Parish of Celbridge & Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons: CSNL NEWS March April 2025

Issue 88 CSNL NEWS March/April, 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 ..

Last Sunday we heard the story of the Transfiguration which marks the transition from Epiphanytide to the Lenten Pilgrimage – These next 40 days are challenging and they reflect the challenging times we are experiencing the World at this time on so many fronts: Gaza, Ukraine and most unexpectedly the utter transformation in the Political alliances and allegiances of our World. It is easy to despair at times like this but challenging times can also bring out the best in us. The Church has often flourished in the midst of persecution and adversity and part of the reason is that we are a people of Hope, people who see the big picture and have a real sense that God is in the midst of us and will not walk away. This Hope is something we can share and give to others as we refuse to accept that tomorrow will be the same as today but rather that we are on a journey towards the fulfilment of God’s purposes and that the challenges we face are temporary and that God will ultimately prevail – that Good will ultimately triumph over Evil and that justice and mercy will flow like rivers through our World.

We are called to be agents of that transformation and however small it is we can all play our part by not giving in to despair but choosing to hope and believe.

Yours Stephen

Church Services

Sunday Newcastle 9 a.m* Straffan 10.15 a.m. Celbridge 11.30 a.m.

1^st Holy Communion Service of Word Holy Communion

2^nd Service of Word Holy Communion Service of Word

3^rd Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion

4^th Morning Prayer Holy Communion Morning Prayer

*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on the 1^st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable.

On Going Events

Craft & Chat: The Group continues to meet every Tuesday in the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m. Everyone is 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: No dates at present.

Whist Drives: Both the January and February Drives were very well supported. The last of the season will be on Friday, 28^th March at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall. All the usual great prizes and a raffle and not to forget a scrumptious supper as always. New players always welcome. Thanks to all who organise, provide refreshments and raffle prizes.

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.

Ash Wednesday - 5^th March

There were services of Holy Communion in Christ Church, Celbridge, when the pupils of Primrose Hill School took part, and in Straffan.

World Day Of Prayer - Friday, 7^th March, 2025

This year St. Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church, Straffan hosted the service at 8 p.m. It was written by the women of The Cook Islands. The theme was “I made you wonderful”. Psalm 139:14. A report will be included in the next issue of CSNL NEWS.

Sympathy

On Sunday morning, 2^nd February, Thomas Moody (Tom) of Lodge Park, Straffan died following a short illness which he bore bravely with the support of his loving family. It was a huge shock to the parish and local community where Tom was held in great affection. His funeral took place on Thursday, 6^th in Straffan Parish Church with burial in the nearby Straffan Graveyard. The huge turnout was testimony to his wide circle of friends and colleagues from near and far. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his loving wife Pearl, children Davina, Nigel & Stephanie, son-in-law Matt, adored grandchildren Orla & Maeve, brother Robert, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and many friends.

A Memorial Service for Lord Patrick Thomas Connolly-Carew of Donadea, Kildare, who died on 18^th December will be held on 17^th May - details still to be finalised.

Concerts In Christ Church, Celbridge

On Saturday, 8^th February, Sandy Kelly, who had had a hit with “Woodcarver” with Johnny Cash and her special guest, Marc Roberts provided a great night’s entertainment. It was a mixture of Country, Folk, Pop & Rock and through it all great banter between Sandy & Marc (former Eurovision runner up). Sandy told her life story in word and song and really enthralled the audience. On Saturday, 1^st March, the concert for Peace was led by The Island of Ireland Peace Choir, with musical director Dr. Phil Brennan and the special guest was piper, David Caldwell. This was a very special night with the choir led by Phil Brennan who founded the choir after the Omagh Bombing. There was something for everybody and interspersed through it some powerful testimony from people from Omagh and Gaza and in the audience some members of the Ukrainian community. It was hard not to be moved to tears by some of what was sung and said. The concert concluded with a couple of beautiful pieces including “Abide with me” on the bagpipes with Champion Piper, David Caldwell. The choir hope to come back in the summer for a Taize worship service which we look forward to greatly.

UK Drifters are up next on Saturday, 22^nd March. Tickets are on sale on Eventbrite. Doors open at 7.30 p.m.

2025 Prayer Movement

The Diocesan Mission Committee is currently exploring the future of mission in Dublin & Glendalough. They believe that the foundation for everything we do must be in prayer. Their vision is to see all parishes in our United Dioceses flourish as communities of faith, confident in sharing the Good News we have been given and serving our society. The Committee are seeking 2,025 people to join in praying for our diocese as they plan for the future. Their hope is to recruit a Prayer Community who make a daily commitment to:-

Pray the Lord’s Prayer. Pray the Diocesan Mission Prayer. Pray for Growth in our dioceses. On the evidence of the 2024 census, there are 5,000 of us in church on any given Sunday. The greater Dublin area has a population of about 1.8 million people. You can sign up on www.dublin.anglican.org/about-us/mission.

Organisation Focus - Support For Afghan Further Education

SAFE is a small non-profit, non-political organisation founded in 1990. It’s chairperson is a Parish Reader in Arklow, Inch & Kilbride - Pat O’Malley. The aim is to support further education and support one project each year. This year SAFE has received a request for support for a new project seeking to empower Afghan youth through learning English and computer skills. Last year through the Central Afghanistan Welfare Committee, they established home based education courses in one of the isolated districts of Mazar-e-Sharif. SAFE has received funding from Bishops’ Appeal. The situation for women in Afghanistan is terrible now. Doctors and many of the professionals there were women but they can no longer hold those roles. Men need to be educated too so that they can support women. More information can he had from omalleypatricia47@gmail.com. Every cent donated is used in Afghanistan and the trustees and committee of SAFE are voluntary.

