Church of Ireland - Diocese of Dublin
Parish News
Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla
April 2002 |
Previous issues of The Parish News
Contents of this issue
Easter Vestries
Easter Vestries At Clonsilla on Sunday 7th April (following the 10am service) and at Castleknock on Sunday 14th April (following the 11.30am service), we are holding our Easter Vestries. Everyone is welcome to come along to these meetings, the AGMs of our parishes, to hear reports on what has occurred in the last year, to examine the accounts, and to elect a new Select Vestry for the coming year. Also, as this is a triennial year, we will be electing Diocesan Synods people and Parochial Nominators. Refreshments will be served and there will be children’s activities. Please do come and make your voice heard and use your vote.
Confirmation
Confirmation – 21st April We look forward to the Archbishop joining us on Sunday 21st April to celebrate the Rite of Confirmation for 16 of our young people. This will be a joint service at St Brigid’s at 11am (there will also be a short service of Morning Prayer at St Mary’s at 10am that day). Please keep all the candidates in your prayers: Rebecca Connolly, Ashling Cunningham, Jill Curran, Kyle Delaveri, Mark Ensor, Paul Ensor, Niall Fox, Ben Garrett, Emma Hamilton, Marc Hilton-Molyneux, Jennifer Hollingsworth, William Meara, Mary-Jane Meara, Patricia Murphy, Daire Smullen, and Ciara Smullen.
School News
School News On 18th April we look forward to welcoming to Castleknock National School Her Excellency President Mary McAleese, who is of course a resident of our parish. Her visit will be an informal one, when she will attend Assembly and visit the children in their classrooms.
NEW LEADERS
NEW LEADERS for Pathfinders plus wanted Our 16+ youth club needs some new leadership. Training will be given and the group will be resourced as required. We will be setting up a Support team to give back up to the leaders. Even if you’ve no experience, please do give it serious thought and prayer. Contact Andrew on 8200040 as soon as possible.
More ecumenical activity
The Rector and the Curate, together with the Rev’d Charles and Jacinta Irwin, represented the Church of Ireland at St Brigid’s, Blanchardstown, on 27th February at a Service of Commemoration and Hope, which was also attended by Bishop Raymond Fields, Fr Eugene Taaffe (PP St Luke’s, Mulhuddart), and Fr Walter Harris (PP St Brigid’s, Blanchardstown). Organised by the Greater Blanchardstown Response to Drugs and the Blanchardstown Community Drug Teams, this moving service remembered loved ones from the community who had died as a result of drug addiction, supported those in recovery, and prayed for all families affected. With prayer, drama (from the Huntstown Drama Group), song, and personal testimony from former users who are now “clean” and from mothers of addicts, it was a powerful service, full of hope. The girls’ choir from Blakestown Community School added to the atmosphere with their inspiring singing.
Congratulations—Stella goes to Cork
Stella Mikhail, our Student Reader, who has been appointed Curate-Assistant (designate) to the Parish of Bandon, Co Cork. She will be ordained Deacon by the Bishop of Cork in June.
The Joint Service at St Brigid’s on Sunday 28th April at 11am will also be Stella’s last Sunday with us, before she prepares for her final exams at the Theological College and for Ordination. We have much appreciated Stella’s ministry with us over the last 2 years, and wish her, and Wahid, Amy and Rania, every blessing in the future. We will be making a presentation to Stella at this service.
Parish News Update
The Parish News will be published monthly and will usually be available by the first Sunday.
Have you any interesting stories to tell? We would welcome any articles or interesting stories which you think will make our Parish News more interesting to read. Please hand any material for consideration for inclusion in the magazine to Martha (Castleknock) or Iain (Clonsilla).
Copy Deadline Organisation reports should be sent either in written format to Martha Waller, C/O The Parish Office, or by email to MarthaWaller@Hotmail.com. These should be submitted by the 10th of the preceding month, no matter what day of the week.
Mothering Sunday
During the Service of the Word for Mothering Sunday at St Brigid’s on 10th March, with the assistance of our two Readers, the Curate dedicated the new stained glass window of our Patron Saint. As it was mid-Lent Sunday, we decided flowers would be appropriate, so a beautiful display of spring flowers, blossom and willow added to the sense of occasion. We are very grateful to Abbey Stained Glass, who look after our windows, for the design and making of the new window which now brightens up the south aisle of the church.
