Issue
95
CSNL NEWS July/August, 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
Summer is here - and not only the Sunshine but
Wimbledon (almost over now) and the World Cup which give us a sense of the
shared passion of the nations of this planet for sport in its various forms and
perhaps especially football/soccer. We
are also united by the heat waves that seem to be relentless this Summer and
even Ireland is getting a look in for the better or worse! But these heat waves
also remind us of the fragility of this Creation that we share, of those who
are vulnerable in the heat, and of our responsibility to care for the earth and
for one another. Meanwhile, the news
from around the world continues to remind us that many live with uncertainty,
conflict, fear and division.
Perhaps though we can learn something from Sport - it
can teach us something about discipline, perseverance, teamwork and grace in
defeat and the simple pleasure in participating in games and sport with one
another. These are things that are
sorely lacking in the politics of our world and if we could embrace this
approach in international relations the world would be a better place.
So this Summer as we watch and perhaps participate in
Sport and recreation let us pray for a World that can learn to play together
and celebrate in our mutual achievements.
Yours Stephen
Summer
Holidays
Wishing readers a happy summer wherever you go - back garden or abroad -
safe journeys and happy memories, especially for those who sat exams and await
their results.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The group has now taken a break for the
summer and will return in September in the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m., on Tuesdays
for crafting, chat and coffee. All
welcome.
Wednesday Night Prayers: Please check with Dee Huddleston in
relation to these over the summer. 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.
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
5th 30/08/26. United Service. 11.30 a.m.
Christ Church, Celbridge.
*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on
the 1st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable.
Christ
Church. Celbridge Concerts - Past & Future
The concerts continue in Christ Church,
Celbridge. On 21st May, we
hosted a lunchtime concert with “The Voices of Spring” Alzheimers Choir. On 30th May we hosted Tom Cole and
then on 6th June Sean Keane made a welcome return. On 7th June the Suzuki Violin
School had their annual concert and on 4th July local pianist and
music teacher Joseph Hong and his students performed in aid of Pieta
House.
Next up in the context of the annual Swift &
Vanessa Festival we are looking forward to the SUSO Gospel Choir on the 17th
July and then on 18th July we welcome two of the superstars of the
Irish music scene, Deirdre Masterson & Ronan Tynan. (Booking via https://swiftandvanessa.com/events/)
To round off the summer we look forward to Mazurka
Gypsy Jazz Band returning for a repeat visit on 20th August. (Booking via Eventbrite.ie).
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.
If you are not already on a Group WhatsApp, let our Rector know.
Baptisms
On Pentecost Sunday, 24th May, Myles Michael Brady,
son of Karley & Brendan was baptised in Christ Church,
Celbridge. The Godparents are Yvonne
Duffy & Travis Davidson. On 5th
July, Rory Marcus Andrew Peter Howgego, son of Louisa & James was
baptised in Straffan Parish Church. The
Godparents are Matthew Sudweeks-Ward, Tilen Iskra, Sarah Byrne, Eleanor
Kearon & Elaine Carberry. On
Sunday, 7th June, Rufus Liam Gately, son of Sinead Gately was
baptised in Christ Church, Celbridge.
The Godparents are Caoimhe Gately & Dean Rowlands. We wish all the newly baptised every blessing
in their journeys in faith and life.
Bereavements
Colin Evans of Celbridge died peacefully on May 14th at
St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown. Our
deepest sympathy is extended to his sisters Linda, Grace & Bronwyn,
brother Clifford, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, friends and
especially his fellow worshippers in The Redeemed Christian Church of God,
Celbridge. His funeral took place in
Christ Church, Celbridge on Monday 18th May at 12 noon followed by
burial in Donacomper Cemetery.
