Saturday, September 29, 2007

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 30th, 2007

Dublin City Marathon
One of the fundraisers for our new parish development is this years Dublin city marathon.
A number of people have kindly agreed to either run or walk in the marathon to support the houses for the elderly part of our development.
To support their generous initiative, we now need sponsorship.
We appeal to people to take a sponsorship card (available in the sacristies), and raise sponsorship for the marathon runners/walkers. Even if you only collect among your family and friends, every little helps.
When you take a card, please remember to leave your name and how many cards you take.

Questions people ask
Q. At a time when the Church is struggling, I often wonder why God doesn’t perform some great miracles to bring people back.
A. While we are struggling in Western Europe, remember that the Church is youthful and vibrant in many parts of the world. As for miraculous signs, critics will always find reasons to reject or doubt them. Even the greatest miracle, the resurrection of Jesus, was rejected by many. Jesus put it like this: ‘If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.’
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Public Meeting
The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is hosting a talk entitled “Healthy Eating - Happy Feet” at Newpark Hotel on Tuesday, 2nd October at 8pm. All are welcome and admission is free.

Website of the Week
www.themass.com
Mass is broadcast every day from St Ann's in Scranton PA by the Passionists.

New Altar Servers
New and existing altar servers are being recruited this weekend. Most of the schools were visited and consent forms were distributed to current and interested children from 4th call upward.
These forms should be returned this weekend, either to the sacristies or to the priests house and a new rota will be available next week. Those who have received forms in the school will note the error in mass times, my apologies for this mistake.

Baptismal Team
There is a meeting of the Baptismal Team planned for next Tuesday night at St. Patrick’s Presbytery, Ormonde Road. The meeting will start at 8pm. All current members are asked to attend.
If you would like to become a member of this dedicated team, then please attend this meeting. The baptismal team play a vital role in helping families prepare for the baptism of their children. No experience is necessary, training will be provided.

St. Mary’s Cathedral Anniversary
An invitation has been extended by the priests and people of St. Mary’s Parish to all at St. Patrick’s Parish to join with them in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral on Sunday, 7th October at 3pm. Followed by refreshments at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.

C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the Parents’ Council of the CBS Secondary School will be held on Tuesday, 2nd October in CBS, James Street at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Ms. Orla Callan who will talk on “Learning - how to support our children during their school years and beyond.”

Motivation & Recognition for Youth
A talk given by John Murphy, Chief Executive of an Gaisce will take place on Tuesday Oct 2nd at 8pm in St. Brigid’s College Callan. All parents invited and bring a friend.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Billy Reinhardt, Dean Cavanagh Place. Rosary at his daughter’s residence at Racecourse at 9pm on Sunday. Funeral prayers at 11am on Monday followed by removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral for requiem Mass. Burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Maura Cox, Longford. John Bergin, Ballinure, Thurles. Dean Cavanagh Place. Nikita Woods, Assumption Place.

Anniversaries: Eugene & Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15), Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00), Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00), Peter Alan Bull (Sun 11.00), Billy Roche (Sun 12.00), Julie Foley (Sun 12..30), Kathleen Tomney (Tues 10.30), Ellen O’Neill (Fri 10.30), Eileen Barry, Mary Ryan, Michael Doyle, Seán & Paddy Hayes, Nora Hogan, Bridget McKenna, Terry Kelly, Anastatia Buckley, Mary Nolan.

Anniversaries Next Weekend: Patsy Walsh (Sat 6.15), Joanie Waters (Sat 7.00), Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.00).

Crisis in Sudan
Last weeks second collection was taken up at the request of Trócaire to aid their work with the people of Darfur. The amount raised was a huge €6,400 which is an excellent response. Many thanks to all who supported this appeal.

Kilkenny Celtic Festival
Choral Concert featuring Caerwys Welsh Male Voice Choir in St. John's Church, Dublin Rd, Kilkenny on the Thursday 4th October at 8pm - www.celticfestival.ie Contact 056 7721483 for information.

Ossory Youth
Interested in becoming a young leader in your youth club, community or parish? Contact Patrick Bookle on (056) 7761200 for further information and closing date for application is Friday Oct 12th.
Youth Leadership Training 2007.
Petersburg, Galway : Tues 30th Oct – Fri 2nd Nov. Age Group : 15-16 years old
Cost: €100 pp (incl. bus).

First Friday
The sick and housebound will be visited this weekend by the priests of the parish.

World Youth Day Pilgrimage
World Youth Day is the Catholic Church’s week of events for youth gathering thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Begun by Pope John Paul II Sydney will host the 10th international WYD from 15 – 20 July 2008. The invitation is to young people between the age of 18 and 35 years.
The cost of this unique pilgrimage is €3,000 approx per pilgrim. Each pilgrim will be asked to commit to fundraising and will be asked to make a personal contribution. Parishes will be invited to make a commitment to the cost also.
Further information is available at the back of the church, from Fr Scriven who is coordinator of the pilgrimage and from www.ossory.ie

Irish Autism, Fun Day
Family Fun Day and Concert in aid of Irish Autism Society, will take place in St. James Park, Kilkenny on Sunday, 30th September 2007 from 1 pm to 9 pm.
Bands, including Scuba Dice, will be providing the entertainment. Admission (which includes raffle) €15.00. Children under 16 years go free