THE RECTOR WRITES
Dear Friends,
In this issue you can read all about two exciting ventures getting off the ground in April.
First the Clonsilla Project “Building
for the future generation” which sees the launch of a really encouraging
development in what has become the fast growing end of our parish. It
is, effectively, to be a second Mini-parish centre which will allow
us to expand our activities in Clonsilla, give us running water and
toilet facilities, and provide a base for the whole community in the
area to use.
I want to emphasise, that just as the Castleknock Parish Centre was not just for Castleknock, so this project is for the whole parish. It is in the interests of all of us to provide facilities where the parish is growing, to keep up the momentum for development and welcome to everyone. All our organisations will be able to make use of our new development, and it will also be there as our service to the whole community.
You can read more about this development later in the magazine, but do come to the launch on April 28th, following 11 am service, enjoy the refreshments and come to hear all the details about how you can share in the vision.
The second venture is the “Galway cycle”. 9 intrepid (daft?) souls are setting off to cycle 75 miles in 2 days in the far west in aid of our new parish Mission project, Liuli Hospital in on the shores of Lake Malawi in Tanzania. Read all about it and Do support them when you’re asked!
Finally this month we say farewell to Stella as she leaves us to become curate in Bandon. Thank you Stella for all you have shared with us in the last two years and we wish you God’s richest blessing in West Cork.
Yours in His service
Andrew
READINGS FOR SUNDAY MORNINGS IN APRIL
April 7th |
Acts 2. 14a, 22-32
Easter 2 Psalm 16
1 Peter 1. 3-9
John 20. 19-31 |
April 21st
Easter 4
PARISH CONFIRMATION JOINT SERVICE |
Acts 2. 42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2. 19-25
John 10. 1-10 |
April 14t
Easter 3 |
Acts 2. 14a, 36-41
Psalm 116. 1-3, 10-17
1 Peter 17-23 |
April 28th
Easter 5
LAUNCH OF CLONSILLA PROJECT
JOINT SERVICE |
Acts 7. 55-60
Psalm 31. 1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2. 2-10,
John 14. 1-14 |
Lenten study course
For five consecutive Thursdays, groups of us met (in the morning in the Parish Centre, or in the evening in the comfort of the Lawson home) to look at our search for personal identity from a Christian perspective in a changing world. Following part of the Emmaus course, with scripture passages, prayer and discussion, we began with the search for identity, noting the importance in the Bible of one’s name. This was followed with the gift of identity, and what God wants for us; the middle session focussed on Jesus as the model of identity, before we turned to the battle for identity in our 21st century world, and finally, living beyond the search. It was a very well worthwhile course for all those who attended; our thanks to Andrew, Sandra and Robert for sharing the facilitation of the sessions, and to Ada for her hospitality.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
St Brigid’s hosted this year’s ecumenical service which was led by the Rev’d Susan Green and our reader Stella Mikhail. Our Curate, the Rev’d Sandra Pragnell, preached on the theme “Challenged to Reconcile”. Our Christian sisters from Blanchardstown and from Our Lady’s, Castleknock, joined us; and although we were a smallish gathering, it was good to be able to worship together, and in solidarity with literally millions of women all over the world.
Ten Minute Quiz
Quiz By Sean Skehan
1. |
What letter represents the number 500 in Roman Numerals? |
2. |
Why was Elm Street in the news in 1963? |
3. |
Who wrote The Jungle Book? |
4. |
What was the final score in the 1999 football match between England and Luxemburg? |
5. |
Who was the first woman to read the Nine O'clock News on BBC TV? |
6. |
Who played the title role in the film Shirley Valentine? |
7. |
What does an oologist (Pronounced oo-all-o-gist) collect or study? |
8. |
Who had hits with I Am a Rock and The Boxer? |
9. |
Name the four states in the USA that start with the letter A? |
10. |
Haiti was the second country in the Americas to achieve freedom from colonial rule, what was the first? |
Answers
Boys' Brigade
BB News by Martha Waller—Secretary
BB News
- BOYS BRIGADE 10th Dublin Company will hold its 14th Annual Display on Friday 19th April at Castleknock Parish Centre. This year the Inspecting Officer will be the Rev’d Sandra Pragnell. Please do come along to support the boys and bring your friends.
