The animal congregation was 100 per cent canine at last Sunday’s pets’ service but they were on their best behaviour – most of the time. Christina Kelly with guide dog Effie and Renaith Keane with assistance dog Kacki both spoke at the service and there was a retiring collection for Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
A beautifully decorated church reminded us of the fruits of the land that we in this part of the world are so blessed to enjoy in abundance, at yesterday’s Harvest Thanksgiving.
St Paul’s choir joined with the choir of St Bartholomew’s in Ballsbridge on Sunday, September 15th for the baptism followed by Evensong there of Finnian Barnes, son of our organist Caroline and her husband Ben, director of music at St Bart’s. As to be expected, it was a rich musical experience – you can listen to a snippet of rehearsal below.
Our choir members (pictured below with our Rector, the Rev Gary Dowd, and the Barnes family) were delighted to have been invited to participate.
Almost 120 people of all ages gathered in the church grounds for our annual outdoor service, followed by a barbecue, on Sunday, September 1st. We were lucky with the weather as it was warm and dry. A great way to reconnect after the summer holidays.
The Outdoor Service and Family Barbecue at 12 noon this Sunday, September 1st, has become a parish tradition, as a means of “reconnecting” as a parish family after the summer holidays. All are welcome. It will go ahead whatever the weather (we will move indoors if necessary!).
Donations on the day to help defray expenses would be welcome. Please note that this service will not be livestreamed.
A Confirmation service to include candidates from St Paul’s will take place in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin on Sunday, September 29th, 2024 at 3.30pm. If anyone from the parish would like to be confirmed at that service, and you have not already been in touch, could you please register your interest by emailing me here. The plan is to start our preparations at the beginning of September.
St Paul’s choir, under the direction of our organist Caroline Barnes, will sing at 11am Choral Eucharist in Christ Church Cathedral this Sunday, July 14th, providing holiday cover for the cathedral choir. Back in St Paul’s the Parish Communion will be a said service in their absence.
St Paul’s choir, with director Caroline Barnes (right), after singing in Christ Church Cathedral on a previous occasion
We were blessed with a fine evening for the young families’ social event last Saturday, June 22nd. More than 70 people gathered to connect and converse over drinks and barbecue food, while the younger children enjoyed an entertainer in the main hall before they had food. Special thanks go to the catering team of Frank Gunning, Linda Gunning and Margaret Woods.
We had a very successful Summer Fair last Saturday, May 25th, raising more than €40,000 for parish funds. Thank you to those who worked so hard and everybody who supported it in any way.
Here is a guide to the stalls for our Summer Fair on Saturday, May 25th and the kind of donations they are seeking. Items can be dropped into the parish centre in the grounds of St Paul’s between 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Tuesday, May 21st to Friday, May 24th.
Clothes: Women’s, men’s and children’s clothes worn less than twice and in good condition.
Teas: Tray bakes, scones, muffins etc needed to feed the hungry hordes.
Books: Every kind of adult and children’s books wanted.
Toys: All kinds of toys very welcome, except soft toys and broken toys.
Deli stall: All sorts of fare such as jams, chutneys, apple tarts, salads etc
Cake stall: Home-baked cakes, biscuits, muffins, pavlovas etc
Garden stall: labelled pots of herbs, veg and flowers.
Jewellery, Handbags and Scarves: All of the aforementioned items welcome. Single earrings or cufflinks that have lost their partner can also be handed in for selling on.
Recyle art: Paintings, sketches, photographs – anything framed you no longer need.
White elephant: unwanted household items, tools, sports and music equipment etc
New gifts: All unwanted gifts such as ornaments, vases, household and kitchen items.
Collectors corner: Old glass, chinaware or any curios you might have.
Bottle stall: All unopened bottles welcome, with long use-by dates.
Raffle: Six €10 books of raffle tickets are being distributed to each parishioner for selling if possible. If you could donate a raffle prize, please contact Fair chairman Mark Finney on Mark@soonerthanlater.com or text/ring 087 284 4777 (after 7pm).
