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 December 2011

MINISTRY TEAM

Issue 6:12 December 2011

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, Advent marks the beginning of a new church year, so perhaps it is a good time to reflect back on the faith journey of the past year, for us as individuals, and as a group of churches. New beginnings often prompt new resolutions: looking back, did we get held up along the way, or take a wrong turn, or forget where we were going? Was the route chosen the right one or did we find ourselves struggling to see where we were going? Faith can be like that, which is why it is important that faith is not just private, but (as scripture constantly teaches us) all about community. After all, isnt the Golden Rule, which is the test of faith according to Our Lord, all about how we treat others do we love God and love our neighbour as ourself? Thinking about this seriously and honestly would be a very healthy way to prepare ourselves for the Christmas celebration of the birth of the infant Christ, who is our Saviour, Lord and King. Generosity is another hallmark of faith in this season of goodwill, we think of all who struggle financially or emotionally, those who are lonely, and those who are sick or in grief. But such goodwill needs to be part of our Christian witness all year round. I recently met up with David Gough from CMS(I) his report on his visit to DR Congo and to our link diocese of North Kivu is reprinted overleaf but I was so inspired by Davids enthusiasm for what he found the church doing in that difficult war-torn part of Africa. People who have nothing, giving their time and talents and energy to their church and the wider community, and achieving miracles in a place where no one gets paid and no one has any money yet their generosity would put most of us to shame. We hope that David will come to Dundalk to tell us more about how our gifts to North Kivu are being used, and to show us the spectacular photos he took during his stay. Recently it has been encouraging to see a number of new families joining our group of parishes, and the increasingly diverse and international dimension is a powerful reminder to us all of how much greater is Gods worldwide church, of which we are a tiny part. Whether you are a cradle member of the Church of Ireland (Anglican/Episcopalian), new to the faith, or somewhere in between, we assure you of a warm welcome and trust that you will find your spiritual home with us. With every blessing to you all for a prayerful Advent and the peace and joy of the Christmas season Yours in Christ, Sandra

For your Prayers

All who are housebound, sick or bereaved, and for those awaiting hospital results Those struggling in this economic climate Our links with the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, and the Diocese of North Kivu in Congo Those preparing for Christian marriage: Kenny and Esther, Jonathan and Michelle, Dennis and Joanita, and Shelley and Andrew.

ADVENT 2011
Advent is a time of expectation, preparation and anticipation - a holy season which we mark in the following ways: WHY ARE WE WAITING? Four sessions to look prayerfully at Advent Hope from the Past Wed 30 November Hope for the Past Wed 7 December Hope for Today Wed 14 December Hope Alive! Wed 21 December Each session 7.30-9pm in St Richards Chapel (St Nicholas Dundalk) ADVENT WREATH Each of the 4 Sundays in Advent, in each of our churches, we are reminded as each candle is lit in turn, of the people in the Bible who were part of the foretelling of the coming of the Messiah, in the birth of baby Jesus at Christmas.

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICES

Sunday 04 December
10am - St Pauls Heynestown Morning Carol Service

Sunday 11 December
11am - St Nicholas Dundalk Christmas Service of the Word with Sunday School 5pm - St Marys Ballymascanlan Carols with the Lowry Singers by candlelight 7.30pm St Nicholas, Dundalk Clermont Chorale Concert

Friday 16 December
1pm St Nicholas, Dundalk St Nicholas National School Christmas Play

Sunday 18 December

FROM THE REGISTERS

Holy Baptism On 27 November at St Pauls Heynestown: Christian Thomas SHAW, son of Ciara and Thomas of Mullacrew, Louth Village, and Joshua Thomas HARDY, son of Joanne and Kevin of Blackrock. On 27 November at St Nicholas, Dundalk: Mercy Aanuoluwapo ADENIJI-JOHNSON, daughter of Adetutu and Adediran of Louth Village. Lord, may these children walk in the light of Christ all their days.