- Our Closing Service will take place on Tuesday 23rd April in St. Brigid’s Castleknock at 8:00p.m. Parents and friends are of course invited and welcome to attend this service.
- Company Section and Junior Section boys are looking forward to their weekend away. This will take place at the River Valley Caravan Park, Redcross, Co. Wicklow from Friday 10th - Sunday 12th May, 2002.
Junior Section
- The boys completed their scripture examination on 5th March. They are currently working towards their Achievement Badges. 1st years are working towards their green one, 2nd years are working towards their blue one and the 3rd years are working towards their final Gold badge.
- In football, Lee Bannister, Gavan Barr, Barry Sheridan, Mark Greene, Sam McGuckin and Paul Lawson were selected to go forward to the Battalion Junior Section football trial on 11th March.
- The Junior Section indoor soccer league is now coming to it’s final stages, with some very competitive matches being played. Practices for the Display items are now in full swing.
Anchor Boys
- Since the mid term break the Anchor Boys have been enjoying preparing their Display items. On a couple of nights they enjoyed the freedom of the main hall where they were able to enjoy a circuit of different games including basketball, heads/catch, skipping and walking the bench. Another night saw them (loudly!) playing running cricket. The boys were also able to work on improving their football skills with Bernard. Alongside all that, the boys make a craft most weeks and enjoy music and singing also. Watch this space next month for news of the Anchor Boy “Fun” day out.
Girls Brigade
Girls' Brigade Notes by Olive Good.
- Congratulations to Zoe Garrett and Aoife Fleming both in 2nd year in The King’s Hospital on winning the regional finals in the CERT Young Chef of the Future. They had to prepare and serve two courses of a four course meal, the menu chosen by themselves. The girls beat off stiff competition from 5 other schools to win the title. They now go forward to compete in the national finals later this month.
- What a busy month we have had! The P.E. competitions were held this month with great results. Congratulations are due to our Explorer A team on coming 5th in their competition, to Liz Farrell on coming joint 6th in the Brigader solo competition and to our team entered in the Senior/Brigader Modern Dance section on coming 3rd. Our Explorer B team also did very well in their competition. Well done to our leaders. A big thank you is due to the parents for bringing the girls to all the extra practices - they really paid off!
- The Fun Competitions will be held on Saturday 23rd March. Good luck to all the girls entering them.
- Our Display will be held on Friday 26th April at 7:30p.m. in Castleknock Community College.
Castleknock and Clonsilla Mothers’ Union
Mothers' Union Notes By Shirley McGuckin (Hon. Secretary)
On Monday 4th March Lyn Franklyn shared the experience of her trip to the Philippines last summer with “Habitat for Humanity”. What wonderful work is done building homes for people unable to afford their own.
The Branch AGM and triennial elections are to be held on Monday 8th April at 8pm in the Parish Centre (please make a note of this date in your diary).
On Saturday 13th April we will be hosting the MU Council and welcoming the new All-Ireland President, Paddy Wallace, and all the Council members. There will be a service in St Brigid’s at 12 noon and all our MU members are very welcome to attend.
Youth Club Update
by Evelyn Pender
It has been an extremely busy few weeks for Pathfinders since our last update. Besides holding a few of our usual club nights, we have already held some major events and have a few more on the horizon (2nd March - Pathfinders’ Disco; 10th March - Family Quiz Night; 6/7th April - Alton Towers Weekend Away; and 28th April - Pathfinders’ 10 Year Reunion).
IThe Pathfinders’ Disco held on 2nd March was a great event. Over 120 young people in all attended the disco and the evening was a fantastic success. It was held in the Castleknock Parish Centre and Intel sponsored the DJ for the evening. Intel also arranged for coach transport for 25 Y2K Youth Club members from Leixlip (who are the same age group as Pathfinders) and 7 of their leaders to participate. All the young people who attended were very well behaved and seemed to have a fabulous time. The only question at the end of the night was ‘when is the next one?’
