Rahan Mucklagh and The Island Parish

Mass Times St. Colman’s Mucklagh
WEEKEND MASSES
Saturday Vigil @ 7.30pm
Sunday Morning @ 9.00am
Sunday Midday @12.00pm

WEEKDAY MASSES
Tuesdays & Thursdays @ 9.00am
Wednesdays & Fridays @ 7.30pm

Mass Times St Patrick's, The Island

WEEKEND MASSES
Saturday Evening Vigil Mass @ 6.00pm

WEEKDAY MASSES
First Fridays @ 6.30pm

Mass Times St Carthage's Church Killina, Rahan

WEEKEND MASSES
Sunday Morning @ 10.30am

WEEKDAY MASSES
Tuesdays & Fridays @ 7.30pm
Wednesdays @ 9.00am in the Convent

Baptism: by arrangement with the priests of the parish. If someone living in another parish wishes to have their child baptised in our parish, we require a letter of reference and permission from a priest of that parish, and that the parents attend the preparation course in their parish, before we baptise the child.

Prayer at the Advent Wreath
Heavenly Father,
may this time of Advent help us
to reflect on the power of your Light
to dispel darkness and sin
from our lives and from our world.
Touch our hearts with the warmth
and friendship of your love.
We pray your blessing on all who
gather at this Advent wreath and candles.
May the unbroken circle remind us
of your undying love for us.
Let the increasing light of these candles
warm our hearts to a deep love for God
and active love of neighbour.
As we journey towards Bethlehem,
may this wreath remind us
to prepare a generous welcome
in our hearts and souls for Jesus, the Light of the World,
your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Farewell Mary: After 43 years of loyal, faithful and dedicated service as a teacher in both Killina and Rahan, Mary Neville, retired last Friday 22nd October.

Without her knowledge the Teaching Staff at Scoil Charthaigh Naofa, Newtown, together with the Board of Management, The Parents Association and of course the Children of the school put on a surprise farewell party for Mary.

The farewell included a Thanksgiving Mass, celebrated by Fr. Martin Carley P.P, Rahan, Words of appreciation and presentation of gifts and flowers by all associated with the running of the school. The celebration ended with refreshments being served to all.

Mary, you are wished many long and happy years of retirement. Thank you, also, from us all in the Parish.

St Colman of Lynally - Feast Day: 26th Sept: About 50 people gathered for this outdoor Mass in the ruins of the Old Lynally Monastery last Sunday 26th Sept. After Mass Darrell Hooper gave an account of the Ancient Lynally Fair and gave us a tour of the monastic site. Some restoration work will soon need to be done on the site before the ivy completely covers the ruin walls. Thanks to Ollie Bryant and team for the grass cutting and to Mattie Mooney for his ongoing hospitality to all who visit Lynally. The early medieval monastery of Lynally was founded by St. Colmán. He lived towards the end of the sixth century, dying in 611 aged fifty-six making his year of birth 555. For more information on Colman of Lynally see Offaly History website and the article by Dr Rory Masterson or Darrell Hooper’s website www.monasticway.com

Pakistan Appeal Fund - Many thanks to the people of Rahan, Mucklagh and the Island.
Dear Fr. Johnny and Parishioners,
On behalf of the Columbans and especially the Columbans in Pakistan [Priests, Sisters and Lay Missionaries] a very sincere thanks to you and Parishioners for your very generous donation of €6,720.00 for the flood survivors in Pakistan. Fr. Tomás King, the Columban Coordinator in Pakistan wishes to convey his deep appreciation for your generosity. We are indeed very humbled by peoples concern. The money will go directly to Fr. Tomás King. There will be no administrative costs involved. Some of the money will be used immediately for emergency work and the rest to help people in the reconstruction of their homes. Once again Fr. Johnny and the people of Rahan, Mucklagh and the Island, many thanks. (Fr Pat Raleigh ssc. Vice-Director Ireland).

The Cutting Edge of Technology in Presentation Secondary School, Killina.

On Monday 6th Sept The Taoiseach Brian Cowen, in association with Atlantic Corridor, Tullamore, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, and Gerry Buckley's NIS, Rahan launched D2D (Direct To Discovery) link between the School and Georgia Tech Ins. using high speed broadband (100mpbs) and video- conferencing. This unique project is the first of its kind in Ireland, providing live interactive science classes for Irish Students with world class researchers in Georgia Tech. USA. Read Full Story

You Tube Example: School Website (News)

The Parish of Rahan, Mucklagh and the Island greets Fr Martin Carley, the new Parish Priest in succession to Fr Seamus Dunican. Welcome to Rahan Fr Martin. Fr Martin, is from Milltownpass, Co, Westmeath, served as a curate in Slane for 10 years after his ordination and for the last 8 years he worked in Drogheda . We wish you every blessing, success and good luck in the years ahead while you are with us as pastor. Fr Martin moved into the parish on Friday 3rd Sept 2010 and introduced himself at all the Masses on last weekend 4th & 5th September.

