Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Tuesday, 21 January 2025
CSNL News - January - February 2025
Issue
87 CSNL NEWS January/February, 2025
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 is probably a little late at this point to wish you a Happy New Year
but I do so regardless and pray that for all of us 2025 will bring goodness and
good health. New Year is a time to
reorient
ourselves and as Christians we are still observing the season of
Epiphany which encourages us to look at the World in expectation of seeing
signs of the wonderful presence of God in our lives – The Wise Men may have gone on their way home but this
is a still a World filled with possibility, light and Hope. Amidst all the
challenges on the international stage and in our own lives may we look for and
discern those signs of God’s presence and
allow them to change both us and the reality of our World for the better.
Yours Stephen
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
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.
Chuckle
Time
Notice seen in a church newsletter: “Women’s group
sale of unwanted items - please feel free to bring your husbands”.
Visit Of Archbishop
Michael Jackson
The Archbishop paid us a surprise visit on
Sunday, 17th November and preached at all services that
morning. It was a great pleasure to have
him with us for the morning and he really enjoyed his visit and wrote to our Rector
afterwards to thank everyone for the warm welcome he received in all our
churches.
Message
For The New Year
Dee Huddleston in her sermon on
the visit of the Magi, worked out that it would have been about 1,040 kms., and
taken about 3 - 4 months. As she had
ridden on a camel, it would not have been a comfortable journey - but one of
faith, worship and obedience. No Sat-Nav
- just following a star, which stopped over the place where Jesus was
born. They came to pay homage to worship
the King of the Jews and offer gifts
Gold - a precious substance - fit for a King. Frankincense - used in medicine still today -
fit for a priest and a healer. Myrrh - a
prophetic gift - to prepare for His death and burial. Prophet, Priest & King. The Magi would never be the same again and
had to return by a different route.
Different people by a different route.
2025 - we are all on a journey - nobody knows what is ahead - but we have
Jesus with us along side. Dee
ended with the words of Minnie Louise Haskins, used by King George VI
in 1939 - “Go out
into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and
safer than a known way.” ”So, I
went forth, and finding the hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the
breaking of day in the lone East.”
Dublin &
Glendalough Magazine - The Church Review
Subscriptions of €45 were due on 1st
January - thanks to Elizabeth Waldron (Newcastle-Lyons), Debbie Kelly
(Straffan) & Ken Denner (Celbridge) for distributing and to whom
subscriptions should be paid. If you do not already receive the bumper packed
magazine and would like to do so, please contact the above.
World Day Of Prayer
- Friday, 7th March, 2025
This year the service will be in St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church, Straffan at 8 p.m., and is
written by the women of The Cook Islands.
All are welcome - men, women and young people!
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The Group resumes after the Christmas
break and welcome all for crafting, chatting and refreshments each Tuesday in
the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m.
Wednesday Night Prayers: From 8 p.m., to 9
p.m. At present, they are held in the
home of Tony & Elizabeth Waldron in Newcastle. If anybody would like details they can
contact Rev. Stephen or Dee Huddleston. Everyone is very welcome to come along or to
let them know if there is something they would like them to pray about.
Saturday Night Services: No dates at present.
Whist Drives: Come along for great fun, prizes and a tasty
supper on the last Fridays of the month at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall. Thanks to all who organised and provided
refreshments and raffle prizes for the drive on 29th November, with
lots of festive fun! The next dates are
Friday, 31st January and Friday, 28th February & 28th
March. New players are always
welcome. Great prizes and a lovely
supper guaranteed!
Register Of Vestry
Persons - Note To All Parishioners!
These will be reviewed at the next meetings of the Select Vestries of
Celbridge./Straffan and of Newcastle-Lyons.
If you wish your name to go on this register there will be forms in the
churches which can be filled out and given to the churchwardens. Only those who are registered can vote at an
Easter General Vestry meeting and thus determine the membership of the Select
Vestry for the next year.
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.
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.
