Parish News Archives - March 2009

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

Rector Writes

Dear Friends,

The season of Lent has had a bad press in the past. It seemed to be introspective, over obsessed with sin, and generally gloomy.

At the moment, however, it seems to match the mood of our country, and indeed of the world: a time of cutbacks, of stringency, of re-examination. Just recently one newspaper columnist wrote “These days the most striking thing about Lent is that, like spring, it is a reminder of a different way to measure the passing of the year. It connects us with a time before our days were counted out by the television schedules and the greeting cards industry. The dominance of this new calendar is a shame, because there are times when the only thing to do is to wail and gnash the communal teeth.”

President Obama said much the same in his State of the Union address: "Critical debates and difficult decisions were put off for some other time on some other day,…..Well, that day of reckoning has arrived, and the time to take charge of our future is here."

But of course, as we have said many times: Lent is about more than giving up things: it’s a chance to reorient the direction of our lives and take stock of our true values and to be honest about weaknesses and limitations.

Temptation always strikes us at our weakest moments. There would be no point otherwise. The same happened to Jesus: his mission just begun, he was feeling apprehensive. Alone in the desert he had been fasting for forty days. The devil knew when and how to pounce. In the forty days of Lent we have the opportunity to look at our own temptations and to work out how to avoid giving in to them.

The first thing is to recognise what they are and when they happen. This gives us the chance to avoid being put in a position where we might give in. Sitting outside a bank at midnight is not the right place to resist an urge for robbery. The bar of a pub is no place to be fighting against a drink problem. For some it might be the company of a particular person that offers temptation, or even something as simple as a DVD player or the internet. How many times during this Lent do we plan to put ourselves at risk?

Watching out and praying is what Jesus tells us to do. Temptation is not a sin; it's just a reminder of our frailty and weakness. Jesus suffered even the most repulsive temptations that assail each of us. He had to if he was to redeem us at our basest.

Yet he was able to resist because the bond that linked him with his Father was stronger than the passing lure of temptation. Prayer is the strongest armament in our arsenal. By ourselves we are powerless; we need the grace of God's Holy Spirit.

Knowing our boundaries is crucial. Some people can put themselves in situations and feel no temptation whereas others are sure to fall victim. There's nothing weak about accepting our own limitations. Knowing our boundaries helps us to appreciate the consequences of what we might do. What seems perfectly reasonable at the time can end up with terrible consequences later. We are tempted to think that anything is right as long as our motives are good but in the cold light of day we realise how damaging our supposed good intentions can be.

Lent's a time for doing something to resist our temptations. Why not confide in another person? Why not consider the age-old practice of reconciliation through confession? Why not make the most of these forty days so that you will really feel part of the "Alleluia" when Easter comes?

Yours in Christ,

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:

Christian Marriage:

Funeral:
23rd January in St. Mary’s: Ernie Davison of Hartstown

In Memorium:

Organisations Reports

Boys' Brigade
Many thanks to all who supported the supper dance. The food and music were excellent and a great turnout ensured that well over €1,000 was raised.

Tiny Tots
Many thanks to all those who supported the Beetle Drive on 13th February and those who bought raffle tickets.

A total of €431 was raised for the Lauralynn Children's Hospice Foundation.

Olive Good

Mothers' Union
Monday 2nd March International Food Testing and Tasting.

Lesley Anders, Stella Obe, Christina Russell and Joy Umeh will explain how to prepare their recipes and we can look forward to a taster of each one!

Girls' Brigade
Well done to the Explorers and Junior/Seniors who took part in the National Teamwork and Solo Skipping competitions. The Castleknock teams performed very well but didn’t feature in the top four this year. Well done to our Solo Skippers; Emily Hayes, Eimear Lyons and Sarah Barron. This was Emily’s last year to do the skipping solo and it’s worth noting that she has done it every year since coming up to Junior/Senior. Thanks Emily. It was also Eimear and Sarah’s first year to do the solo and we hope that they have as much success in the future as Emily.

District and modern competitions are just around the corner and our Junior/Seniors and Brigaders are really looking forward to them.

Our annual display will take place on Friday 3rd April in Castleknock Community College at 7.30pm. This is always an enjoyable evening and a great opportunity for the girls to show off their work over the year to family and friends.

Heather Hayes

Sunday Club
As usual Sunday club is as busy as ever. Numbers are high thanks to the excellent rota of volunteer leaders and helpers. Since Christmas we have been studying Genesis and the Creation.

We will be discussing Lent in a workshop and will be encouraging the children to take part in our Sight savers Children’s Project.

This year the Sunday School Society in Ireland celebrates its 200th anniversary. They have chosen to promote this worthwhile Lenten project. For 50 years Sight savers has been restoring sight and improving the lives of people who are irreversibly blind in poor countries around the world.

They were founded in the 1950s by Sir John Wilson, with the express aim of restoring sight - wherever possible - in former Commonwealth countries.

