Parish News Archives - June/July 2007

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

Rector Writes

A letter from the Curate

Dear Friends,

This year eleven young people from our parish will be confirmed by the Archbishop in St. Brigid’s Church, Castleknock, on June 10th. They are Matthew Allen, Sarah Beattie, Dean Dawson, Zack Harold, Emily Hayes, Niamh Melia, Shannan Nuzum, Semi Olusa, Robert Seaman, Mark Sheridan and Heather Skehan.
They have been well prepared by our Confirmation Club leaders since last October, using the ‘Youth Emmaus’ course. However, this course is not intended to be the sum total of their Christian education, as all Christians should be life-long learners.

During the Confirmation service, each of the candidates will make their own profession of faith and will be commissioned for service. They will repeat the vows made on their behalf at their baptism, in response to the questions:

Have you been baptised in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?

and

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?

By making these vows themselves, our young people will express their own personal commitment to follow Christ. Then the Archbishop will pray for them using a prayer which is based on Isaiah 11:

Almighty and everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ was crucified and rose again
to break the power of sin and death:
We give you thanks and praise for the gift of your Holy Spirit
by whom your servants have been born again
and made your children.
Grant that in the power of the same Holy Spirit
they may continue to grow in the knowledge and likeness of Christ;
increase in them your gracious gifts,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and inward strength,
the spirit of knowledge and godly living;
and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of reverence for you.

This prayer names the traditional ‘Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit’, the biblical origin of which can be found in Isaiah 11:1-3:

1A shoot shall come out from the stock of Jesse,
and a branch shall grow out of his roots.
2The spirit of the Lord shall rest on,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of counsel and might,
the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
3His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.
He shall not judge by what his eyes,
or decide by what his ears hear.

(The ancient Greek and Latin translations of this passage read ‘piety’ for ‘fear of the Lord’ in line six, thus giving us our traditional seven gifts).

During the central part of the Confirmation service, the Archbishop will lay his hands on those being confirmed and say the words:

‘N God has called you by name and made you his own.
Confirm O Lord your servant N with your heavenly grace,
that (s)he may continue to be yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until (s)he comes to your eternal kingdom’.

This is in accordance with what we find in the New Testament, where laying on of hands is used in many different ways – for example, healing (James 5:14); commissioning (Acts 13:3) and prayer for the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:17). There are elements of all these aspects in the service, as the Archbishop asks that God himself will confirm, not just the candidates’ own profession of faith, but also his promise of the Spirit for each person’s life.

The word ‘Messiah’ (Christos in Greek) means ‘anointed’. At Confirmation the candidates are anointed with the Holy Spirit. Throughout the Gospels we see how these seven gifts form Jesus' personality and are characteristic of his activity – think about the wisdom expressed in his parables; his understanding of the poor and the sick; his right judgment when tested by the Pharisees; his courage to continue the journey to Jerusalem where he surmised what fate awaited him; his knowledge of God's will; his reverence for his heavenly Father and his awe before the wonders of creation.

Please continue to pray for each of our young people preparing for Confirmation at this significant stage of their faith journey. Pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will lead them to a greater understanding of their faith, that they may be drawn deeper into the love and the Light of Christ.

Elaine

From the Registers

Holy Baptism:

Christian Marriage:

Funeral:

In Memorium:

Organisations Reports

Girl’s Brigade Notes
We finished up the year with our Annual Display in Castleknock Community College on Friday 27th April. This was a wonderful performance by the girls and leaders and was a very enjoyable evening.

A big thank you is due to the parents for all their support throughout the year.

We will re-open in September, new members are welcome in all sections.

Ros Garrett

Announcements

Other News

Amazing Grace

How many years since we first had the pleasure and privilege of hearing this lovely Gospel Hymn sung by Judy Collins, which was first included in our Irish Church Hymnal as recently as the year 1990. The very first time I can recall hearing it was one day sitting with my mother on the beach at Skerries when Judy Collins' voice came on our little portable radio. We both listened intently and it was probably one of my mother's last outings before her final illness.