Deaths
Our deepest sympathy on the death of Gordon Tracey
of Celbridge who died on 30th December after a short but bravely
borne illness. Our prayers are with his
wife and best friend of 39 years, Ger, his daughters Rachel, Rebecca,
Georgia & Jess, who were his pride and joy and their respective
partners, Sindre, son-in-law Tom, Blaine & Caitriona, his
beloved grandchildren TJ, Jake & Heather, brother Howard and
sister Valerie, mother Lil, mother-in-law Teresa “Teesie” and his
circle of family and friends. Gordon’s funeral
took place on 7th January at 11 a.m., in Christ Church followed by burial
at Donaghcomper cemetery, Celbridge.
Thanks to Rev. Scott Peoples, who took the service due to our Rector
being ill at the time. Our deepest
sympathy also on the death of Lord Patrick Thomas Connolly-Carew of
Donadea, Kildare, who died on 18th December. We remember especially in prayer his wife Celia
and children Virginia, Nicola, Camilla & William as they mourn his
loss. Patrick was a much loved
man who had a particular connection with Christ Church, Celbridge where the
family have worshipped for generations.
A private funeral and burial was held in Christ Church, Celbridge. A Memorial Service will be held at a future
date.
Christmas Services
A large congregation attended the first Christmas carol service held in
Straffan Church on Sunday, 15th December at 3.00 p.m, involving the
Ukrainian community who were one year in the village. The augmented choir, with Zoe Lipson,
as organist and members of the Ukrainian community led the singing with carols
in both languages. The readings were
also in Ukrainian and English. There was
a greeting in Ukrainian by Alex at the beginning and a blessing by Maria
at the end. The service was led by Rev.
Stephen Neill, who thanked all involved in the service, the beautiful
decorations, in Ukrainian colours, readers and all who provided and served the
refreshments afterwards. Most of all,
thank you to Jos Evertsen, whose idea it was to have the united service.
Our Rector reports the Christmas services were very well supported with
the highest turnouts since before Covid which was very encouraging. Special thanks are due to our wardens, choirs
and organists who were especially busy as well as a great team of parish Lay
Ministers. Thanks to all who decorated
the churches so beautifully and then took down all the decorations afterwards.
Open & Welcoming Congregations Charter
Both of our Select
Vestries recently adopted the Open & Welcoming Congregations Charter and on
Sunday, 17th November in Christ Church, Celbridge, it was launched
by our Rector and a number of parishioners along with Changing Attitude
Chairperson and Celbridge parishioner Mark Bowyer.
Changing Attitude
Ireland - ‘Open hearts for an
open Church’
The Parish of Celbridge and
Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons is an Opening and Welcoming Congregation.
We subscribe to
the following six principles, in the belief that the Church is called to
welcome all.
We promote trust
and understanding amongst heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ PARISHIONERS.
We seek to include
LGBTQIA+ people and their families at every level of parish life, welcoming not
only their presence but all they have to offer.
We do not make the
assumption that everyone is heterosexual: whether
in conversation, preaching, or in the prayers of the
Church.
We are candid in
our welcome for LGBTQIA+ people and same-sex couples.
We recognise
committed same-sex unions at social events, in church services and other
aspects of Church life.
We welcome clergy
regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
www.changingattitudeireland.com. October,
2024.
Fundraiser For Gaza
This took place in the Slip Hall on December 6th from 12
p.m., to 7 p.m., with yoga, crafting, making baubles, crackers and Christmas
wreaths, teas and cakes. Also, pre-loved
Christmas jumpers, zero waste Maynooth Clothes Rails and consultations with
Kilcock Therapy. This was to raise money
for Red Crescent & Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Confirmation -
Sunday, 8th June - Christ Church Cathedral
Classes will start in February.
Please contact our Rector if interested in being confirmed this
year. The service will be at 3.30 p.m.
Christmas Fair
Report By Lucy Jones
The venue was Primrose Hill National School, Celbridge, Straffan and
Newcastle-Lyons parishioners got together with our Parish School to create some
Christmas Fair magic. There were
goodies, crafts, a raffle and bargains galore!
Adults and kids took advantage of the face painting, elfie-selfie and
Christmas games. There was a wonderful buzz all day and a huge amount of fun
was had. At noon, Santa Claus paid a
visit to the delight of the children (we are very much hoping he will come back
next year, as he was such a success).
