Participating Parishes From the Diocese of Meath & Kildare

TULLAMORE UNION OF PARISHES
Our Union of Parishes spans the Counties of Offaly and Westmeath, and includes the towns of Tullamore, Tyrrellspass,Clara, Horseleap, Kilbeggan, Rochfortbridge and Milltownpass. There are three centres of worship in regular use: St. Catherine’s, Tullamore, St. Brigid’s, Clara, and St Sinian’s, Tyrrellspass.
St. Carthage’s, Rahan is open during the months of May to September.

As part of the wider Church family we, the Church of Ireland community in this area seek to support and encourage one another in our Christian journey through Sunday worship and private prayer. Our fellowship is also strengthened by a programme of social activities throughout the year. Within the life and worship of the Church, there is a great emphasis placed on the family, with close contact and co-operation between the parish and our church school.

We welcome all who wish to worship God with us, whether from the churches of the Anglican Communion or from different faith traditions. We like to think that our church buildings are places of hospitality and peace where, as a church family we are seeking to make friendships with God and each other in a spirit of thanksgiving, service and love.

ST. CATHERINE’S, TULLAMORE – The town of Tullamore was, up to the close of the seventeenth century, a small town made up almost entirely of thatched houses and cabins. Pheonix-like, Tullamore was rebuilt after a fire in 1785, caused by a hot air balloon crashing on the town! In the early eighteenth century the mother of the first Lord Tullamore built a protestant chapel in an area of the town known as “The Shambles”. It was not until 1818 that the present parish church of St. Catherine’s was built on the‘tulloch’ or hill after which the town is named. So prominent is the Church, that it can be seen from every road entering Tullamore. In recent years the town has seen significant development, with industrial and housing construction having added immensely to the size of the town and its commercial life.

ST. BRIGID’S, CLARA – Clara, like Tullamore, began life as part of a larger Parish, that of Kilbride-Langan. According to local tradition, before the present church was built, services were held in a thatched building in Church Street, from which the street took its name. St. Brigid’s (also at some time known as St. Mary’s) was built in 1770 and, likeTyrrellspass, it overlooks the town’s green. It wasn’t until 1870 that Clara became an independent Parish. At the turn of the century the then ‘Clara Union of Parishes’ incorporating Lemanaghan (Ballycumber) and Ardnurcher, was incorporated into the Tullamore Union of Parishes. Housing development has also seen the town population grow in recent years.

ST. SINIAN’S, TYRRELLSPASS – Originally known as Ballykilmore, (Baile Cill Mhór or “Town of the Big Church”) the village changed its name toTyrrellspass in the early 1770’s.The Church of St Sinian’s is dedicated to a saint of whom little is known, and whose name may have been Senian, Senan, Sinnian or Sinnach. The church building was completed in1793, its prominent position overlooking the Green with its crescent of houses developed by Lady Jane, Countess of Belvedere, in the early1800’s. In 1823 she extendedthe church and added the steeple, and with government aid built the Protestant Parochial School, which now serves as the Parish Hall.
The town enjoys a vibrant community spirit with the Church being an integral part of that community life.

ST. CARTHAGE’S, RAHAN – St. Cartach, one of the four great monastic founders of Early Christian Ireland, founded a monastery here around 580. The church building was begun in the 12th century. It was originally in the shape of a cross, but the two transepts have largely disappeared. What makes this one of the most important thistorical and architectural churches in Europe is a fine chancel arch decorated with heads. The nave was built in 1732, but the lower parts are probably15th century. The most unique feature of the church is the round window high up in the exterior wall of the east gable of the church; it bears excellent Romanesque decoration and may have once stood in the original west gable of the church above the door. Extensive conservation work in recent years has restored the building to a place worthy of its history, and where the centuries of Christian witness and worship on the monastic site and within the church can continue.

OUR WORSHIP TIMES – Morning Prayer is said daily within our Union of Parishes, with Sunday worship in the three main churches each Sunday of the month, except where there is a fifth Sunday.

CHARLEVILLE NATIONAL SCHOOL, TULLAMORE – In 2006 pupils and staff relocated from the 200 year old school building on Henry Street to a brand new, purpose built Charleville National School at Church View,Tullamore. The Bishop of Meath & Kildare is the Patron, and the school upholds a Church of Ireland ethos. However, pupils from various faith traditions are presently enrolled.Our school provides an environment in which every child is cared for and valued. We pride ourselves on the attention each child receives, and the happy family environment in which they are encouraged to develop to their full potential.With neighbouring Church of Ireland Schools having closed over the years, Charleville N.S. draws families from outside our own Union of Parishes.

