Parish News Archives - September 2009

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

Rector Writes

THE REVD PAUL HOUSTON APPOINTED RECTOR OF CASTLEKNOCK AND MULHUDDART WITH CLONSILLA

It has been announced today that the Revd Paul Houston, Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole will be the new Rector of Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla. He will succeed the Revd Andrew Orr who left the Diocese in May 2009 to become Rector of Tullow.

The Revd [William] Paul Houston was born in 1954 in Belfast and was educated at the Boys Model Secondary School, Belfast and Methodist College, Belfast. After study at Queen's University, Belfast where he graduated with a BSSc in Economics and Politics in 1976, he worked for a few years in Chartered Accountancy. In 1978 he went on to train for ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland Theological College [now Institute]. He was ordained a Deacon in 1981 and a Priest the following year.

He initially served as Curate of Carrickfergus in the Diocese of Connor from 1981-1983 and then as Curate of St Comgall's Church, Bangor in the Diocese of Down from 1983 to 1986. His first incumbency was as Rector of Gilford in the same Diocese from 1986 to 1990, following his time there he became Rector of Carnalea, Bangor in Co Down from 1990 to 1999. Since 1999 he has been Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole in the Diocese of Dublin. As well as serving there he has also served as a member of the Diocesan Board of Education and its Executive, Diocesan Chaplain to the Mothers' Union and as a Minor Canon of St Patrick's Cathedral. He has also acted as Rural Dean of Ballymore and Salmon Leap in the Diocese of Glendalough.

Reacting to his appointment to Castleknock, the Revd Paul Houston said, "I've really enjoyed working in Clondalkin and Rathcoole and I've received wonderful support from the parishioners there. While I'll miss working closely with the people there I am also looking forward to the new challenge of serving in Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla and continuing service in the Church."

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:
1st August in St. Brigid’s Church, Castleknock – Thomas Muldoon, son of Dáithí and Karen.
2nd August in St. Brigid’s Church, Castleknock – Geoffrey O’Connor, son of Gary and Ros.
16th August in St. Thomas’ Church, Mulhuddart – Chlöe Birks, daughter of Adrian and Catherine

May they shine as lights in the world, to the glory of God the Father.

Christian Marriage:

Funeral:

In Memorium:

Organisations Reports

Mothers’ Union Notes
We had our opening fun night on Mon 7th Sept, and we had a great night with peals of laughter and shouting with our Beetle Drive. Hilary also showed everyone the presentation of what we do in our M.U. and what we have achieved.

All our welcome, come and bring a friend as we always have time to chat over a cuppa at the end too. Our next meeting is in the GP room of the school as the Parish Centre is not available at 8pm when we will hear about Jennifer Hollingsworth’s travels to Africa whilst teaching out there too on MONDAY, OCTOBER 2nd and on the Sunday 18th October, we are having our MU Enrolment Service in St Brigids, Castleknock at the 11.30 a.m. service. Please mark this in your diaries.

Mums if you are going to the Ploughing Championships don’t forget M.U. is running a tent with baby changing facilities and a cuppa for Mums when you are tired .....

Hilary Nason

Announcements

Announcement of our new Rector:
It was announced on Sunday 26th July that Rev. Paul Houston, currently Rector of Clondalkin and Rathcoole Parishes, is to be our new Rector. We are very much looking forward to welcoming him and hope that he will be happy among us. His institution will take place in St. Brigid’s Church, Castleknock, on Tuesday 6th October at 8 p.m. We hope that as many parishioners as possible will be able to join us for this occasion.

Harvest Festival in St. Thomas’ Church, Mulhuddart:
Harvest will be celebrated at St Thomas’ Church, Mulhuddart, at 3.30 p.m. on Sunday 27th September. The church is always beautifully decorated for this popular annual event and all are welcome.

Castleknock National School:
Castleknock National School re-opened on Monday 31st August and welcomed many new pupils (including thirty Junior Infants). Thank you to the school staff for all their hard work.

Children’s Summer Club:
'Show Stoppers’ - a week full of fun and games took place from August 17th – 21st in Castleknock Parish Centre. Based on Scripture Union’s holiday club material, the week was full of activities, crafts, drama, music, video presentations and Bible readings, as we explored the stories of creation, David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions’ den, Jesus’ birth, and his crucifixion and resurrection. Many thanks to to all our helpers – Rev. Elaine, Sadie, Ciara, Petra, Jon, Alison, Danielle, Aoife and Hannah.

Barbeque and ‘Songs of Praise’:
Many thanks to all those who helped with the barbeque and ‘Songs of Praise’ in the grounds of St. Mary’s Church, Clonsilla, on Sunday 30th August. Unfortunately, we weren’t blessed with fine weather, but everyone enjoyed themselves nonetheless!

We were delighted to welcome the members of ‘Blanchardstown Brass Band’ to the ‘Songs of Praise’. Garrett Casey, our Diocesan Communications Officer, also came along and took some photos which can be seen on the diocesan website – www.dublin.anglican.org

Other News

Farewell to Rev. Andrew Orr and Family

On 17th May there was a joint service in St. Brigid’s Church, Castleknock, to bid farewell to the Orr family. After the service, Mr. Frank Robinson (MC) introduced Fr. Eugene Kennedy who spoke on behalf of the Roman Catholic community and Sheikh Shaheed Satardien who spoke on behalf of the wider community. Frank Robinson then spoke on behalf of parishioners. After Andrew had finished speaking, a presentation was made to him and his family by the six churchwardens: Margaret Tutty and Valerie Fildes (Clonsilla) gave Rachel, Patrick and Ciara some Prize Bonds, Sadie Smullen and Michael Hensey (Mulhuddart) presented Susan with a gold Celtic cross and chain along with a bouquet of flowers, while Sam McKeever and John Patton (Castleknock) presented Andrew with a mosaic patio table and chairs plus a cheque. Andrew then thanked everyone and said he would miss us, but was looking forward to a new challenge.

