plastic Fabricators Glass Table Tops Fire Glass & Coloured Glass Glass Shelves Perspex Rods & Tubes Crystal Glass Repairs Kitchen Splashbacks Barometer, Bezels & Clock Glass Traffic & Security Mirrors Framed Mirrors at our display area on East Wall Road.

ST BRIGID’S INDOOR BOWLING CLUB

As we come near to the end of our summer break I would like to remind all our indoor bowling members that the

Bowling Club will reopen on Tuesday 9th September at 7.30pm and for those members who attend the Friday

morning roll-up, we will be open on Friday 12th September at 10 am. We still have a few vacancies so if anybody

feels like trying the game of bowls do come along on either the Tuesday night or Friday morning and you will be most

welcome. Enquiries to:

Don Moore, Club Captain, (086-8162311 or 2833031) or

Vera Bolger, Hon. Secretary, (087-2809931 or 2780074)

For the coming bowling season 2014/2015 we hope to again enter four teams in the Churches League and will also have

our own internal competitions which are fun but highly competitive as well.

Looking forward to seeing you all there in September.

Vera Bolger

Hon. Secretary

(087-2809931 or 2780074)

Parish Golf Outing Date: 12th September 2014 Venue: Woodbrook Golf Club Tee off times: 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m. Golf only = €35 Golf + meal = €55 Meal only = €20 For further details or to book a place please contact Linda Cole McKenna 087 2397686

THE READING GROUP On Monday 9th June a smaller number than usual of the Reading Group set off for Limerick for their

Annual Outing. We whiled away the journey on the way down by discussing Shirley Williams memoirs

Climbing the Bookshelves. She was prominent in Socialist Politics from the sixties on and would

possibly have risen much higher but Mrs Thatcher came to power around the same time. Anyone

interested in British politics would have found her account of life in Westminster interesting. About the

many personalities mentioned she was objective but never nasty. The end chapters, which dealt with

20th century world affairs were insightful and especially worth reading. We lunched in the Hunt

Museum, visited an Art exhibition there and then spent quite some time in St. John’s Castle. Much of

the history that we learnt at school came flooding back; Sarsfield, King John, Cromwell, the Siege of

Limerick and so on. This is very much an interactive museum, with videos, holograms, costumes for trying on etc and seating for the

weary! Limerick was chosen this year for the visit as it is the City of Culture.

In July we talked about Josephine by Kate Williams. Josephine, Empress of France, was born in Martinique on the family’s sugar

plantation. She moved to France with her first husband Antoine de Beauharnais. She realised that to be someone in French society she

needed to change so she changed her grooming, manners and voice and learning and became very much part of the French high society.

This also helped her have liaisons who helped her with money, her husband having been guillotined during the revolution. She was often

used by Napoleon in difficult situations as she had good diplomacy skills. Her country residence outside Paris, Chateau Malmaison, she

filled with the best of art and porcelain etc and she was universally known for love of her garden and in particular roses. The book is

about Josephine so though there is history and battle reports aplenty they do not detract from her story.

For the first time since we commenced in 2005 we met in August and talked about Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee: a lovely summer read.

This is the first book in an autobiographical trilogy of his youth and is a memoir of his growing up in a Cotswold village. His mother with

8 children,( not all her own but her husband had, as they say, done a runner,) was

intelligent and had an artistic streak but was not given to domestic duties! Much

more fun to all go to the theatre even if there was no money for the rent.

Beautiful descriptions of the countryside which made you feel you were there at

the haymaking or childish escapades or at the squire’s Christmas party. The

book is full of village eccentrics and describes another world, another life before

the arrival of the motor car when it all changed.

The next meeting is on Monday 8th September at 11am when the book chosen

for review is A Girl is a Half-formed thing by Eimear McBride.

Barbara Lowen 2887910 Ida Heavenor 2887592 Aileen Prole 2889565

After starting a new diet a parishoner altered her

drive to work to avoid passing her favourite

bakery. She accidentally drove by the bakery this

morning and as she approached, there in the

window were a host of goodies.

She felt this was no accident, so she prayed ... "Lord,

it's up to you, if you want me to have any of those

delicious goodies, create a parking place for me

directly in front of the bakery."

And sure enough, on the eighth time around the

block, there it was! God is so Good!"

