Parish News Archives - February 2007

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

Rector Writes

THE CURATE WRITES

Dear Friends,
This year the season of Lent begins on Wednesday 21st February. By tradition it’s a time of giving up and doing without - no sooner are we over the shock of our credit card bills after Christmas, when the Church asks us to undertake an annual ‘holy fast’. Lent is a season for us to reflect and take stock of our lives. It originated in the early days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves, and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, Christians are invited to imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.
The English word for Lent is derived from the Old English ‘lencten’, which simply meant ‘springtime’, and possibly referred to the lengthening of the daylight. As the Church season also occurred at that time of year, the name came to apply there also. Even when the word ‘Lent’ was no longer used to refer to spring, the Church still kept it to describe the season before Easter.
The observance of Lent predates that of Ash Wednesday, but its origins are uncertain. For the first three hundred years after the death of Christ, there was considerable diversity and debate about the practice of fasting before Easter. The early Church only observed Lent for a few days before Easter, but, over the years the season grew until it was several weeks long. In the year 331 A.D., the Bishop of Alexandria, St. Athanasius, wrote a pastoral letter instructing people to observe a period of forty days of fasting before the stricter fast of Holy Week.
The Church officially set the period of Lent as forty days in the seventh century. In the Eastern Churches (where both Saturdays and Sundays are regarded as festival days), the period of Lent is the eight weeks before Easter, while in the Western Churches (where only Sunday is regarded as a festival – the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection), this forty day period begins on Ash Wednesday and extends (with the exception of Sundays) to the day before Easter.
For centuries, Lent has been observed as a special time of self-examination – it’s a time for us to concentrate on fundamental values and priorities to help us reflect on the direction our lives are taking. In today’s world we can sometimes fall into the trap of believing that material things can bring us happiness, and so we may spend too much time trying to have our wants and wishes satisfied.
What will Lent 2007 mean for each of us? Following the tradition of ‘giving up’ something for Lent, I’d like to share a few suggestions which I came across recently:
Give up watching television (or something else you enjoy doing) one evening a week - instead, try to visit someone who is lonely or sick. There are those in our community who are isolated by illness or age - try to give someone a precious gift, your time!
Give up buying anything but essentials for yourself - instead, give the money to charity. The money you would spend on luxuries could possibly help someone to meet their most basic needs.
Give up 10 minutes in bed - instead, try to use that time in prayer.
Give up looking at other people's worst points - instead, try to concentrate on their best points. Then, perhaps, it will be easier for people to overlook our own shortcomings, if we overlook theirs first!
Give up speaking unkindly about people - it costs so little to say something kind and uplifting.
Give up your worries and anxieties - instead, trust God with them. Live for today and let God's grace be sufficient.
Let’s try to use Lent 2007 to be better people – let’s use it as a time of reflection in order to help us discover the will of God.

Elaine

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:
17th December in St. Mary’s: David Obinna, son of Prosper and Ljeonna of Tyrellstown

May he shine as lights in the world to the glory of God the Father

Christian Marriage:

Funeral:

In Memorium:
SYMPATHY: As we go to press we have just heard of the death of Ronnie Robinson, husband of Dorothy, father, grandfather and brother to Frank. We sympathise with the family and friends. The Funeral will have taken place by the time we go to print. An appreciation will be in next month’s issue.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory

Organisations Reports

Boys' Brigade
The company has had a busy start to the New Year. 16 anchor boys went to visit the Lambert puppet theatre on the 13th Jan for a special showing of Sleeping Beauty. A great time was had by all and plenty of crisps and goodies were consumed. Thanks to the parents who helped with lifts.

The company section had a busy time with football in January. On Saturday 13th January the U15s entered two teams in the battalion competition in Coolock. The teams finished second and third. The following Saturday the 15s and over competed in Tallaght and were unlucky not to finish second.

The company section would like to say a big thanks to Adam and Luke Henshaw’s granny who fed the boys when they arrived unannounced on her doorstep while on their way to the soccer match.

The boys are now preparing for their scripture exam.

We would like to send our best wishes to David O’Reilly a past member and anchor boy helper on the occasion of his marriage. We wish him and Rebecca all the best for the future.

Janet Seaman.

Mothers' Union
We are well into 2007 now, but we cast a backward glance at Christmas and remember a great night with the parish gospel choir. Several members chose carols and gave their reasons for their choices, and then everyone sang them with the choir. A really good fun evening, finished off by mince pies. We had our annual meal out in January, and we went to The Vineyard in Blanchardstown, again a good evening and a great turnout.

Our knit ins are very popular and the hats and scarves are given to the Simon community who give them directly to people on the streets; the knitters (and chatters) meet in one another’s homes on Monday nights. Recently the Simon community sent us a lovely letter of thanks.

“These treasured gifts are always welcome, but especially at this time of year, and it has been a joy for us, and all the Soup Run volunteers, to distribute them on your behalf. The recipients are most thankful, as usual.”
Sam and Olive Jackson, Simon volunteers.

Susan Green

Announcements

Pastoral Care:
Many of you will have heard that the Rector is currently on sick leave and in hospital at the moment. Andrew is likely to be off work for a number of weeks - please keep him, Susan and the family in your prayers at this time.
In the event that Elaine is unavailable, and you need urgent pastoral care, you may wish to contact either:
Archdeacon David Pierpoint or Canon Cecil Hyland.

Susan and the family would like to thank everybody for their prayers and messages of support at this time.

Christmas Services:
Thanks as always to those helped with the Christmas services in our churches, especially Philip our organist and the members of the Gospel choir, to all who decorated the Churches. In Castleknock, Sunday club members told us the story of the Jesse tree each week during Advent, and sang on Christmas Day, while in Clonsilla, the members helped with “The Christmas Storybook” on Christmas Eve. Thanks to all their leaders for their hard work.

