Dear Parishioners,

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

As we approach Holy Week, the truth of that famous bible verse is brought home to us in readings, prayers and hymns.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES
29th March Palm Sunday DRAMATISED PASSION IN CASTLEBELLINGHAM 10:00
1st April Spy Wednesday HC in ST PETER’S, DROGHEDA 10:00
2nd April Maundy Thursday *HC in ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, ARMAGH 10:30
2nd April Maundy Thursday HC in COLLON (with Passion symbols) 19:30
3rd April Good Friday CASTLEBELLINGHAM (with Passion reading) 19:30

*Bishop, priests, deacons, readers and people are invited to renew their ordination/commissioning/baptismal vows. Oil for anointing is blessed and distributed.

On Good Friday, in Drogheda, there will be the annual Walk of Witness. This starts at 10:30 from St Mary’s RC Church, stops for two Stations of the Cross at each church in the town, and concludes with prayers and blessing on the steps of St Peter’s RC church. It is a most worthwhile ecumenical event.

CONDOLENCES
We offer our condolences to the Drury family on the death of Ms Lilian Drury. For several years now, Lilian has been a resident in Moorehall, Ardee. Her funeral took place in Ballymascanlan Church on Wednesday, 25th February.

CONFIRMATION
We had a wonderful service of Confirmation in St Peter’s on Sunday 8th March at 11:30 pm. As Archbishop McDowell was unable to be with us, we had the Rt. Rev’d Patrick Rooke, former Bishop of Tuam, Killala and Aconry, who set us all at our ease. Four young people from our union of parishes: Tara, Amelia, David and Winni were joined by seven candidates from Dundalk. Please keep them in your prayers as they take this next step on their faith journey.

Thank you to all who worked to make this a most memorable service: the cleaners and flower-arrangers, James for his control of the parking, Helen for printing the service sheets and this, despite the fact that both had children being confirmed. The music was led by the choir of St Nicholas’ Dundalk, director Ms Evelyn McCullins, conductor, Ms Sharon Eveson with our KU organist, Ms Sandra Byrne. Following the service, refreshments were served in the Parish Hall. This was much appreciated by all and thank you, Pam and your great team for giving us a fitting conclusion to a lovely service.

Thank you to Lord Bellew who covered St Nicholas’ Dundalk on that day to allow the Dundalk clergy to attend.

CHURCH INSPECTIONS
The mundane tasks of the church continue: all our churches have now had their annual inspection. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that our precious buildings are regularly examined, so that a small problem does not get the chance to turn into a major problem. Our glebewardens and churchwardens are to be commended for their willing and conscientious care of our churches. We were relieved to hear that the problems in Dunleer organ were caused by a mechanical failure and not, as we feared, by hungry mice!

SAFEGUARDING TRUST becomes SAFEGUARDING POLICY
An updated policy for Safeguarding will be rolled out at the General Synod. At the core is our scriptural and legal obligation to keep our children safe. The role of the parish panel will change from that of ‘reporting abuse’ to ‘preventing abuse’. Reporting will be to the Diocesan Panel. The parish panel will have a role in safe recruiting, codes of behaviour, risk assessments and mitigation. The plan is to update the training manual, so that those attending refresher courses after three years are not subjected to the same set of slides as they had initially. As always, the staff in the Safeguarding Office, especially Dr Niall Moore, are particularly helpful. Our own Diocesan Safeguarding officer, Mr Derek Scott is another huge source of friendly support.

EASTER GENERAL VESTRY MEETINGS
Easter General Vestry Meeting season runs from 15th March to 26th April, Holy Week excluded. This is a Triennial year, so, in addition to the usual elections, we will be electing Synod representatives and Parochial Nominators.

Ardee 26th March at 8 pm
Drogheda 19th April after the morning service
Kilsaran Union To be announced later.

With every blessing for a holy and joyful Easter,

Brian, Joyce and David.

With every blessing,

Brian, Joyce and David.

Clergy