9.30am - Creggan Parish Church Morning Carol Service 7.30pm St Nicholas, Dundalk Carols by Candlelight

Wednesday 21 December
12 noon - St Nicholas Dundalk Carols with St Nicholas National School
For a complete listing of the months services and special services for Christmas week, please refer to back page of this newsletter

MISSION NEWS
Diocese of North Kivu in DR Congo
A forgottenbut not a God-forsaken place by David Gough of CMS Ireland
I have just returned from visiting the countries of Egypt, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and five of our Global Partner Dioceses. Although not my first visit to DR Congo, I first travelled there in 2003 while working for Concern Worldwide, this was my first visit to CMS Irelands partner Dioceses of Bukavu, Kindu and North Kivu. My lasting memory from that first visit is that the DR Congo was a God-forsaken place that had been stuck in time and forgotten by the world. It was as if nothing had changed since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960 and nothing worked. I also recall that even basics like salt and sugar had to be flown into the interior of the country. DR Congo is a vast country with immense mineral resources, including coltan a vital element used in mobile phones, laptops etc., yet the Congo has been at the centre of what is known as Africa's world war. The five-year conflict pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda. The Church has been on the frontline of the conflict in the east of the country and despite a peace deal in 2003, people remain in terror of marauding militia like the infamous Mai-Mai and Interhamwe, who today still use rape as a weapon of war. The war has claimed an estimated three million lives, either as a direct result of fighting or due to disease and malnutrition. National and local elections will take place on 28th November and in the midst of the hopelessness of the situation there was a tangible sense of hope for a better future. Im glad to report that the Church is alive and well in DR Congo and as I visited the three Dioceses I was greatly encouraged to hear that they viewed my visit as an example that things were changingvisitors returning was a real sign of hope. I have so many encouraging stories I could share of how God is working in the hearts and minds of the peoplethe following is an example of how the Church is supporting women and orphan children in the Diocese of North Kivu. I first met Revd Immanuel prior to the Sunday Service in Butembo Cathedral where I was to preach he was introduced to me as my interpreter. It was while talking to him, before the service, that I discovered that Gods call on his and his wifes lives was much more than church ministry. Revd Immanuel and his wife Dorchas have 3 young children who share their home with 31 orphans on the outskirts of Butembo in the Diocese of North Kivu. While Dorchas was working as a Midwife Immanuel and her adopted an orphan baby who later died at 2 years 8 months, this experience changed their lives. In 1996 Immanuel and Dorchas first opened up their homes to the plight of young abandoned children, many the result of a culture among the opposing rebel armies of using rape as a weapon of war. The women and any babies born as a result of the rape are outcast from their own families and communities in many cases they are stigmatised for life. This work has been recognised as a vital and central ministry of the Church in North Kivu by Bishop Isesomo. Since then they have been showing, in their words, compassion for infants in distress. The following day I actually visited Immanuel and Dorchas in their orphanage home.
Photo: Rev Immanuel & Dorchas

help with the children every day. Dorcas explained, Our vision is to show Christian compassion for infants in distress and we work with orphans from birth to 18 years of age, those whove been affected with HIV/AIDS as well as girls, some under 10 years, who have been raped. We also provide trauma and spiritual counselling and encourage others to pray for the ministry. Weve even had to open an orphan school, because none of the local schools would accept the orphan children. They also have two other centres in Kasindi and Malessi working mainly with Pygmy orphans. As well as talking to some of the orphans I also met and some of the women who had been raped, including a teenage boy who had also raped. It was very encouraging to meet Evelyn, one of the orphans, who now teaches in the school. Dorchas continues, Our aim is to place the children in host families to give them the opportunity to be part of a family. We currently have 22 children in host families. Many of the rape victims are involved in the prayer ministry. One girl has not spoken since being raped 3 years ago. Our own Bishop visits every Friday and spends the day listening praying and fasting with the women, she explains. She then told me of their plans to build a kitchen and dining area and extra bedrooms and showed me that theyd already started making the bricks. When I asked where they got the money to operate the work, she quietly said God and the good people of the community many who offer gifts in kind like food and clothes to the orphanage. It was incredibly humbling as Dorchas showed me around their house, it was obvious the only private space they had as a family was their own bedroom. The other 3 bedrooms had 3 extra-wide bunk beds squeezed into the rooms so that the orphans could sleep across the beds. When I asked where their own 3 children slept, Dorchas said Among the orphans of course. I was deeply moved by experiencing genuine, sacrificial, Christian love of a couple who made a huge impact on me and that Ill never forget.