Rosary Rally
A Rosary Rally for the renewal of Catholic Education and the Faith in Ireland will take place in Dublin at the Phoenix Park Papal Cross, Sunday, Oct 7th (Feast of the Holy Rosary) at 4pm. Bus from Kilkenny leaves at 11.30am. Booking at Murphy’s Boutique. Tel 056 7721495

Celebrating Positive Ageing
Parishioners of St. Patrick’s are invited to Drakelands House (Nursing Home) to join in Supporting Positive Ageing week.
Tues 2nd October 2.30pm—Birthday Party. Wed 3rd, 2.30pm Afternoon Tea Dance. Thurs 4th, Storyteller Jack Sheehan and singer John Brennan for an interactive afternoon.
Contact Mary O’Carroll 7770925

Parish Draw
As always sincere thanks to Ted Byrne and to the legion of promoters without whom the parish draw could never take place. All the funds raised from the draw go toward our new parish centre. If you are not currently a member then you can join the draw by contacting any of the promoters, the sacristans in our churches or any of the priests.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Twenty Fifty Sunday in Ordinary Time, 23rd September 2007

A Personal Investment
The ‘to do’ list is enshrined in many a person’s life. In some ways it has become a less dramatic form of the ancient custom of saints like Jerome being portrayed with a skull on their desk to remind them of their mortality. Listing things is a tacit acknowledgement and reminder that out time here is really limited and we ought to make the most of it. Prioritising things can be a tool for helping one actually do so.
After all, the thought of death concentrates the mind wonderfully and what is complex suddenly becomes clear. Three would-be disciples of Jesus have to decide if they will choose comfort or convention or custom or Christ. They are asked to look ahead, not back. No regrets, no excuses, no turning back, no giving up because it has become too costly or difficult, or demanding, or it interferes with our comfort zone, our activities or lives.
We don’t know if the trio continued with the Lord or were they turned away. More important however, is the kind of answer that we will give.

Questions People Ask
Q. Another question about using the psalms for prayer. How can we today relate to kings and temples, places and events which have nothing to do with us?
A. God’s gift of imagination will help you. Psalms about Jerusalem or God’s vineyard become prayers for the church. Exile in Babylon can express feelings of alienation, loneliness or times when we ‘hung up our harps’ in the absence of joy. Mention of God’s saving deeds in the Exodus will acquire greater depth when applied to Jesus Christ liberating humanity from the slavery of sin. Thomas Merton wrote that the psalms were like the water at Cana waiting for Christ to turn it into wine.

Website of the Week
www.wyd2008.org
Information about World Youth Day 2008.

Our New Bishop
Bishop-elect Monsignor Seamus Freeman was in Kilkenny during the week to meet the former bishop and the priests of the diocese. All were impressed by his warm and friendly manner. He has now returned to Rome to complete his work there before returning to Ossory in about four weeks time. Monsignor Freeman will be consecrated and installed as Bishop of Ossory at St. Mary’s Cathedral on 25th November, the Feast of Christ the King.

Dublin City Marathon
A number of people from the area are preparing to run in this year’s Dublin City Marathon on Monday, 29th October. St. Patrick’s Parish appeals for your support. Your sponsorship funds could help defray some of the costs of our Homes for the Elderly. You can make a difference.
Sponsorship Cards are available at the sacristies and the presbytery. Donal Cadogan, a parishioner, is preparing to run in the marathon. His sponsorship cards are available at the sacristies so that the less energetic of us can help this cause.

Blood Donation Clinic
Clinic at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny at the following times:-
Sunday, 23rd September from 11.30am - 3.30pm; Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September from 4.30 to 8.30pm. Donor Information: 1850 731 137.

Money Problems?
Having problems paying off debts? Experiencing financial difficulty? Need advice on money management? Call the Money Advice and Budgeting Service on 1890 283 438 for a confidential non-judgmental independent service.

Be still and know that I am God
Christian meditation continues in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4.00pm. All are welcome.
Peace in Christ Ruby Celebrations
Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House, is celebrating 40 years of service to our diocese. The theme for the celebration is “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10). The anniversary celebrations include:
Open Day on Monday, 24th September. Visitors are encourage to go along between 10.30am - 12.30pm; 3pm - 5pm and 7.30pm - 9.30pm. This will be an informal day during which the Retreat House Team looks forward to offering hospitality to the people of the diocese. Refreshments included.
Lectio Divina (Praying the Scriptures). This will be led by Fr. Seamus O’Connell, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth commencing at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 26th September. All are welcome. Advanced booking encouraged.
Relaxation and Meditation on Thursday, 24th September. At this time there will be an opportunity to participate in relaxation and meditation led by Christine Kelly commencing at 7.30pm. All welcome but advance booking appreciated.
There is no charge for any session. Further details from Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny on 772 1054.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ann Power, Ballyragget and Wolfe Tone Street, Kilkenny. Requiem Mass at St. John’s at 12:00 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Mary Lacey, London,
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Fahey (Sat 7.00), Anna Beale (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Kenny (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30), Mary Kennedy (Mon 9.30), Fr. John Lennon (Tue 9.30), Paddy Larkin, Jimmy Owens, Paddy Ryan, Robert Roche, Stephen O’Connor, Rory O’Connor, Elizabeth Connick, William Hickey, Elizabeth Tyrrell, Gretta & Arthur Somers, Thomas & Margaret Beehan, Frank Nolan, Joe McDonald.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Eugene & Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15), Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00), Julie Foley (Sun 12.30).

