Parish News Archives - December 2007 / January 2008

Rector Writes | Readings & Services | From the Registers | Organisation Reports | Announcements | Other News

Rector Writes

Dear Friends

It’s an old cliché but it seems to be certainly true that Christmas starts earlier every year, with shops getting decorated at the end of August. Of course it’s also a cliché that the clergy and others complain about this!
In October, I went on retreat to Glenstal Abbey, near Limerick: the silence and constant round of prayer of that wonderful place brought it home to me again how we miss so much by being so busy. By rushing into Christmas we do miss the important themes of Advent: watching, waiting, being awake and alert, getting ourselves ready for the message of the coming of Jesus at Christmas, and his return at the end of time.

Recently, I heard someone speak about a child who had severe autism and kept banging his head against a wall all day long. The teacher didn’t try to distract the child or prevent the behaviour: instead she copied it. And after a couple of days the boy had begun to respond to smiles and touch. Why? Autism arises when the brain senses too much material coming in, too much information. There is a feeling of panic; the mind has to regain control. And the best way of doing this is to close up on yourself and repeat actions that are familiar; do nothing new, and don't acknowledge anything coming from outside. But when the therapist gently echoes the actions and rhythms, the anxious and wounded mind of the autistic person sees that there is after all a link with the outside world that isn't threatening. Here is someone doing what I do; the world isn't just an unfamiliar place of terror and uncertainty. And when I do this, I can draw out an answer, an echo; I'm not powerless. And so relationship begins.

This is the message of Christmas. All of us have our fears. But God acts to heal us, to bring us out of our isolation. And he does this in a way that is just like the therapist. He does what we do; he is born, he grows up, he lives for many years a life that is ordinary and prosaic like ours - he works, he eats, he sleeps. Here is ultimate love, complete holiness, made real in a back street in a small town. And when he begins to do new and shocking things, to proclaim the Kingdom, to heal, to forgive, to die and rise again - well, we shouldn't panic and run away because we have learned that we can trust him. We know he speaks our language, he has responded to our actions and our words, he has echoed to us what we are like. He is God so that he has the freedom to heal, to be our 'therapist'. He is human so that he speaks in terms we can understand, in the suffering and delight of a humanity that he shares completely with us. And now we must let him touch us and tell us that there is a world outside our minds - our pride and fear and guilt. It is called the Kingdom of God.

This Christmas time, let us take the time to reflect on that eternal truth behind the glitter. Come and join us for our study groups or our services. A happy Christmas to you all.

Yours in Christ

Andrew

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:

Christian Marriage:

Funeral:

In Memorium:

Organisations Reports

Girls’ Brigade Notes
We had our Enrolment Service on the 18th October with a good attendance. We are selling crystal decorations/phone charms in aid of the Laura Lynn Foundation. These will be sold on our stall at the Parish fair, but also throughout the year, please see the leaders for information.

Ros Garrett

Youth Club
The Youth Club is going really well so far this season with about 20 people attending each night.
We have had a games night, a DVD/pizza evening, a trip to do bowling and quasar and a sweet packing night for the Parish fair.

We will be running the tuck shop at the Parish fair and helping Santa in his grotto.

Our final event before Christmas will be a Battle of the sexes and party in the Parish Centre. All members are welcome but please text if you are coming as we really need to know numbers in advance.

Charles/Ruby

Boys’ Brigade
We held our annual enrolment service at the end of November. There was a great turnout as usual with almost all the boys and their families in attendance. The boys read the lessons and led the prayers and also took up the collection. They were all excellent.

Meanwhile each Tuesday the boys are busy preparing for their scripture exams and the figure marching competitions which will be held during December and January.

The anchor boys attended the battalion fun outing to Enrgy in Artane.

They had a great time and thanks of course to the leaders and parents who gave up their Saturday morning to take the boys.

As usual we are pleading for some volunteers to come forward to help with Boys’ Brigade.

We are particularly looking for someone to help with the senior boys where the ages range from 11 to 17. Please contact the parish office for any information. The company will be unable to continue if we are unable to recruit some new leaders.

Janet Seaman.

Announcements

St. Mary’s Clonsilla:
A big thank you to all who came and helped with the tidy up of the Churchyard on Saturday 3rd November and especially to Mr. William Moreland who did a great job during the preceding week and on the day. Thank you.

Blessing of the Graves:
A big thank you to everyone who helped with the stewarding at the recent grave blessing ceremonies. Over 450 gathered in Clonsilla, while, as usual, there was standing room only in Castleknock. In Clonsilla, Elaine was joined by Frs. Gerry Gill and John Daly, while in Castleknock, Andrew was accompanied by Frs. John Jones, Maurice O’Shea, Dennis O’Connor and Mick Cullen. It is excellent to see this example of practical ecumenism continuing to be as popular as ever.

40th Anniversary:
Rev. Andrew was delighted to be a guest at a special mass for Fr. Dennis O’Connor, curate in Castleknock Parish, marking the 40th Anniversary of his ordination.

