Church of Ireland - Diocese of Dublin
Parish News
Castleknock and Mulhuddart with Clonsilla
March/April 2001

Previous issues of The Parish News

New Curate Appointed For June 2001

Following the annual Interview process we are delighted to be welcoming Sandra Pragnell as our new curate. Sandra comes originally from Southampton, but has lived in Belfast since 1994 and was accepted for training in the Theological College in 1998. Her ordination will take place on June 17th in Christchurch Cathedral. Please keep this date free to give her your support.

Mothers' Union

At our February meeting we had a demonstration of Sharwoods’ Cookery. Many thanks to all who contributed to the "Count your blessings" collection for overseas work during January On Monday 5th March we look forward to hearing from Rev. Nigel Waugh.

Shirley McGuckin (Hon. Sec.).

The Girls' Brigade

We have been very busy recently with the District competitions – well done to all the girls who took part, they were a credit to the company and their parents. The ‘Fun Competitions’ will take place at the beginning of March – good luck to the girls taking part in them.

As part of their badgework the Brigaders hosted a dinner party in Ros Garrett’s Home. They prepared and served dinner of the Officers – it was a magnificent meal, the girls excelled themselves – watch this space!

Our Display will be held on Friday April 6th in Castleknock Community College at 7.30 p.m.

The Boys' Brigade

Annual Inspection and Display
All in 10th Dublin Company are looking forward to our Annual Inspection and Display which will take place on Friday 27th April, 2001 at Castleknock Parish Centre.

RNLI 'Gamethon'
Update on amount raised After the amount of £468 had "gone to press", we received another cheque for £25, so the amount raised by 10th Dublin Company has now risen to an incredible £493. Once again Thank You to all concerned.

10th Dublin Company Annual Supper Dance
We would like to thank everyone who supported us on the night and to all who donated the marvelous range of spot prizes. This was another tremendous night and you all helped to raise a whopping great total of £663. This success was due to you, the parents, and the amount raised will be used to complete the programme of entertainment for the rest of the session.

The Anchor Boys Squad of the Month Award for January, 2001 was the Sharks Squad. This was a very difficult decision as both squads have displayed a remarkable ability to behave well, get loads of work done and enjoy themselves at the same time. Come on you Lions for next month!

Each Tuesday night from now on the Anchor Boys will be putting in a lot of practice for our AnnualDisplay to be held on 27th April, 2001. We the leaders are asking all of the Anchor Boys to make a special effort to attend BB every week until then. At the time of writing, our Junior Section boys were preparing for the Battalion Figure Marching Competition which is to be held on Saturday 17th February, 2001. Also the Junior Section Annual Scripture Examination which is to be held on Tuesday 27th February, 2001 at normal meeting times. Junior Section football league also recommenced during the month of February, 2001. Matches took place at Astra Park, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. After intensive training, our two teams were now beginning to get it together and everyone enjoyed the marvelous facilities at Astra Park. Here, at least, rain did'nt stop play!

Martha Waller Secretary, 10th Dublin Company

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: Locally, Christian unity week was celebrated by a study day held in Luttrellstown Golf Club, at which Richard Clarke, Bishop of Meath and Kildare spoke on "The Church of Ireland: Myth or Reality?" It was well attended by local clergy and lay people and bishop Clarke’s address was as always, thought provoking and well researched. It was great to see so many from the local Roman Catholic parishes, and also Pastor Sean Mollan from West Dublin Christian Fellowship. To mark the week we also inaugurated a "Pulpit swap" at which Andrew and Robert preached on Saturday night in Laurel Lodge and Porterstown churches and Frs. Martin Murnaghan and Eugene Kennedy preached on Sunday morning in Clonsilla and Castleknock. The week concluded with the annual service, this time in St. Brigid’s. While progress goes on being made as we try to put into practice "The Lund Principle": never to apart what we can do together.

Clonsilla Project

A big thank you to Ivor and Melissa Cherry for opening their house for another fundraising fork supper. A great night was had by all! Next up is the Dream Auction on April 21st. We still need more pledges of items to auction, as well as time and talents – like gardening or babysitting or car washing or anything! So please look out at all that old (but good) furniture or pianos or… Please let Valerie Fildes, Pat Gray or Ivor Cherry know as soon as possible – no later than March 7th. Thank you to the Tiny Tots for running the Beetle Drive on our behalf – over seen hundred pounds was raised on the evening.

School News

Great news, as everyone knows we are now in full occupation of the new school and everyone is delighted with the space and the marvellous new facilities. There are still a number of snags to be sorted out, but all is moving forward. The date of the official opening is still to be decided, but will probably be sometime in May. Listen for more details!

The Parish Development Committees

Which were set up in the aftermath of the Vestry and Parish Discussion Day in the autumn are now really moving. The Castleknock Welcome Team will set to work on February 18th, being a presence and friendly face for welcoming new members. This is vital in an area so many new people arrive constantly. Please do say hello to any new faces and make them welcome.

The Nurture Committee

Have planned "The Enneagram" Course (see above) and will see how some people may wish to meet on a more regular basis.

The Outreach Committee

Will be moving soon to see how we can support projects home and abroad.

Parish Centre News

While things continue to go very well in the parish centre, users cannot have failed to notice exploratory work done on the wall inside. Unfortunately, this work has revealed the presence of dry rot, which will need to be explored further and then treated. This will be fairly expensive, and will probably occur during the summer.

Pathfinders Youth Club

It’s been a really exciting and busy time for us recently. The big news is that we beat 13 other clubs to scoop the Overall Winner category at the VEC Voluntary Youth Council Awards in December. It was a bit like a night at the Oscars! We also won the Best Youth Arts Project, with prize money of £500 for our Saturday Night Fever Project! We are planning a trip to Alton Towers in August 2001 to celebrate. We have approximately 14 regular members down to the Parish Centre each Sunday evening from 6. 15 to 7.30 p.m. We have been doing all sorts of new things since last September. We have taken a dancing class, held a games challenge and painted terracotta pots to raise money for the parish. In November we went bowling with a group of adults with learning disabilities and had a terrific time. We sent Christmas presents to disadvantaged children in Romania through Operations Christmas Child. We also did some cooking, made posters and held a Diversity Quiz just last week. As always we are on the lookout for new members and leaders. If you are aged between 11 and 14, you are more than welcome to come down and see if you would like to join us. If you are aged 18 or over, you could come down and see if being a leader would suit you. Our fund-raiser date has been set – Saturday, 24th March. We plan to hold a fabulous Dinner Party for friends and family in the Parish Centre. We have been trying out recipes and enjoying the sampling process! Our Club Members plan to buy, clean, chop and cook the food, wait on the tables, wash up (oh, yes, we’ll do that too) and provide entertainment on the evening. Tickets will be £12.50 per head and it promises to be a great night.

Pathfinders Plus

Exam time is looming near! Everybody is studying hard. Do come down to the Parish Centre as usual to chill out and have a short bead on Sunday Evenings. Anybody aged 14 years or over are welcome.

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