First and foremost, a Happy New Year to all.
The attendance at both the Midnight and the 11:00am Solemn Eucharist services on Christmas Day was very encouraging, and the Music reflected the festive mood with settings by Mozart and Schubert. We are indebted to Fr. John McKay who Celebrated and Preached at both services. During the 11:00 service, Tim Thurston made a presentation to Eoghan Ward who has now retired in order to persue his business interests. We wish Eoghan well, and welcome Ms Alexandra Jobling as our assistant organist for the forthcoming term.
We thank Revd Paul Houston, Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole for stepping in at short notice to take the service on Sunday 30th December.
The full Choir returned after their Christmas break for the Solemn Eucharist for the feast of Epiphany, and travelled to All Saints Church in Carnew, Co. Wicklow to lead the worship at a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols later in the day. We would like to thank the Parishoners of Carnew for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality, and to wish their Rector, Ven Dermot Dunne well as he takes time off for medical reasons.
The full round of Choir Practices resumes this week with rehearsal for the Girls and Boys on Wednesday, and for the Full Choir on Friday. It is important that all Choristers make a determined effort to attend all practices this term as the seasons of Lent and Easter begin in early February, and we have therefore less time to rehearse and put together musical programmes for this busy period.