Issue
92 CSNL NEWS Jamuary/February, 2026
Parish
Of Celbridge & Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons
Church
of Ireland United Dioceses of Dublin & Glendalough
By the
parishioners - for the parishioners
From
Our Rector - Dear Friends ..
It’s the feast of the
Epiphany and for a change and probably to your relief I want to share the words
and thoughts of another and not my own.
They are those of Fr. Richard Rohr the closest I think we have to
a modern day prophet. I find this
reflection on Epiphany very helpful and I hope you do too.
An epiphany is not an idea. As D.H.
Lawrence said, people can do anything they want with an idea, but a truly
new experience changes everything.
Before you can do anything with it, it does something with you!
Most of us prefer ideas and words; we are afraid of any authentically
new experience. Unlike the Magi, we do
not tend to allow stars to divert us to a new and unknown place. Most of us stay inside our private castles
and avoid such questionable adventures.
Yes, we avoid death supposedly, but we also avoid birth. We miss out on the great epiphany. An epiphany is not an experience that we can
create from within, but one that we can only open to and receive from
another. Epiphanies leave us totally out
of control and they always demand that we change. We would rather have objectified religion,
which leaves us potentially in control and never having to change at all.
Religion without epiphanies becomes digging in your heels; religion with
epiphanies becomes living on your heels, ready to go wherever God
manifests. One wonders if the Magi ever
went back home at all. Home base had
been taken from them.
The feast of the Epiphany tells us that from the very beginning, Jesus
was someone to be personally experienced, and not just mentally agreed
upon, proven, accepted, or argued about.
The categories are entirely different.
True human experience demands that the whole person be present and
active. In that light, one wonders how
many people really experience things since we are hardly ever present to
experience our own experiences.
Richard Rohr, O.F.M. Excerpted from “Epiphany: You Can’t Go Home Again”. 2017.
Yours Stephen
Church
Services
Sunday Newcastle
9 a.m* Straffan 10.15 a.m. Celbridge 11.30 a.m.
1st Holy
Communion Service of Word Holy Communion
2nd Service
of Word Holy Communion Service of Word
3rd Holy
Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion
4th Morning
Prayer
Holy Communion Morning Prayer
*Services will
continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on the 1st Sunday as a permanent
change in the Sunday timetable.
WhatsApp
Groups
WhatsApp group continues to be very active. There are also groups specifically for
Newcastle and another for Straffan notices – together they provide a very
effective means of contact in the parish.
Chuckle Time!
In The Church Review there was a report on a
Pet Blessing Service with the collection going to the Irish Guide Dogs
Association. The following Sunday, the
Glenageary notes read that there would be an Informal Worship followed by hot
dogs in the Parish Centre. So much for
blessing the dogs!
The
Church Review
The annual subscriptions for the above are due
now! If you want to continue receiving
our Diocesan Magazine, which contains news of all parishes, general news of
events and projects in the Diocese and further afield, or would like to be
added to the list, you can contact the following:- Debbie Kelly (Straffan),
Elizabeth Waldron (Newcastle-Lyons) & Ken Denner (Celbridge). Thanks to them for their work in distributing
during the year.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The group returns after a Christmas/New
Year break - check date - and continues to meet in the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m.,
on Tuesdays for crafting, chat and coffee.
All welcome.
Wednesday Night Prayers: These are now being held from 8 p.m., to 9
p.m., in the home of Dee Huddleston in Straffan. If anybody would like details they can
contact Rev. Stephen or Dee Huddleston. Everyone is very welcome to come along. The emphasis is on prayers for healing and
support for those facing particular challenges.
Let them know if there is something you would like them to pray
about.
Whist Drives: Thanks to those who supported the Christmas
Whist Drive which was held on the 28th November, which was very well
supported with great prizes and a lovely supper as usual. The drives are held in the Slip Hall at 8
p.m., with the next being on Friday, 30th January. Further dates are 27th February,
27th March, 24th April and 28th May. A lovely supper is served at the interval and
there are always lots of prizes. Thanks
to all who arrange the drives, provide refreshments and raffle prizes. All welcome - new players especially.