The Family Quiz Night, held on 10th March, Mothering Sunday was a quieter event in comparison but great fun all the same. About 26 people came down to test their wits in 6 rounds of quick fire questions aimed at all ages. The categories were literature, music celebrity love matches, sport, film and nature. ‘The Rebels’ finally scooped the cash prize with ‘The Cunningbridge’ team taking second.
The Alton Towers trip is now coming up very fast and looks set to be the weekend of the year for the Pathfinders travelling. 19 people in all are going in the group between leaders and members. Ryanair flights, accommodation in Ilam Hall (a Gothic National Trust mansion) and 2-day passes for Alton Towers are all booked at this stage. We are all getting excited about seeing the park and experiencing the rides like ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Air’. This promises to be a great weekend.
Pathfinders’ 10 Year Reunion will take place on Sunday 28th April. If you were a past member, leader or supporter of Pathfinders’, you can expect to get your invite through the letterbox soon. The evening will entail a drinks reception and finger food supper and should be a great chance to catch up with old friends, all linked through Pathfinders’ Youth Club.
LETTER TO ALL PARISHIONERS
Fundraising for Electric Wheelchair Throughout February (starting on St Brigid’s Day) we held a series of coffee mornings specifically to raise funds to help a housebound parishioner who needed an electric wheelchair. Over 1,000 Euro was raised in those 4 weeks which was a magnificent achievement.
Mrs Kathleen Renolds of Whitestown wishes to thank the Reverend Orr, Sandra the Curate, and each and every parishioner (who must have drunk gallons of tea and coffee) in helping her to buy the mobile minibike and to get out and about. I will pray for you all.
Thank you, with all my heart. When the winds go down I can even get to Church and you can all see just what joy you have given me.
Yours in gratitude,
Kathleen (Kay) Renolds.
Clonsilla Project
Building for the future generation
After a good deal of negotiation and redrafted plans, the Select vestry of Clonsilla have decided to apply for planning permission for the extension to St. Mary’s.
In essence we will be building a beautiful and substantial new room on to the side of the vestry, along with running water, sink and toilet facilities. The design takes its inspiration both from the magnificent mausoleum next to the vestry and the shape of the early Irish oratories such as the one at Gallarus on the Dingle peninsula.
When planning permission is passed, hopefully in July we will in a position to go for tender. The cost is likely to be a maximum of €190,000, and we have already raised approx €41,000 so far.
The Official launch will take place at a reception in The parish Centre on Sunday 28th April following a special joint service at 11 am in St. Brigid’s. That will be the chance for all of us to find out how we can support this exciting project for the fastest growing part of our parishes. Mark this date in your diary!!
Now that the Clonsilla Select Vestry are going for planning permission for the Clonsilla Project [to provide a large meeting room, toilets and running water] it is time to get
FUND RAISING.
This project is a joint parish venture like the Parish Centre was between Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla—So we are looking for volunteers to come onto a fund raising committee or if you would like to run some event on your own with your own people—we will give you all the support that you need.
**** A few Dates for your Diary ****
28th April—LAUNCH OF CLONSILLA PROJECT in the Parish Centre after 11 am service all welcome—refreshment will be served please come and support us in this and all fund raising events
22nd May—FLOWER EVENING in Parish Centre
22nd June—Car Treasure Hunt and Bar-B-Que
September—Dance
October—Fork Supper at the Home of Mr. and Mrs. E. Nuzum
10th November—Gift Fair
IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN HELP AND WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED PLEASE CONTACT:
clonsillaproject@eircom.net
Galway Cycle Challenge in aid of USPG 3rd " 4th May 2002
David Dobson
Event Co-ordinator.
Route- Galway - Clifden- Oughterard- Galway - 106 miles
Cyclists: David Dobson (Coordinator) Hal McGuckin, Syd Nagle,James Anderson ,Robert Lawson, Eddie Greene, Dave Garrett, Laurence O'Reilly,Gordon Kellett, Eddie Colton, George Chambers ( Support Vehicle)
Friends, as you may have noticed the Kerry Challenge has now become the Galway Challenge due to circumstances beyond our control (The Rally of the Lakes is on the same weekend and it would be unfair to compete with Austin McHale en route). We have now 11 signed up members for the trip and all are in training. You may have seen us in the Phoenix Park on Sunday afternoon where we meet for group training.