First Holy Communion
The parents of all who wish to receive First Holy Communion in our parish next year are invited to a short meeting on this Monday at 8pm. The meeting will be in the Assembly Hall of the St. John of God School and will concern enrolments for the Sacrament and the Do This In Memory programme.

Ossory Diocesan Forum
Parish representatives from throughout the diocese will meet in St. Kieran’s College on Saturday, 29th September to review the Diocesan Forum which has been in existence for the past three years. A lot of work has gone into the preparation for Saturday’s review and it is hoped that the outcomes from this meeting will form the basis for the future work of the Forum.

Crisis in Sudan
We are all well aware of the appalling situation in Darfur at the moment. It is now acknowledged as the greatest humanitarian crisis of this century. The scale of the tragedy facing the people of Sudan compels Trócaire to ask for your assistance for those experiencing such extreme suffering.
Please give generously to the special collection this weekend. Further information on www.trocaire.ie

C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the Parents’ Council of the CBS Secondary School will be held on Tuesday, 2nd October in CBS, James Street at 7.30pm. The speaker will be Ms. Orla Callan who will talk on “Learning - how to support our children during their school years and beyond.”

Feast of St. Vincent De Paul
Thursday, 27th September is the feast of St Vincent de Paul (1580-1660). Vincent was a priest who founded the Congregation of the Mission (the Vincentians) and the Daughters of Charity (1633), the first sisters to work outside their convents in active service. He is the patron of all charitable works.

Autumn Courses at Creidim
Copies of the Creidim brochure are available at the back of the churches and on the notice boards. Creidim is the agent for Adult Religious Education and Faith Formation in the Diocese of Ossory. The Creidim Centre is based at St. Kieran’s College.

Yoga Classes
Are you full of aches and pains, with restricted mobility? Why not come along to the Thursday morning yoga class due to begin soon at LARC, Bishop Birch Training Institute, Nuncio Road. Senior citizens are especially welcome.

Public Meeting
The Diabetes Federation of Ireland is hosting a talk entitled “Healthy Eating - Happy Feet” at Newpark Hotel on Tuesday, 2nd October at 8pm. Speakers include Ms. Rebecca Warner, Dietician, St. Luke’s Hospital; Ms. Irene Stokes and Ms. Mary Stokes, Podiatrists, Dean Street Foot Clinic, Kilkenny. All are welcome and admission is free.

Ploughing Championships
If you are at the National Ploughing Championships this week why not call into Stand L305 organised by our friends in the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. There will be lots to see and hear and you might even get a chance to take a moment out to give thanks to God.
Race Night
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir is holding a Race Night at Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel on 28th September. First race at 8.30pm sharp and proceeds in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Adult Literacy Awareness Week
National Adult Literacy Awareness Week will be held from 24th—28th September 2007. Word Aid offers help with reading, writing, spellings, maths, communications and personal development skills. The service which is available in Kilkenny City and at outreaches in the county, is offered to adults over 16 who have completed full time education. Day or night time classes can be arranged to suit learners who can learn what they want at their own pace, in a relaxed atmosphere, either alone with a tutor or in small group for 1 to 2 hours a week. The service is free and confidential. Further Information: Mary Buckley, the Word Aid Centre, Butler Court, Patrick Street, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 776 3149.

Evening Classes
The following evening classes are offered at St. Brigid’s College, Callan: English for non-nationals, computers, stained glass, glass engraving, pilates, yoga, salsa fit, flower arranging, interior décor, beauty therapy, digital camera and cake icing. All classes subject to numbers. Registration 7.30—8.30pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Nursing Home Visitation
We have a small group in the parish whose members make pastoral visits to parishioners in the local nursing homes and long stay hospitals. In this way patients can keep in touch with the parish and know that they are being remembered and prayed for by the parish community. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you know of someone in a nursing home who would like a visit.

World Youth Day Pilgrimage
World Youth Day is the Catholic Church’s week of events for youth gathering thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Begun by Pope John Paul II Sydney will host the 10th international WYD from 15 – 20 July 2008. The invitation is to young people between the age of 18 and 35 years.
The cost of this unique pilgrimage is €3,000 approx per pilgrim. Each pilgrim will be asked to commit to fundraising and will be asked to make a personal contribution. Parishes will be invited to make a commitment to the cost also.
Further information is available at the back of the church, from Fr Scriven who is coordinator of the pilgrimage and from www.ossory.ie

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 16th September, 2007

New Bishop for Ossory
At noon on Friday, 14th September the Vatican Information Service released the following statement:
The Holy Father appointed Fr. Séamus Freeman S.A.C., pastor of the Church of San Vincenzo Pallotti at Pietralata in Rome, as bishop of Ossory (area 1,972, population 88,442, Catholics 84,053, priests 96, religious 299), Ireland. The bishop-elect was born in Mullinahone, Ireland in 1944 and ordained a priest in 1971. He succeeds Bishop Laurence Forristal, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.

Fr. Séamus Freeman was born on 23 February 1944 and is the eldest of eight children. At the age of eight months his family moved from Mullinahone to Callan where his mother continues to reside. He attended Coolagh National School and Callan CBS before entering the Pallottine Minor Seminary in Thurles.

