THE DUNDALK GROUP OF PARISHES

Dundalk: St Nicholas, Dundalk; St Pauls, Heynestown Ballymascanlan & Carlingford: St Marys, Ballymascanlan; St Andrews, Rathcor (Bush) Crossmaglen: Creggan Parish Church

Newsletter January 2012

MINISTRY TEAM

Issue 7:01 January 2012

You the people of the parishes with The Revd Sandra Pragnell (Rector), The Revd Richard Moore (Assistant Minister), and our Parish Readers

Contact: The Rectory, Old Golf Links Road, Blackrock, Dundalk, County Louth. Tel: (042) 9321402

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, As I write this, the sun is streaming through the rectory study window and the sky is clear blue yet last night saw one of our worst dark storms. Whether your Christmas was a whirlwind of activity, or a frantic time with family and friends at home or away, or a quiet or lonely time with memories, as we move from the Christmas season into the season of Epiphany, we move from darkness into light, from winter into spring. The birth of Our Lord Jesus on that cold winters night is now marked by light - a star from the East. Interestingly, celebrating Epiphany, with the wise men and their gifts, is a much older festival than Christmas itself. The Epiphany (which we celebrate on Sun 8 Jan) shows that God in Christ reaches out, not just to the Holy Family, the shepherds, and others who were present in Bethlehem but to the whole world. Tradition suggests the Magi came from Persia, but in religious art they are usually portrayed as black, white and brown, to represent all the peoples of Gods earth. The word Epiphany means the manifestation or showing forth of Gods glory for everyone, which includes each one of us whatever our background - rich or poor, young or old, cradle Christian or searcher, lapsed member or non-believer, Irish or a blow-in from elsewhere! And so my prayer for this Year of Our Lord 2012 is that each our five churches will be recognised as a sacred space with a genuine welcoming light where all Gods people, whoever you are, may find a spiritual home. With my prayers for all of you, especially those who need Gods healing touch; and with my thanks to all who made our Christmas celebrations so special Yours in Christ Sandra

Sunday School
Sunday school at St Nicholas takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month. If you are able to lend a hand (training will be provided). The Rector would love to hear from you. Congratulations to all the Children who won attendance prizes in 2011, especially to the Nwanolue boys, the Ekundayo children, the Agulonu boys, Rachel Daly (Dundalk); David Coyle (Heynestown); Colin and Eva Murphy (Bush) and Holly and Zac Donaldson (Creggan). Reminder that Sunday school is for schhol aged children only no under 4s please.

Mothers Union
The MU annual Dinner takes place on Tuesday 10th January at Darver Castle. If you have not put your name down, please contact the Rector. The next meeting takes place on Monday 27th February at 7.30pm in the Wellington Hall.

St Nicholas Parish Sale of Work and Raffle

A very big thank you to all who helped make our St Nicholas Sale of Work such a success this year. A magnificent total of 6,785 was raised. Thank you to all our organisers, especially Mrs Jean Christmas, Mrs Wilhelmina Craig and Miss Judith Christmas and the Henry Family. A complete list of the raffle prize-winners is posted in St Nicholas church.

THANK YOU
Dundalks Womens Aid is very grateful for the toys which were delivered just before Christmas, and have said how very touched they are to be remembered. [Gifts for the women will be delivered later in January.] Sincere thanks also to all of you who made our Christmas services so special: those who decorated the churches, the children for their role, the churchwardens and sextons, those who read the lessons and the prayers, and all our musicians, choir and organists, and every one of you who supported all these events. The Carols by Candlelight service in Dundalk raised 1,550, which was split

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Baptism On 30 November 2011 at St Nicholas, Dundalk:Finnian Thomas Oakes (5), Oran Edmond Oakes (2) and Arden Beckett OAKES (1 month), sons of Dan and Heather Oakes, Chapel St, Dundalk; On 1 January 2012 at St Nicholas: Janet Demilade EKUNDAYO (2), daughter of Adetoun and Olajide Ekundayo of Carroll Village; On 6 January 2012 at St Nicholas, Dundalk: Joseph OCONNOR (adult) of Vincent Ave, Dundalk. Lord, may your servants walk in the light of Christ all their days.

between the Wellington Hall Project and St Vincent de Paul.

