Issue
93
CSNL NEWS March/April, 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 ..
As I write these notes there is finally a touch of Spring in the
air. After all the rain, the sun has
finally appeared and I am sure I am not the only one who wonders is this what Noah
felt like when his time on the Ark was finally over as the waters
subsided. It is a lovely time of year,
new birth, new hope and new life are all around us in nature. And yet in our
World there is also a lot of darkness as wars seem to proliferate on an almost
daily basis. But, we are a people of
Hope and as we journey towards another Easter let us put our trust in a God who
does extraordinary things and will continue to do extraordinary things. Our yesterdays do not determine our tomorrows
and as we pray for Peace and for those bearing the burden of suffering at this
time let us not be afraid to hope and live for a better tomorrow.
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
5th 29/03/2026. Palm Sunday.
Services in all churches at usual times.
*Services will continue in Newcastle at 10 a.m., on
the 1st Sunday as a permanent change in the Sunday timetable. Exception - as Easter Sunday is 5th
April, Holy Communion at 9 a.m.
Straffan Sunday
Services Live Streamed
https://www.churchmedia.tv/straffon-church-of-ireland and www.facebook.com/CSNLParish.
On Going Events
Craft
& Chat: The group 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: They continue to be very popular with good
turnouts in both January and February.
The March date is Friday, 27th and in April, Friday, 24th
starting at 8 p.m., in the Slip Hall, with a lovely supper at half time. Lots
of prizes too and new members always welcome.
World
Day Of Prayer - Friday, 6th March
A report will appear in the next issue of CSNL
NSWS. This year the service was held in
The Slip Hall, Celbridge and was written
by the women of Nigeria. The theme was “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.
Coffee/Tea/Biscuits
- Straffan Church
Since the last issue, there have been refreshments
after church, which provides an opportunity for chat after the service - there
always was outside - but now in the comfort of the church. Thanks to Dee Huddleston.
Chuckle Time!
A clergyman, a keen cricketer, was concerned over
whether or not cricket was played in heaven. He prayed that he might have a
vision to find out. His prayer was
answered. An angel appeared to him in a
dream. The angel said: “Yes,
the good news is that cricket is played in heaven. The bad news is that you are in the team for
next week.”
Easter General Vestries
These will be held after Easter - dates so be
announced. This is the year for the
Triennial elections, as well as voting for churchwardens, glebe wardens, Select
Vestry, there will be nominations for Diocesan Synods Persons and Parochial
Nominators.
Thanks
,.. to Geoffrey McMaster for leading the
Service of the Word in Straffan on St. Brigid’s Day and preaching on the saint
and to Dee Huddleston, for leading the Service of the Word in Straffan
on Sunday,1st March - St. David’s Day.
Lent,
Mothering Sunday, St. Patrick’s Day, Holy Week
& Easter
Sunday, 15th March. Mothering Sunday. Services in all churches will celebrate both
Mother Church and our human mothers.
Tuesday, 17th March. St. Patrick’s Day. Holy Communion. 11 a.m.
Christ Church, Celbridge.
Sunday, 29th March. Palm Sunday.
Service in all 3 churches.
Wednesday, 1st April. Spy Wednesday. A Service of Compline. 8 p.m.
St. Finian’s
Church, Newcastle-Lyons.
Thursday, 2nd April. Maundy Thursday. Holy Communion & Stripping of the
Altar. Straffan Church. 8 p.m.
Friday, 3rd April. Good Friday.
Way of The Cross processions.
Straffan. 10 a.m. Starting at Straffan Church of Ireland. Celbridge.
12 noon. Starting at Christ Church, Celbridge. Newcastle-Lyons. 12 noon.
Starting at St. Finian’s Church of Ireland.
Saturday, 4th April. Holy Saturday. 8.30 p.m.
Lighting of Easter Fire & Easter Eve Eucharist. Straffan Church.
Sunday, 5th April. Easter Sunday. 6.30 a.m.
Dawn Ecumenical Service.
Castletown Gates, Celbridge. 9
a.m. Holy Communion. St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons. 10.15.
Holy Communion. Straffan.
11.30. Holy Communion. Christ Church, Celbridge.
First
Friday Social - Slip Hall - Becomes 2nd Friday For 2 Months!
Friday, 6th February marked the launch
night of the First Friday Social Club in the Slip Hall which was the initiative
of Judith Gleeson of Celbridge parish but ably assisted by a number of
others. It is a chance to meet together
and play games, do some crafts or even a bit of music. Only €2 and anyone 20 years or over is
welcome.
Normally, the 1st Friday but because of the
World Day of Prayer Service, the Social will take place on 13th
March. Also as the 1st Friday
in April is Good Friday, there will be no Social that night. Because of a prior
booking, the Social Evening in May will be held on 8th May. Meetings from 7.30 p.m., to 9.30 p.m. All 20 years and older welcome for a varied
evening of crafts, games, chat and tea!
From The Editor - Focus On Church Of Ireland
Gazette
As a
subscriber to the above, albeit on-line, the future of the Gazette is
grave in relation to a printed copy. In
1856, the first edition of the Gazette stated: “We have long felt
it desirable that there should be some means of making the Clergy in Ireland
acquainted with all that is going on in the Ecclesiastical world.” As an Editor of the humble parish
newsletter, now over 90 issues, and having been Editor of a previous Union’s newsletter for
over 200 issues, I understand how important a publication is.