Subsequent to his ordination he studied at the Jesuit University of Detroit and the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. In 1975, he was appointed Rector of the Church of San Silvestro in Rome before becoming a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of the Society of Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines). In 1981 he returned to Ireland where he took up the post of Rector and Director of Formation of the Pallottine College in Thurles. In 1983 he was elected to the General Council of the Pallottines for a term of six years. In 1989 he was elected Vicar General of the Society and, on the resignation of the then Rector General of the Society in 1992, he succeeded to that post. He was re-elected Rector General for a second six year term in 1998.

At the conclusion of his second term as Rector General of the Society of Catholic Apostolate, Fr. Freeman spent a year with the Irish Pallottine Community of San Silvestro in Rome after which he was appointed parish priest of the parish of St. Vincent Pallotti in Rome. It is from this position that he returns to lead the Diocese of Ossory.

Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam welcome Fr. Freeman as bishop-elect of the Diocese of Ossory and look forward to his consecration at a later date. We feel that all in St. Patrick’s Parish will join in welcoming our new bishop and keep him in our prayers.

Bishop Forristal has now retired as Bishop of Ossory and we join in wishing him well in his retirement. He has served the diocese for over 26 years and has well-earned his retirement. Until Fr. Freeman is consecrated the diocese will be administered initially by the Diocesan College of Consulters. This group will elect a Diocesan Administrator early this coming week who will administer the diocese until the new bishop takes canonical possession of his see.


Blood Donation Clinic
Give blood and join Ireland’s most extraordinary club. Clinic at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny at the following times:-
Sunday, 23rd September from 11.30am - 3.30pm; Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September from 4.30 to 8.30pm. Donor Information: 1850 731 137.

M.A.B.S.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service, William Street, Kilkenny now offers a confidential helpline on 1890 283 438. Having problems paying off debts? Experiencing financial difficulty? Need advice on money management? Call 1890 283 438 for a confidential non-judgmental independent service.

It Was You All Along
Figuratively speaking, we’ve all taken the wrong bus, made the wrong decision, worshipped the wrong God even. So, we can understand the mistake of this motley band wandering in the desert. Who hasn’t wanted a ‘golden calf’ – a God they could see, touch and feel? At least they were trying to praise a deity.
And who hasn’t experienced a glimpse of the joy of God when the lost ones are found? If a key or document that is found can prompt such a response, how much more a human life? While some are more comfortable with a God whose ‘wrath... blazes out’; we obviously have an involved God. A God who cares.
A God who is a father - prodigious in giving who in some way has been told by Western culture (younger son); ‘I’m taking all my inheritance from you and going to treat you like you were dead.’ Could our churches be like the elder brother, doing the right thing, but with no real heart. Maybe in the end, we will realize that we were more searched for than searching, more found by God than lost. After our course of life, with all its twists and turns we can say ‘it was you all along that I sought.’
Fr Tom Cox

Questions People Ask
Q. You recommend the psalms as a school of prayer where we learn the language of prayer. But what about the psalms where enemies are cursed and slaughtered?
A. The violent and vengeful pieces reflect their pre-Christian composition. These verses are valuable in showing us that revelation and religion were incomplete before the teaching of Jesus. The Church omits these verses from our liturgical books. With a stretch of imagination, one might still pray with these violent passages by referring them to the final triumph of Christ’s reign over the evil spirits which are still causing trouble in the world.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Sr. Presentation Breen, St. John of God Convent, College Road. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Tuesday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Rita McCarthy, 37 Riverview. Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am on Monday followed by cremation in Dublin (House private). Anna Bluett, Clonakilty. Kevin Dowling, College Gardens. Phil Maher, Limerick. Sr. Brigid Collins, late of Peace in Christ Retreat House. Anastasia Ayres, 31 Fr. Murphy Square. Patrick Wall, Dean Cavanagh Place.

Anniversaries: Catherine & John Alley (Sat 6.15), Sharon McEvoy (Sat 7.00), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Mary & Tom Bissett (Sun 12.30). Patrick Morris (Tue 9.30), Jimmy Morrissey, Ciss Holland, Margaret Morris, Kathleen Murphy, Molly Browne, Evelyn Costello, Bridget Curran, Margaret Beehan, Patrick O’Donoghue, Syd & Elizabeth Bluett, Josephine Neary.

Anniversaries Next Weekend: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Fahey (Sat 7.00), Anna Beale (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Kenny (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30).

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The monthly collection for the parish conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up during all Masses this weekend. We ask that you contribute as generously as possible to this local charity. The proceeds will be used locally.
There will be a meeting of the local conference at the Presbytery on this Monday evening at 8pm.

Charity Golf Classic
There will be a fundraising Golf Classic in aid of Kilkenny City St. Vincent de Paul at Kilkenny Golf Club on Wednesday, 19th of September. Teams of three €25 per person. Time sheet available on 056 776 5400 or www.kilkennygolfclub.com

Parish Finance Committee
There will be a meeting of the Parish Finance Committee at the Presbytery on Thursday evening at 8 o’clock. All members are asked to attend this important meeting.

Be still and know that I am God
Christian meditation will resume in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4.00pm from 19th September 2007. All are welcome.

GROW Says ‘Thank You’
GROW Community Mental Health Movement has written to say thanks for your contribution of €2,156.29 which was collected during a recent church gate collection in our parish.