On a personal note, the Rector wishes to thank all of you who sent or brought cards and gifts to the Rectory. God bless you all.

For your Prayers

For Alan our bishop, this group of parishes, our clergy and church officers, and every parish family For those who are sick, anxious, housebound, elderly or lonely For those struggling financially For those who will be preparing for Confirmation in the coming weeks: Rachel, Mary, Fabienne, Joy, Sophie, Judith, Michael, James, and Joshua. For those preparing for Christian marriage, especially Kenny and Esther, Jonathan and Michelle, and Shelley and Andrew For our parish link with Bishop Suheil and the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East For our parish link with Bishop Isesomo and the Diocese of North Kivu in DR Congo, and for the work of CMS(I) For all Christians who face persecution for their faith, especially in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Iraq and China

MU Childrens Christmas Party December 2011

PARISH NOTICES
Looking Back Over 2011 A Year of Achievements
CREGGAN CHURCH. 2011 was a very special year for Creggan we were honoured to welcome President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin to Creggan in January 2011, when the President paid tribute to the Creggan Hall (CofI) Management Committee for their vision and outreach, bringing together people from across the community to various activities and events in the Hall. Vital work began late last year on the Church, to repair the tower, the fabric of the building, the east wall, and the organ. Many thanks to Creggan SV, and especially to Kenny, for securing significant funding for this important work. Meanwhile, the congregation worships Sunday by Sunday in the comfort of the Parish. ST MARYS BALLYMASCANLAN. In January 2011 at a special Group Service of the Holy Communion, we rededicated the restored panels in the Sanctuary of the church, which had been repaired and restored by Ruth Bothwell, and replaced by her and her brother Noel, in memory of their parents Noel and Maude Bothwell. It is wonderful to have the Sentences (the Ten Commandments, Creed, and Lords Prayer) back where they belong. A plaque in the Bothwell family pew now marks the occasion of the dedication. ST NICHOLAS DUNDALK. In April 2011 we had the honour of welcoming Lord Roden to Dundalk, where he laid a wreath on the grave of James Barton (benefactor of the parish, and the engineer responsible for the railway and Boyne Viaduct). And on 25 September we were delighted to welcome to St Nicholas Church, the Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, Bishop Suheil and his wife Mrs Shafeeqa Dawani. It was highly appropriate that this coincided with a United Service to mark the 50th Aniversary of SN San Nioclas opening in Nicholas Street in 1961 in view of the parish link we have established between our school and the St Georges Cathedral School in Jerusalem, particularly with the Junior School and Kindergarten there. Both the bishop and his wife were impressed with the welcome and the worship, and with the childrens choir, and very grateful for the gifts which were presented to them. Also in September, our MU branch hosted the Rural Deanery Service, which was one of the best attended ever with an uplifting theme Your Gift Discover and Celebrate. In October we were delighted to welcome back as our harvest preacher, David White (who had been on placement with us in the spring). We wish David well in his final year in the Theological Institute, as he prepares for his ordination as Deacon later this year. BUSH OLD SCHOOL HOUSE. Two days before Christmas 2011, the restoration of the Bush Old Schoolhouse was completed. It is fabulous transformation, and a fantastic achievement for a small congregation, with the support of the SV, the wider parish, and the local community, in particular the cooperation with the Grange Residents Association. The BOSH committee have worked so hard and managed to access funding to achieve their dream to rescue a prominent heritage building, and I want to thank Alan, Bill, Muriel, Eddie, and Rodney, and others for their dedication and hard work over the past 5 years. Well done. We hope to have an inter-church dedication of the restored building in the spring. WELLINGTON HALL. Thanks to sterling work by the Dundalk SV, and in particular our church and glebe wardens (Trevor, Colin, John and Brendan) the Hall is now usable again with an amazing new kitchen, and facilities in fact it was ready just in time for our Sale of Work in November, as well as for the Childrens Christmas Party. The 1st Louth Scouts can now return to their base. And other social or charitable events can now take place again. While we were unsuccessful in our Peace III application, we continue with fundraising thank you to all who supported events, especially the Summer BBQ at Bellurgan Park. Some very special events are planned for 2012, the Bi-Centenary of the Hall, built in 1812. Thanks to all on the WH committee, and to the SV and all our sponsors for your ongoing commitment. GIVING. In addition to our support for our link Dioceses overseas, we have been generous in our giving, especially to the Bishops Appeal (in particular for the Horn of Africa Appeal), the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Irish Cancer Society, the Alzheimers Society, and Christian Aid. We are grateful to all who plan their regular giving to the life of the church each week if any one wishes to learn more about the weekly Envelope scheme, or other ways of making regular donations, contact the Rector or Churchwardens. After all, the work of the Church continues 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year. GROWING. Our parish school, SN San Nioclas added a new PreSchool in September, which is a great initiative and working very well. In addition, we have welcomed a number of new families into our parishes, especially in Heynestown and Dundalk. We pray that 2012 for each of our churches will be another year of worship, work and witness that shines out in our locality, to the glory of God in his Son Jesus Christ.