Thanks to all the helpers, supporters and families. It was a wonderful event. €2,348.98 was raised for parish and €2,348.98 for Primrose Hill National School.
From The Editor
Happy New Year to all readers and contributors. Due to the illness of our Rector, this
edition is out one week later than planned.
Thanks to all those who responded to my mentions in the press etc., especially
those on WhatsApp as I don’t have a smart
phone so I couldn’t reply. I was thrilled to win the Christmas Cover
Photographic Competition of the Church of Ireland Gazette with a photo of the
Grand Canal, near Sallins taken in 2010 to represent “The wonder of His works” and to win €100 for myself and the parish. I was also asked by Christian Aid to promote
their Christmas Appeal for Sudan and managed to get in The Leinster Leader two
weeks in a row on page 4 - as a Naas Woman and a Sallins Pensioner (probably
meant Parishioner!) and also got on the Kildare Live News!
Team Hope Shoe
Boxes Update By Linda Halnon
A record number of 7085 shoeboxes in total were shipped out on 9th
December from the Team Hope Warehouse in Newbridge. The boxes were shipped to Burundi, East
Africa, this year, one of the poorest countries in the world. This will truly make an enormous difference
to each child who receives one. A huge
thank you to everyone who supported Team Hope this year, including the very
talented knitters in our parish! Your support,
time offered in volunteering in the warehouse and generous donations are
greatly appreciated.
Ash Wednesday - 5th
March
There will be services of Holy Communion in Christ Church, Celbridge at
11 a.m., and in Straffan at 7 p.m.
Concerts
In Christ Church, Celbridge
The Evening with Glen
Hansard and Special Guest storyteller Martin Shaw at Christ Church
Celbridge on 14th December was sold out in 12 hours. Glen sang a beautiful song he had
written for Ukraine together with two Ukrainians. This concert was in Aid of
Ukrainian Action Ireland. Rebecca
Storm was in Christ Church on 6th January. Sandy Kelly & Marc Roberts will
perform on Saturday, 8th February, the Ireland Peace Choir on
Saturday, 1st March and the UK Drifters will be there on
Saturday, 22nd March. Tickets
are on sale on Eventbrite or text Breda 087 9630719. Doors open at 7.30
p.m.
Thanks
Thanks to those who supported the Poppy Appeal. 2025 is the 100th anniversary of
the Legion in the Republic of Ireland. A
special service of Remembrance will be held in the Irish National War Memorial
Gardens, Dublin on Saturday, 12th July. Thanks to Dee Huddleston for taking
the service in Straffan on 3rd November, Geoffrey McMaster on
1st December, both Dee & Geoffrey on 29th
December and Dee on 5th January in both Straffan &
Celbridge when Rev. Stephen was ill.
Calendar Of Events
January
Jan 1 Subscriptions for Church Review due.
Fri 31 Whist Drive. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
February
Sat 8 Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Fri 28 Whist Drive. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
March
Sat 1 Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Tue 4 Closing date - Issue 88 CSNL NEWS.
Wed 5 Ash Wednesday.. 11 a.m. Christ Church, Celbridge.
7
p.m. Straffan.
Fri 7 World Day of Prayer. St. Brigid’s Church, Straffan.
8
p.m.
Sat 22 Concert.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Fri 28 Whist
Drive. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 8 p.m.
June
Sun 8 Confirmation. Christ Church, Cathedral. 3.30 p.m.
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
Jesus said “I am the way, and the truth and the life ..” John 14:6.
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
Tuesday, 10 December 2024
Friday, 29 November 2024
Gazette Photo Competition won by our own Lilian Webb
Congratulations to Lilian Webb who won the Church of Ireland Gazette Photo competition - See her cover photo and judges' comments in the attached photos
Thursday, 21 November 2024
Winter Fair - Saturday 30th November
The sheets for the raffle will be available
in the churches next Sunday too.
Everyone is welcome to take more than one sheet!!