Andrew’s institution as rector of Tullow Parish, took place in St. Columba’s Church, Tullow, on 29th May. Rev. Anne Taylor gave a good sermon on moulding people and how we are all individuals. Following the service everyone was invited to the Mount Wolseley Hotel for refreshments where there were speeches of welcome by local clergy, politicians and parish representatives. We wish them God’s blessing and happiness in Tullow.

Valerie Fildes

Building Blocks Children's Ministry Conference 2009

The Building Blocks Children’s Ministry Conference in 2009 is being held in a new venue at a reduced price!

The Conference will be held in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, on Saturday 14th November and will cost €35 (Tea/Coffee & Lunch are included). This Conference will also take place in Belfast on Saturday 28th November.

The key-note speaker is Kathryn Copsey. A trained community worker, she is Project Leader for CURBS (Children in URBan Situations) which provides resources and training. Her particular areas of interest are children's spirituality and developmental issues.

A wide range of seminars include Puppets Basics; Working with 4-7s; Christmas Services; Beginning to Teach; Boys will be boys!; Games; Craft for 8+ and much more.

Brochures are available from The Resource Centre Bookshop; Email: dublin at buildingblocks.ie. For further information check out www.buildingblocks.ie.

Interim Advice on the H1N1 Flu Pandemic

Press Release
Taken from ireland.anglican.org
http://ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=news&newsid=2705

FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND

The very high level of media attention on the H1N1 pandemic has led to a variety of enquiries and expressions of concern as to practice in the Church of Ireland. The notes that follow are advisory in nature and offer an initial framework to parishes as they address the issues raised by the pandemic. These have been drawn together following consultation among the Bishops and are offered subject to further approval or other advice that may be considered appropriate by your diocesan bishop as the pandemic develops. They may require future modification if further advice from Government agencies in each jurisdiction is issued.

1. Keep a sense of proportion. However, infection rates in Ireland are rising and likely to rise significantly if holiday makers come into contact with the virus and bring it home or visitors to Ireland bring it with them.

2. Use common sense. If you feel ill and display influenza-like symptoms stay at home. Do not come to church services until you feel well. Do not call the clergy for pastoral visitation unless you are told by a medical professional that your situation is grave. The symptoms to be aware of in the case of the H1N1 strain of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, muscle pains and gastrointestinal symptoms.

3. Hand to hand contact, as in the normal procedure for greeting people, including Exchanging the Peace at the Eucharist, involves some risks. The spreading of the virus by hand to hand contact is an important risk factor. However, spread is, first and foremost by respiratory means. It is possible to continue to exchange the Peace as long as proper hand and good general hygiene is observed. The same observation applies to all other physical contact including the shaking of hands in greeting.

4. The canonical elements in Holy Communion are bread and wine. Communicants may, if they wish, choose to avoid the Common Cup and receive in one kind only. This is acceptable and may be advisable if we see a significant rise in the rates of infection in Ireland.

5. The practice of intinction involving the use of wafers is permitted under Canon 13(5) but is only envisaged for Communion at home with the sick and housebound where this is necessary. It is not advised for services in church where intinction might take the form of each communicant dipping the Bread of the Eucharist in the Cup. This practice is no less risky than taking wine from the Common Cup.

6. The use of antiseptic gels and tissues may be of some assistance to both celebrant and recipient, but personal cleanliness at all times should be the invariable watchword whether or not a pandemic situation obtains. In the case of tissues, careful and hygienic disposal is absolutely essential. Thorough hand washing is just as effective and disposal is provided for via the waste disposal system. Respiratory masks have been widely advertised as ineffective.

7. Arrangements for parochial activities on parish premises should observe the commonsense provisions set out above, especially at note 6.

8. Commonsense arrangements locally adapted should be put in place as circumstances require. Significant numbers of deaths may occur associated with H1N1 Flu and these may reflect the particular vulnerability of younger people and children. When this happens pastoral care may be particularly demanding and clergy should seek colleague help if they feel the need.

9. Prayer. It is an obligation on the Church at all times to pray for people in their need. The outbreak of Swine Flu has created a great deal of fear as well as significant sickness among the community. Church members are urged to remember these matters in their prayers as well as those in the caring professions.

10. For reference:

Northern Ireland: the UK Department of Communities and Local Government has published Faith Communities and Pandemic Flu: Guidance for faith communities and local influenza pandemic committees which should be read in full by everyone concerned with the running of local churches:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/1219379.
The Northern Ireland Swine Flu Helpline is 0800 0514 142 and up-to-date information is available on the NIDirect website:
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/index/health-and-well-being/swine-flu.htm

Republic of Ireland: Advice is available from the HSE in the Republic of Ireland on its website:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/swineflu

There is a helpline on: FREEPHONE 1800 941100.

Date: 7th August 2009

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