Orphans in North Kivu

Diocese of Jerusalem & the Middle East

Galilee: A month ago an arson attack destroyed a mosque in the village of Tub-Zangariyye in Upper Galilee. To promote peace and conciliation, the Bishop of Jerusalem, accompanied by other Christian leaders and Patriarch Theophilis III, as well as the Chief Rabbinate Ammar, travelled to Galilee to console the villagers and to present a common bond under the one God. Jordan: In Jordan a new kindergarten is being built at St John the Baptist Church in Husun-Jordan, which will be a great asset to the church congregation and to working mothers in Husun. At Irbid, also in Jordan, the Arab Episcopal School is being extended, to add a 3rd floor which will be a great facility for the students in 6th to 10th grade. There have also been developments at the Jofeh Rehabilitation Centre in the Jordan Valley: there are 2 new classes for deaf children in the kindergarten, 4 in Grade 1 and five in Grade 2. Jofeh provides an important service for the 13 villages in the locality, by coordinating local services and hopes to expand its role in the future with new centres. The Diocesan Womens Day held in Jericho was opened by Mrs Shafeeqa Dawani; it was well attended by women from all over the diocese (Haifa, Nazareth, Ramallah, Reineh, Ramla, Nablus, Zababdeh, and Jerusalem) with Bible study and workshops focussing on the educational and health institutions of the diocese.

Accompanied by Bishop Isesomo and John, his Diocesan Secretary, I arrived at dusk to the joyous sound of unaccompanied singing and, when I walked inside I was welcomed energetic Congolese dancing by a room full of women and children. The women were from the local community and other churches who came together to pray and

To learn more about the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem visit their website here: http://www.j-diocese.org/index

PARISH NOTICES
Parish Profile
Who are you? Janet Gillanders-OCallaghan Which is your church? St. Nicholas Church, Dundalk Where do you live? Knockbridge, Dundalk How would you describe what you do? Full-time Mammy, Part-time Photographer What are your hobbies or interests? Walks in the park with my beautiful family Favourite Bible passage? Matthew 5:3-12, the Beatitudes. Favourite hymn? Here I am Lord Who or what has influenced you the most? My parents, I respect them more and more every day and realise how I should have respected them more in my teenage years. They did their absolute best for us and I never knew how lucky I was. Your dream holiday destination? Its the last place in the world I would have wanted to visit, until I had children, Disneyworld! Since I was a teenager, Ive always wanted to see Iceland and Israel. Maybe I will, after Disneyworld!!!! What has been the best day of your life so far? The day I met my husband. Sunday School at St Nicholas All children are invited to the Mothers Union childrens christmas party in the Wellington Hall on Sat 3 Dec from 3-5pm. Sunday school on 4 December will be a practise for the Childrens service on 11 Dec and all children are asked to attend on these 2 dates. Our last Sunday school before Christmas will be in 18 December. We still need volunteers. If you are able to lend a hand (training will be provided). the Rector would love to hear from you. Reminder that Sunday school is for school aged children only no under 4s please Confirmation We are waiting to hear from the Archbishop when this will be, but we hope it will be in the spring of 2012. So far, we have 7 young people signed up for the Confirmation Club, and others are thinking about it. If you want to know a bit more, dont hesitate to contact the Rector. If you have not been baptised, we can discuss that too. On Sat 10 December from 11am to 1.30pm. Christmas stalls, Christmas cards, and raffle, carol singing, but we cannot promise snow like last year! Do come along to this beautiful setting to support this event in aid of the Wellington Hall Project..