Peace in Christ Celebrations
Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House, is this month celebrating 40 years of service to our diocese. The theme for the celebration is “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10). The anniversary celebrations include an Open Day with presentations of the story of Peace in Christ on Monday, 24th September. Further details will be announced later or, if you prefer, contact Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny on 056 772 1054 for full programme.

Baptisms in Our Parish
Baptisms are celebrated on the second Saturday (St. Patrick’s Church), the fourth Saturday (St. Fiacre’s Church) and the third Sunday (St. Patrick’s Church) of each month. Saturday baptisms are at 4.30pm and Sunday baptisms are at 1.15pm. At least two weeks notice is required for baptisms. Please contact the presbytery (776 4400) for further information and booking.

Yoga Classes
Are you full of aches and pains, with restricted mobility? Why not come along to the Thursday morning yoga class due to begin soon at LARC, Bishop Birch Place. Senior citizens are especially welcome.

Loreto Secondary School
Enrolment dates for Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny are from 1st October 2007 to 13th October 2007. Applications forms may be obtained from the school office.

Nursing Home Visitation
We have a small group in the parish whose members make pastoral visits to parishioners in the local nursing homes and long stay hospitals. In this way patients can keep in touch with the parish and know that they are being remembered and prayed for by the parish community. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you know of someone in a nursing home who would like a visit.

Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 9th September 2007

A Costly Love
They tell of a man speaking after the death of his daughter. From before she was born, she cost them, they prepared her room, got her clothes, fed her, schooled her. When she started driving, the car and insurance cost. She broke a limb, and that cost them. She went to Third Level and that really cost. Her whole life was in front of her when the young woman died. Their last expense as a couple was her funeral. As he remarked; ‘our daughter hasn’t cost us since, but we would gladly give everything we have, just to have her back.’ The point is, anything that is alive costs us something. Thank God your family, your community, your church is in need of your giving. Only something living does cost – if it is dead; it doesn’t need your gifts.We understand instinctively that things cost. Some can unfortunately know the price of everything but the value of nothing. But on the whole people are hungry to give their lives to something more important than themselves. It is a fact of life, not only that everything costs us something, but that, in our better moments, we are even eager to pay the cost. And so we need to ask of each other; how much do you love and what will you give?
Fr Tom Cox

Young Priests Society
The September meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Friday, 14th September in St. Fiacre’s Church after the 10.30am Mass. The Society promotes vocations to the priesthood. All are welcome, especially new members.

Questions People Ask
Q. Wasn’t it a contradiction of his own teaching when Jesus said that his followers should hate their own parents and family members?
A. In the language that Jesus spoke it was customary to express ideas in very black or white terms with no middle shade in-between. The passage to which you refer is a very stark way of expressing the priority of commitment that a follower of Jesus might have to make. In this instance the word translated as hating should not be understood in the sense of disliking or despising, but it means having sufficient detachment even from loved ones to be free to follow the call of the Lord. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Jim Gittins, Pausltown; Catherine Kenna, 5 O’Loughlin Court; James Egars, 49 Old Callan Road; Bernard Doyle, 108 Assumption Place.
Anniversaries: Tommy McGuire (Month’s Mind Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Patrick Walsh (Sun 11.00), Enda Coady (Sun 12.30), Sr. Katherine Fennessy (Month’s Mind Mon 9.30), Betty Furniss (Tue 9.30), Mary Heffernan, Cassin Family, Jack O’Leary, Matthew O’Brien, Tom Little, Margaret Dollard, Rex & Constance Nolan, Edward & Christine O’Shaughnessy, William & Brigid Tynan, Michael & Bridget Slattery, Patti Mulhall, PJ Sweeney.

Anniversaries Next Weekend: Catherine & John Alley (Sat 6.15), Sharon McEvoy (Sat 7.00), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Mary & Tom Bissett (Sun 12.30).

Peace in Christ Celebrations
Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House, is this month celebrating 40 years of service to our diocese. The theme for the celebration is “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10). The anniversary celebrations include the following:
Monday, 24th September: Open Day with presentations of the story of Peace in Christ.
Tuesday, 25th September: Workshops for Transition Year Students.
Wednesday, 26th September: Lectio Divina (Evening Session).
Thursday, 27th September: Meditation (Evening).
Friday, 28th September: Women's’ Group (Morning).
Sunday, 30th September: Eucharistic Celebration at 3pm.
Further details later or contact Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny. 056 772 1054.

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 9th September from 3pm. Please come.

Baptisms in Our Parish
Baptisms are celebrated on the second Saturday (St. Patrick’s Church), the fourth Saturday (St. Fiacre’s Church) and the third Sunday (St. Patrick’s Church) of each month. Saturday baptisms are at 4.30pm and Sunday baptisms are at 1.15pm. At least two weeks notice is required for baptisms. Please contact the presbytery (776 4400) for further information and booking.

Loreto Secondary School
Enrolment dates for Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny are from 1st October 2007 to 13th October 2007. Applications forms may be obtained from the school office.

Nursing Home Visitation
We have a small group in the parish whose members make pastoral visits to parishioners in the local nursing homes and long stay hospitals. In this way patients can keep in touch with the parish and know that they are being remembered and prayed for by the parish community.
Members of the visitation group are asked to meet at the Presbytery on this Wednesday evening at 8.00pm.