Today, they work with partners in over 30 countries and their mission has expanded to also provide services to the blind and campaign for the eradication of needless blindness. Sight savers continue working closely with partners around the world to contribute to their goal of eliminating avoidable blindness. They will also be calling for international action to include children who are blind in mainstream education. This is essential if the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015 is to be achieved.

Our Sunday Club members will be issued with cardboard money boxes and we would ask that you give as you can – a little goes a very long way! Just 27c buys a tube of Tetracycline ointment to treat Trachoma.

Extra boxes will be available at the back of the church. Looking forward we will be having the usual Easter activities – Children's Way of the Cross on Good Friday and Egg Hunt.

Also please note that the Sunday School Society quiz has been re-scheduled for Sunday 29th March 3-5pm. Children of school age welcome (cost €3 per child)

Any queries please contact Lesley Anders.

Announcements

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
Many thanks to all who came and supported the week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service in St. Brigid’s, when we were joined by our fellow Christians from Laurel Lodge, Porterstown, Castleknock and Blanchardstown Catholic parishes. The service was prepared by Korean Christians on the theme of being bound together, and the bamboo cross made for that service is still on display in St. Brigid’s

Snow!:
Services on Sunday 8th February were severely disrupted by the weather. But the fighting spirit prevailed, and hardy souls toiled through the blizzards. A very enjoyable service took place in Clonsilla Parish Centre for warmth!

Congratulations:
Congratulations to our old friend Ola Olorunyomi, (who helped for many years at our holiday club) on his wedding to Jummy Okeshola on February 14th in St. Mary’s, Howth.

Spring Clean Volunteers:
Spring Cleaning Work party in St. Thomas' Mulhuddart on
Saturday 21st March 10am.
Everyone welcome!

Looking ahead to March and beyond::
The World Day of Prayer (prepared by the Women of Papua New Guinea) will be marked by a service in St. Brigid’s on Friday 6th March at 8pm.
15th March: Our confirmation candidates will be leading us through the Communion service, explaining it as we go: a chance for us all to learn….
26th March: Pub quiz run by Castleknock NS Parents association: More details nearer the time
29th March: Castleknock Easter Vestry: earlier than usual this year! Clonsilla Easter vestry takes place on Sunday 26th April.

Castleknock Easter Vestry:
Castleknock Easter Vestry will be on the 29th March following the 11.30am service. Come and have your say and elect next year’s vestry.

Daffodil Day Coffee Morning:
Coffee morning on Friday 20th March
10am to 1pm
in Castleknock Parish Centre
Please come along and bring your friends.

Pub Quiz:
Thursday 23rd April 2009
in Myos Pub at 8.00pm
In aid of the Réalt Student Teachers for Africa Programme 2009

As part of this programme I will be spending 8 weeks in Africa living within a local community and teaching in local schools and colleges

€40.00 a table – 4 people max per table.
CASH PRIZES

To book a table contact Jennifer Hollingsworth.
Thank you for supporting me.

Flower Festival:
St James' Church, Castledermot, Co. Kildare
Flower Festival 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'
which takes place on
Saturday 6th June 11 am - 7 pm and Sunday 7th 11am - 6 pm.
It is in aid of Cancer home care, Church upkeep and Tidy Towns
There will be refreshments available, side stalls, and a huge raffle. Admission €10.

Other News

Lenten Series

Justice and Peace in Ireland and The World
Parishes of St. Brigid, Castleknock and St. Mary, Clonsilla
Parish of St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge

Tuesday March 3rd, 8 p.m.
The Developing world: eyewitness reports
Insights and actions of local parishioners working on the ground in Madagascar, Calcutta and South America.
Venue: Castleknock Parish Centre

Tuesday March 10th, 8 p.m
Israel and Palestine
Identity and territory: political and biblical.
Speakers: Eoin Cassidy. Dr. Susan Hood
Venue: St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge.

Thursday March 19th, 8 p.m.
Fair Trade in a global economy?
Orla Quinn (Trocaire)
Venue: Castleknock Parish Centre

Tuesday March 24th, 8 p.m.
Have we got the society we deserve?
Questions and Answers with John Lonergan, Gina Menzies and others
Chair: Bryan Dobson, RTE
Venue: St Thomas the Apostle, Laurel Lodge

Tuesday March 31st 8 p.m.
Passover Meal
Exploring our Jewish roots
Venue: Scoil Thomais School Hall (Castleknock Vale)

Further info: www.castleknock.dublin.anglican.org
Rev. Andrew Orr 01-8213083

'Carbon Fast' Urged During Lent

The British Energy and Climate Change Minister, Ed Miliband MP, and senior Church of England's Bishops are urging people to cut down on carbon rather than give up chocolate this Lent.

Ed Miliband MP, The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, the Bishop of Liverpool and Vice President of Tearfund, Rt Rev James Jones, and the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, joined with development agency Tearfund in calling for a cut in personal carbon use for each of the forty days of Lent, yesterday.