Wellington Hall Project

We are delighted to report that emergency repairs have been carried out under the instruction of the Vestry to the water and electrics in the hall and it is now safe once again to be used. Many thanks to all the volunteers who cleared out the stage, painted and cleaned the hall and kitchen in preparation for the Sale of Work We are also hoping start the first phase of our renovations in the new year, getting the roof replaced. We are continuing to seek grants and funding and will report any news. But in the meantime, our own fundraising activities are continuing and our upcoming events include:

Over 40s Dance Night

On Thursday 1 December Brendan Marmion is holding one of his regular over 40s dances at the Lisdoo Arms, and has very kindly agreed to donate all proceeds from the night to the WH Project. The dance starts at 9pm (ends 12pm), entry is 8, payable at the door, and includes table/finger food and danse music to the Glen Flynn Band. We are appealing to all friends and parishioners to dust off those dancing shoes and support us. All welcome.

Festive Coffee Morning at Bellurgan Park

Nearly New Clothing Sale

Diary Dates for December

Thurs 01 Dec Over 40s Dance, 9pm, Lisdoo Arms in aid of the Wellington Hall Project. Sat 03 Dec Mothers Union Childrens Christmas Party, Wellington Hall, 3-5pm Sun 04 Dec Heynestown Carols, 10am Tues 06 Dec St Nicholas Day School service for SNSN at 10.30am and 12noon Celebration of St Nicholas (in the church) Sat 10 Dec Festive Coffee Morning, 11am, Bellurgan Park in aid of WHP Sun 11 Dec 11am Dundalk Sunday School carols during Morning Worship Sun 11 Dec 5pm Carol Service with Lowry Singers, Ballymascanlan Sun 11 Dec 7.30pm Clermont Choral Concert, at St Nicholas Fri 16 Dec SN San Nioclas Nativity in the school at 12 noon Sun 18 Dec Morning Carol Service, Creggan, 9.30am Sun 18 Dec Carols by Candlelight at St Nicholas, 7.30pm Christmas Eve - 1st Eucharist of Christmas 8pm Creggan, and 10.00pm Ballymascanlan Christmas Day 8am Dundalk (HC One); Family Christmas Eucharist 9.30am Bush; 10am Heynestown; and 11am Dundalk St Stephens Day (Mon 26 Dec) HC, 10.30am, Ballymascanlan St Johns Day (Tues 27 Dec) HC 10.30am Dundalk Holy Innocents (Weds 28 Dec) HC 10.30am Ballymascanlan Sun 01 Jan 2012 8am and 11am (Group Service), Dundalk only

In March we will be holding a nearly new clothing sale in aid of the WHP. Full details to follow next month. In the meantime, if you are clearing out your wardrobes and have any items that could be donated, please consider supporting our sale. We will be selling men, womens and childrens clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories. All items must be nearly new, complete and in good condition. For more information, please contact Liz McGee or Brigitte Nelson

Planned Events for 2012

The committee is busy finalising the fundraising calender for next year and plans are being made for the following events: February Valentine Raffle March Nearly New Clothes Sale (see above) July Summer BBQ at Bellurgan Park September Golf Classic November 30th Gala Dinner/Dance
.

Looking Ahead to 2012

The January 2011 newsletter will be distributed at the 11am Group Service on 01 Jan in Dundalk. However, please note the following dates for 2011. Sun 01 Jan Naming of Jesus: 8am and 11am (Group Service) Dundalk only. Christian Unity Week of Prayer (18-25 January) comes to us from an ecumenical group in Poland and is themed "We shall all be changed by the Victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 cor 15 - 51-58) Group Services 2012 Sun 1st Jan (11am Dundalk), Sun 15th April (Low Sunday), Sun 29th April, Sun 29th July, Sun 30th September, Sun 30th December (Sunday after Christmas)

Services in December
GOSPEL READINGS FOR DECEMBER
Novemberr 30th Mark 13: 24-37 December 4th - Mark 1: 1-8 December 11th John 1: 6-8, 19-28 December 18th - Luke 1: 26-38 December 25th - Luke 2: 1-14, 15-20 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 18 December (Advent 4)