Wellington Hall Project

200th Anniversary of the Wellington Hall 1812 2012

Christian Unity Week (18-25 Jan)

Worship With us at St Nicholas, Thurs 19 Jan, 7.30pm
The theme this year is We will all be changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ (from 1 Corinthians 15) and our guest preacher is Fr Garrett Campbell of St Patricks Dundalk. The worship material has been prepared for us this year by Christians in Poland (RC, Orthodox, Old Catholic and Protestant.) They decided to focus on a theme that is concerned with the transformative power of faith in Christ, praying for the visible unity of the Church, the Body of Christ. This was based on St. Pauls words to the Corinthian Church which speaks of the temporary nature of our present lives (with all its apparent victory and defeat) in comparison to what we receive through the victory of Christ through the Paschal mystery. Why such a theme? The history of Poland has been marked by a series of defeats and victories: invaded many times, partitions, oppression by foreign powers and hostile systems. The constant striving to overcome all enslavement and the desire for freedom are a feature of Polish history which have led to significant changes in the life of the nation. And yet where there is victory there are also losers who do not share the joy and triumph of the winners. This particular history of the Polish nation has led the ecumenical group who wrote this years material to reflect more deeply on what it means to win and to lose, especially given the way in which the language of victory is so often understood in triumphalist terms. Yet Christ shows us a very different way!

To mark the bicenteneal year of the Wellington Hall we keep the momentum going and continue to seek funding to realise our plans for the new hall. We will build on the fundraising success of the last 15 months with the following schedule of activities for the year. February Valentine Raffle March Nearly New Clothes Sale July Summer BBQ at Bellurgan Park September Golf Classic November 30th Gala Dinner/Dance Further details will be anounced as plans are finalised

MISSION NEWS
DIOCESE OF JERUSALEM & THE MIDDLE EAST
On 21 December the children of St. Georges Cathedral School, Jerusalem, celebrated Christmas with singing carols and greeting Santa. The children were so excited to see Santa arrive. Bishop Suheil and Head of School, Mr. Eid Sader, were also there to enjoy the festivities with the children. The School staff then visited the Diocesan offices with seasonal greetings. Christmas wishes were extended by Bishop Suheil to all. The School staff then enjoyed music and lunch together at St. Georges Guest House. Bishop Suheil was also in Jordan to join the staff of the Bishops School and the Ahliyyah School and Kindergarten which was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman, Jordan on 19 December. The Opening Welcome was given by Mrs. Haifa Najjar, Superintendent of all three institutions, under the auspices of Bishop Suheil. Bishop Suheil gave the Blessing and thanks for the great achievements of the institutions and the development of the Bishops School, as it is now back as one of Jordans top schools. Board members from all the institutions were also present to enjoy the lovely lunch. The program included Christmas Carols in Arabic and English, sung by choirs from the schools. There was also wonderful entertainment with singing and dancing by the school staff A PRAYER FOR THE AHLI ARAB HOSPITAL IN GAZA (run by the Diocese).
O God of wholeness and healing, we lift up the staff and patients of the Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. Strengthen and guide the Management and all the staff as they treat the poor and injured. Bless the patients who receive care with Your healing touch. Give us a renewed awareness of the blessing of health and grant us the courage to support the caregivers in their work.