Castleknock Community College:
Elaine and Andrew took part in the ecumenical carol service at Castleknock Community College, which was greatly enjoyed by everyone who attended.

Visit of St. Patrick’s Choir:
We were delighted to once again welcome St. Patrick’s Cathedral Choir under the direction of Peter Barley for a wonderful evening of Christmas music. With the help of our friends in Castleknock Lions, a large crowd attended and a substantial sum was raised for the Clonsilla Parish Centre building fund. Once again, thank you to Lawrence O’Reilly for his organisation and to those who helped with the Catering.

Baptism of Christ:
We celebrated feast of the Baptism of Jesus by again welcoming all who had been baptised in the last year with their families. The entire congregation renewed their baptismal vows and pledged themselves once again to following Christ.

Mission Sunday:
The preacher at Mission Sunday this year was Rev. Obinna Ulogwara, Chaplain to the International community in Dublin. We were very pleased that members of his own family were also able to be with us. Many found his address inspirational and the warmth of his personality shone through. African members of our own parish community then hosted a bring and share lunch, at which we all got to share delicacies such as spicy beef stew, catfish soup, plantain crisps and Yam and Spinach. It was a great way to meet each other and to be enriched by different cultures. We recently calculated that some 12% of the parish come from Nigeria with substantial numbers from other countries. Thanks to Stella and Bola for their organisation of the event.

Stella’s new Job:
Congratulations to our Lay reader, Stella Obe, who has been appointed as Parish Links Co-ordinator with CMS. She will be working with parishes all over the Republic, encouraging them to develop meaningful mission links.

Other News

Valentines Day History

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.
Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers.  The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers. There was often a social gathering or a ball.

Parish Hockey Match

We met at 12 noon on St. Stephen’s Day at The King’s Hospital gastro pitch. The teams were picked – roughly 20 a side! It was quite an even match, with the Anderson, Cadoo, Dobson, Garrett, Greene, Hayes, Kitching, Lawson, McGuckin, Nelson and Woods families well represented. We were delighted to see Rixi (KH hockey coach) replacing Dave Garrett, who umpired with Ada Lawson.

It was lovely to see some new faces on the pitch – Roy, Charles and Jenny Mutawe, Aoife Kitching, Richard Kerr, James Nelson and Hannah McGuckin.

Half time refreshments were provided by Valerie Greene and Monica Woods whereby we ate and had a well earned break and social chat. During the interval Dave Dobson ran a mini match for the under 12s assisted by some 12 yr olds! The Anders family turned up with their dog who was very interested in the Hayes’ dog! John Anders as celebrating a “significant birthday” and a cake was produced and eaten.

Back to the second half, whereby we witnessed Theo Lawson upending his father, Ben Garrett giving lip to the umpire (his dad) and being penalised! Robert Lawson questioning an umpire’s decision (his wife)! Aoife Kitching and Emily Dobson making some very good tackles (they were on my team!).

The match finished evenly with a 2-2 draw. Once again we returned to the Nelson’s home for wonderful hospitality whereby we spent the afternoon chatting and catching up with each other.

Ros Garrett

Good Morning Blanchardstown Project

The Good Morning Blanchardstown Project has been operating for two years now. We have recently extended the project into Cabra and Finglas and welcome referrals from these areas. The service is available free of charge to the elderly, people who feel alone or vulnerable (couples may avail of the service).

The key points of the service are:
§ The service offers a free telephone call five mornings per week to check that people are well and kept informed of other services that are available to them.

§ The service can also remind clients of Hospital and Doctor’s appointments if they wish – we have found that this part of the service is very popular and has reduced the number of missed appointments by our clients.

§ If there is no response to our telephone call after a period of time we can advise their contact person and if necessary call the emergency services.

People can self refer themselves, be referred by other agencies, services or family members.

If you have any queries or require further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

CATHY MCLOUGHLIN
Service Manager

A Few Thoughts

God gives us our relatives - thank God we can choose our friends.
- Ethel Watts Mumford

Love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.
- Anonymous

A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out - Walter Winchell
To reach a port we must sail, sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must not drift or lie at anchor.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. - Buddha

Lent - Western and Eastern Churches

The Western Church
Because Sunday is the day of the Resurrection, we skip over Sundays when we calculate the length of Lent. Therefore, in the Western Church, Lent always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter.

In many countries, the last day before Lent (called Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, or Fasching) has become a last fling before the solemnity of Lent. For centuries, it was customary to fast by abstaining from meat during Lent, which is why some people call the festival Carnival, which is Latin for farewell to meat.

The Eastern Church
The Eastern Church does not skip over Sundays when calculating the length of the Great Lent. Therefore, the Great Lent always begins on Clean Monday, the seventh Monday before Easter, and ends on the Friday before Palm Sunday - using of course the eastern date for Easter. The Lenten fast is relaxed on the weekends in honour of the Sabbath (Saturday) and the Resurrection (Sunday). The Great Lent is followed by Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, which are feast days, then the Lenten fast resumes on Monday of Holy Week. Technically, in the Eastern Church, Holy Week is a separate season from the Great Lent.

Tiny Tots Bettle Drive

Friday 9th February from 7.30pm in Castleknock Parish Hall, in Aid of Make a wish foundation. Admission €6 for adults, €5 for children and €15 for a family. Junior and Senior Tables. Raffle will take place during the evening
Tickets available from Committee Members or on the night

Carer of the Year Award

The Carers Association

Invites you to nominate Family Carers for the Carer Of The Year Award

Prizes include:
Holiday in Sicily, Weekend Break in Ireland
Portable Laptop

Please call Michelle or Jacqueline for nomination forms

Closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday 2nd March 2007

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