Website of the Week
www.mirezo.com
This website provides a Holy Land Service for Christians worldwide. You can even ask a blessing or light a virtual candle in the Holy City of Nazareth.

Parish Choirs
We are blessed to have musicians and choirs at five of our eight weekend Masses. Practice for all choirs begins again soon. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you would like to join a choir this year. We are particularly in need of musicians and singers for the Children’s Liturgy at 10.30am each Sunday. Could you help?

Widows’ Association
The Widows’ Association monthly meeting will be held in the Club House Hotel, Patrick Street on Tuesday, 11th September at 2.30pm. New members are welcome. Telephone 772 1875 or 775 2228 for more information.

Holy Ghost Missions
Frs. Des Arigho and Noel Murphy, who recently promoted the Holy Ghost Missions in our parish, have written to say thanks for your hospitality and generosity: “The total envelope collection from St. Patrick’s Parish amounted to €10,277.11 which was very good indeed. We are most thankful to you and indeed the very generous people for their faithful support.”

Kilkenny M.A.B.S.
Kilkenny Money Advice and Budgeting Service is a free, confidential and independent service covering the area of Kilkenny City and County. It is one of 52 offices throughout the country funded through the Department of Social and Family Affairs. We assist people
· who have debt problems,
· who need ongoing support with budgeting
· who need advice on money management, entitlements, etc.
To date Kilkenny MABS has assisted over 2,000 people, approximately half of these were wage earners.
Kilkenny MABS is based at 8 William Street, Kilkenny. To make an appointment for free and confidential help telephone 776 1777 or email Kilkenny@mabs.ie
Information brochures are available at the back of the churches.

Camphill Community Open Day
Camphill Community, Ballytobin, Callan, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday, 16th September. Festivities start at 2pm and continue until 5pm. Wheel of Fortune, Cake Sale, Plants and Vegetables, Afternoon Teas/Coffees, Raffles, Games, Numerous Stalls, Huge Range of Children's Entertainment.

Trócaire Aid
In recent weeks Trócaire has responded to a number of serious floods in parts of south Asia and the recent earthquakes in Peru. Hundreds of people have died and millions have been affected by the severe flooding that stuck India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in recent weeks. Trócaire is providing assistance through its local Church partners on the ground and has pledged €230,000 to help supply food, hygiene kits, kitchen utensils, clothes and bedding to thousands of families. They will later receive seeds or livestock to help them recover their earnings.In Peru, two earthquakes killed over 500 people and injured more than 1500. More than 100,000 people were left homeless by the disaster, as more than 34,000 homes were destroyed. Survivors are facing a lack of food and health and sanitation problems. Trócaire is working with CEAS, the Catholic Bishops Conference in Peru, and Caritas Peru, to coordinate a humanitarian response. Caritas Internationalis is the international federation of Catholic development agencies.
If you would like to support this work call 1850 408 408 or log on to www.trocaire.org

St. Patrick’s School, Kells Road
The school authorities have written to say thanks for €6,001.57 which was collected during a recent church gate collection. The funds will go towards improving facilities for children attending the school.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2nd September 2007

Best wishes to the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team and Management from all at St. Patrick’s Parish

Clear Skies and Low Humility
In some respects the journey from childhood tends to be one where we eventually realise that we’re not it, that there are actually more people to be considered than us. In short, the world doesn’t revolve around you. Mind you, there are some people who never fully make the transition – but that’s another story. In fact it’s more than a Gospel story, it’s a parable of our lives.
In considering our place in the scheme of things, we tend to play safe on public occasions. But, we have all made the honest mistake of sitting where we were not supposed to. It’s not that we demean ourselves, or put ourselves down. Instead, we simply understand that we’re not the big deal we thought we were. While pride makes us artificial, humility makes us real.
People who are happy in themselves rarely see the need to self-promote or to seek attention, power, or exaltation over other people. We see it all around us, in politics, in sports and entertainment, in our workplaces, in the home and yes – in Church. It’s just possible that if you take a seat where ‘someone’ always sits – you will be abruptly reminded. Today, the Master reminds us that without humility, there can be no humanity. That we come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
‘the greater you are, the more you should behave humbly….’ [first reading]
Fr Tom Cox

Website of the Week
www.recongress.ie
Website for the National Religious Education Congress
Questions People Ask
Q. How applicable are the psalms to today? Isn’t the world of today totally different to the time of the psalms?
A. The psalms have an enduring appeal because they express unchanging human experiences and emotions, always seen in the light of a faith that is straining for God. They form a wonderful school of prayer where we learn how to express ourselves to God in adoration, praise, humiliation, heartfelt contrition, sighs of longing, cries from darkness or urgent petitions for help. Since they are part of the inspired word of God, the psalms enable us to pray to God in God’s own words.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Mark Keogh, Callan; Eileen DeLoughry, Butts Green.
Anniversaries: Ann Marie Manogue (Sat 6.15), Jim Ryan (Sat 7.00), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 12.30), Oliver O’Connor (Fri 9.30), Brigid Kenny (Fri 10.30), Patti Mulhall, Joe Dunne, Mary & Patrick Blanchfield, Beezie Slattery, John & Mary Brennan, Tom Byrne, Moscow Larkin.
Anniversaries Next Weekend:
Tommy McGuire (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Month’s Mind Sat 7.00), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Patrick Walsh (Sun 11.00), Enda Coady (Sun 12.30).

