Dear parishioners and friends,

Monkstown Voice: The July / August edition of Monkstown Voice is now available. On Sunday last, 6 July, the rector made a presentation to Carole Cullen to thank her for compiling Carole’s Diary in the magazine since its inception and for writing it for previous magazines. Carole has decided to retire from diary writing but we thank her most sincerely for chronicling the life of the parish and wider community over the years – enlightening, educating and entertaining us! Thank you, Carole, for all your hard work.

Thank you:       During the week I received a note from David and Carol Reynolds who celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with us last Sunday. David writes ‘Dear Roy, Many thanks from Carol and myself for such a warm welcome and fellowship yesterday. The chat and the many connections have put us in a great place as we approach next weekend with family and friends. As I said to you, my mother Fanny Reynolds (nee Murphy) taught in Monkstown School from around 1935 to 1951 when the then marriage bar forced her to leave. This coming week will be busy, but I will gladly look out a photo for you thereafter. The only picture of Fanny in your current collection is the one school photo from 1945. With best regards, David’

Art & Craft Exhibition:    Our annual art exhibition will take place in the Schoolhouse from Friday 29 to Sunday 31 August. This is always a joyful and fun filled event where the artistic talents of parishioners and friends take centre stage. There are enormously talented local artists in the area, and we encourage you to exhibit with us this year. Application forms are available in the Schoolhouse or in the current edition of Monkstown Voice. Completed application forms must be with Liz in the parish office by Wednesday 7 August. Further details from Liz or as printed in Monkstown Voice.

Buildings Beo:           You may remember that during the Schoolhouse restoration project ‘New Departures Media’ was commissioned by TG4 to follow the restoration of six historic buildings, including Monkstown Schoolhouse. New Departures Media attended many events in the parish and carried out interviews and site inspections. The series has now been completed and will be broadcast on TG4 from 18 September at 9:30pm. Monkstown Schoolhouse will have a complete programme to itself and feature in episode 5. The publicity for the series states: ‘Buildings Beo celebrates six historic buildings as they are lovingly brought back to life. Part architecture, part history and anecdotal stories, this original series taps into the heartbeat of Irish communities and explores the notion that breathing life back into a forgotten building may ultimately resuscitate a whole town.’

Congratulations:  We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Scarlett Livingston who played in the recent Four Nations Basketball tournament in Cardiff. Scarlett received her first cap for Ireland playing for the U17 basketball team – a wonderful achievement! 

Schoolhouse Coffee Dock:      The coffee dock area in the schoolhouse is now 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. Pamela Iyer Friel would be delighted to hear from any parishioner or friend of the parish who would like to help on the volunteer rota and she can be contacted on 0876624514 or [email protected].  

National Heritage Week 2025:        This runs from Saturday 16 to Sunday 24 August. For this period, we plan to open both the Church and restored Schoolhouse to visitors each afternoon between 3pm and 5pm. In the church information sheets will be in the vicinity of many of the monuments and windows with a couple of treasure hunts available for children. In the schoolhouse we are planning on setting up an example of a Victorian classroom at one end of the main hall as well as having on display memorabilia, educational artefacts and photographs of school pupils. We will be looking for help to welcome visitors to both buildings during that week – volunteer sheets will be available nearer the time. 

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 are in need of 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 and year after year. We appreciate your generous and supportive giving. There is a collection at every service in the church. Donations to parish funds may also be posted by cheque made payable to ‘Monkstown Parish Church’ to me here at Winton Lodge if you do not have access to online banking. 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. We now have a direct payment button on the parish website for those who would like to utilize this facility

With love and prayers  Roy