Parish News Archives - May 2008

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

Rector Writes

Dear Friends,

The recent comments on interfaith dialogue by the Dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Very Rev. Robert McCarthy are most unfortunate. Describing Islam and Hinduism as “cults” is not only extremely offensive to members of those religions, but also inaccurate. There is a great deal of difference between a mainstream religion and a sect or cult, and to confuse the two does a great disservice to those working in the areas of both interfaith sharing, and those working to help those who have been caught up in the activities of cults in the true sense.

The Church of Ireland recently brought out a booklet giving guidelines on interfaith dialogue and listening, and it sets out very clearly how to treat other faiths with the respect they deserve. Available from the Sunday School Society bookshop, (or you can borrow my copy) it is an excellent publication. Here in this parish we have been very much at the forefront of dialogue, with the excellent Interfaith Roundtable discussion programmes, events and conferences. Their next conference takes place in the Castleknock Hotel on June 5th and all will be welcome to attend.

Vocation

On May 18th we look forward to hearing Robert Lawson preach to us as he prepares for his ordination as a deacon on June 8th. His ordination will be a time of great fulfilment and joy not just for him but for the whole parish. We pray for him and his family and the Celbridge Group of Parishes where he will serve. Robert’s commitment to the ordained ministry reminds us that we are all called to serve God in our own place: but it also encourages us to think about whether we too might have calling to the ordained ministry or as a lay reader. If you feel that might be God’s calling to you please speak to me or Elaine at any time. As you’ll see later in this issue, lunch is open to all in the Parish Centre at 12.30pm.

Confirmation

Our confirmation candidates will be confirmed on May 25th. Please keep them in your prayers at this important time in their lives, as they become adult members of the church.

Thank you

Thanks to everyone who made Holy Week and Easter so special in the parish. Our talented team of musicians, led by Maedhbh, the flower arrangers, Pat and Dorothy and their teams, all the readers and intercessors and to all of you who came each night.

Yours in his service


Andrew

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:
12thApril in St. Brigid’s: William James, son of Allen and Liz Nuzum of Clonee.

May he shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father

Christian Marriage:
Blessing of Marriage: 12th April in St. Mary’s: John Bosco Brennan and Fiona Halligan, Co. Meath.

May their home be a place of love, security and truth.

Funeral:

In Memorium:

Organisations Reports

Girls' Brigade
We are nearing the end of our Session and are looking forward to a break for the summer.

In the Modern Dance competition, our Junior/Senior team came 4th – well done to them!

Our Annual Display was held on Friday 18th April, more about that next month. Congratulations to Rachel Larke on the birth of Tabitha.

Ros Garrett

Tiny Tots
We have had a very busy year with all our little “Tots”. Congratulations to our Mums and Dads who had new babies during our year, we love to see all the little ones joining.

We have enjoyed music, jigsaws, and colouring, lots of bubbles and wonderful song time, lead by Vivienne. Our thanks go to Avril Battye who held a very informative and enjoyable First Aid for Mum’s night. We all learnt lots!

Our numbers are increasing all the time, however our places are restricted at present. If you are interested in joining Tiny Tots either now or at the start of our new year in September, please can you let us know ASAP. Please contact Viv on 01-8203010

Tiny Tots will be celebrating 28 years this May!

Vivienne Hayes

Mothers' Union
Our AGM was held on 7th April, and we heard reports from our own branch reps, and about what the wider MU has been doing across the world. We were delighted that Hilary continued as Chairperson and Sandra Connolly as Treasurer. Margaret Bentley was elected secretary in succession to Avril Hollingsworth. Thank you to Avril for her dedication and organisation over the past few years.

We had a very enjoyable day with the visit of our friends from Holywood MU. We toured Trinity College and then had a gorgeous lunch in the Parish Centre. A short service in St. Brigid’s concluded the day before our Holywood friends went home.

We are looking forward to our outing on Saturday 10th May and to hosting the North Area service on Monday 12th May.

Susan Green

Announcements

Holy Week and Easter:
Many thanks to all who took part in our Holy Week and Easter services. A highlight was undoubtedly a memorable Tenebrae service on Good Friday evening, as we heard the story of the passion, with a candle being extinguished after each section. Thanks to Elaine for her hard work in putting the service together. A large crowd as always attended the Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Vigil at St. Thomas’ for an enjoyable service welcoming the resurrection. On Easter Day, we gathered to celebrate the raising of Jesus from the dead with great singing and enthusiasm! We particularly want to thank our musicians, Maedhbh and Philip and the teams of flower arrangers for all their hard work.

