Dear Parishioners,
I am in residence in Christ Church Cathedral today (Sunday 12 October). The 09:00 Eucharist and 10:45 Matins will be celebrated and conducted by the Revd Lindsay Llewellyn Macduff.
RSAI Visitation: On Saturday 4 October, twenty-five members of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland came to visit Monkstown Schoolhouse, to listen to a talk by the rector, view the historic artefacts and photographs and enjoy refreshments. Despite the horrendous weather, the members thoroughly enjoyed their visit and greatly appreciated the conservation and restoration project undertaken by the parish. Our sincere thanks to Liz and Jean for helping prepare the venue, welcoming our visitors and providing the refreshments.
Obituary: It is with sadness that we record the death of Joyce Foote who died peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff in St Vincent’s Hospital. Joyce was a former parishioner of St John’s Mounttown. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Knox Hall: You may well notice a framed official looking notice attached to the railings of the Knox Hall. The Select Vestry has been working for the past couple of years on appointing new trustees for the building, the former trustees having died many years ago. Part of the process involves the placing of an official notice to this effect on the railings. The Knox Hall is unusual, in that it is vested, not in the Representative Church Body, but in local trustees. The trustees are all members of the Select Vestry.
Summer Holidays: The rector will be taking part of his summer holidays from Monday 27 October to Thursday 13 November. Canon Gillian Wharton has kindly agreed to look after emergency calls. Cover for the services will be provided by the Revd Hilary Dungan and the services on Sunday 9 November (Remembrance Sunday) will be conducted by the Archbishop.
Parish Sale: The sale will take place in the Schoolhouse on Saturday 15 November from 10:00 to 13:00. Donations of raffle prizes would be greatly appreciated and may include gifts, vouchers, bottles, and suitable groceries etc for a hamper. These may be dropped off to the parish office in the Schoolhouse. Donations of items for the Bric-a-Brac, books, toy and gift stall etc may be left neatly at the back of the church. All donations of items to sell must be spotlessly clean and saleable.
Card Machine: A new card reader machine has been procured for the parish and donations may be made for parish funds after any service. It is on the desk at the back of the church and will also be available in the schoolhouse coffee dock.
Lunchtime Recitals: The Lunchtime Recitals continue in Monkstown Parish Church on the Wednesdays in October from 1:10pm to 1:50pm. All are most welcome. There will be a basket for donations at the door and proceeds will be divided between the performers and church funds.
15 October Hilary Dungan and Liezl-Maret Jacobs (Piano solo and duets)
22 October The Amos Trio – Fergus Conaghan, Shari McDaid, Melle Steringa (Oboe, Flute and Clarinet)
29 October Shira Brady (Contralto), Daire O’Shea (Piano), William Desmond (Violin) and Edel O’Donnell (Cello)
Ministry of Healing: CMHI is delighted to invite you to join us for our Advent quiet day, Unwrapping the Gift: a Retreat of Prayer and Presence, which takes place in the Dominican Retreat Centre in Tallaght, on Saturday 22 November. Unwrapping the Gift: a Retreat of Prayer and Presence, Saturday 22 November 2025, 10:00am – 4:00pm, The Dominican Retreat Centre, Tallaght. You are warmly invited to join us for this gentle. creative, quiet day, as we pause, rest, and replenish ourselves in God’s love. The day offers: silence; scripture prompts; centring prayer; story-telling; poetry and reflections; creative practices; and woodland wanders. Book via https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/unwrapping-the-gift-a-retreat-of-prayer-and-presence-tickets-1748091832729?aff=oddtdtcreator or www.ministryofhealing.ie Many thanks, Warmest wishes, Dr Catherine Smith,
Operations Executive, Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland
Dún Laoghaire Borough Historical Society: Wednesday 15 October 2025. Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, at 8pm “Voices of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown: Women in Domestic Service and Veterans of the Great War” Speaker; Deirdre Nutall. Entrance €5:00 non-members welcome. Free parking for those attending the lecture.
Diocesan Synod: The annual Diocesan Synod will take place in the King’s Hospital School, Old Lucan Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on Tuesday 21 October 2025. Our members of Synod are the Rector, Elizabeth Oldham, Valerie Duncan and Roger Kirker.
Bishops’ Appeal: The annual donations for Bishops’ Appeal, parish by parish, is recorded in the Diocesan Synod Book of Reports. The 2024 total for Monkstown is €2,227:09. This is a fantastic amount and places us in the top six Dublin parishes with the highest level of giving. We extend a sincere thank you to our parishioners and friends for their continued support of the Appeal for world development projects, emergency relief and charitable donations.
Buildings Beo: Broadcast of the Buildings Beo series on TG4 has been confirmed. The series will begin on Wednesday 19 November and conclude on Wednesday 24 December. The programmes will be broadcast at 8.30pm.
Wednesday 19 November – Hope Castle Gate Lodge, Castleblayney.
Wednesday 26 November – Ballinamore Junction, Leitrim.
Wednesday 3 December – Mount Congreve, Waterford.
Wednesday 10 December – The Old Mill, James O’Neill building, Kinsale.
Wednesday 17 December – Monkstown Schoolhouse.
Wednesday 24 December – The Briery Gap, Macroom.
The episodes will be repeated at 6:00pm on the Sundays following the Wednesday broadcast.
Schoolhouse Coffee Dock: The coffee dock area in the schoolhouse is open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:30 to 12.30 and you are warmly invited to drop in and have a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. It is also open on Wednesday and Sunday mornings after the 10:45 services.
The Sick: We continue our prayers in the parish for all who are unwell and the recently bereaved. We also remember those who are in hospital currently and those who are recovering at home from serious illness. Our hearts go out to all who need our continued prayers and support, and we pray that you may have a real sense of the love that surrounds you.
On-line Banking: It would greatly assist our parish treasurer if you would please fill in the line describing what your donation is for and your name also. Sometimes donations are given online without any information provided and it is very difficult to work out who the donor is
General Financial Support: Thank you for your continued financial support of the parish and for remembering that our work of ministry continues week after week. We appreciate your generous and supportive giving. There is a collection at every service in the church. Our Bank of Ireland bank details are: Account Name: Monkstown Parish Church Business Current Account. Account no: 86014381. IBAN IE 17 BOFI 9011 8386 0143 81. If any of our envelope subscribers wish to talk to Ruth Carnegie, she may be contacted at 087 4339367.
With love and kind regards, Roy
