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FROM THE REGISTERS:  

Congratulations to Harry Robert Condon, who was baptised by the Rev’d  David Murphy, in St Peter’s, on 25^th February.  

CONDOLENCES  

We offer our prayers and sympathy to our former rector, the Rev’d Michael  Graham, on the death of his sister.  

We offer our prayers and sympathies to the families of Tom Treadwell and  Hal Sloan. Tom’s funeral took place in Drumcar church on Sunday 25^th February and Hal’s funeral took place in Dunleer Church on Wednesday 28^th February. Thank you to the Rev’d David Murphy who officiated at the  baptism and the funerals.  

HOLIDAYS  

Richard and I had a wonderful holiday in Greece, coming home via Istanbul.  We visited several places mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles and St Paul’s  letters, including the prison where he was incarcerated in Fillipi. It is a real  privilege to be able see places that make scripture come alive. It was good to  know that, in our absence, the Rev’d David Murphy and Ms Rita Arthur  were on hand to cope with pastoral emergencies.  

ST PATRICK’S DAY  

We learned that the access to St Peter’s would be very limited on St Patrick’s  Day. As the Rev’d David was on a well-earned break, the Ardee parishioners  agreed to change times with St Peter’s, so that the normal Sunday Holy  Communion services could take place. Thank you to all who facilitated this.  

PALM SUNDAY  

Thank you to all who took part in our two services where the Dramatised  Passion was read by young and not so young. Mr Ian Shearwood donated  striking palm branches and each service began with the children’s procession  of palms. Thank you to all the parents who encouraged their children to take  part and to Ms Atkinson, Mr Jenkinson and Ms McKenna for helping the  students to rehearse both in school and in the church.  

MUSIC  

As Ms Karen Campbell stands down on 19^th April, (temporarily we hope)  from her position as liaison officer between the church and the Drogheda  Classical Music, we wish her and her family well and thank her, Tony, Robin  and Tadhg for all that they have given so selflessly in the service of good  music and service of the church.  

INSTITUTION  

The institution of the Rev Brian O’Reilly, as rector of Drogheda, Ardee and  Collon, and Kilsaran Union will take place at 7.30 pm on Friday 26^th April,  in St Peter’s Church. All parishioners are invited to attend the service.  There will be supper afterwards, in the Parish Hall.  

CONFIRMATION  

Confirmation classes have begun, in preparation for the Service of  Confirmation which will take place in St Peter’s Church on Sunday 5^th May  at 11:30 am. We have ten candidates: Lily, Megan, Henry, Peter, Bethlehem,  Nathan, Darragh, Charlie, Patrick and Harriet. Please remember them in  your prayers.  

Normally, the churches present bibles or prayer books to the newly  confirmed; this year, prayer books have been anonymously donated. Thank  you, donor, for your generous gift.  

MUSIC FOR INSTITUTION AND CONFIRMATION  

We hope to have two choir practices for this and for the institution of the  Rev Brian O’Reilly, in St Peter’s Church: the first one on Thursday 18^th April, the second on Thursday 25^th April, both at 7.30 pm. All the  churchwardens from the parishes and a reader representative from the  parishes will take part in the institution service and there will also be a  rehearsal for this on Thursday 18^th April, at 7 pm. PARKING THAT  EVENING MAY BE RESTRICTED as the School Parents’ Association will  be holding a fund-raising quiz in the Parish Hall.  

SERVICE TIME CHANGES  

Because we have the Rev’d Brian O’Reilly’s first service as rector on 28^th April, there will be a UNITED SERVICE in St Peter’s and NO SERVICES  in the other churches in the union, that day.  

Confirmation is the following Sunday, 5^th May and once again, there will be  a UNITED SERVICE in St Peter’s at 11:30 and NO SERVICE in the other  churches that day.  

This is a most unusual situation and we hope to return to the normal service  pattern on 12^th May.  

EASTER GENERAL VESTRY MEETINGS  

Tuesday 19^th March 7.30pm Kilsaran Union in the Sunday School cabin  Sunday 7^th April 12:30pm St Peter’s, Drogheda following the Sunday  service  

Wednesday 17^h April 8 pm Ardee and Collon in St Mary’s Ardee  

MUSIC at ST. PETER’S  

Friday 19th April- Vanbrugh and Friends. The quartet are joined by Maria  Gaynor and Ed Creedon.  

Pre-concert talk at 7.00pm with performance at 7.30pm. 

Further information and tickets can be purchased on line at  droghedaclassicalmusic.com 

PARISH CHARITY FUNDRAISER FETE  

Will be held on Saturday 29th June at St. Peter’s. It’s very important that we  all make this Charity fundraiser a big success. The proceeds of which will  go to both Homeless Aid and The Women’s Refuge in Drogheda.  A meeting will be held in the Blue School on Wednesday 3rd April at  7.30pm to progress plans for the fete. If you are free please come along – all  help/pledges of help will be greatly appreciated.  

FOR YOUR PRAYERS  

The newly-baptised, those making their confirmation vows, the ministry of  our new rector, the Rev’d Brian O’Reilly, those known to us who are in  trouble, sorrow, need, sickness or any other adversity.  

We pray also for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and all those places  where men and women suffer because of human greed or lack of  compassion.  

Clergy

CONTRIBUTIONS TO IN TOUCH

If you have any contributions/noteworthy dates which you would like included in

In Touch please email details to hazelspearman@icloud.com