Sunday, 17 November 2024
Parish signs up to Open & Welcoming Congregations Charter
Both of our Select Vestries recently adopted the Open & Welcoming Congregations Charter and this Sunday it was launched by the rector and a number of parishioners along with Changing Attitude Chairperson and Celbridge parishioner Mark Bowyer
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Tuesday, 12 November 2024
CSNL News: Nov-Dec 2024
Issue
86 CSNL NEWS November/December, 2024.
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 is
the morning of the US Presidential election as I write these notes and a time
when many people are holding their breath as they wait to see the outcome, not
just in America but throughout the World and that includes Ireland. It is a
nervous and uncertain time as the result will have implications for all of us.
We too are facing into an imminent election in this country and that will
affect us even more immediately than what happens on the other side of the
Atlantic. And so there is a lot of uncertainty as to what lies ahead and yet we
must keep going and hope and pray for the best.
The
Christmas story which we are about to enter into once again is also set in the
context of instability and uncertainty as we see the humble nature of Jesus’ birth and the subsequent threat to his life and his
being forced to flee to Egypt with Joseph and Mary until Herod
had died. And yet out of those fragile
and threatening beginnings Christianity was born – it was not and is not meant to be a religion of power or dominance but
rather presence and witness especially on the margins of our World communicating
God’s Love to all but especially
those who are suffering.
As
Christians by following Jesus we have committed ourselves to live in and
on the uncertain margins of our World. It is not the safest place to live but
it is the place where God does extraordinary things. May we have the faith to
embrace uncertainty and trust that God is closest to us when we feel most
vulnerable.
Yours Stephen
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
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 29th
December. United Service. 11 a.m.
Straffan Church.
*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on
the 1st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The Group continue to meet each Tuesday in
the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m. All are
welcome for crafting, chatting and refreshments.
Wednesday Night Prayers: From 8 p.m., to 9
p.m. At present, they are held in the
home of Tony & Elizabeth Waldron in Newcastle. If anybody would like details they can
contact Rev. Stephen or Dee Huddleston. Everyone is very welcome to come along or to
let them know if there is something they would like them to pray about.
Saturday Night Services: Rev. Stephen hopes to re-launch
the services in Christ Church, Celbridge in the New Year. These are generally quite informal. It would be great to see some new faces. Also
if you play a musical instrument feel free to bring it along. Refreshments normally follow and time for a
chat after the service.
Whist Drives: Come along for great fun, prizes and a tasty
supper on the last Fridays of the month at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall. Thanks to all who organised and provided
refreshments and raffle prizes for those on 27th September and 25th
October. The next date is Friday, 29th
November and this will be the Christmas night - so lots of festive fun!
Chuckle
Time
A lady went into the Post Office to buy stamps for her
Christmas cards. “What
denomination?” asked
the clerk. “Oh good heavens,
have we come to this?” the lady exclaimed. “Well give me 20
Catholic & 20 Church of Ireland please.”
Christmas
Fair - Saturday, 30th November - Primrose Hill School
Put
the date in your diary! This is a joint
venture between the three churches and our parish school. It will be held from 11a.m., to 3 p.m.
All
the usual stalls, teas, a raffle and more and lots for the kids
· Face painters
· Santa’s Grotto
· Elvie Photo booth
· Personalised Colouring books
Church
Of Ireland Youth Department Funding Now Available
Youth workers and volunteer youth leaders are strongly
encouraged to apply for the above Bursary fund - Next Steps - to boost their
skills and bring out their potential.
The closing date for the current round is Saturday, November, 30th
2024. Vocational training and
development in youth ministry is essential and its impact on the Church can
last for generations. An application
form can be had from Barbara Swann, CIYD’s Office Administrator at admin@ciyd.org.
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.
Sharing
Hope With People Without A Home
Each parish in the Church of Ireland is being
encouraged to consider how it can help to overcome homelessness at a local
level between Harvest and Christmas.” Homelessness is a
rucksack that none of us wants to be carrying”. Archbishop
Michael Jackson, Chair of the Church & Society Commission
said. A two page flyer can be downloaded
from the Church of Ireland website, gives more information.
Straffan
Christmas Carol Service
This will be held on Sunday, 15th December
at 3 p.m. Whilst having a traditional
carol service, this year we would like to add something special. We have a small Ukrainian community living in
Straffan, some of which attend our church.