Training schedules are on target and bottoms are firming up along with the travel arrangements. So over the next few weeks cyclists ( without their bicycles) will be approaching you for sponsor ship for this worth while cause. Read on below
Introduction to St Anne's Hospital, Liuli
St Anne's Hospital in Liuli is on the eastern shore of Lake Malawi in the shadow of the Livingstone Mountains. Liuli is a village of a few thousand people, typical of villages in the region. The hospital serves a population of 100,000 people, stretching from about 130 kilometers to the north and 100 kilometers to the south, including some patients from over the Mozambiquan border.
Health care against the odds the infrastructure is very limited, with only a fresh water supply to local standpipes. Other services, such as sewerage, refuse collection and public transport are non-existent. People walk for days to attend hospital. some rely on the hospital boat, which ferries patients across the lake once a week. Others come on the back of a bicycle. During the rainy season, for almost six months of the year, the roads are impassable and the hospital is almost completely isolated from the rest of the country. This adversely affects the availability of drugs at the hospital. The health of most communities in this area is greatly affected by poverty. This influences the availability of nutritious food and access to health care and education.
Your prayers and financial support really make a difference here The hospital suffers from constant funding problems due to the heavy demand on its services. There is often a lack of drugs and medical supplies as well as staff shortages. All this means that staff work under constant pressure to meet the needs of the patients. St Anne's Hospital has limited government funding and is dependent on money from USPG and other donors.
Parish Visit by the Church’s Mission Resource Officer
For the week beginning 25th February, the Rev’d Charles Irwin and his wife Jacinta visited our parishes. Charles began the week by addressing the joint vestries: his experience in a wide range of parishes around Ireland led Charles to see much room for mission in the Church of Ireland, and he was interested to hear of the range of activities going on in our parishes. During the week, Charles spent some time at Castleknock National School (which his wife, a former Headmistress, also visited) and at Castleknock Community College. He also visited Church of Ireland patients in Blanchardstown Hospital, and accompanied the Rector to some house bound parishioners for their Home Communion.
50 YEARS AGO – April 1952
Readers may be interested in the following extracts from the registers relating to the Castleknock and Mulhuddart Easter Vestry 50 years ago, in April 1952. In that year, the Rector’s salary was £600 a year, the Organist received £52 a year (with £8 travelling expenses), the School teacher’s residence was leased at £16 a year, and the Sexton received an increase of 5 shillings per week. Repairs to the teacher’s residence (external and internal) cost about £600; repairs to the bell frame were £150; repairs to the Rectory cost £200. An inspection of the parish by the Rural Dean noted that the upkeep and cleanliness of the churchyard was very satisfactory, but that the church linen was totally inadequate.
At the Easter Vestry “the Rector (the Rev’d W W L Rooke) thanked everybody for the warm welcome he had received in the parish and also for the repairs which had been carried out to the rectory. He then discussed the financial state of the parish and pointed out how lucky we are to hold so many shares in the RCB and also to have such a well endowed school as the parish had to meet so few expenses in connection with the same. Mr Rooke then suggested that apart from the Sustentation Fund we should have a Church Expenses Fund which would be supported by church offerings and also by direct subscriptions through an envelope scheme.
He also spoke about our lack of support of Missionary work and said he proposed each Lent to have a Missionary Gift Day in each of the churches.
Tribute was then paid by Mr Rooke to the remarkable record of service to the parish by Dr Horgan who announced his resignation from position of Hon. Sec. And Treasurer. He had served in this capacity for 62 years and had also served on Diocesan Council for 20 years. A vote of thanks to Dr Horgan for his splendid service was proposed by Mr Pollock and seconded by Mr R E Galway.
In reply Dr Horgan said he would still take a keen interest in the affairs of the parish. Mr Rooke suggested that in future the Hon. Treasurership and Hon. Secretaryship should be two separate offices….”