In order to survive, new subscriptions are needed, and
donations, large and small. The R.C.B
cannot guarantee funding beyond the end of 2026. Administrative costs have been pared back to
the bare minimum and the administration now relies almost entirely on the
goodwill and voluntary labour of Board members and others. The new Editor, Clark Brydon, is a
strong advocate for the Gazette’s
digital presence, but like me, this would inevitably exclude some readers. This is the reason that I only give the contents
of CSNL NEWS to our Rector to put up on line, after I have been to the 3
churches on the Sunday, it is issued.
The Gazette covers news of the 32 counties and beyond, has some
very thoughtful contributions and is published 10 times a year.
Confirmation
- 24th May - Christ Church Cathedral
This year we are combining with Lucan/Leixlip for
Confirmation classes due to the vacancy in that parish. Our Rector is conducting these classes
in Lucan Parish Centre. The Confirmation
will be on Pentecost Sunday, 24th
May in Christ Church Cathedral at 3.30 p.m.
Please pray for the candidates especially those from this parish: Julia Lipson, Zara Moss-Weir, Eva Beattie
& Eva Ruddy.
Skyla
Parishioners and visitors to Christ Church, Celbridge
will have been long familiar with one of our more regular parishioners of the
four legged variety - Skyla was considered by many as the parish dog and loved
by all - even non-doggy people. She was
of the most placid and laid back disposition and was an integral part of the
welcome that people enjoy when they come to our churches. She didn’t mind strangers petting her or
kids hanging out of her and she broke the ice for many a newcomer to our
church. Sadly Skyla died last weekend
and she leaves a big gap in our church community - our sympathy especially to Lucy
who was her principal human and also Simon (Lucy’s husband)
for sharing her with us.
Straffan Market
& Car Boot - Update By Jos Evertsen
Hopefully, we will have a dryer season than last year. The dates for the 2026 season have been set
and ready for the diaries. We hope to
have 12 events this year. The weather
will determine that of course. The dates
are:-
May. 2nd,
16th & 30th.
June. 13th
& 27th.
July. 11th
& 25th.
August. 8th
& 22nd.
September. 5th
& 19th.
October. 3rd.
We will have our annual pre-season TEAM meeting on Wednesday, 18th
March from 8.30 p.m., to 9.30 p.m., in the Straffan Community Hall. It gives us an opportunity to discuss various
things that will help us to run our bi-monthly event smoothly. Of course any new volunteers are always
welcome. Just come along on Wednesday
evening, 18th March.
Christ
Church. Celbridge Concerts - Past & Future
It has been a busy few months for concerts with Mary
Coughlan on 6th January, Jack L on 29th
January, Gearoid McCarthy on 13th February and Paschall
Brennan Joe Dolan Tribute Band on 7th March. The next date to put in your diary is 1st
May when Celine Byrne will be in concert - tickets available on
Eventbrite.
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.
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.
Ash
Wednesday - 18th February
Holy Communion was celebrated in Christ Church,
Celbridge at 11 a.m., and at 7 p.m., in
Straffan Church.
Bereavement
Martha Howard died peacefully at
home after a long illness on Thursday, 5th February in the presence
of her loving children, Charlotte & Graeme. She was also much loved in the parish and by
a wide circle of friends which was reflected in the very large congregation at
her funeral which took place in Christ Church, Celbridge on Wednesday, 11th
February with cremation in Newlands Cross. At her funeral both Charlotte
& Graeme spoke of her with great affection and with some humour which Martha
would have appreciated. We give thanks
for her life and pray comfort for Charlotte & Graeme and all who
loved her.
Baptism
On 17th January, Henry James John
Huddleston, son of James & Rebekah of Barberstown, Straffan was
baptised in Straffan Parish Church. The
Godparents are Laura Byrne & Wenbo Cao. We wish Henry every blessing in his
journey in faith and life.
Calendar
Of Events
March
Fri 13 Social Evening. 7.30 p.m. Slip Hall, Celbridge.
Sun 15 Mothering Sunday.
Tue 17 St. Patrick’s Day. Holy Communion. 11 a.m.
Christ Church, Celbridge.
Wed 18 Staffan Community Hall. 8.30 p.m. Straffan Market & Car Boot
meeting.
Fri 27 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
Sun 29 Palm Sunday services in all 3 churches.
April
Wed 1 Compline. 8 p.m.
St. Finian’s
Church, Newcastle.
Thu 2 Holy Communion & Stripping of Altar
cloth. 8 p.m. Straffan Church.
Fri 3 Good Friday. Way of the Cross processions. All commencing at the Church of Ireland
churches. 10 a.m. Straffan.
Noon. Celbridge & Newcastle.
Sat 4 Easter Eve Eucharist & Lighting of
Easter Fire. 8.30 p.m. Straffan Church.
Sun 5 Easter Sunday. 6.30 a.m. Dawn Ecumenical Service. Castletown Gates, Celbridge. Holy Communion in all 3 churches.
Fri 24 Whist Drive. Slip Hall.
Celbridge. 8 p.m.
May
Fri 1 Celine Byrne Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge.
Sat 2 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
Tue 5 Closing date for next issue of CSNL
NEWS.
Fri 8 Social Evening. Slip Hall, Celbridge. 7.30 p.m.
Sat 16 Straffan Market & Car Boot Sale.
Sun 24 Confirmation. Christ Church Cathedral. 3.30 p.m.
Sat 30 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
Ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be full. John 16:24.
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