THE DIOCESE OF NORTH KIVU IN DR CONGO

Background: The Diocese of North-Kivu was established in February 1992. Led by Bishop Isesomo, there are seven (7) Archdeaconries, forty four (44) parishes and seventy seven (77) priests. There are eleven (11) departments and the Diocesan secretariat. Our Diocese has been suffering from the impact of the two wars of liberation since 1996 and the various incursions by different militia. Our Christians live in a state of insecurity and poverty and these people need someone to come to their Aid. We value links overseas, because it's a means of developing relationships and mutual partnership in mission, with a view of each member being enlightened We seek: To establish companion relationships; To share each other's problems and to get solutions to those problems; To establish prayer relationships and to strengthen spirituality; To strengthen relationships with other members of the Anglican Communion. Our Diocese of North-Kivu in the D.R. Congo in its ministry has the following style and patterns of church life. ~ The church life concentrates on evangelical work on Christianity through our church sub-parishes, parishes, archdeaconries and the Diocesan departments like those of Sunday school, youth, mother's union, church mission, Christian education and community development programmes. ~ All this is done through Episcopal method of leadership in line with our motto which is found in John 8:12 (I am the Light of the World). Perhaps we might use LENT this year to think how we might help both North Kivu, and the Princess Basma Center.

Al Ahli Arab Hospital is located in Gaza City and occupies a beautiful campus in the city center. With well-tended grounds, it is a haven of peace in the middle of one of the worlds most troubled places. The political status of Gaza affects all aspects of life here because of restrictions on movement of materials and people in and out. Electricity, medicines, food, fuel, and personnel are all restricted to some extent. However, Al Ahli Arab Hospital continues to provide some of the finest medical care available in the region. For example, Ahli runs completely free of charge a program for early detection of breast cancer among women above 40 years of age. Two programs deserve special mention: the center for elderly women and the mobile clinic program which twice weekly provides free medical care and food to people from surrounding towns and villages. In a land where hardship is commonplace, the conditions in Gaza stand out, but Al Ahli Arab Hospital generates a beacon of peace and hope for the people it serves. Our Vision : To continue providing the finest medical care possible under the most adverse circumstances to the marginalized and vulnerable poor people whose livelihood are threatened by the effect of human-made disaster, with special attention to the refugee and the poorest of the poor. The hospital is committed to building peoples capacity and competence alongside the development and maintenance of an adequate standard of diagnostic and clinical services THE JERUSALEM PRINCESS BASMA CENTER FOR DISABLED CHILDREN A PLEA FOR HELP The Rector received a Christmas letter from the CEO of Princess Basma Center, Mrs Betty Majaj, who highlights the difficulties they face in meeting their expenses for 2011 and in to 2012. Some key programmes and activities are under threat: the global financial crisis is a factor, but the Palestinian Ministry of Healths payments are delayed due to delays of owed funding from Israeli authorities. On top of this, the Center is facing an increasing number of patients from the West Bank who are resident outside Israel, and have no medical insurance or are too poor to pay any contribution. A re-structuring process will affect both vital services, and staff employment (many of whom would not find work elsewhere). Perhaps we might use LENT this year to think how we might help.

The St. George Jerusalem Society

The St. George Jerusalem Society began on Epiphany 2012 with the launch of new website. Started by American Episcopalians who recently served at St. Georges Cathedral while on the Bishops staff in Jerusalem for more than three years, the Society provides a resource for thoughtful Christians who desire to grow spiritually by looking to Jerusalem and the roots of our faith. Jerusalem is central to our faith as the City of the Resurrection and the birthplace of Christianity. The witness of indigenous Christians amply demonstrates the importance of living in that hope. Learning about the geography, culture, challenges and faithful response of Arab Christians in the region today provides enlightening insights to the life and ministry of Jesus. Reaching out and supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ who live and work in the Hope of the Resurrection, encouraging mutual respect and peace for all people, proves to be an ongoing inspiration for spiritual growth, faith in action and personal peace. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) The St. George Jerusalem Society strives to bring the spiritual enrichment of Jerusalem to all Christians as the One Body of Christ, bringing peace and goodwill to all people. If you seek to learn more about the Christian faith in context and in action, this website is designed for you. As a casual network of Christians seeking to grow in faith, the St. George Jerusalem Society welcomes you. The Society is all volunteer. All who wish to consider themselves members are invited to support the humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem by making regular financial contributions to support their faith in action in that region. To learn more about the work of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, please visit their website. http://www.sgjs.org