(Note: the old registers are now being sent to the RCB archives for safekeeping.)
Sandra Pragnell
FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS
Holy Baptism
Saturday 2nd March at St Thomas the Apostle Laurel Lodge - Eoin James (son of Seamus and Linda McKiernan of Castleknock Crescent) (by Bishop McKiernan, retired Bishop of Kilmore, and great-uncle of Eoin).
May She shine as the light of Christ in the world to the glory of God the Father.
Christian Funeral
Friday 22nd February at St Brigid’s - Wilma “Doky” Stokes (late of Glenindare Nursing Home, and previously of Croaghpatrick Road).
Lord now let your servant depart in peace.
In Memoriam
Wilma “Doky” Stokes (1910-2002)
Born in Amiens Street, Wilma moved to the Navan Road shortly after her marriage to Billy in the mid 1950s. Billy was for many years a member of the Select Vestry of Castleknock, and made some of the church furnishings still used today. Both Wilma and Billy were only children and the marriage was childless, and for most of the 1950s and 1960s Wilma led a rather secluded and quiet life in the home. All this changed however, when at the age of 61, Wilma became foster mother to Graham, the adopted child of Wilma’s next door neighbour who died suddenly while Graham was still an infant. Having courageously taken on this duty, Wilma’s self-confidence grew and she became a much more outgoing and vibrant person. She and Graham were very close, and brought each other a great deal of joy and happiness. Her last 10 years were marked by ill health but just before she died, she remarked that those years had still been the happiest of her life. Our sympathy and prayers are with Graham at this sad time.
Our sympathy also goes to Michael Devlin and Liz Donegan on the recent death of their grand-daughter Shannon, who died at birth.
May she rest in peace.
Warmest congratulations to Caroline and Pat Boyle (of Brookhaven, Blanchardstown) on the birth of their daughter Ellen Bridgid on Friday 1st March.
Thanks be to God.
Diary for April
Sunday Service Times:
You are welcome to worship with us;
Children’s activities at the main morning services.
8.30am St Brigid’s
10.00am St Mary’s
11.30am St Brigid’s
8.00pm St Thomas’ (each week to end of September; thereafter 3rd Sunday)
7.00pm 2nd Sunday Healing service in St. Brigid’s (October -May)
Other Services in Lent – see below.
|
April at a glance |
Sunday 7th Easter 2 |
8.30 am St. Brigid's The Eucharist (BCP)
10.00 am St. Mary's Mattins and Rector's Easter vestry address followed by The Easter Vestry
11.30 am St. Brigid's Matins and sermon |
Sunday 14th Easter 3 |
8.30 am St. Brigid's The Eucharist
10.00 St. Mary’s Mattins and sermon
11.30 am St. Brigid’s Mattins " Rector's Easter vestry address followed by The Easter Vestry
7.00 pm St. Brigid’s Healing service |
Saturday 20th April |
7.00 pm Confirmation Candidates Vigil service of Preparation |
Sunday 21st Easter 4 |
8.30 am St. Brigid’s The Eucharist
10.00 am St. Mary’s Mattins (said)
11.00 am NOTE THE TIME!! The Rite of Confirmation
8.00 pm St. Thomas’ Night Prayer |
Sunday 28th Easter 5 |
8.30 am St. Brigid’s The Eucharist
10.00 am St. Mary’s Mattins (said)
11.00 am NOTE THE TIME!! Joint Service to launch the Clonsilla Project,
followed by presentation and refreshments in the Parish Centre |
Looking ahead to May
- May 26th – there will be a joint Service at St Mary’s, Clonsilla, at 11.00am to mark the annual Sunday Club closing.
- Advance Notice – from 19th-25th August we will be holding our annual Summer Holiday Bible Club. Make sure you keep these dates free!
Answers to Ten Minute Quiz
1. D |
2. Where JF Kennedy was shot |
3. Rudyard Kipling |
4. England won 6-0 |
5. Angela Rippon |
6. Pauline Collins |
7. Birds eggs |
8. Simon " Garfunkel |
9. Alabama; Arizona: Arkansas; Alaska |
10. United States of America |
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