The hymn book tells us this tune is a popular variant of an early North American Folk melody (possibly Scottish in origin). If this melody travelled so far through the centuries it is understandable that it should be so popular even now over so much of our 21st century world.

It is also appropriate to take another look at the verses, which we are told in the same publication were written by John Newton (1725 to 1807) former slave ship owner, the anniversary of whose death occurs this year. He was one of the staunchest supporters of William Wilberforce who was responsible for bringing about the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade exactly 200 years ago. His invaluable first-hand knowledge of the slave trade, having been on board a slave ship in his early sea-faring days was a tremendous benefit to Wilberforce who was one of his faithful parishioners.

It was a surprise to learn from Rev Patrick Comerford's detailed account of Newton's life, in the February Church Review, that he had also visited Ireland in1748, quite unintentionally as the result of a shipwreck on his way home, and it was on this occasion that he finally gave his life to Christ, sought ordination and became one of the most popular preachers of his time, drawing large congregations. The date of his conversion was 10th May, and he observed that anniversary for the rest of his life.

Newton was ordained by the Bishop of Lincoln in 1764 and served his curacy in Olney in Buckinghamshire. "Amazing Grace" was apparently written around 1779 while he and William Cowper tried to write a new hymn each week for their parish prayer meetings. In 1780 his parish in London was St Mary's, Woolnoth. Even then at the height of his powers as an anti-slavery preacher, and with his total support for Wilberforce, Newton continued to hold investments in slave trading companies and socialised with old slave captain friends. Wilberforce's Abolition Bill was finally enacted on the 25th March 1807.

Smile Lines

Smile Lines

The Lord’s Prayer can be a challenge for toddlers. As it was for three year-old Thomas, who attempted it with mixed success: ‘Our Father, who does art in heaven, Harold is his name. Amen.’

A little boy was overheard praying: ‘Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a really good time like I am.’

After the baptism of his baby brother in church, Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied, ‘That priest said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home, but I want to stay with you guys.’

A Sunday school teacher asked her children why it was necessary to be quiet in church. One bright little girl replied, ‘Because people are sleeping.’

A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him, ‘How many women can a man marry?’ ‘Sixteen,’ the boy responded at once. His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly. ‘Why do you say that?’ ‘Easy,’ the little boy said. ‘All you have to do is add it up, like the priest said, 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer.’

Bible Holiday Club

Your Invitation

Join our annual Bible Holiday Club for a week of activities, Bible fun and learning,games, puzzles and adventure.

A Week not to be Missed!!

Theme: Waste Watchers
Date: Monday 20th - Friday 24th August 2007
Time: 10 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. each day
Place: Castleknock Parish Centre, Main St, Castleknock
Ages: Two groups: 5 - 8 years and 9 - 12 years (4 year olds beginning school this September are welcome)
Cost: €50 per child to include all activities, refreshments and materials(€90.00 for two children / €130.00 for three)

Places in each group are limited in line with the number of leaders and helpers.

Bookings should be returned before Friday 20th July

Sunday 26th August 2007
11.30 a.m Waste Watchers Service in Saint Brigid's Church, Castleknock

A Thought or Two

Every morning is a fresh beginning. Every day is the world made new. Today is a new day. Today is my world made new. I have lived all my life up to this moment, to come to this day. This moment - this day - is as good as any moment in all eternity. I shall make of this day - each moment of this day - a heaven on earth. This is my day of opportunity. Dan Custer

The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones. Chinese proverb

Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.

School Kids Aloud

•Parent friendly hours – open till 7 pm (1 hour later than all competitors)
•Open 48 weeks of the year and only closed for a 2 week period in the Summer
•Flat rate charged for year including all holidays and in service days
•Experienced management and staff
•Separate room where written homework is supervised
•Healthy hot and cold food provided

LATEST AFTER SCHOOL CARE CLUB IN CASTLEKNOCK

Contact: Anne

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