PARISH CENTRE – This year, after many years of planning, construction began on a Parish Centre. This has been a much needed facility in the life of the parish, and its ministry to the wider community as it has grown on this side of the town of Tullamore. It will provide a focus for parish functions and meetings, and its facilities will be available to community groups.

ST. PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, TRIM AND ST. JAMES’ ATHBOY
As the Church of Ireland community in this area we welcome all to worship God the Holy Trinity with us in an open and welcoming way – people from different faith traditions are welcome. We like to think that our church buildings are places of hospitality, peace and spaciousness of thought in which individuals are encouraged to make their own response to the human experience of God.

Mission Statement – As a church family we are seeking to make friendships with God, each other and the wider world and to do so in a spirit of thanksgiving, service, love and humility. We encourage church members to own this mission statement and to try to implement it.

Geographical Area – Our parish which includes the towns of Trim and Athboy stretches from Dunsany to Delvin, and Bective to Summerhill. It lies north east of Dublin and extends into Co Westmeath. Trim is an important town with a population of over seven thousand that has grown over the past number of years. The town and surrounding area continues to develop and the development of the new M 3 motorway is expected to bring to further enhance the town and its environs. There is a varied cultural and social life, which presents plenty of opportunity to become engaged in the life of the various communities.
The C of I population has increased over the past number of years, with new families coming into the area to buy affordable houses which are within commuting distance of Dublin.

Worship Centres – There are two centres of worship in regular use, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trim and St James’, Athboy,
serving a church population of approximately three hundred and eighty, which is made up of 147 household.

ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL, TRIM, which is the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of Meath, occupies a site which dates to the time of St Patrick. The present building replaced its medieval predecessor in 1803. The main worship in the Cathedral is centred on our local community. We endeavour to welcome all age groups as we encourage an openness to worship with modern music and contemporary language services and our fellowship together.

The Cathedral hall, formerly known as the Diocesan hall, is opposite the Cathedral. The building is fully equipped and is used by the parish and the wider community for social and other events – for example by the Retirement Club, Indoor Bowling Club, Ballet, Youth Club and Fellowship and occasionally by other local organisations.

ST JAMES’ CHURCH, ATHBOY is situated off the main street in Athboy. The present building was built in the 19th Century but has been adapted over the years to meet the needs of the present community. Within the life and worship of the Church, there is a great emphasis placed upon the family. Every Sunday there is an opportunity for the young people to join in a junior service with the Sunday Club, held in the adjoining Parish Hall. Another weekly event held in St James’ Church Hall for the young people is a Youth Club and Table-Tennis Club.

ST PATRICK’S NATIONAL SCHOOL, TRIM is currently situated behind the Diocesan hall. The Bishop is the patron and the school upholds a Church of Ireland ethos; however pupils from various faith traditions are presently enrolled. The present building opened in 2007 replacing an older and outdated building. The school now has the use of the Diocesan hall as a GP room and access to the Cathedral. There are two teachers and a Learning Support teacher catering for 42 pupils. All of the classrooms are fitted with interactive whiteboards and desktop computers. Our school provides an environment in which every child is cared for and valued. We pride ourselves on the attention each child receives, and the happy family environment in which they are encouraged to develop to their full potential.

VISION / MISSION
We welcome a wide range of people of different ages and backgrounds.
We welcome everyone and hope to share our Christian journey as a Church and as part of the wider community. By being focused on worship and prayer By demonstrating Gods love through the way we live By offering friendship, fellowship, prayer and support for everyone By deepening our understanding of our faith By upholding the traditions of the church By being at the centre of our Community

Strengths.
The Parish is built on traditional foundations of worship and teaching, however, we do recognize the need to develop and change and in some cases, let go of things.
Amongst our strengths are: Making newcomers welcome The Eucharist at the centre of our worship Robed Choir (Cathedral), Sunday Club, Crèche. Strong links with local school Regular giving to local, national & international charities

Challenges. To encourage deeper commitment from Church members To encourage a greater understanding of our Christian faith To continue offering different types of worship and service To further strengthen links to organisations within the community

Parish Goals & Future Vision

1. We are presently continuing our development of young people’s ministry through our “Kids & Co” programme.

2. We have also set up programmes to help the congregation develop their Christian vocations, gifts and ministries. At present a number of people are training as Liturgical Assistants/Parish Readers.

3. We are continuing to actively engage with the wider community, both as individuals and organisations

Prayer for our Parish
Loving God of past, present and future, we celebrate your church through the life and witness
of the people of our parish. May we seek to become, and continue to be, growing communities of faith in Jesus Christ to serve God’s mission in the world. As we plan for the future of your church help us to be open and honest with one another as well as with ourselves. May we together make bold decisions to further enrich and develop the many ways of being church. We make this prayer in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Posted by Brigid Barrett on 7 Apr 11

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