Parish of Celbridge & Straffan with Newcastle-Lyons: CSNL NEWS NOV-DEC 2026

Issue 97 CSNL NEWS November/December, 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 ..

Christmas is rapidly approaching and this year it is against the backdrop of great unrest and increasing disruption in our World. We are conscious of so many people and families who are forced from their homes, have lost loved ones in various international conflicts and who face huge economic pressures due to ongoing wars and political instability. Indeed those economic challenges are not confined to far off places as we find ourselves in a country where huge numbers of children are living below the poverty line and many families finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

And yet thus it ever was and certainly that first Christmas was hugely traumatic for Joseph & Mary and their newborn son Jesus. And yet the light that came into the world in Jesus Christ overcame the darkness and we as people of hope believe it will again. These are challenging times but as Christians we do not believe that our tomorrows are determined by our yesterdays. We will soon enter the season of Advent and traditionally that has been a time characterised by Hope and expectation. Let us dare to hope and expect that God can do extraordinary things and that our World can once again be transformed as we celebrate God with us - Emmanuel.

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

5^th 28/11/26 Holy Communion Morning Prayer Holy Communion.

*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 continue to meet in the Slip Hall at 2.30 p.m., on Tuesdays for crafting, chat, tea/coffee. They will be taking a break over the Christmas/New Year. All welcome.

Wednesday Night Prayers: These continue in the home of Dee Huddleston. 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 drives on 25^th September & 30^th October, organised them and provided refreshments. The final one for 2026 will be on Friday, 28^th November at the new earlier time of 7.30 p.m., in the Slip Hall. Lots of prizes, a raffle and as always a scrumptious supper! New players always welcome.

Christ Church. Celbridge Concerts & Straffan Concert

Culture Night (18^th September) in what is becoming a tradition we once again hosted CCE Leixlip musicians for an evening of traditional Irish music and dance - jigs and reels a plenty made for a great night. The Andrea Bocelli Experience on 3^rd October was a lovely night with two excellent soloists, tenor Alan Fitzsimons & soprano Rachel Goode wowing the audience with a beautiful selection of classical and pop from the repertoire of Andrea Bocelli. On 24^th October, despite fighting a heavy cold, Ronan Collins a consummate performer provided a very enjoyable night’s entertainment to a sold out crowd. This was his second concert in the church. We look forward to future concerts in Christ Church including ‘The Drifters’ on the 27^th November, ‘The Island of Ireland Peace Choir’ on 5^th December and Conor McKeown’s Christmas concert on 20^th December.

Straffan Church was the setting for the beautiful choral work - Faure’s Requiem, with organ accompaniment on 1^st November. The choir were the Naas based Nas na Ri Singers with special guests soprano Caoimhe Fitzpatrick, baritone Simon Morgan, conductor Anthony Norton with accompanist Nigel Barrett. It was a lovely concert and a full church enjoyed a most enjoyable evening.

First Friday Socials Report By Judith Gleeson

October’s meeting was fun filled with a Halloween theme and a table quiz. Some of our members came dressed up, some dressed up there with thanks to Naomi for supplying a great stock of costumes and some just came as themselves. We had photo opportunities and presented Lorna Murphy for the best costume. She turned up as a green scary witch. Our November meeting is a ‘Beetle Drive’ suggested by Cynthia. So I’m really looking forward to this on 6^th November from 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. I remember these from years ago and how much fun they were. We will also have the usual chatting with tea./coffee and biscuits.

Our Christmas meeting will be on 4^th December at the earlier time of 7 - 9 p.m, (so everyone can get home to see the Late Late Toy Show). We will have mulled wine and mince pies, some Christmas music and hoping everyone will make a decoration to hang on their tree. It’s been a great year so far but more to come. Anyone over 20 years old is more than welcome to come and join us. We will confirm next year’s dates in December.

Dublin & Glendalough Diocesan Vision To Action Evening

This will be held on Sunday, 15^th November at 7 p.m., at The Gathering Grounds, Kilternan Parish. If you have attended previous discussions or joining for the first time, your voice is valuable to translate the core diocesan priorities into real, impact actions.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital In Gaza City Update

The money received from the people of Dublin & Glendalough to buy solar panels for the hospital over a decade ago have saved thousands of lives and are still working. The hospital is the only Christian Hospital in Gaza and owned and run by the Diocese of Jerusalem and serves all people, no matter what their background is.

Parish Sale - 21^st November - Slip Hall - 10 a.m., - 2 p.m.

The Christmas Sale comes early this year - but all the usual stalls, a great raffle (tickets on sale in the churches) and Santa too! Boxes in the churches for donations to hampers, bottle stall, crafts etc., and any help on the day would be greatly appreciated.