Young Priests Society
The September meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Friday, 14th September in St. Fiacre’s Church after the 10.30am Mass. All are welcome.
Westcourt News
The September Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 3rd September at 8.00pm. The members of the Camphill community are preparing the liturgy for this Mass. All are cordially invited to join in the special celebration.

A September Saint
St Gregory the Great was born in 540 into a wealthy Roman family. After a classical education he became a civil servant and was appointed prefect of Rome at the age of thirty. His administration of the city, many of its buildings in ruins, won the admiration of the entire people. After the death of his father in 575, he became a monk, turning his family home into a monastery and founding six other monasteries. After the death of Pope Pelagius II in 590, he was chosen as his successor, the first monk to become pope. He guided the city and much of Italy in a time of war and famine. He sent a group of forty monks, under the leadership of Augustine (of Canterbury) to bring Christianity to Britain. His name is linked to liturgy as a reformer, composer of homilies and prayers, promoter of plainchant (later to be known as Gregorian chant). As a theologian, he is known as one of the four great Western doctors of the Church, along with Ambrose, Augustine and Leo the Great. As bishop of Rome he preferred to be known as ‘servant of the servants of God’. He died on 12 March 604 and his feast day is celebrated on Monday, 3rd September.

Blessed Virgin Mary
On Saturday, 8th September we celebrate the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who brought the dawn of hope and salvation to the world. She is the true Ark of the covenant, the temple of God, because her body received the one Mediator.

Rosary on the First Sunday
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the Statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues on this Sunday, 2nd September at 3.00pm. All are welcome.

Castlecomer Community School
Computer Night Classes will begin again in Castlecomer C.S. in September. Classes will be laid on for those wishing to pursue the Basic ECDL (€350) and ECDL AutoCAD (€280). These prices include all tests and notes. All classes run for two to two and a half hours per night, one night per week. Please contact 086 823 0888 for booking.

Diocesan Priesthood
Have you ever thought about the possibility of becoming a priest of the Diocese of Ossory? While there has been a slight increase in the numbers studying for the priesthood in recent years this has not materialised in our diocese. At present we have no students preparing for priesthood in Ossory and we have not heard of any enquiries for this year.
If you have ever considered the possibility please feel free to talk to any of the priests in the parish or visit our diocesan website (www.ossory.ie) and click on the vocations page. There you will find contact details for our Vocations Director, Fr. Paddy Carey.

Loreto Secondary School
Enrolment dates for Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny are from 1st October 2007 to 13th October 2007. Applications forms may be obtained from the school office.

Parish Choirs
We are blessed to have musicians and choirs at five of our eight weekend Masses. Practice for all choirs begins again soon. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you would like to join a choir this year. We are particularly in need of musicians and singers for the Children’s Liturgy at 10.30am each Sunday. Could you help?

Parish Draw
Thanks to all who support our draw. All funds raised from the draw go toward the new parish centre. If you are not currently in the draw then you can join by contacting any of the promoters, the sacristans or the priests of the parish. Good prizes and a very good cause. Please join us.

Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26th August, 2007

Annual Mass at St. Fiacre’s Well
The annual novena to St. Fiacre concludes with open-air Mass at the Holy Well on this Sunday afternoon. The final novena prayers will be recited at 3.15pm with Mass following at 3.30pm. All are welcome.
The ancient well of St. Fiacre is situated at Kilfera, a number of kilometres out the Bennettsbridge Road. Access is via the avenue to Sheastown House. Local people have been coming here since the seventh century to implore the saint’s intercession. All are welcome but this year in particular we encourage people who have recently arrived in our parish to come along and join in the celebration.

St. Fiacre - The Man And The Legend!
It is over thirteen hundred years since St. Fiacre died in France. In the intervening years the stories about him have, in countless retellings, undoubtedly been added to and subtracted from. So, separating the man from the myth, differentiating between fact and legend would, on the face of it, appear a major difficulty in recording his life.

But it is not. For, if only some of the tradition that surrounds St. Fiacre were valid, there is sufficient evidence to show that the loyalty shown to him down through the centuries was richly and deservedly won.

Devotion to him spanned many centuries and among his faithful followers were kings and queens. In later times, the Apostle of France, St. Vincent de Paul made a special pilgrimage to St. Fiacre’s shrine. Indeed, if the life and works of this great Irish saint were more widely known today, it is doubtful if devotion to him in Kilkenny would be limited to an annual novena and an afternoon pilgrimage to the hallowed spot at Kilfera where he lived for several years.

Although he spent much of his early life at Kilfera, just three miles south of Kilkenny city on the banks of the River Nore, and also at Ullard near Graignamanagh, he was in fact a Connacht man.

Of noble birth, he was fourteenth in descent from Conn of The Hundred Battles who was King of Ireland from 523 to 557. He was born about the year 590, and while still a young man, was renowned for his chastity and love of the less fortunate.
A story is told that one day a poor man solicited from him “alms for the love of God”. Fiacre told his attendant to give him any money he might have and the attendant pretended to do so because he had no money. Fiacre checked to see how the man had fared, and learned that his attendant’s money had been exhausted by preceding alms. He immediately removed his princely mantle and gave it to the poor man in an act of charity that was to characterise the rest of his life.