They have also been actively involved with our Market & Carboot Sale
over the summer. This small community
arrived last year during 15th & 17th December. During this past year, they have made great
efforts to participate and integrate despite the significant language
barrier. At this year’s carol service we
would like to combine our traditional service with a flavour of Ukrainian
culture and have their participation.
Christmas is a time when everyone is easily preoccupied with their own
family arrangements and it can pass others by without any great joy.
In our combined Irish/Ukrainian Carol Service we will
have some carols with combined English/Ukrainian verses, some Ukrainian carols
and some readings in Ukrainian. It gives
us all an opportunity to share our cultures and celebrate a special occasion
together. After the Carol Service we
hope to have an opportunity to mix with our Ukrainian friends and to wish them
also a happier Christmas period.
There will be more details nearer the time and also on
all services during Advent and Christmas on the parish website and Social
Media.
Kill
Senior Citizen’s Christmas Dinner
The Editor has been asked to advertise the
above which will be held in Kill GAA Hall on Sunday, 8th
December. This covers Kill, Ardclough,
Straffan parish area & Johnstown.
Further details from Kill Parish Office.
Thanks
The Editor omitted to say thanks to all
maintaining church grounds and to Dee Huddleston & Geoffrey McMaster for
taking services in July, August and September!
Thanks to Dee for taking the service in Straffan on 6th
October and speaking on the work of Christian Aid and also 3rd
November and to both Dee and Geoffrey who took the services when
our Rector was preaching at the harvest in Limerick.
Baptism
Welcome
to Elizabeth Grace Rebekah Huddleston, daughter of James &
Rebekah who was baptised in Straffan Church on the 2nd November.
Her Godparents are Ellen Forster, Abbie Forster, Stephen Forster and Nina
Huddleston. We wish Elizabeth every blessing in her journey in faith
and life.
Concerts In Christ
Church, Celbridge
Concerts
– It has been a very busy
couple of months for concerts in Christ Church Celbridge since Abbaesque,
Culture Night Traditional Irish Night, Conor McKeown, Sean Keane and a Leonard
Cohen tribute with John McKenna.
The next date for the diary is Saturday 21st December when Conor
McKeown returns for a Christmas concert.
Regular
concert goers (and parishioners) are very happy to have full length pew
cushions in all the pews!
All tickets are now up on Eventbrite and also
available from Breda - 087-9630719.
During his sermon on Sunday, 27th October, Rev.
Stephen, spoke about the concert in Christ Church, Celbridge when John
McKenna presented “At War with Mercy” featuring
16 songs written by Leonard Cohen.
John dressed up as a tramp and greeted people at the church, but
most passed by. He then walked up the
aisle slowly at the start of the concert, when probably some were thinking was
he going to interrupt the concert, when he took to the stand as the
presenter. A lesson in how we perceive
people and treat them. A lesson for all,
before our Rector spoke on Blind Bartimaeus and his unorthodox
way of being noticed.
Remembrance
Sunday - 10th November, 2024.
Thanks to those who supported the Poppy Appeal,
poppies being available in all churches on the day. The Royal British Legion in Ireland would
like to thank all who donated last year.
2025 will be the 100th anniversary of the Legion in the
Republic of Ireland. A special service
of Remembrance will be held in the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, Dublin
on Saturday, 12th July.
Market
& Carboot 2024 - Looking Back - By Jos Evertsen
It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of our 14th
season. Another year of the Market &
Carboot has gone by. This year is
proving to be THE record year of all.
We hosted 12 events and nearly 800 cars.
Whilst we had a few light showers from time to time, overall we have
been blessed with the weather and did not need to cancel any event. The demand for bookings has been
unprecedented. It was not uncommon to
process up to 130 booking requests for 72 places.
It has been an interesting year where we tried to
introduce a little novelty and variety:-
We experimented
with creating a CRAFT corner
We had
extra help from our Straffan based Ukrainian community. It gave them an opportunity to integrate and
participate in our events, to learn English, to meet people and experience some
of our local culture;
Our
local Straffan based band ‘No Strings Attached’ entertained us several times;
We
hosted our first ‘KIDS
MARKET’ very
successfully, with a request for more next year;
We
sponsored a Stall for the RNLI. Their
efforts contributed to our community awareness of their activities and also
supported their fundraising efforts for a new boat in Wexford.
