Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Second Sunday of Lent, 8th March 2009

Lenten Invitation
“Come away and rest awhile”
These words of Jesus to his disciples are also addressed as an invitation to each one of us to come and rest for a short time this Lent in the company of Jesus.
During Lent there will be a time of guided prayer at the Parish Centre on Tuesday mornings after the cup of tea. Prayer will be guided by Eileen Ross, who is a spiritual guide and counsellor. She works with individuals and is also involved in retreat work. By all accounts last week’s session was very well received and we invite more to come along on this Tuesday morning.

Have a Cuppa after Mass
We invite all to the Parish Centre after the 10.30am Mass on Tuesdays for a cup of tea/coffee and a chat. Drop in and meet others in our parish community.

Lourdes Pilgrimage
Each year St. Patrick’s Parish sends a number of people to Lourdes with the Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage. Those interested in travelling to Lourdes should contact any member of the St. Patrick’s Parish Lourdes Committee or leave their names into the Parish Office without delay.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of St. Patrick’s Branch of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in the Parish Centre, after the 10.30am Mass on Friday,13th March. Members of the society pray for and promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life. New members are always welcome. Please feel free to come along.

Parish Shop
The Parish Centre now hosts a shop which sells religious items such as rosary beads, prayer cards, prayer books etc. We are only starting out on this venture so bear with us. Suggestions for the shop are welcome.

Questions People Ask
Q. What is Padre Pio’s Bread? Somebody offered it to me, saying that it would bring me good luck, but refusing it would bring bad luck.
A. This crazy nonsense is the latest form of chain letters, playing on people’s fears and gullibility. Instead of a letter, a dough mixture is passed on to three people, with detailed instructions about how to nurture the dough for nine days as it rises and expands. Then on the tenth day it is cut into four pieces, one to be cooked and eaten, and three parts to be passed on to others. The instructions say that it came from the Vatican! More likely it was started by somebody who wanted to discredit true religion!
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Cleaners for St. Patrick’s
Do you have a couple of hours to spare? If so, we need cleaners for St. Patrick’s Church and your spare time could be put to very good use. If you can help, please contact the Parish Office 056 776 4400.

Readers at Daily Mass
If you attend one of our daily Masses on a regular basis and would be willing to proclaim the word of God we would love to hear from you. We are currently compiling a roster for 9.30am and 10.30am Masses. Please give your name to one of the sacristans as soon as possible.

St. Joseph’s Novena
The annual novena in honour of St. Joseph will take place at the Mill Hill Missionaries House, Waterford Road from this Wednesday, 11th March to Thursday, 19th March inclusive. Mass and novena prayers will be celebrated each evening at 8.00pm. Celebrants will include members of the Mill Hill Missionaries and guest priests. All are welcome to come along and join in powerful prayers of intercession to St. Joseph, patron of the universal church.

Trócaire
That we can call God our Father tells us the kind of relationship we can have with our God. He cares for us as a father cares for his children. This Lent we remember parents as they work so tirelessly and often against the odds to care for their children. Khalid the little boy on the front of this year’s Trócaire box, is one of these children. Khalid is just one of almost one million Somalis who have been forced from their homes due to ongoing conflict and violence, where one in five children die before reaching the age of five.
By supporting Trócaire's Lenten campaign you help the world’s poorest parents care for their children as God cares for his children.

Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club's next demonstration will be in Butler House at 8 p.m. on next Thursday, 12th March. The demonstrator is Sandra Finnegan from Dublin who is very entertaining as well as informative. All welcome; tea and a chat afterwards.

Church Gate Collection
Thanks to all who supported the recent church gate collection for Enable Ireland. €972.09 was collected in St. Patrick’s Parish.

Macra Club
Interested in meeting new people, nights out, debating, public speaking, indoor soccer, basketball and lots more? Are you between 17-35 years old? Then why not join the local Macra Club. Contact: Brigid 086 082 2038.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Michael Brophy, Derdimus, Callan Road. Funeral prayers at his home at 11am on Sunday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church for 12.30pm Requiem Mass. Sr. Teresa Landy, Convent of Mercy, Callan. Requiem Mass at 2.00pm on Sunday at Callan Parish Church. Johanna Fanning, Kells Road. Patrick McDonagh, Pococke Valley. Mary Donnelly, Wellington Bridge, Wexford.
Months Mind: Christy McLoughlin (Sun 10.00). Peadar Flanagan (Sun 12.00).
Anniversaries: Lulu Lynch (Sat 6.15), Vincent Morrissey (Sat 7.00), Brendan Reid (Sun 9.30), Ellen Hayes & Carmel Hayes (Sun 10.30), Bobby Brannigan (Sun 12.30), Martin O’Shea (Tues 9.30), Mikey Savage (Wed 10.30), John Barry (Wed 6.15), Olive Malone (Fri 6.15), Bridget Slattery, Peter Kiernan, Andrew McCarthy, James Nugent, John Cleere, Patrick Brennan, Patrick Leahy, William Holland, Mary Kennedy.
Intentions next weekend: Eamonn O’Toole (Sat 6.15), John Dooley (Sat 7.00), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.00), Michael & Christina McGrath (Sun 10.30), Michael & May Brannigan (Sun 11.00), Betty, Margaret & May Buckley (Sun 12.00), Pat Delahunty (Sun 12.30).

Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes is now booking. Contact Glenmore Parish Office for information: 051 880414 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.30am to 2.30pm).

First Confessions
The boys and girls of KSP (7.00pm on Wednesday) and Gaelscoil Osrai (7.30pm on Thursday) will make their First Confessions at St. Fiacre’s this week.

Gaelscoil Osraí Confirmation
A total of 109 boys and girls from Gaelscoil Osraí will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Mary’s Cathedral on next Saturday, 14th March at 11.00am. We wish the young people, their parents, guardians and teachers all the best on this great day in their lives.

Are You Unemployed?
We are seeking 20 unemployed people looking for a Career in Care. Training course at FETAC Level 5 supported by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The successful applicants will be placed on a panel to work with Oak Tree Home Care in the Kilkenny area. Visit www.visiontraining.ie for an application form or contact 059 914 2208.

Gaelic 4 Girls
Gaelic 4 Girls will take place in City Venues on Saturday mornings at 11am, for girls interested in playing football in the City and surrounding areas. The first session will take place in James Park on Saturday, 14th March. Girls are asked to bring €2 per session. All girls are welcome, including beginners. For more contact Caitriona on 087 975 0501.

Comboni Mission Appeal
Almost four thousand Comboni Missionaries of many nationalities work in over forty different countries world-wide bringing the Good News of the Gospel to the poorest and most abandoned of the earth. Founded in 1867 by Saint Daniel Comboni the order’s priests, sisters and brothers live in communities and practice the religious vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
Members of the order will preach at all Masses in our parish on next weekend. They will tell us about the aims of the order and appeal for our financial help in promoting the Gospel. We look forward to their visit..

Hip and Knee Arthritis
An information evening on hip and knee arthritis will be held in the City Library, John's Quay on Tuesday, 10th March at 7.45pm. It will be hosted by Dr. Stuart Edwards, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. In attendance will be a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietician, nurse and house doctor. Specialist equipment will be on display. All welcome. Phone 056 779 4174 or email citylibrary@kilkennylibrary.ie for information.

Pamper Yourself.
Reflexology, massage, Indian head massage, sports’ massage and life coaching now available at cost price at the Parish Centre. For more details please phone Roisin Ní Chléirigh 087 418 7507. Gift vouchers available.