Rector: Rev William Bennett

087-9480317

Layreaders: Caroline Tindal Michael Croly

Parish Administrator:

Karen Reynolds 087-2866889

Parish Office:

Open Mon - Fri 1.15 - 5.15pm 2819300

Email: nandnparishoffice@gmail.com

Parish Websites: www.newcastleparish.org

www.newtownmountkennedyparish.org www.calaryparish.org

PARISH INFORMATION NEWS SHEET

Parish of Newcastle and Newtownmountkennedy with Calary

From the Rectors Desk

Dear Parishioners,

These Parishes have had their monthly copies of PINS for many years. Before I came to be Rector there was a copy of PINS sent to me and I found that it gave me a great sense of this being an active community with good communication. PINS has grown somewhat and is usually a little 'fatter' than it was in those early days, but it is still a good tool for communication. If you would like to contribute in any way, whether it is by asking a question, responding to any article or being part of a debate, please do feel free to get your piece to Karen. We always reserve the right to not include or to edit anything we feel is not appropriate for PINS.

One of the big forthcoming events in our country is the Same-Sex Marriage Referendum. This has the potential to cause deep offence and hurt and, like many other important issues that get into the political arena for debate, can become more to do with party politics than what is really best for the good of society and stable communities in general. In the debates and discussions which will take place leading up to the referendum we can expect emotive language when one side will endeavour to highlight what is seen as the weaknesses in the opposite point of view and words like homophobic and fundamentalist will be two words I expect to hear many times during the debate.

My personal feeling is that the whole subject of civil partnership and marriage need a lot more time for discussion. It is argued that a no vote in the referendum discriminates against those who want same sex unions and seriously compromises the principle of equality for all people. On the other hand it is insisted that this debate is not about equal rights or discrimination but about the long held biblical principle of marriage between man and woman. A possible way forward might be to have all civil / legal ceremonies conducted only by the state and then for those who would want a Christian Marriage to have such a ceremony conducted subsequently by the religious institution of their choice. One of the most frustrating things about the referendum is that I

think we are being asked the wrong question. The issue of legal rights for couples in same sex relationships should be separate from the debate about marriage between man and woman. I urge readers to think seriously and pray about the implications of this referendum and vote in the best way to protect families and provide security and balance for children in generations yet to come.

'When they came to the tomb they found it was empty'! What a powerful statement and what wonderful hope it gives in a very uncertain world. That is hope for those who take the words seriously and anchor their faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrificial death on our behalf. There is no other fact in the world, or even in world history, more important for believers than that of the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. One of the problems we have in an affluent society is that we so easily become pre-occupied by what Scripture calls mammon or wealth and position. Our time can get so busy that devotion to God is forced into the background in our priorities.

Please take good note of our Easter programme and join as we celebrate the greatest love story ever told. This year we are doing something weve never tried before! On the Sunday after Easter we invite you to join us in the Parish Centre for an Agape Feast. In the early church Christians met and enjoyed a meal together; then there was the breaking of bread and sharing the wine. You will be familiar with the words of Jesus from the Holy Communion service when after supper he blessed bread and gave the wine as a memorial of his death. See notice for more details.

This is also your invitation to attend your General Easter Vestry. Come and share your views, listen to reports and show your gratitude to those who have served on your Select Vestry during the past year. Details of dates and times in PINS. Easter Vestry is for all parishioners and it is then we elect the Select Vestry for another year. Come, have your say but you don't have to stand for election or take a job!

God bless, William

Friday 10th Friday 24th 89.30pm

Sunday School

There will be Sunday School on the 26th April. Listen out for exciting news at the Easter Service of Family Praise in Newcastle.

Parents and Toddlers

There will be no Parents and Toddlers on 30th March or 6th April. Normal service resumes on the 13th with play for the toddlers and tea/coffee and a chat for the adults.

Youth Film Club

A film is shown every Saturday from 6.30pm in the Parish Centre Youth Room. For 12 to 16 year olds. Details from Felix Carter at 086-3842728 Bowls

The bowls club meets every Thursday in the main hall at the Parish Centre from 8pm. Table Tennis Mondays in the main hall at the Parish Centre from 8.30pm. New faces very welcome. Time Out The prayer group continues to meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 8pm in the sitting room at the Parish Centre. Bible Club The Bible Club meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays in the month at 8pm in the sitting room at the Parish Centre, continuing with the study of St Peter. Feel free to join in at any time and give it a try.

Junior Choir

This month we are lucky enough to have the junior choir performing twiceat the service of Easter Family Praise and at the Family Service on the 19th April. Not to be missed!

Parish Choir

Holy Week is fast approaching and the Parish Choir is busy preparing the music. On Palm Sunday we will sing O sacred head sore wounded as set by J.S. Bach in the St. Matthew Passion, in Newcastle. The Maundy Thursday Communion Service will be sung to the setting in F by William Harris and the Communion Motet will be Ubi Caritas Where charity and love are, God is there by Maurice Durufle.

On Good Friday in St Matthews there will be a more contemplative service at which we will sing Out of the depths (Psalm 30) by Debra Scroggins and Ah Holy Jesu, how hast thou offended, melody by Johann Cruger and harmonised by J.S.Bach. We will celebrate Easter Sunday morning with the anthem Christ is risen by Alexander Katalsky, who was a pupil of Tchaikovsky. Andy Sleeman

PARISH OF NEWCASTLE & NEWTOWNMOUNTENNEDY ANNUAL EASTER VESTRY

Thursday 16th April at 8pm

Parish Centre Newcastle

Come along and keep in touch with parish developments. Ask questions. Have your say.

Vote in the new Select Vestry.

NEWCASTLE

PARISH CENTRE

Venue Hire

Parties, functions, meetings, seminars, classes, training.