Including our new Ukrainian volunteers, this year we
have a Team of 49 people. We are quite a
large group, but as we know it takes a lot of people to run our Community
Event, everyone taking a few turns over the entire season. Thanks for your commitment and dedication, we
have had a most successful season. Here
are some of the comments that have come back from our regular booters:-
.. you
are an amazing Team, we feel very secure, there are lovely people, a social
every two weeks …
..thanks
to all the Team who work to set it all up and assist us as needed …
…thank
you all for hosting a great carboot this season …
..we
enjoyed all the fun and laughs. Most
successful season so far. Music and good
cheer. Well done to you and all the Team
…
Thanks again to everyone for your time and
contributions. A special
thanks to:-
Our
Team of Bakers. Without your
home baking, we would not be able to run such a successful Tea Stall. Your donations of baking are greatly
acknowledged and appreciated. We are all
well aware that the cost of both baking ingredients and the use of electricity
are increasing relentlessly. On behalf
of all of us “THANK
YOU!” and
Our
Behind The Scenes Team, for putting up and taking down the
roadside signs, setting out the roadside cones early on the Saturday morning,
managing our rubbish bins, cutting the grass and keeping the grounds, the ‘Staking-Outers’ and those
managing the bookings.
The total income raised during 2024 was just over €16,000 benefiting
the parish with just over €8,000. To date,
since 2011, the parish has benefited just in excess of €76,000!
With your help and support, we can hopefully continue
next year. The shape of the Market and
Carboot Event has increasingly become a widespread Community Event with
fundraising benefits. A change from our
initial Fundraising Event with local Community benefits. Looking forward to meeting up again next
March to review the Market & Carboot event 2025. If you have any further ideas or suggestions,
please bring them along. For now, thank
you all again. We wish you well and good
health over the next few winter months and until March, 2025. Best regards.
(.. and a HUGE
THANK YOU to Jos from all the Parish!)
Dublin &
Glendalough Magazine - The Church Review
Subscriptions are due on 1st January - thanks to Elizabeth
Waldron (Newcastle-Lyons), Debbie Kelly (Straffan) & Ken
Denner (Celbridge) for distributing and to whom subscriptions should be
paid. If you do not already receive the bumper packed magazine and would like
to do so, please contact the above.
Harvest
Festivals
The first was held in St. Finian’s Church,
Newcastle-Lyons on Sunday, 29th September, when our Rector
was the preacher. Members of the
congregation took part in the readings and prayers, led by Geoffrey McMaster and thanks too to James
Pasley for playing the organ. The
decorations were especially impressive.
The congregation remained in their pews and were served with
refreshments. The collection was for the
Bishops’
Appeal.
Christ Church, Celbridge celebrated the harvest
festival on Sunday, 13th October, when again the church was
beautifully decorated. It was lovely to
have involvement from some of our schoolchildren at the service - leading
prayers and assisting our Rector with his sermon. After the service, the congregation moved to
the Slip Hall for refreshments. The
collection again went to Bishops’ Appeal. Thanks
to James Pasley for playing the organ.
Sunday, 20th October was the date for the
harvest thanksgiving in Straffan Church, which was also live streamed on the
webcam. The church was decorated to the
usual high standard. Thanks are due to
all who made the preparations for the day, not only in Straffan but in all
three churches. Thanks to Jenny Shaw for
playing the organ. The collection again
was for the Bishops’
Appeal. It was good to see many
Ukrainian friends attending.
A fresh appeal was launched by the Church of Ireland
Bishops’
Appeal. Funds raised will be shared
equally between the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, which has a number of
schools and hospitals in the region including in Gaza, and Tearfund. The Archbishop of Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum said:
“The
whole system is collapsing but as Christians, we continue to have hope, and we
are called to be resilient. Despite
everything people are determined to continue with their ministry.” Tearfund’s church partners are doing their
best to respond across the region, working in very difficult circumstances to
provide meals for displaced people, ship vital medicines and keep schools
running.
