September 2014

THE DUNDALK GROUP OF PARISHES

Dundalk: St Nicholas, Dundalk; St Pauls, Heynestown
Ballymascanlan & Carlingford: St Marys, Ballymascanlan; St Andrews, Rathcor (Bush)
Crossmaglen: Creggan Parish Church
Newsletter September 2014
MINISTRY TEAM
You the people of the parishes
with Captain Geoffrey Walmsley (Acting Rector), The Revd Richard Moore (Assistant Minister),
and our Parish Readers, Mr Rodney McDowell and Lady Kate Hall
Contact: The Rectory, Old Golf Links Road, Blackrock, Dundalk, County Louth. Tel: (042) 9321402



My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ
It is with great joy and excitement that I pen my first letter to
you. I have been known to gas quite a bit in my time so I
hope these words will not be too long or laborious! On behalf
of Christine, Sarah, Thomas, Grace, Chloe and myself, I want
to thank you all for your very kind welcome to the parishes.
We have been overwhelmed with peoples friendliness and all
kinds of practical help. We are settling in well to the gorgeous
house that is the Rectory and getting our feet day by day.
I am really looking forward to serving you and leading you as
your lay pastor in charge of the parishes and to follow what
the Lord has for us all in His will for the mission of the church.
We are a team and we work together for the building of His
people and church. As Saint Paul comments in the New
Testament, all of us are part of the priesthood of all
believers and we all have our part to play.
There are so many people I want to thank at this stage for
taking care of the parishes during the vacancy and for
services and pastoral care during this time I want to
particularly thank the Rev Richard Moore for his unstinting
devotion and leadership. It is wonderful that he is willing to
continue to minister amongst us. As I get to know you all a
little better and grab a deeper gist of all that is going on, these
letters will become more specific to things that are happening
and people news that is appropriate. I firmly believe the
bedrock of ministry is relationships, growing together and
serving together in Christ.
As a final note we, believe it or not, are heading towards the
throes of harvest when we give thanks to God for all His
wonderful provision in our lives. At this time it is important to
note the first of our parish harvests is at Ballymascanlan on
28
th
September where Bush will combine together with
Ballymascanlan and vice versa in October. When it is the turn
of Bushs harvest. The date of this harvest and the rest of the
harvests will be available in the October newsletter. May I
encourage you all to try and attend one or even more of the
services over this important time in our calendar. Finally, a
big thank you to Brigitte for getting this newsletter collated.
God bless you all - Geoffrey

For your Prayers
For Richard our Archbishop, this group of parishes, our clergy
and church officers, and every parish family
For those who are sick, housebound, elderly or lonely
For those struggling financially
For those preparing for Christian marriage
For our parish link with Bishop Isesomo and the Diocese of
North Kivu in DR Congo, and with Bishop Suheil and the
Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East.
For all who face persecution for their faith.
For the youth of our parish group who are waiting on results of
State examinations or preparing for the new term in college or
university.
For the children of our parish group and their teachers as they
return to school for the new academic year.

From the Registers
HOLY BAPTISM
We welcome into the family of the church:
Cara Ellie, daughter of Jack and Joanne Redpath who was
baptised in Bush Church on 3rd August.
Mia McCotter, daughter of Michelle and Philip McCotter who was
baptised in Heynestown Church on 3rd August.
HOLY MATRIMONY
Congratulations to:
Sarah Grills and Saul McElwelaine who were married in
Ballymascanlan Church on 12th July.
Jane Shearwood and Gordon Wallace who were married in
Heynestown Church on 8th August.


WELLINGTON HALL DUNDALK
The next meeting of the Wellington Hall Committee is
Wednesday 8
th
October at 7.30pm in the Vestry Room in the
hall. All welcome.
For enquiries/bookings contact either Colin
Lloyd (086 608 5662) or Eileen Dunne (087 943 9954) or visit
the website, www.wellingtonhalldundalk.ie

Regular Hall Activities
Monday
Yoga 7-8pm contact Paul 0863446944
Mothers Union (3rd Monday of month), 8pm, contact Gillian 042
9379211
Tuesday
Slimming world 5-9 pm contact Aileen 087 2135756
Meditation contact Paul 086 3446944
Wednesday
Rehab Zumba 2-3:30pm
Yoga for Kids 4-6pm contact Martina 087 6157591
Bootcamp 7-9pm contact Ira 087 1677088
Sound Healing 8-10pm (every 2nd Wednesday) contact Viktor 085
2324759
Thursday
Martial arts 7-9pm
Yoga 7-9pm contact Paul 086 3446944
Bible Study 8-10pm
Saturday
Rugbytots 10-12pm contact Gillian 085 8728602
Music Generation 2-5:30pm