World
Day Of Prayer - Friday, 6th March
This year the service will be held in The Slip Hall, Celbridge at 8 p.m., and is
written by the women of Nigeria. The theme is “I will give your
rest: Come.” Matthew 11:28-30. Focusing on finding solace and peace in God
amidst worldly burdens like shame, poverty and persecution, with service and
community support being the key elements of divine rest. All are welcome, men, women and
children. Linda Daly is looking
for volunteers for short readings and with serving the tea and biscuits
afterwards.
Slip Hall
With the closure of the Montessori School there is now some availability
for morning hires in the hall. Please
send enquiries to email:csnparishhall@gmail.com.
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
Christmas Fair
Thanks to all who supported the Christmas Fair in the
Slip Hall & Church on 6th December. It was co-ordinated by Dee Huddleston and
a large group of helpers who provided a variety of stalls and events. Teas and coffees, cakes, books, bric-a-brac,
decorations, craft, a bottle stall, toys and more besides. Santa made his appearance in the new
Grotto in the Church and the elves were busy face-painting. The raffle was very well supported and along
with the sale proceeds brought in about €4,000.
Week Of
Prayer For Christian Unity - 18th - 25th January
This year’s prayers and reflections have been
prepared by the members of the Armenian apostolic Church, along with their
brothers and sisters in the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The theme is “One Body, One Spirit”. Ephesians 4:4. The Armenian Church has witnessed across
centuries of persecution and genocide, yet remains steadfast in hope.
Revision
of Register Of Vestry Persons
The revision takes place each January. If you are not already on the register and
are aged over 18, forms are in all churches for the General Vestry Register
which is necessary for those who wish to have a voice at the Easter Vestry
(AGM) and who might wish to stand for election to the vestry and vote.
Bereavements
Deepest sympathy to Liam Tobin and his wife Sandra
and all the family on the death of Liam’s
brother, Noel Tobin, of Kilmainham.
Noel’s funeral took place
on 17th November in the Church of the Presentation, Knockmitten.
Sincere condolences to Susie Cahill of
Newcastle parish on the death of her husband David on New Year’s Day. David’s funeral
took place in St. Anne’s Church, Ardclough and was a very moving tribute to a
man dearly loved. We pray for Susie,
daughter Gay (Wilmot-Smith) and son Robert, son-in-law Andrew,
grandchildren Patrick, Nicholas & Tom, extended family Inez,
Caryl, Rachel, Sarah, Candy, Amaya & Alex and his friends in their
loss.
Ash
Wednesday - 18th February
There will be Holy Communion services at 11 a.m., in
Christ Church, Celbridge and at 7 p.m., in Straffan Church.
Remembrance
Sunday
Remembrance services took place on Sunday, 9th
November in all three churches. Thanks to all who contributed to the Poppy
Appeal.
Thanks
Thanks to Geoffrey McMaster for taking the
United Service on Sunday, 28th December in Straffan and to James
Pasley for playing the organ with an augmented choir from Celbridge with
Straffan. Thanks to Dee Huddleston for
taking the service in Straffan on Sunday, 4th January.
Retirement Of Cynthia Lang
On Advent Sunday, 30th November, there was
a United Service of Holy Communion at 11.30 a.m., in Christ Church,
Celbridge. At the service we marked the
retirement of our parish Lay Minister, Mrs. Cynthia Lang, who has given
tremendous service to our parish. As was
said on the occasion it was a day of mixed emotions when we gathered after the
Sunday Service on Advent Sunday in Christ Church to mark the retirement of Mrs.
Cynthia Lang as Lay Minister in our parish.
It was lovely to see so many of Cynthia’s family
on the day. Our Rector made a
short speech expressing his thanks on behalf of all the parishioners for Cynthia’s
considerable contribution through the years, especially during the long vacancy
period. A presentation was made to Cynthia
of a voucher for a hotel break for herself and Henry and also a
large bunch of flowers. These were only
a small token of our appreciation and thanks for Cynthia’s
generous ministry and service.