Drawn to the religious life he became a priest. But desirous of serving God in solitude he quit his native province and established his first hermitage in rich woodland on the banks of the River Nore in the spot that was later to take on his name - Cill-Fiacre or Kilfera as we know it today.

St. Fiacre’s feast is celebrated on 30th August.
Living Authentically
Countless faiths have pondered on the idea of who will be saved? What about those who have never heard the Gospel? Are we on the right side? And all this talk of a ‘narrow door’ is a bit unnerving!
What matters is to act, to do courageously all that lies within our power to enter. Live authentically, it doesn’t matter if what you do is noticed or not. Ultimately you have to face yourself in the mirror. You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
As schools return this week, a story from the East might help. An elderly sage was educating his young disciples about life. It tells of a dreadful battle that goes on in every person between two great lions. One lion is wicked: he is fear, rage, jealousy, sadness, greed, pride, self-pity, shame, hatred, weakness, lies, rivalry and superiority. The other lion is good: he is happiness, harmony, love, trust, sharing, peace, modesty, gentleness, compassion, friendship, understanding, charity, truth, kindness and loyalty. He was asked; ‘which lion will win?’ The answer: ‘The one you feed the most’. Which of the two lions within you do you make the strongest?
Fr Tom Cox

Questions People Ask
Q. I’m so relieved that we got away from the religion of fear and judgement. But doesn’t this idea of entering by the narrow door bring it all back again?
A. We have swung from the extreme of excessive fear to the other extreme of being so broad-minded and liberal that anything goes. Sure, isn’t God all merciful! The image of the narrow door takes our salvation seriously and focuses our direction. The door is narrow: so are the goalposts, the golf hole, the archer’s target. In this broad-minded age we hear a lot about boredom, inertia and depression. It has much to do with the absence of energetic commitment to a clear purpose in life.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Parish Draw
The next draw in the present series will take place in the Presbytery at 8.30pm on Tuesday, 28th August.
Cards and money may be brought to the Presbytery on Monday from 6.30pm - 8.30pm and on Tuesday from 6.30pm onwards.
As the development of the centre at St. Fiacre’s now makes regular demands on our financial resources it is important that the draw is well supported. Tickets cost €10 per month and are available from promoters, the sacristans or the priests.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Anna (Chrisie) DeLoughry, Parliament Street; Cormac Duffy, Enniskerry;
Anniversaries: Paddy McDonald (Sat 6:15), Paddy Mullen (Sat 7.00), Seamus Kelly (Sun 10.30), Della Harney (Sun 12.00), Elizabeth Carroll (Tue 10.30), James Delaney (Wed 10.30), Martin Ward, Paddy Cooke, Josephine McKenna, Mick Dooley, Patrick Culleton, Peg Brennan, Jack Allen, Marie Kealy-Carson, Sheila Mastino, George Mastino, Margie, Bob & Glenn Brady, Catherine O’Neill, Josie Hackett, Kathleen Bolger, Kathleen Dowling, John & Catherine Waldron, Christopher & Mary Ryan.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Annmarie Manogue (Sat 6.15), Jim Ryan (Sat 7.00), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 12.30).
May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Young Priests Society
The St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society works to promote, encourage and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The local conference meets at St. Fiacre’s Church on the second Friday of each month. The next meeting will be held after 10.30am Mass on Friday, 14th September. All welcome.

Castlecomer Community School
Computer Night Classes will begin again in Castlecomer C.S. in September. Classes will be laid on for those wishing to pursue the Basic ECDL (€350) and ECDL AutoCAD (€280). These prices include all tests and notes. All classes run for two to two and a half hours per night, one night per week. Please contact 086 823 0888 for booking and information.

House Blessings
If you are new to our parish and would like to have your house blessed, then please feel free to contact any of the priests to arrange a blessing. There ceremony takes only a few minutes and is a nice way of dedicating ones house to the protection of the Lord.

Diocesan Priesthood
Have you ever thought about the possibility of becoming a priest of the Diocese of Ossory? While there has been a slight increase in the numbers studying for the priesthood in recent years this has not materialised in our diocese. At present we have no students preparing for priesthood in Ossory and we have not heard of any enquiries for this year.
If you have ever considered the possibility please feel free to talk to any of the priests in the parish or visit our diocesan website (www.ossory.ie) and click on the vocations page. There you will find contact details for our Vocations Director, Fr. Paddy Carey.

The Beatitudes of the Aged
© Blessed are they who understand my faltering step and shaking hand.

© Blessed are they who know my ears today must strain to catch things they say.

© Blessed are they who seem to know that my eyes are dim and my wits are slow.

© Blessed are they who looked away when my coffee spilled at lunch today.

© Blessed are they with a cheery smile who stop to chat for a little while.

© Blessed are they who never say, “You've told that story twice today.”

© Blessed are they who know the ways to bring back memories of yesterdays.

© Blessed are they who make it known that I'm loved, respected and not alone.

© Blessed are they who ease the days on my journey Home, in loving ways.

Parish Choirs
We are blessed to have musicians and choirs at five of our eight weekend Masses. Practice for all choirs begins again soon. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you would like to join a choir this year. We are particularly in need of musicians and singers for the Children’s Liturgy at 10.30am each Sunday. Could you help?