For up to date information on these and other activities in the
Wellington Hall visit our Facebook page
www.facebook.com/WellingtonHallDundalk



Parish News

Sunday School News St Nicholas Dundalk
Sunday school starts back for the new school year on Sunday 7
th

September. All children must be registered for Sunday School by
completing the contact form, available in the church porch.
Parents are reminded that Sunday School is for all school aged
children from 4 to 12/13 (Confirmation). We have 2 groups: the
junior group for 4 to 7 years and the senior group for 8 to 12 years.
For health and safety reasons we are unable to have children
under the age of 4 years in Sunday School. There are soft toys
and games available in the vestry for parents to take babies and
toddlers during the service



HARVEST DATES
2014

St Marys, Ballymascanlan
Sunday 28 September at 10.45am (in conjunction with Bush)

Harvest dates in October for Dundalk, Heynestown, Creggan
and Bush will be confirmed in next months newsletter

All parishioners and friends are encouraged to attend at least one
of the Harvest thanksgiving services at this very special time in our
church calendar.



Candlelight Vigil for Suicide Awareness

Creggan Walled Garden (Poets Glen)
on Friday 26
th
September at 7.00pm.

A Light Ceremony organised by the Cullyhanna Rural Health
Partnership and in partnership with the Creggan Parish Church,
Women & Family Health Initiative, Mullaghbawn and PIPS Newry &
Mourne remembering those who have died by suicide.



Parish BBQ - Thank You

Thank you to everybody who supported the Parish BBQ in July at
the Wellington Hall. Particular thanks go to Sharon Eveson,
Pamela Henry, Evelyn McCullins and Gillian Patterson for
organising the evening and the delicious food, and to the band of
volunteers who took on the momentous task of clearing the yard in
preparation for the event.
There are several wonderful photographs (kindly taken by Victoria
Eveson) on the Parish Facebook page..

A letter from the Rev Richard Moore
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write today with a mixture of sadness and joy: joy because
Captain Geoffrey has taken over responsibility for ministry in
the parishes and that I am able to continue as assistant
minister, sadness as I enjoyed the extra challenge during the
vacancy. I learned early on that I was quite good at deputising!
This parish is blessed in the numbers of people willing to
carry out tasks. I give thanks for that and pray that the spirit of
service to God will continue.
Knowing you and having met Geoffrey on a number of
occasions I am sure we will all get along together very well.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another
up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5: 11.
Services in September 2014

Week Commencing 07 September
Creggan MP2 9.30am
Ballymascanlan MP2 10.45am
Rathcor (Bush) MP2 12 noon
Heynestown HC2 10.00am
Dundalk HC2 11.00am

Week Commencing 14 September
Creggan HC2 9.30am
Ballymascanlan HC2 10.45am
Rathcor (Bush) HC2 12 noon
Heynestown MP2 10.00am
Dundalk MP2 11.00am

Week Commencing 21 September
Creggan MP2 9.30am
Ballymascanlan MP2 10.45am
Rathcor (Bush) MP2 12 noon
Heynestown HC1 10.00am
Dundalk HC2 11.00am

Week Commencing 28 September
Creggan HC2 9.30am
Ballymascanlan Harvest (MP2) 10.45am
Rathcor (Bush) No Service (Ballymac. Harvest)
Heynestown MP1 10.00am
Dundalk MP2 11.00am


Please note that the Dundalk Citizens Information Centre has
moved to new offices at 3-6 Adelphi Plaza, Long Walk, Dundalk.

Opening hours are Monday-Friday 9.30am-12Ppm and 2-4.00pm.
Telephone 0761 07 5950


St Nicholas National School and Pre-School

Our National School re-opened
last week after the summer
break and we extend a warm
welcome to all pupils and staff.
New pupils are always
welcome at our National
School and at our pre-school

The pre-school is FREE if
your child was age 3 before 30th June 2014 and provides a
fantastic foundation. istear /Solta Curriculum. MonFri. 8.50am
to 12 midday. Please contact Lorraine on 0863653009 for an
application form or more information on the pre-school.

For all school enquiries, please contact the school
principal, Mrs Susan Reyburn on 042 9330860


The October Newsletter will be distributed on 28
th
September.
Please ensure that any events, services and notices are
communicated to Geoffrey, the Rev Richard or to me by Thursday
25
th
September Thank you.
Geoffrey (Rectory) 0429321402 , Rev Richard: 0416851327
Brigitte Nelson: 0429322514
To join our newsletter mailing list or submit any notices for
inclusion, please email dundalkCOInewsletter@gmail.com