For rates contact Karen in the Parish Office at 2819300 or 087-2866889

Date for your Diary

CONCERT IN NEWCASTLE

The St. Cecilia Singers are giving a concert in Newcastle Church, in aid of Parish funds on Friday May 15th at 8pm. The choir , under its conductor Sandra Ganly, are no strangers to Co. Wicklow having sung in the Music series in Calary Parish and annual Christmas concerts for the past ten years in Glenealy Church. They also recorded a C D of choral music in Newcastle Church a few years ago.

The St. Cecilia Singers have enjoyed much competitive success in various music festivals including winning the National Chamber Choir competition in the Cork Choral Festival and competing in the Verona Choral Festival in 2006 where they were awarded a Silver cup. Last year the choir celebrated its thirtieth anniversary with a performance of Brahms Requiem to a packed Christchurch Cathedral.

The concert in Newcastle will feature a wide range of music. All proceeds go to Parish funds so please put this date in your diary and support this event which is not to be missed. Tickets will be available shortly from Karen in the Parish office (Tel: 2819300) price 15.

Free Will Envelopes

There are still a number of sets of envelopes for 2015 at the back of the church in Newcastle. If you have not got yours yet please pick them up.

Coffee

Every Tuesday morning from 10.30am. Tea, coffee, toast, treats and a chat. Everyone welcome.

Lunch

Aprils lunch will take place on Thursday 16th. The cost is 10 as usual. Book your place with Karen.

Flowers

Newcastle Church will be decorated for Easter on Saturday 4th April from 10.30am.

Rotas

Has it slipped your mind to put your name down for flower arranging or cleaning in Newcastle Church?

Not to worry, the notices are still there.

Good Friday There will be a service of prayers, meditation and music in Calary on Good Friday evening starting at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate. World Day of Prayer A big thank you to everyone who helped or attended the World Day of Prayer at the beginning of March.

Table Tennis Table Tennis will not take place until the repair to the belltower has been completed.

Please send any items for inclusion in May PINS to:

information.pins@gmail.com

Items must be received by MONDAY 20th April

Church Keys Have you forgotten to bring back a church key, maybe after taking a turn to clean or do the flowers, or perhaps you borrowed one for some reason? If you have one in your possession please leave it on the hook in the church porch or drop it in to the Parish Office. Thank you!

St Francis Parents Association

Pub Quiz

at The Castle Inn

with Brian Harris

Friday

17th April at

8pm

ANNUAL EASTER VESTRY

Monday 13th April

8pm

Come and hear the plans for the church in the coming year

Holy Communion is celebrated every

Wednesday, with prayer for the sick,

at 10.30am in St Matthews,

followed by a cup of tea / coffee in the McLean Room.

All welcome!

Cathedral Launches New Digital Facility to Help Tourists Engage

St Patricks Cathedral, Dublin, is pioneering new technology which will make it easier for tourists to engage with the cathedral and its life. The new digital facility for tourists will be launched at the end of the month.

St Patricks is not only the National Cathedral for the Church of Ireland but also one of the busiest tourist sites in the country. Their footfall this year is expected to approach 500,000. Many visitors want to engage with the cathedral but have no mechanism to do so.

Over the past number of months staff have partnered with a digital media company called AppyBeacons to create an app which utilizes a new technology called I Beacons. This new facility will allow visitors with smart phones to learn more about the cathedral during their visit. The I Beacons prompt smart phones to show particular content at different points throughout the building. The benefit of the system is that it requires no changes to the cathedrals ancient structure and St Patricks will be the first heritage site in Ireland to use the innovative technology.

The facility was launched by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, on Wednesday March 25 at 2.00 pm.

SERVICES HOLY WEEK AND EASTER

Wednesday Holy Communion at St Matthews 10.30am

Maundy Thursday

Holy Communion at Newcastle 8pm

Good Friday Meditation at St Matthews 8pm

Meditation at Calary 8pm

Easter Sunday Sunrise Service at Newcastle Beach 6.30am

Holy Communion at Calary 9.30am Holy Communion at St Matthews 10.45am Easter Family Praise at Newcastle 12 noon

AGAPE FEAST

COME AND EXPERIENCE AN EARLY CHRISTIAN TRADITIAN

SUNDAY 12th APRIL AT 6pm

NEWCASTLE PARISH CENTRE

BRING FOOD TO SHARE

EVERYONE WELCOME!

PLAYSCHOOL Parish Centre, Church Lane, Newcastle

Opening 1st September 2015 9am12 noon

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays 2015/2016

Monday to Friday 2016/2017

Information and Enrolment Forms from: parishcastlekidz@gmail.com or phone Karen at 087 2866889

DATE CHURCH TIME ? SERVICE READING

Maundy Thursday

2nd

Newcastle

20.00

WB

HC

Ex. 12:1-14

1 Cor. 11:23-26

Easter Sunday

5th

N/C Beach

Calary

St Matthews

Newcastle

6.30

9.30

10.45

12.00

WB

WB

JMcC

WB

Sunrise

HC

HC

Family Praise

Jer. 31:1-6

Col. 3:1-4

Sunday 12th

Calary

St Matthews

Newcastle

9.30

10.45

18.00

WB

WB

WB

MP

MP

Agape Feast

John 20: 19-31

Sunday 19th

Calary

St Matthews

Newcastle

9.30

10.45

12.00

WB

IF

KR

FS

MP

FS

Micah 4:1-5

1 John 3:1-7

Luke 24:36-48

Sunday 26th

Calary

St Matthews

Newcastle

9.30

10.45

12.00

CT

CT

CT

MP

MP

MP

Ez. 34:1-10

1 John 3:16-24

John 10:11-18

Good Friday

3rd

Calary

St Matthews

20.00

20.00

WB

Meditation

Meditation