The Sudden and Unexpected Death of Fr Seamus Dunican Parish Priest Rahan

In the early hours of Saturday morning, 23rd Jan the parish awoke to the very sad news of Fr Seamus’s Death. He passed away at about 4.15am. The parish is in a state of shock. We sympathise with the members of his family, friends and parishioners. Fr Seamus was ordained in 1963 and initially served for brief periods in Navan and Rahan. The following year, he began his ministry in the Archdiocese of Wesmninster and, in 1970 – 1971, he attended Saint Mary’s, Strawberry Hill. He taught at Saint Patrick’s Classical School, Navan from September 1971 until his appointment as Chaplain to the Army at Gormanston in August 1981. He became Parish Priest of Moynalvey in September 1991 and, ten years later, he moved to Rahan in Aug 2001 where he served faithfully as Parish Priest for the past 9 years as a hard working and beloved pastor.
The following are the Funeral Arrangements: Reposing in the Presbytery Rahan from 7.00pm to 10.00pm on Monday 25th Jan and from 12.00 noon Tuesday until removal at 6.30pm to Killina Church. Funeral Mass at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 27th Jan followed by burial in the church grounds in Killina. May he Rest in Peace.

The Wake, Removal Service and Requiem Mass for Fr Seamus Dunican, PP Rahan, 25th – 27th Jan 2010

One could only describe it as a most moving and spiritual occasion. It brought out the best in our parishioners. One would feel proud of being associated with the parishioners of Rahan, Mucklagh and The Island Parish. The respect, dignity, hard work and the unity that was evident over these days was noticed, talked about and marvelled at. A ‘blanket’ word of gratitude is expressed to all without mentioning names - Hall Committee, Choirs, Traffic Controllers, Caterers and those who prepared Food and Tables, Sacristans, Grave Attendees, Caretakers, Altar Servers, Liturgy involvement, School Principals, Parish Organisations all who dove-tailed to ensure that no stone was left unturned to honour Fr Seamus in death who in life was our hard working pastor for the past 9 years. Those of us who took part in this great parish Celebration will have long lasting memories of Fr Seamus’s Funeral. The memory of these days will be a benediction for us.
Many phone calls and emails were received from people expressing thanks to us as how ‘marvellous’ and well everything was done. Fr Tony Egan’s email will serve as a summary ‘As a native of the parish, I wish, first of all, to sympathise with Fr. John McEvoy and all my fellow parishioners on the recent and sudden death of our much loved Parish Priest, Fr. Seamus Dunican. May his gentle and considerate soul rest in peace! Secondly, I wish to commend and congratulate all the parishioners who so actively participated and contributed in any way whatsoever towards making Fr. Seamus’s burial such a memorable, solemn, yet joyous occasion. It was a credit to all concerned, and one, which made a very positive, and lasting impression on all who were there! I have no doubt but that Fr. Seamus himself would have been ever so pleased! May God continue to bless your good work’. (Fr. Tony Egan, O.S.A Dublin).

Historical Note: Thanks is expressed to Bishop Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath who was main celebrant for the funeral Mass, Bishop John Kirby, Clonfert, classmate of Fr Seamus’s in Maynooth, the ninty priests who attended, Frs Barry Condron & Joe Gallagher for coordinating the liturgy; to Commandant Michael Treacy representing An Taoiseach, Brien Cowen, Brigadier General Denis Murphy, General Officer commanding the 2nd Eastern Brigade, Staff Officers from Air Corp Headquarters, Baldonnell, personnel from Gormanstown Camp, Commandant Conor Bates, representing the General Office commanding the 4th Western Brigade.

Colin Dunne’s 1st Anniversary Mass was celebrated in a packed St Colman’s Church, Mucklagh on Wednesday evening 3 March. (Colin, from Roscore, Rahan Parish, 27 years of age, died suddenly while running the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday 1st March 2009) His team mates from the Shamrock Club were in attendance as were his teacher colleagues from St Patrick’s School Killeigh. The main concelebrant at the Mass was Fr Brian Wheelan, Wexford who was class mate with Colin in Maynooth college together with Fr Padraig Corcoran, Tullamore Parish and Fr Johnny McEvoy.
The memory of the multi talented sportsman was celebrated at the Barcelona Marathon on Sunday 7 March where 6 of his former team mates ran the marathon in his memory. They were Finian and Damien Minnock, who ran alongside Colin last year, his fellow Shamrock’s Club colleagues, Cormac Minnock, Anthony Condron and Ger Keyes together with Niall Leavy from Mountbolus. They were running this year to raise funds to help provide defibrillators for community use in Mucklagh and Rahan. They were among a group of twenty five family and friends who travelled to Barcelona for the marathon including his parents Tom and Bernie; sister Ciara and fiancée Yvonne Kearney.