Ecumenical:
Our 3rd Ecumenical "Sonrise" service took place at 6am at the Papal Cross, Phoenix Park. Despite the miserable weather at first, the sun broke through the clouds towards the end and symbolically brought the good news of the resurrection to us in a very tangible way. It was good to meet our friends from Mourne Road Parish, Drimnagh again as well as other Christians from the surrounding area.

Confirmation group:
Our candidates greatly enjoyed their stay in Ovoca Manor after Easter. Many thanks to Elaine and Lesley Anders for leading the group and to all who took part. Please pray for our candidates as they come closer to their confirmation on Sunday 25th May.

Coming up in May and beyond:
11th May: Sunday Clubs Closing service and Gift Day

18th May: We will be welcoming Robert Lawson back as our preacher, prior to his ordination on June 8th.
25th May: Confirmation 11am St. Brigid’s. Please note time.

Other News

President of Ireland to Speak at General Synod in Galway

It was announced today the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, will address the Church of Ireland General Synod when it convenes in Galway in May, the first time ever that a President of Ireland will have done so.

The President will visit the General Synod on Wednesday 14 May 2008 (the second day of the three day event) at about 12.45 p.m. and will meet privately for lunch with the Bishops of the Church. At 2.00 p.m. she will address the full General Synod for about 10 minutes.

The 2008 General Synod will take place in the Radisson SAS Hotel in Galway from Tuesday 13 May – Thursday 15 May and will bring together over 600 elected clergy and lay people from all over Ireland. The General Synod, which takes place annually, is the legislative and administrative body of the Church of Ireland and will, over the course of the three days, discuss and debate issues facing the Church and society, both nationally and internationally.

There will also be a Synod Service in St Nicholas Collegiate Church in Galway on the evening of Tuesday, 13 May. A civic reception for members of the Synod will take place on the following evening. The Synod debates and the services will also be attended by representatives of other Christian churches and civic leaders.

In recent years, the Synod has met in Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Armagh and (in 2007) Kilkenny. The 2008 Synod in Galway will be the first ever to take place west of the Shannon.

Seven Wonders of the World

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1.Egypt’s Great Pyramids;
2.Taj Mahal;
3.Grand Canyon;
4.Panama Canal;
5.Empire State Building;
6.St. Peter’s Basilica;
7.China’s Great Wall.

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.”

The girl hesitated, then read: “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:
8.To See…;
9.To Hear…;
10.To Touch…;
11.To Feel…;
12.To Taste…;
13.To Laugh…;
14.And to Love.”

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A simple reminder: The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

The Steam Museum & Lodge Park Walled Garden

Straffan, Co. Kildare
By kind permission of Robert & Sarah Guinness
A GRAND DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY

Saturday 17th May 2008 10am – 6pm
Last admissions 5pm
In aid of St. Mary’s Church, Leixlip
Restoration Project

Morning Coffee, Lunch and Afternoon Tea available
Visit the beautiful walled gardens
Various Stalls and attractions See Steam Engines in action

Entry Charges
Adult: €7.50
Child/Student/Senior/Groups of 20 or over €5.00
Family Ticket: €20.00
Contacts:
Peter & Linda Davis 6242279 Brian & Patricia Donohoe 6243535
Gordon & Mabel Long 6243116
Norman & Hazel Robins 6246332
For further information on the Steam Museum go to www.steam-museum.ie

Presentation

Church of Ireland
Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla
on
Sunday May 18th, 2008
Robert Lawson will be preaching at both church services.
At these services, he will be presented with stoles to celebrate his up coming ordination on June 8th.
After the service in St Brigid’s
on the 18th May
there will be a lunch in his honour
in
Castleknock Parish Centre.
As there will be outside caterers for this event we need to know approx numbers.
Could you fill in the form below and return to either the Clergy, Churchwardens or send into the Parish Office before Wednesday 14th 2008 or email the Parish Office on castleknockparishoffice2@eircom.net
_____________________________________________________
I / We wish to attend the lunch for Robert Lawson in the Parish Centre on May 18th 2008:

Family Name:____________________________

Number of Adults: ________ Number of Children: _____

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