Sympathy

We extend our sympathy to the family of the late Canon Ruth Gill of Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, especially her husband George, son John and daughter June (Lanigan) of Straffan parish, her daughter-in-law Edel and son-in-law Aidan and her grandchildren, Sean, Luke, Roise, Olivia, Maeve & Kate and the extended family. Canon Ruth and Rev. Stephen were former colleagues and he remembers her as a wonderfully caring and compassionate cleric who brought great solace and comfort to so many in challenging times. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Primrose Hill National School

Welcome to our new part time learning support teacher Jean Donnelly to replace Fiona Sneyd. We wish Fiona well in her future career. Thanks to the Principal, staff and children of the school for their substantial contribution to the Celbridge Harvest Thanksgiving Service.

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

There is now some availability for morning hires in the hall. Please send enquiries to email:csnparishhall@gmail.com.

Advent & Christmas Services

As Advent Sunday falls on the 5^th Sunday, there will be services in all three churches.

Straffan: Lessons & Carols. Sunday, 20^th December. 10.15 a.m.

Newcastle: Lessons & Carols. Sunday, 20^th December. 4 p.m.

Celbridge: Lessons & Carols around the Christmas tree with seasonal refreshments. Christmas Eve. 4 p.m.

Christmas Eve Eucharist. 9 p.m.

Christmas Day Holy Communion Services in all 3 churches at the usual times.

27^th December United Service. Straffan. 11 a.m.

Straffan Market & Car Boot Season 2026 - Report by Jos Evertsen

It has been several years since we enjoyed a car boot season without having to cancel an event due to rain and wind. This year, we successfully hosted all 12 events without a single cancellation. We had a few light showers along the way, but thankfully, the weather held up.

Throughout the 2026 season, a total of 809 booter cars passed through the gates and parked on the church grounds.

We are fortunate to remain a much sought-after event, but this is no accident. Over the years, we have developed a reputation for being safe, friendly, well-run and well-managed. On the odd occasion when something unexpected does happen, our very experienced team of volunteers has always been able to deal with it very well. The success of our event depends entirely on our team of 46 volunteers, who generously give their time to cover two-hour sessions on a Saturday morning. This may involve working at the Tea Stall or keeping an eye on things around the site.

The Tea Stall thrives on donations of home baking. In this day and age, when confectionery is largely mass-produced, home baking remains the most sought-after treat. We are very fortunate to have a great cross-section of home bakers who are willing to donate their fabulous home bakes at every event. With the never-ending increases in the cost of electricity and ingredients, we owe our bakers a very big THANK YOU! Without their efforts and generosity, we simply would not enjoy the same level of success.

Our success as a Volunteer Team stems largely from the fact that so many of us take ownership and responsibility for the various tasks involved. We do not have a formal structure within our Team, yet everything falls into place each week and ticks over like clockwork. Many things happen behind the scenes, often unseen and unspoken, all contributing to the successful opening and closing of another Saturday morning Community Event, raising funds for our parish church and the Straffan Community Hall.

Bookings begin on the Saturday before each event, with up to 120+ requests and queries to handle. Advertising signs appear along the roadsides, volunteers sign up for the following Saturday’s roster, and our bakers get busy preparing their home baking. On Friday mornings, the 74 stalls are marked out on site, while preparations are made for the Tea Stall, including its setup and consumables. Then, on Saturday morning, volunteers arrive on site before 7:00 a.m. to begin setting up for the day’s event. ‘No-Parking’ cones are placed along the main roadways, and everything is put in place for the day ahead.

Booters start parking up at 7:45 and buyers start arriving at 8:00. Once the day’s event is over, there is still plenty to do: taking down equipment and road signs, tidying up the site and, most importantly, sorting out all the finances for the day. And then, everything is ready to start all over again a week later! It all works like clockwork because everyone on the day’s team takes ownership and responsibility, helping to make each event another success. On behalf of the wider Straffan Community, a very big THANK YOU to all our volunteers! The team constantly receives compliments from both the public and our booters for their efforts, friendliness and cooperation. One of the most recent comments we received from a longstanding booter says it all:

“… Thank you to all the amazing volunteers. You made this market so lovely. From greeting sellers going in, helping people set up, chatting to sellers. An absolutely fabulous car boot/market. I have met and had the best craic with lovely sellers. But the regular buyers that came in, wow. The chats and banter make it all worthwhile ….”

Our twice-monthly event has evolved into a true Community Event, attracting not only the local Straffan Community but also people from much further afield. Each week, we welcome a number of older residents who can park on site and enjoy their Saturday morning outing. At our last event, one couple from Tullow asked: …“Is this the last one for this year?” “Yes, it is. Our next event will be on 8th May next year.” Their response said it all: .. AHHHHH, and what are we going to do in the meantime?”……..