On Saturday 7th June we had our Annual Mothers’ Union outing. The coach picked us up at 10.00 am from the Parish Hall and we arrived at Castletown House where we partook in some delicious refreshments of warm scones and freshly brewed tea & coffee. We then proceeded on a guided tour with “Cara” who was a wealth of information. Then it was back on the bus for our next destination: The Steam Museum and Lodge Park in Straffan owned by Robert and Sarah Guinness. Here we enjoyed a late lunch and had an opportunity to see the beautiful walled garden (guided by ‘Patrick’) and of course their fantastic Steam Museum, wonderfully brought to life by two very knowledgeable volunteers. A wonderful day was had by all. If anyone would like to come along to Mothers Union and see what it is all about we would be absolutely delighted to see some new faces. Our meeting in October is an open meeting and a perfect opportunity to come along and see what it is all about. See diary dates below for further information. A few of our members have been unwell at various stages over the summer. We wish them well and look forward to seeing them in September.

Church Review and Newsletter items Please note that the deadline dates for the above publications are as follows: Church Review: 10th September for October edition Newsletter: 16th September for October edition Items to be left at The Rectory marked for my attention or e-mail them to office@stbrigidsandallsaints.com Thank you

Clare

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:

LOOKING AHEAD:

TRUST: We will continue our collection for TRUST in September . Soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste would be most welcome. Donations to be left in the baskets provided at the back of each Church. Thank You.

Thursday 4th September, 8.00 p.m. Opening service in All Saints Church followed by tea, coffee and biscuits.

Thursday 4th September, 11.15 a.m. Holy Communion service in Christ Church Cathedral.

Tuesday 9th September, 7.30 p.m. Diocesan Festival Service, Christ Church Cathedral.

Thursday 2nd October, 8.00p.m. Open Meeting: Cookery Demonstration

Sunday 5th October, 8.00 p.m. Harvest Thanksgiving Lunch (after 11.30 a.m. service in St. Brigid’s)

Thursday 6th November, 8.00 p.m. AGM followed by fun and games

Some ecclesiastical malapropisms…. Whilst the ‘editorial team’ here in the office do our best to ensure there are no ‘clangers’ on the service sheets or in the Newsletter, human error can indeed produce some unintentional sources of humour when it comes to Parish notices. Below are a few I have come across over the summer from various places:

• Thursday night – potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

• Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and the community.

• For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

• This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be

baptised at both ends.

• The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church

basement Friday.

• At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" – come early and listen to our

choir practice.

• Miss Charlene Mason sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the

congregation.

• "Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around

the house. Don't forget your husbands."

• Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.

• Eight new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the

deterioration of some older ones.

• Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person(s) you want remembered.

• Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday. Please use the back door.

• The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7:00 p.m.

The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

• Weight Watchers will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at

the side entrance.

• This evening at 7 pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Bring a blanket and

come prepared to sin.

What’s on in our parish organisations?

Parish Mission Statement: ‘St. Brigid’s with All Saints’ aims to encourage people in their worship and in the formation, development and living out of their Christian faith, to promote friendship and caring in the community and wider world and facilitate everyone of all ages’

Day Time Activity Contact Tel:

Sunday 11.30 a.m. Sunday School 2nd and 3rd Sundays in St. Brigid’s

Parish Secretary For details

2881091

Monday 4.00 - 5.00

Ladybirds

Sally Crawford

2889643

6.45—8.10 Cub Scouts Marc Whisker 086 264 6531

7.30 7.45

Indoor Football All Saints’ Choir

Martin Oakes Clive Armstrong

086-3128306 087-2588481

8.20—11.00 Badminton David Douglas 01 288 1029

086 249 9708

Tuesday 10.00—12.00 Tuesday Club (Mar-Oct)

Bruce Watchorn

2888162

5.15—6.45 Brownies Eavan Guilfoyle 087 993 8226

5.30-6.30 6.30-7.30 7.30

Drama (Junior & Inter) Drama (Senior) Bowling Club

Sally Blair White Sally Blair White Vera Bolger

087-2870932 087-2870932 087-2809931

Wednesday 5.00—6.00 Beaver Scouts Karen D’Alton 2880198

7.30 St. Brigid’s Choir Clive Armstrong 087-2588481

8.00—10.30 Stillorgan Players Edwina Scanlon 087-417 0912

Thursday 10.30—12.00 Contact (Parish Room) Aileen White 2895193

8.00 Mothers’ Union (1st Thursday)

Barbara FitzPatrick 2889801 087-1202245

Friday 10.00—12.30 Bowling Club Vera Bolger 087-2809931

6.30—8.00 Brownies Eileen Dornan 087 2108059

6.45—8.10 Guides Susan Henry Diane Darlington

2954806 086 3770865.

8.15—10.00 Scouts Colin Roche 086-8295837

Saturday 10.00 - 1.00 Junior Badminton Eileen Larkin 086-1969311

Other Garden Club Caroline Jolley Andrew Dennison Jacque Armitage Karen D’Alton Geoff Lovegrove

087-2499436 087-2937903 086-8770597 087-2800127 087-2545090