DIARY DATES FOR JANUARY

Sun 8 Jan: Feast of the Epiphany (gifts for the Womens Refuge may be brought to the tree) Mon 9 Jan: SN San Nioclas re-opens Tues 10 Jan: Mothers Union Christmas Dinner, Darver Castle Weds 11 Jan: Wellington Hall Project Committee Meeting, 7.30pm, Wellington Hall (all welcome) Tues 17 Jan: HC at Dealgan House N/H 3pm. Wed 18 Jan: SN San Nioclas BOM at 7pm Thurs 19 Jan: Christian Unity Service, St Nicholas (Green Church) Dundalk at 7.30pm Sat 21 Jan: Rector preaching at Vigil Mass at St Michaels Carlingford, 7.30pm Sat 28 Jan: Eucharist to mark Carolyn Tippings Years Mind 7pm St Marys Ballymascanlan all friends and parishioners welcome Sun 29 Jan: Group Service for Candlemas (5th Sunday) at 1030am St Marys Ballymascanlan No service in Heynestown, Creggan or Bush. (Dundalk 8am HC Order One, and 11am MP (said)).

Services in January 2012

Sunday 1 January 2012 The Naming Of Jesus
The 11am service in Dundalk is a Group Service - there will be no Sunday service in the other four churches on New Years Day. St Nicholas, Dundalk HC Order One Sunday 1st 8.00am GROUP SERVICE Eucharist Sunday 1st 11.00am

Week Commencing 08 January - Epiphany

Creggan Parish Church Morning Prayer St Marys Ballymascanlan Eucharist St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Morning Prayer St Pauls, Heynestown Euharist St Nicholas, Dundalk Epithany Carols Hospital (St Olivers) HC Sunday 8th Sunday 8th Sunday 8th Sunday 8th Sunday 8th Thursday 12th
nd

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am 11.30am

LOOKING AHEAD TO FEBRUARY AND BEYOND

Thurs 2 Feb: St Brigid (transferred) HC 1030am Ballymascanlan Sun 19 Feb: Healing Service on the Sunday before Lent Bush Church at 7pm. Wed 22 Feb: ASH WEDNESDAY Lent begins. Services 1030am Ballymascanlan and 7.30pm Dundalk. (Details of Lenten preparation to be confirmed.) Mon 27 Feb: Mothers Union Monthly Meeting, 7.30pm, Wellington Hall. Fri 30 Nov: Dundalk Group of Parishes Festival Dinner Dance in aid of the Wellington Hall Project

Week Commencing 15 January - 2

Creggan Parish Church Eucharist St Marys Ballymascanlan Morning Prayer St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Eucharist St Pauls, Heynestown Morning Prayer St Nicholas, Dundalk Eucharist Dealgan House HC Hospital (St Olivers) HC

after Epiphany
9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 10.00am 11.00am 3.00pm 11.30am

Sunday 15th Sunday 15th Sunday 15th Sunday 15th Sunday 15th Tuesday 17th Thursday 197th
rd

Week Commencing 22 January 3 after Epiphany

Creggan Parish Church Morning Prayer St Marys Ballymascanlan Eucharist St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Morning Prayert St Pauls, Heynestown Eucharist St Nicholas, Dundalk Fasmily SOW Hospital (St Olivers) HC Sunday 22nd Sunday 22nd Sunday 22nd Sunday 22nd Sunday 22nd Thursday 26th 9.30am 10.45am 3.00pm 10.00am 11.00am 11.30am

Week Commencing 29 January

Sunday 29 is a Group Service in Ballymascanlan. No service in Creggan, Heynestown and Bush that Sunday. St Nicholas, Dundalk HC Order One Morning Prayer St Marys Ballymascanlan Group Service Candlemas Hospital (St Olivers) HC Sunday 29 th Sunday 29
th th

Children from SN San Nioclas preparing for the Nativity Play Dec 2011

8.00am 11.00am

GOSPEL READINGS FOR JANUARY

January 1st Luke 2: 15-21 January 8th - Mark 1: 4 -11 Januaey 15th - John 1: 43-51 January 22nd - Mark 1: 14-20 January 29th (Mark 1: 21-28), Luke 1: 22-40 These are provided for those of you who may find it helpful to read the gospel at home in preparation for Sunday worship. Contact the Rector if you are interested in daily Bible reading notes.

Sunday 29th 10.30am nd Thursday 2 Feb 11.30am

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