This year’s season has set a new record, with 12 events hosting a total of 806 booters and generating a turnover of €16,600 from the gate and the Tea Stall. This is the highest figure achieved since we started in 2011. Over the years, we have welcomed a total of 6,599 booters and raised just short of €150,000 for our causes.

The Volunteer Team brought this season to a close with our annual Team Get-Together in Friel’s. It is always a great occasion, giving us the opportunity to catch up, share stories and recall the many happenings throughout the season. As always, there was no shortage of refreshments! We would like to thank Friel’s and its staff for their continued support and hospitality. The Volunteer Team will meet again next March to prepare for the coming season’s events in 2027. If you would like to become involved in this great group, just let me know. Everyone is welcome, and everyone has something to contribute! “And thank you Jos from us all”.

Calendar Of Events

November

Sun 8 Remembrance Sunday.

Sun 15 Diocesan Vision. Kilternan. 7 p.m.

Sat 21 Parish Sale. Slip Hall. 10 a.m., to 2 p.m.

Thu 27 Drifters Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Fri 28 Whist Drive. Slip Hall. 7.30 p.m. Note time change.

Sun 29 Advent Sunday. Services in all 3 churches.

December

Fri 4 First Friday. Slip Hall. 7 p.m., to 9 p.m.

Sat 5 The Island of Ireland Peace Choir. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Sun 20 Lessons & Carols. Straffan. 10.15 a.m.

Lessons & Carols. Newcastle-Lyons. 4 p.m.

Conor McKeown Concert. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Thu 24 Lessons & Carols around the Christmas tree with seasonal refreshments. 4 p.m. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Christmas Eve Eucharist. 9 p.m. Christ Church, Celbridge.

Fri 25 Christmas Day. Holy Communion Services in all 3 churches at usual times.

Sun 27 United Service. Straffan. 11 a.m.

January

Fri 1 Happy New Year!

Subscriptions for The Church Review due.

Tue 5 Closing date for next issue of CSNL NEWS.

Newcastle Community Week

Sunday, 13^th September was the day that St. Finian’s Church in cooperation with the neighbouring Glebe Gardens were open to the public. Thanks to Frank Kerins for his hospitality as always and thanks to our catering team who provided lots of tasty bites and refreshments for the visitors. A big thank you to Geoffrey & Angela McMaster who looked after the church throughout the day welcoming visitors who were able to enjoy Geoffrey’s presenation on church history. All in all a very enjoyable day.

Heritage Week - Christ Church, Celbridge

A big thank you to the team of parishioners who staffed Christ Church for the two weekends of Heritage Week. Also thanks to John Lougheed whose information displays were set up throughout the church to highlight the historical and architectural features of the church. Refreshments were on offer and a large footfall was seen every day the church was open. It would be wonderful if we could open the church more regularly on an ongoing basis and this is something that we will look into as it was clear that people really value being able to access the building outside the hour on Sundays.

Remembrance Sunday - 8^th November

Poppies were available in all churches prior to this day and an Act of Remembrance was part of the service in each of the churches.

Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Thanks to all who contributed in any way to the above - either by way of goods, shoe boxes or cash and in advance to those who will now start the mammoth task of filling and checking the boxes before they are transported to the children, who may have no other Christmas present.

Chuckle Time!

An old lady was sending a Christmas present of a Bible in the post to her friend. In the post office the man weighed the parcel and asked her if there was anything breakable in it. “Not really,” she replied “only the Ten Commandments.”

Harvest Thanksgivings & Pet Blessing Service

The first of the harvest festivals took place on Sunday, 27^th September in St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons, which was beautifully decorated. Thanks to Geoffrey McMaster organising the readers and the intercessors and to James Pasley on the organ and those who provided the teas and delicious brack! Our thanks to the special preacher, Rev’d David Bowles, Rector of Whitechurch, who had just completed part of the Camino in Spain and spoke about his experiences and showed what he carried in his rucksack and talked about the time he had to reflect on his spiritual journey.

Straffan Church celebrated the harvest on Sunday, 11^th October at 3 p.m. The church was beautifully decorated. Thanks to our Rector for conducting the Holy Communion Service and preaching surrounded by the fruits of the harvest. There were refreshments afterwards and some parishioners went home with a “goodie bag” of fruit! Thanks to Jenny Shaw on the organ. The collection was in aid Of Bishops’ Appeal.