Creggan Parish Church Morning Carol Service St Marys Ballymascanlan Eucharist St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Morning Prayer St Nicholas, Dundalk HC Order One (said) Carols by Candlelight Carols with SN San Nioclas St Pauls, Heynestown Eucharist Dealgan House HC Hospital (St Olivers) HC Creggan Parish Church First Eucharist of Christmas St Marys Ballymascanlan First Eucharist of Christmas Sunday 18 Sunday 19 Sunday 18
th

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 11.00am 7.30pm 12 noon 10.00am 3.00pm 11.30am

th th

Sunday 18 th Sunday 18 st Weds 21 Sunday 18 th Tues 20 nd Thurs 22

th

th

Week Commencing Sunday 27 November (Advent 1)

Creggan Parish Church Eucharist St Marys Ballymascanlan Eucharist St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Eucharist Saint Andrew (HC) St Pauls, Heynestown Eucharist St Nicholas, Dundalk Holy Communion (Order One) Eucharist Hospital (St Olivers) HC Creggan Parish Church Eucharist St Marys Ballymascanlan Morning Prayer St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Eucharist St Nicholas, Dundalk Eucharist St Nicholas HC SN San Nioclas School Service St Pauls, Heynestown Carol Service Hospital (St Olivers) HC Creggan Parish Church Morning Prayer St Marys Ballymascanlan No Morning Service Carols with Lowry Singers St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) No Morning Service St Nicholas, Dundalk SOW with Sunday School Clermont Chorale Concert SN San Nioclas School Play St Pauls, Heynestown Eucharist Hospital (St Olivers) HC Sunday 27 Sunday 27
th th

9.30am 10.45am

Saturday 24 December (Christmas Eve)

8pm 10.00pm

Sunday 27 12 noon th Wednesday 30 10.30am Sunday 27

th

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10.00am 8.00am 11.00am 11.30am

Sunday 25 December (Christmas Day)

St Nicholas, Dundalk Holy Communion (Order One) 08.00am Family Christmas Eucharist and Posada 11.00am St Andrews Rathcor (Bush) Christmas Eucharist 9.30am St Pauls, Heynestown Christmas HC Order One 10.00am NB NO SERVICE IN BALLYMASCANLAN OR CREGGAN

Sunday 27 th Sunday 27 st Thursday 1

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Week Commencing Sunday 4 December (Advent 2)

Sunday 4 Sunday 4 Sunday 4
th th th

9.30am 10.45am 12 noon 11.00am 12 noon 10.30am 10.00am 11.30am

Monday 26 December (St Stephen)

St Marys Ballymascanlan St Stephen Holy Communion 10.30am

Sunday 4 th Tuesday 6 th Tuesday 6 Sunday 4 th Thursday 8

th

th

Tuesday 27 December (St John)

St Nicholas, Dundalk St John the Evangelist Holy Communion 10.30am

Wednesday 28 December (Holy Innocents)

St Marys Ballymascanlan Holy Innocents Holy Communion 10.30am

Week Commencing Sunday 11 December (Advent 3)

Sunday 11
th

9.30am 5.00pm

NB No Hospital Service on Thursday 29th 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 (St Stephen) 8.00am GROUP SERVICE Eucharist 11.00am To have the newsletter emailed to you, please send your name and email address to dundalkCOInewsletter@gmail.com. If you are currently on our postal mailing list and wish to have your name removed, please indicate this when sending your email details

Sunday 11 th Sunday 11 Sunday 11

th

th

Sunday 11 th Sunday 11 th Friday 16 Sunday 12 th Thurs 15

th

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11.00am 7.30pm 1.00pm 10.00am 11.30am

PARISH CHRISTMAS CARDS 2011

The Dundalk Group of Parishes Christmas cards depict our five churches in the snow. Packs are available of each individual church, or of all 5 churches (cost 3 for 5 or 6 for 10) and will be on sale at the Festive Coffee Morning (10th December) and after all our Sunday services. All proceeds to the Wellington Hall Project.

Ballymascanlan

Creggan

Heynestown

Dundalk

Bush