Ed Miliband said: “Scientists warn that climate change could hit all countries hard and fast but by taking part in this carbon fast we can all reduce the size of our carbon footprints and make a difference.

“This initiative shows that there are plenty of ways we can make a difference that might seem like a sacrifice to begin with but can easily become part of everyday life that will help tackle dangerous climate change. I hope it will inspire people to cut carbon for Lent and keep them on a low carbon path.”

In what is a crucial year for climate change, when world leaders will gather in Copenhagen in December and must seal a strong and fair global deal to tackle global warming, the Bishops and Tearfund have launched the fast because of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and protect poor communities, who contribute least to climate change yet bear the brunt of its impact.

The Carbon Fast is the brain-child of The Bishop of Liverpool and Vice President of Tearfund, Rt Rev James Jones, who said:

"God calls us to be stewards of the earth he created and to take care of the poor and vulnerable. With this in mind there is a moral imperative for those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon, to rein in our consumption. The Carbon Fast is a fun and simple way to do this."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: "Let's try this Lent to walk more humbly, live more simply and cherish more deeply the creation of which we are only a part. And having started, who knows where people will get to in carbon savings?”

The Carbon Fast is a 40 day journey through Lent, towards a lighter carbon footprint, with a simple energy saving action per day. Participants are asked to begin by removing one light bulb from a prominent place in the home and live without it for 40 days - as a constant reminder during Lent of the need to cut energy. Taking part in the Carbon Fast will result in an estimated 727Kg C02 of saved energy per household over the 40 days. This results in a 25% cut in average emissions over this period.

To find out more about the Carbon Fast 2009 go to www.tearfund.org/carbonfast.

Christians Hit Cyber Road for Virtual Lent Pilgrimage

An online journey for Lent has been organised by Christian Aid.

During Lent, Christians and others and being invited to take part in a virtual Israel-Palestine pilgrimage which transports travellers from their email inbox to the lands made familiar through both the Bible and contemporary - sometimes tragic headlines.

It has been backed by church leaders from across the denominations.

The online pilgrimage gives people the chance to watch short videos, go to photo galleries, read stories and pray in the places where Jesus preached.

They also meet local Christians, Jews and Muslims living there today, hear their personal stories and hear how the conflict touches the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians, and learn how hard many people are working for peace.

"Christian Aid has come up with an innovative way of connecting people to the movement for hope and change in Israel-Palestine - not just by making donations and engaging in advocacy, important as those are, but by opening our eyes and hearts to what is going on and what it means in human and spiritual terms. "This imaginative initiative captures the true spirit of Lent, which is not just about detaching ourselves from the selfish impulses which end up dividing human communities; it also positively unites us to the dream and struggle of 'a new world coming' in the midst of tension and fear."

http://lentpilgrimage.christianaid.org.uk/

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday has become in modern times equivalent to Mother's Day, which latter name is also increasingly used, but this is a recent development, and its history is quite different.

Mothering Sunday did not begin as a celebration of motherhood, but a synonym of Laetare Sunday in the Christian liturgical calendar. During the sixteenth century, people returned to their "mother church" for a service to be held on the fourth Sunday of Lent. This was either a large local church, or more often the nearest Cathedral. Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone "a-mothering", although whether this preceded the term Mothering Sunday is unclear. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, if prevented by conflicting working hours.

The Epistle for the Fourth Sunday in Lent as set out in the Book of Common Prayer gives a special place to the theme of maternal love: Galatians 4:26 states that "Jerusalem which is above is free; which is Mother of us all."

The other names attributed to this festival include Simnel Sunday, Refreshment Sunday and Rose Sunday. Simnel Sunday is named after the practice of baking Simnel cakes to celebrate the reuniting of families during the austerity of Lent. Because there is traditionally a lightening of Lenten vows on this particular Sunday in celebration of the fellowship of family and church, the lesser-used label of Refreshment Sunday is also used, although rarely today. Rose Sunday is sometimes used as an alternative title for Mothering Sunday as well, as is witnessed by the purple robes of Lent being replaced in some churches by rose-coloured ones. This title refers to the tradition of posies of flowers being collected and distributed at the service originally to all the mothers, but latterly to all women in the congregation.

Another tradition associated with Mothering Sunday is the practice of "clipping the church", whereby the congregation form a ring around their church building and, holding hands, embrace it.

For some Church of England churches, it is the only day in Lent when marriages can be celebrated.

In later times, Mothering Sunday became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and other family members.

Mothering Sunday will be celebrated on 22nd March 2009, and everyone is welcome to join us in church that day, to celebrate both our own family life and the Church as our mother.

A Vegetarian Proposal

A VEGETARIAN PROPOSAL

I feel so melon-cauli dear since you have bean away
The thyme has bean so lonely
I pine (nuts) for you each day
No sugar beets your sweetness
Don't turnip your nose at me
But take this 18 carrot ring and lettuce married be.

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