There was a lovely harvest service in Christ Church, Celbridge on Sunday, 18^th October with the children from Primrose Hill School taking a leading role in the worship They created a display on the Harvest theme which was complimented by the spectacular floral decorations with thanks to June, Lucy, Naomi, Esther, Maggie and Straffan & Newcastle-Lyons parishes for their contribution. Special thanks to Shane O’Dwyer who donated most of the flowers. Also thanks to the Principal, Mrs. Flood and staff of Primrose Hill many of whom were in attendance at the service. Thanks to Ms. Shaw who coordinated the children’s displays and Ms. Woolmington who played the keyboard to accompany the children in a lovely rendition of “Autumn Days”. Also thanks to our catering team who provided refreshments for everyone after the service. Thanks as always to our organist James Pasley and to our Churchwardens Trish & Paula. The offering at the service was for the work of Bishops’ Appeal and almost €300 was raised.

It was the biggest turnout yet for the Ecumenical Pet Blessing in Christ Church Celbridge on Saturday, 10^th October. Over 200 in the congregation and in addition almost 100 four legged friends! The singing/howling/barking was very enthusiastic from the first hymn (All things Bright and Beautiful) onwards. Our Rector was assisted by Fr. Peter from St Patrick's Church in this the 11th year that we have held this service. All pets were given a certificate of blessing and there were souvenir pet blessing keyrings for the humans. After the service there were refreshments for the congregation and doggy treats. Thanks to the team who looked after all the logistics on the day our churchwardens Paula & Trish, organist James, Lucy, Simon, Naomi, Susie, Dee, Judith, Vivien, Gabi and others who assisted. And as always it was great to have the team from KWWSPCA with their rescue dogs in attendance. €780 was raised for their work.

Church Review Subscriptions

For those who would like to continue on with receiving the above, subscriptions are due on 1^st January. There is a note in the October issue that there will have to be an increase due to cost of living increases - postage and courier service have increased. The Editor of The Church Review is also appealing for more people to subscribe to keep up the news of the Dioceses and the wider church. Thanks to our distributors Ken Denner & Debbie Kelly. Please contact them if you would like to be added to the list for 2027.

CIYD Launches Major Confirmation Survey

The Church of Ireland Youth Department is launching a major survey for all those confirmed since 2017 to hear as many experiences as possible: what was the preparation like, how did you feel about the service, what difference did confirmation make to your faith? This is completely anonymous. They need at least 500 responses! https://forms.gle/wK7NkwhRf9yBXaZU9.

Friends Of Christ Church Welcome New Members

They are seeking new members to join and celebrate some milestones over the next few years. In two years time, the diocese of Dublin and its cathedral will mark1,000 years of continuous Christian worship. The year of the Normans will be marked in 2027 and in 2028 the 150^th anniversary of the completion of the restoration of Christchurch among others. The Friends will celebrate their own centenary in 2029. Annual membership is €25. Regular outings are organised and lecture series and a bi-annual journal is published.. cccdubfriends@gmail.com or Erica Britnell on 087-7906062,

Thanks

Thanks to Dee Huddleston for taking the services on Sunday, 20^th September in Straffan & Christ Church, Celbridge, 4^th October in Straffan and 1^st November in Straffan and to Geoffrey McMaster for taking the service in St. Finian’s Church, Newcastle-Lyons when our Rector was recovering from surgery. The Editor thanks all who contributed to the parish newsletter during the year and wishes all a peaceful and happy Christmas and New Year.

Stir Up Sunday - The Sunday Before Advent

Do you know why? In Agatha Christie’s ‘The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding’, Stir Up Sunday is mentioned, and the cook in the Lacey household tells all about it to Hercule Poirot, who of course solves the problem of the story. It is so called because of the collect of the day beginning “Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people ..”. According to the Lacey cook, the following week is the time when traditionally the Christmas pudding was stirred up. Poirot is spending an old-fashioned Christmas at Lacey Manor. Agatha Christie was no doubt a practising Anglican for there are references in many of her novels to other church matters - evensong, the vicar and vicarage, choir boys, Mothers’ Union, vestry and churchwardens!

“Stir up O Lord the wills of your faithful people: that richly bearing the fruit of good works, they may by you be richly rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” Thanks to another church magazine Editor for this.

Organisation Focus - Protestant Aid

Despite what its name might suggest, Protestant Aid operates to support everyone experiencing financial difficulties regardless of religious, ethnic or social background. Grants are provided through a network of social workers and clergy with one simple idea - everyone deserves to be treated with fairness and compassion and without judgement. One of those helped wrote “I would also like to express my thanks to Protestant Aid for assisting my client at a time when she was very much in need. I am very grateful you were able to assist her.” For further information contact Protestant Aid, 202A Merrion Road, Dublin 4. D04 R9W8 or www.protestantaid.org.