Chuckle Time

A rector was standing at the door shaking hands when he pulled Nathan aside and asked “Nathan, you need to join the army of the Lord.” Nathan replied, “I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Rector.” The rector retorted “Then how come I don’t see you except at Christmas and Easter?” Nathan replied in a whisper: “Well, I’m in the secret service.”

St. Patrick’s Day, Mothering Sunday, Holy Week & Easter Services

Thanks to Canon Adrian Empey for agreeing to take a service of Holy Communion on St. Patrick’s Day at 11 a.m., in Christ Church, Celbridge.

5th Sunday in March - 30^th March - Mothering Sunday. Usually this would be a United Service but as part of the tradition of Mothering Sunday is returning and revisiting our Mother Church our Rector has decided that all churches will have their regular services that day.

Holy Week and Easter services:

Wed 16 8 p.m. Compline. St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons.

Thu 17 Maundy Thursday. 8 p.m. Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar. Straffan Church.

Fri 18 Good Friday. Way of the Cross services. Straffan 10 a.m. Starting at St. Brigid’s Church.

Newcastle starting at noon. Commencing at St. Finian’s, Church of Ireland.

Celbridge starting at noon at St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge.

Sat 19 Holy Saturday. Lighting of the Easter Fire & 1^st Eucharist of Easter. 8 p.m. Straffan Church.

Sun 20 Easter Sunday. Dawn Ecumenical Sunrise Service. Castletown Gates, Celbridge. 5.45 a.m.

Holy Communion in all 3 churches at usual times.

Straffan Sunday Services Live Streamed

https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.

Easter General Vestries

The dates of the Annual General Meetings of the vestries of St. Finian’s Church, Newastle-Lyons and of Christ Church, Celbridge & Straffan will be announced shortly.

Thanks

.. to Dee Huddleston for taking the service on 1^st Sundays in February and March in Straffan Church.

Primrose Hill National School News

The Student Council has been working hard so far this year under co-captains Olivia Quinn & Cian Crilly. To date it has established a new set of rules for the playground, set the playground rota for each class to use different areas of the yard across the week, chosen movies for Christmas Movie Night and assisted with the Christmas Fair. It is currently working on developing a fundraiser for playground equipment and also assisting with the Code of Behaviour review. In Term 3, it will assist with formulating the pupil-friendly version of the school’s new Bi Cinealta Policy.

As part of the school’s development of the new Bi Cinealta Policy, the school must close for a half-day to facilitate staff in formulating the policy and training in the new procedures. This half-day closure will take place on Thursday, 13^th March. The School will close at noon.

The School had a surprise visitor in the form of Mr. Niall Larkin, Department of Education Inspector. Mr. Larkin visited multiple classrooms and spent the day experiencing our learning environment. Mr. Larkin stated that the school had a wonderful welcoming atmosphere and could see how much the pupils enjoyed their learning as well as how rich their learning experiences were.

Wellbeing in Primrose Hill is very important and there a number of initiatives taking place to enhance our wellbeing. Our physical wellbeing is being looked after by GAA coach, James, every Thursday morning and since mid-term, we have our Gymnastics coach back for seven weeks. Mrs. Graham is heading up the Wellbeing Committee this year and wellbeing surveys for parents and staff have been sent to complete to get a picture of the overall wellbeing of the entire school community.

(News taken from Primrose Hill National School January/February, 2025 newsletter.)

Confirmation - Sunday, 8^th June - Christ Church Cathedral

Classes starting this month. Please pray for the candidates as they prepare to take this important step on their faith journey.

Calendar Of Events

March

Mon 17 St. Patrick’s Day. 11 a.m. Holy Communion. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Sat 22 UK Drifters. Christ Church, Celbridge. 8 p.m.

Fri 28 Whist Drive. Slip Hall. 8 p.m.

Sun 30 Mothering Sunday. Holy Communion in all 3 churches.

April

Wed 16 8 p.m. Compline. St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons.

Thu 17 Maundy Thursday. 8 p.m. Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar. Straffan Church.

Fri 18 Good Friday. Way of the Cross services. Straffan. 10 a.m. Starting at St. Brigid’s Church.

Newcastle starting at noon. Commencing at St. Finian’s, Church of Ireland.

Celbridge starting at noon at St. Patrick’s Church, Celbridge.

Sat 19 Holy Saturday. Lighting of the Easter Fire & 1^st Eucharist of Easter. 8 p.m. Straffan Church.

Sun 20 Easter Sunday. Dawn Ecumenical Sunrise Service. Castletown Gates, Celbridge. 5.45 a.m.

Holy Communion in all 3 churches at usual times.

May

Tue 6 Closing date for next issue of CSNL NEWS.

Sat 17 Memorial Service for Lord Patrick Connolly-Carew.

June

Sun 8 Confirmation. Christ Church, Cathedral, Dublin. 3 p.m.

Parish Social.

The Parish Social on Friday night, 21^st February was a great success. It was an 80’s themed night with dancing to the hits of the 80’s, lots of lovely food and great chat and laughter. The props table was very popular as was the selfie frame and the hall was beautifully decorated. All thee churches were well represented and it was good to see some friends and some new faces as well. I hesitate to name names but thank you to Lucy and her team for organising a tremendous night. When is the next one?