James (Jim) Galligan of Celbridge died peacefully and surrounded by his
loving family at his home in Celbridge on June, 29th. Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife June,
children Edward, Frances & Andrew, daughter-in-law Ewa,
siblings Bridie, Mary, Connie & Tom, sister-in-law Jill,
nieces, nephews, extended family, many good friends and former customers of the
Celbridge Pottery. Jim’s funeral took place on
Thursday, 2nd July in St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge with cremation afterwards at
Glasnevin Crematorium.
God of comfort, God of presence, stay beside me now, stay around me,
within me, through me and before me, that in spite of pain, I may feel divine
light lifting me up; that I may see signs of you guarding me, in peace, in calm
by still waters. Amen. (Mothers; Union Prayer)
.Straffan Market
& Car Boot Sale
The first of the season took place on 2nd. Thanks to all who have helped at the Staffan
Market & Car Boot Sales on May - 2nd, 16th & 30th. June - 13th & 27th
on the teas, baking, setting up and down,
marshalling, and of course attending and buying! The remaining dates are - July - 11th
& 25th. August - 8th
& 22nd. September - 5th
& 19th. October - 3rd. A fuller report will be included in a future
issue of CSNL NEWS.
First Friday
Socials Report By Judith Gleeson.
The socials started in February and have been growing slowly. This is a relaxed group for anyone over 20
years old to come and chat, enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit or 4, make some new
friends, play some board games and if you wish learn a new craft. There has been great competition on the
Scrabble board and Buck-a-Roo has had everyone jumping. There’s Colouring sheets for those who wish to chat while
keeping busy. Creative Activities have
included flower making, candle decorating, creative bookmarks, 3D painting to
name but a few. At our most recent
meeting we had guest artist Mrs. Helen Wheeler come along to teach
string painting. This was enjoyed by a
good group of people and some fantastic results wee produced. Come along and join in. Open to men and women over 20 at a cost of €2. Next
meeting Friday, 7th August in the Slip Hall from 7.30 p.m., to 9.30
p.m. The dates for the rest of the year
are:- 4th September. 2nd
October. 6th November and 4th
December - put in your diaries now!
RNLI -
North Kildare Volunteers
Well done to the above who have raised €117,000 to fund a
new D class inshore lifeboat for Wexford RNLI.
The lifeboat will be named Cill Dara, recognising the inland
branch’s
steadfast commitment to saving lives at sea.
The team’s
efforts drew strong community support through street collections, a cooking
demonstration, an abseil challenge and a concert by the Dublin Welsh Male Voice
Choir. Wexford RNLI Lifeboat Operations
Manager David Sherwood says “Sincere thanks to all involved. These are vital funds that will power our
next chapter in lifesaving at Wexford RNLI.” The team fundraised at the All
Ireland Fleadh in Wexford including Dee Huddleston & Ken & Val
Denner.
Newcastle-Lyons
Quiz Answers & Results
The draw was held in St. Finian’s Church,
Newcastle-Lyons on Sunday, 17th May.
Thanks to all who returned the quizzes and supported the quiz for the
upkeep of the church. It made €740 and the prizes
went to Ms. Marnane, Ms. Sweetnam, Mr. Kerr & Ms. Cox. The answers are:-
1. The Sopranos. (The mafia hit the high notes)
2. One Foot in the Grave. (Almost stepped six feet under)
3. The Dukes of Hazzard. (Risky rank of nobility)
4. MASH.
(One way of eating potatoes)
5. Fawlty Towers. (“Watery fowls” - a misspelled sign for this
establishment)
6. Mr. Bean.
(A male legume)
7. Coronation Street. (Crown a monarch on this road)
8. Dr. Who.
(Confused identity for this medic)
9. All Creatures Great and Small. (2nd line of Cecil Frances
Alexander’s famous
hymn)
10. Star
Trek. (Cosmic journey)
11. Prime
Time. (The slot in the TV schedule)
12. Fair
City. (Where the girls are so pretty)
13. Only Fools
& Horses. (Exclusively idiots and
equines)
14. The Other
Bennet Sister. (Not Jane, Lizzie, Kitty or Lydia)
15. Call the
Midwife. (Labour has started, get help)
16. Midsomer
Murders. (A lot of killings towards the
end of June)
17. Little
House on the Prairie. (Humble abode in
the wilderness)
18.