Ecumenical
Pet Blessing Service - Saturday, 5th October - Christ Church,
Celbridge
This year was one of the biggest attendances with the
church full of pets and their humans. The dogs were in fine voices as
usual. Rev. Stephen was
accompanied by Fr. Jonathan from St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge in blessing the
pets and remembering sick and deceased pets dear to their humans. All pets were given a Bandana with the word ’Blessed’ printed on it and
a Blessing certificate.
After the service the congregation moved to the Slip
Hall for refreshments. A collection of €640 given at the
service went to KWWSPCA who were there in numbers with some rescue and
volunteer dogs as usual and they shared information about the work they do in
sheltering, fostering and homing dogs.
Thanks to all who made it a great day - presenting certificates and
Bandanas, providing refreshments, preparing the church and cleaning afterwards
and to James Pasley for providing the music.
Sympathy
Our deepest sympathy to Judith Gleeson and
family of Celbridge on the recent death of Judith’s
father, Roy Watts. The Funeral
Service took place on Wednesday, 16th October in All Saints’ Church of
Ireland, Raheny with Cremation afterwards at Glasnevin Crematorium Chapel. Our prayers are extended to his wife, Pamela,
his children, Judith, Lynne, Sandra & Robert, sons-in-law Jim
& Shane, Robert’s partner Maria,
grandchildren Richard, Leanne, Peigi & Cara, sister Margery
and her husband Harry and extended family and friends. May God comfort all who mourn.
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.
The
Church Clairvoyant (1955) - Rev’d S J Forrest
They grumbled at
the anthems and the chants they couldn’t sing,
They moaned about
the settings that the festivals would bring,
But they left the
poor old organist to find out everything,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
They groused about
the particles of dust upon the pew,
But they never
told the verger, or perhaps they thought he knew,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
They fetched the
doctor fast enough when father had the gout,
They called the
district nurse when tonsillitis was about,
But they never
told the Vicar, for they thought he’d know without,
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
The moral of these
verses isn’t
difficult to show:
That if you think
a man is wrong, politely tell him so,
Don’t leave
the chap to ascertain the things he doesn’t know
By instinct, or
possibly, by radar.
I am slowly
learning who is who and what is where but it’s going to take
some time to reach what might be called ‘Full Operating
Capacity’.
Organisation
Focus - Team Hope Shoe Boxes
Team Hope sent 176,615 shoebox gifts to children in 12
countries across Easter Europe and Africa as part of the 2023 Christmas Shoebox
Appeal. For many of these children, this
is the only gift they will have received this Christmas (or in their lives
before). We know every box contains
cherished items that can transform a child’s life, a scarf and woolly hat can
keep the cold at bay or a simple pen and notebook could be the passport that a
child needs to be able to start their journey through the education
system. Through the giving of a shoebox
our Partners can also identify other needs and provide help.
Your kindness spreads to the families and communities
and the ripple effect you start with your shoebox gift can never be
under-estimated. Thanks to all who
provided items and shoeboxes this year and in advance to all those involved in
the packing.
Calendar
Of Events
November
Sun 10 Remembrance Sunday.
Fri 29 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
8 p.m.
Sat 30 Christmas Fair. Primrose Hill School. 11 a.m.
- 3 p.m.
Closing
date for C of I Youth Department Funding.
December
Sun 1 Advent Sunday
Sat 8 Kill Senior Citizen’s Christmas
Dinner.
Sun 15 Straffan Christmas Carol Service. 3 p.m.
United
with Ukrainian community.
Sat 21 Concert.
Christ Church, Celbridge. 8
p.m. Conor McKeown.
Tue 24th Christmas Eve
Wed 25th
Christmas Day. Holy Communion in all 3 churches at the usual
times.
Happy
Christmas!
Sun 29th United Service. 11 a.m.
Straffan Church..
(Details of other
Christmas services will be posted on the Parish website, Social Media and
announced in all churches.)
January
Wed 1 New Year’s Day. Happy 2025 to all readers!
Church
Review subscriptions due.
Tue 7 Closing date for inclusion in the next
issue of CSNL NEWS.
Sun 12 CSNL NEWS available in all 3 churches.
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
Anxiety weighs down a heart,
but a kind word cheers it up. Proverbs.
12:25.
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