Refreshments were enjoyed afterwards.
Christmas
Services
All the Carol Services and Christmas services were
very well supported this year with over 600 attendances between them and even
allowing for some repeats this was very encouraging. Thanks in no particular order to all our
wardens, cleaners, florists, decorators, choirs, organists, lesson readers,
parish lay ministers and all our congregations.
Christ
Church. Celbridge Concerts - Past & Future
It has been and continues to be a busy time for
concerts in Christ Church, Celbridge. 4th
November saw the return of Johnny McEvoy for a lovely night of song and
storytelling. The RNLI Dublin Welsh Male
Voice Choir Concert on 29th November was a great event and was a
very successful fundraiser for the Cill Dara lifeboat appeal and got the funds
over the line to achieve the €117,000 required.
Well done to all including many Lifeboat volunteers in our own parish
who are out in rain, hail and snow raising funds for the RNLI.
On 6th December saw the Christmas Peace
Concert by the Island of Ireland Peace Choir and friends. It was a beautiful event and commemorated the
Christmas Battlefield truce of 1914 and was a deeply moving event. Thanks as always
to Phil & Elaine and tenor Declan Kelly for bringing this to
us in Celbridge.
Primrose Hill Carol Concert on the 18th
December was another great night and revealed the wealth of talent to be found
among the pupils in our parish school.
Thanks to our Principal, Mrs. Flood and all the school staff who
helped to make it such an enjoyable celebration of Christmas.
Conor McKeown, one of our
regulars (Celbridge’s own
answer to Michael Buble) was in concert in Christ Church for a full
house for his ‘Soulful
Christmas’
concert and had everyone singing along to some seasonal favourites.
As these notes are written we are awaiting Mary
Coughlan who is performing on 6th January in aid of The Peamount
Foundation - we look forward to a great night.
And for the first time we look forward to welcoming Jack
L on 29th January in association with the official St. Brigid’s celebrations to
launch the weekend in concert in Christ Church.
And then on 13th February, rising folk
musician Gearoid McCarthy will be in concert in Christ Church. Tickets for this event on Eventbrite or text Breda
on 087-9630719.
Calendar
Of Events
January
Thu 1 Subscriptions for The Church Review
due.
Sun 18 Start of Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity.
Sun 25 End of Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity.
Thu 29 Jack L. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Fri 30 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
February
Sun 1 St. Brigid’s Day.
Fri 13 Gearoid McCarthy. Christ Church, Celbridge.
8
p.m.
Wed 18 Ash Wednesday. Holy Communion. Christ
Church,
Celbridge. 11 a.m.
Holy
Communion. Straffan. 7 p.m.
Fri 27 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
March
Tue 3 Closing date for next issue of CSNL
NEWS.
Fri 6 World Day of Prayer. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Sun 15 Mothering Sunday.
Tue 17 St. Patrick’s Day.
Fri 27 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Baptisms
On Sunday, 16th November in Christ Church,
Celbridge, we had the rare event of a double baptism. Cousins Jordan Leigh Conlon, son of Seamus
& Vicki & Rhys Matthew Wilkinson, son of Scott & Tara were
welcomed into the congregation in Holy Baptism.
Jordan‘s Godparents are Tara
Leigh, Scott Wilkinson & Craig Wilkinson & Rhys‘ Godparents
are Vicki Wilkinson, Sheamus Conlon, Vivienne Leigh & Ross Wilkinson. We wish both newly baptised every blessing in
their journeys in faith and life..
Confirmation
- 24th May - Christ Church Cathedral
Our Rector requests names of those considering
Confirmation to be sent to him by end of January.
Happy
New Year From Your Editor
.. and thanks for your contributions during 2025. The closing date for the next issue is 3rd
March with copies in the churches on 8th.
Who’s Who
In The Parish
www.cs-nl.org celbridgestraffannewcastlelyns@gmail.com
Rector: Rev.
Stephen Neill 01-6288231 087-2328172
www.paddyanglican.com stephen.neill@gmail.com
Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full. John 16:24.
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