Neighbours. (Them next door)
19.
Cheers. (Slainte, prost)
20. Normal
People. (Ordinary folk)
21. Mad
Men. (Crazy dudes)
22. Lost. (Can’t find it)
23. The
Chase. (Better than the catch)
24.
Countdown. (5,4,3,2,1)
25. Father
Ted. (That would be an ecumenical
matter)
Chuckle Time!
In St. Michael-le-Belfrey Church, York, the Lord’s Prayer is written in full. The sign-writer had difficulty getting each
phrase onto a separate line, so the Lord’s Prayer begins - beautifully and simply - ‘Our Father which art in
heaven, hallo’
The
Friends Of Christ Church Cathedral Tour - 2nd June
This was led by Geoffrey McMaster. Geoffrey spent ten years as a volunteer,
much of it showing visitors around, where he often highlighted the glass, a
walking encyclopaedia of its details and full of insights and symbolism and
patrons.
New
Flower Guild - Christ Church, Celbridge
Would you like to help with flowers in the church? We are setting up a new flower guild and
would love to hear from anyone interested in being involved. Contact our Rector.
Congratulations
- Ivy & Vine Restaurant
Wishing this parish family and their new Mediteranean
style restaurant in Celbridge every success.
01-6937775.
eat@ivyandvine.ie.
Slip Hall
There is now some availability for morning hires in the hall. Please send enquiries to email:csnparishhall@gmail.com.
Straffan Roof
Fundraising Event & Launch - Saturday, 16th May
It took the form of a concert with the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir and
the newly formed Straffan Community Choir which was preceded by a prosecco and
canapés reception for all the attendees who included not only parishioners and
friends but also local clergy and Archbishop
Michael Jackson and members of the wider community and
representatives of the Dail and local council along with members of the project
team who will be doing the necessary works over the next few years. During the interval Jos Evertsen gave
a fulsome overview of the project and issued a rallying call to all present go
get behind this project which will ensure that this beautiful building will be
there for generations to come and for the benefit of the whole local community.
The project is at the planning stage at the moment and in conjunction
with the professional bodies headed up by FKP Architects we are planning the
first phase of the works and the necessary fundraising programme. Watch this space for further developments.
Thanks
Thanks to all who helped at the work parties in both
Straffan & Celbridge Church grounds and all those who maintain the church
grounds over the summer. Thanks fo Dee
Huddleston for taking the service in Straffan on Sundays, 4th
May, 7th June & 5th
July. Also for speaking about the work
of Christian Aid. There were retiring collections for the work on two Sundays
in May. Thanks to all who contributed.
Confirmation
- 24th May - Christ Church Cathedral
A very pleasant group of young people from our own
parish and that of Lucan & Leixlip were confirmed on Pentecost Sunday, 24th May in Christ Church
Cathedral at 3.30 p.m. Please continue
to pray for Julia Lipson, Zara Moss-Weir, Eva Beattie & Eva Ruddy. There were 89 in all confirmed that day.
Calendar
Of Events
July
Fri 17 SUSO Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge.
Sat 18 Deirdre Masterson & Ronan Tynan Concert.
Christ
Church, Celbridge.
Sat 25 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
August
Fri 7 1st Friday Social. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 7.30 p.m.
Sat 8 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
Thu 20 Mazurka Gypsy Jazz Band. Christ Church, Celbridge.
Sat 22 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
Sun 30 United Service. Christ Church, Celbridge. 11.30 a.m.
September
Fri 4 1st Friday Social. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 7.30 p.m.
Sat 5 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
Mon 7 Closing date for next issue of CSNL
NEWS.
Sat 19 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
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
Keep up to date on www.cs-nl.org
&
https://www.facebook.com/CSNLParish & www.Dublin.anglican.org
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full. John 16:24.