Quiz nights:
Two very successful quiz nights were held recently: the first in aid of the Habitat for Humanity trip to Madagascar, and the second in support of CNS Parents’ Association. Both were very successful, and thanks to all the organisers.

Blessing of hands:
Elaine took part with the other Blanchardstown Hospital Chaplains at the recent Blessing of Hands ceremony in the Academic Centre. This is part of the graduation of the new nurses, and is very much appreciated by all involved.

Posada:
Again this year, we will be encouraging the true spirit of Advent and Christmas into our homes with the Mexican Posada tradition. The Mary and Joseph crib figures will be journeying from house to house in the parish, spending one night in each place. Prayers are included and it is excellent way of getting to meet new people.

Annual Hockey Match:
Wednesday 26th December - Annual Parish Hockey Match at Kings Hospital, Palmerstown from 12 noon — All Welcome.

Other News

Advent, Christmas and Epiphany

Advent Study Group
Advent Study Group on Prayer at 8 p.m. in Castleknock Parish Centre. Led by Stella Obe for 3 nights - 29th November, 6th & 13th December.

Christmas Carol Services
Sunday 16th December:
11.30 a.m. in St Brigid’s - Castleknock N.S. will hold their Annual Carol Service

Sunday 16th December:
7 p.m. in St Brigid’s - Service of Nine Lessons and Carols followed by seasonal refreshments in Castleknock Parish Centre

Christmas Services 2007
Christmas Eve (Monday 24th December):
11.30 p.m . The First Eucharist of Christmas (St Brigid’s)

Christmas Day - Tuesday 25th December):
8.30 a.m. Holy Communion (St Brigid’s)
10.00 a.m. Family Eucharist for Christmas (St Mary’s)
11.30 a.m. Family Eucharist for Christmas (St Brigid’s)

Services after Christmas
There will be a Service of Holy Communion at 10.30 a.m. in Castleknock Parish Centre to celebrate:
St Stephen’s Day (Wednesday 26th December)
St John’s Day (Thursday 27th December)
Holy Innocents’ Day (Friday 28th December)

Sunday 30th December 2007 - Christmas 1
8.30 a.m. Eucharist
10.00 a.m. Service of the Word (St Mary’s)
11.30 a.m. Service of the Word (St Brigid’s)

Feast of the Epiphany
Sunday 6th January 2008: Normal Sunday service times

As you Pray Today

Scripture Reading
The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quite waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:2-3

Prayer
Pray that God will give your friends peace and restoration today

Noah's Ark!!

Everything I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark..

ONE: Don't miss the boat.

TWO: Remember that we are all in the same boat.

THREE: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

FOUR: Stay fit. When you're 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

FIVE: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

SIX: Build your future on high ground.

SEVEN: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

EIGHT: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

NINE: When you're stressed, float awhile

TEN: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Castleknock Sunday Club - A few Reviews

On Friday 19th of October CASTLEKNOCK Sunday Club went to see the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Over the summer a show was broadcast on BBC1 for a battle to see who would win the star part in the hit musical “Joseph”. The play ran from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th in the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Thank you Sunday club for a great day, and especially thanks to all of the leaders who made the trip possible. Sean Melia

Joseph
I liked Joseph because of his dream coat and his songs and his brothers. I liked his dreamcoat because of the colours. Sarah Mc’s point of view.

On Friday the 19th of October Sunday club and friends (Emily Hayes and Niamh Melia) went to see “Joseph and the amazing technicolour dreamcoat”. Everyone arrived outside Castleknock N.S. at 3.20pm. we all set off in our different cars, everyone of us dying to get there! As we arrived we waited looking at the photo’s outside “the Gaiety”, and admiring them. Eventually we were allowed in! Soon the musical started, we all were dancing in our seats to the fantastic songs. At the interval we were fed and watered! And in the end we all went home with big smiles on our faces and in every car home each song was sung repeatedly! On behalf of Sunday club, I would like to thank Leslie Anders, Regina Liepe, John Anders and Rev. Orr because if they didn’t come the trip wouldn’t have been possible! Niamh Melia

When we arrived at the Gaiety we were very early so we had to wait outside for a long time. When we eventually went in we sat in the upper circle at the top so we got a very good view. When the show started everybody was very excited. The singers were excellent, which was good because practically the whole show was sung. The main singers came from the show “Any Dream Will Do”, which was cool because we got to see people from television. The best part was at the end when they started to sing loads of songs and some of the people from our group got up and started dancing! At the end of the show, they attached a coat onto Joseph that was so big, more than half the cast had to hold a corner of it! On the way home we were a bit tired after such an exhilarating show! Sam Roberts

A Thought

STOP SHOPPING
The word and his sister is out buying up the earth. Do you need more goods and more clutter? In your interior life there is no space for things, only the truth of your being. In that inner space you will find beauty and joy. Let yourself yearn for these priceless possessions. Being more is better than buying more.

Rector Writes | Readings & Services | From the Registers | Organisation Reports | Announcements | Other News

Parishes of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla
Parish Office
Main Street
Castleknock
Dublin 15
Tel: 01-820 0040
Fax: 01-820 0040
E-mail: castleknock@dublin.anglican.org