Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Twenty Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, 11th October 2009

Bargain Basement Wisdom
A wise man once wrote for his gravestone: ‘As I am now, you soon shall be, so be content to follow me.’ When he died a wiser one taped a note to it that read: ‘To follow you I’m mot content, until I know which way you went!’ Ah! That’s wisdom.
Wisdom is applying truth to the art of living. The truth comes free in the word of God but applying it comes at a price. Today’s Second Reading (Heb 4: 12-13) marks the price: having our soul and spirit, our joints and marrow separated by something sharper than any two edged-sword. Not everyone wants to endure that. The rich man in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 10:17) doesn’t want to, and he loses out. He abandons Jesus and departs poorer than when he came even though his wealth remains intact. Not only does he leave the poorer, he leaves grieving.
Instinctively he knows that there’s more to his life than wealth. Jesus’ word pierces him like a two-edged sword, but he’s unwilling to allow it to separate him from his wealth. He loses out. He knows it, yet still won’t change. He wants wisdom; is offered it, but thinks the price is to high. He wants a bargain-basement type that just doesn’t exist.
Change wealth to anything else we long for in the secret of our heart – anything that blocks our way to God. That’s the spot God’s words needs to hit, to separate us from it so that we come to possess wisdom because we’ve allowed God to possess us.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVS

Year for Priests
To mark the Year for Priests (June 2009 - June 2010), St. Patrick’s Parish Branch of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society has invited Fr. Eamonn Bourke, Director of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Dublin, to speak at a number of Masses this weekend. Fr. Eamonn, who is known for his work in promoting vocations, will speak at 6.15pm Mass on Saturday and the 11.00am and 12.30pm Masses on Sunday. We extend to Fr. Eamonn a warm welcome to St. Patrick’s Parish.

Feast of St. Canice
St. Canice, patron of our City, is usually commemorated on 11th October. However as this falls on a Sunday this year the saint’s feast is not formally celebrated.
St. Canice was born in Co. Derry in 515 or 516 and died in Aghaboe, Co. Laois in 600. His father was a distinguished bard from Waterford who found his way to the north and settled at Glengiven. His mother was called Maul; her name is commemorated in the Church of Thomplamaul in Kilkenny. (St. Maul’s Cemetery is adjacent to the former hospital at Wolf Tone Street, Kilkenny).
St. Canice studied under St. Finian at Clonard and was ordained in 545. He travelled to Rome and later to Scotland where his name is recalled in the ruins of a number of ancient churches. He established a great abbey at Aghaboe in Co. Laois (in our diocese) and tradition asserts that he founded a monastery in Kilkenny by the round tower and cathedral which bears his name. A man of great eloquence and learning he wrote a commentary on the Gospels, known for centuries as Glas-Channigh.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jack Power, Castleinch: Requiem Mass in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 1pm. Burial in Foulkstown Cemetery. Sr. Gregory Ryan, St. John of God Community. Patricia Taylor, Moneenroe. Luke Madden, Dublin & Kilkenny. Monica Higgins, Cork.
Months Mind: Sean O’Keeffe (Sat 7.00), Mary Kelly (Sun 12.30), Liam Mullen, St. Fiacre’s Place.
Anniversaries: Eddie Dean (Sat 6.15), Joanie Waters (Sun 11.00), Eoin McDonagh (Mon 9.30), Patrick Morris (Fri 9.30), John Frawley (Sat 9.30), William Maher, Bill Dalton, Michael Dalton, Josephine Kavanagh, Paul Grace, The Dullard Family, Martin Mulhall, Joe & Mary Hurley, John Bissett, Jim Bissett, Patrick Ryan, Margaret McNamara.
Intentions for next weekend: Judy O’Brien (Sat 6.15), Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00), Richard Kelly (Sun 9.30), Gerard Moynihan (Sun 11.00), Tom Foley (Sun 12.00), Eithne O’Connor (Sun 12.30).

Missing in Darfur
This Sunday, 11th October marks the 100th day of captivity for Sharon Commins (33) of Clontarf, Dublin, and Hilda Kawuki (42) of Uganda. The two women work for GOAL - an international humanitarian agency that receives support from various high-profile athletes. Commins and Kawuki were last seen in Darfur, where they were providing assistance to displaced populations. The Irish bishops have asked that we remember them in our prayers.

Hurling Semi-Finals
As a community we wish the James Stephen’s Senior Hurling Team all the best in this weekend’s County Senior Hurling semi-final against Erin's Own, Castlecomer. Frs. Dan and Liam, both ‘Comer men, are merely praying for a good game!

Time for a Cuppa?
You are welcome to our Parish Centre at 11.00am on Tuesdays for a chat with your neighbours and friends. Those who attend 10.30am Mass can access the Centre without going outdoors. If not, enter via the main door.

Divine Mercy
An hour of prayer in honour of Divine Mercy will be held in the Friary on Sunday, 11th October from 3pm - 4pm.

Youth and Unemployment
A one day retreat will take place at Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny on Saturday, 14th November. The theme for the day is “Youth and Unemployment”. Contact Mary at 086 076 0500 or 051 885578 for further details.

Second Hand Books Wanted
Second hand books in aid of KASMHA. Please telephone please or text 086 732 4554 for further details.

Church Gate Collection
The annual church Gate Collection for Ossory Social Services will take place this weekend.

October Stations
The October collection (October Stations) for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due this month. Please use the yellow envelope in the contribution pack of envelopes many of you received earlier this year. We are grateful to all who support us and the parish and particularly so in these difficult economic times. If you haven't received parish envelopes this year, or you are new to the parish and would like to start contributing, then please contact the parish office with your details. Many thanks.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The St. Patrick’s Parish conference have a confidential phone number for those requesting help. The number is: 087 681 0589. Written requests may still be left at the Parish Office or any of the priests’ houses. Put your details in a sealed envelope clearly marked ‘St. Vincent de Paul’. All requests are treated with the strictest of confidence.

Black Abbey Novena
In annual novena in honour of St. Martin De Porres at the Black Abbey runs from Monday, 26th October to Tuesday, 3rd November.
Weekdays: Rosary at 10.15am and 7.15pm; Mass at 10.30am and 7.30pm.
Saturday: Rosary at 10.15am and 5.50pm; Mass at 10.30am and 6.10pm.
Sunday: Mass with the Sacrament of the Sick at 3.30pm.
Confession: Available daily during novena.
Preacher: Fr. John Littleton.
All welcome to this annual event.

Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of the Irish Heart Foundation will take place at all Masses on the 17th & 18th October.

Hearing Help & Lipreading Classes
Hearing Help and lipreading classes and support, at Deaf Hear Friary Street, Kilkenny. Next Monday from 10.30 am to 12.30. all welcome. phone 7763508.

“Be Still and know that I am God”
Christian meditation continues in Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road every Wednesday at 4pm.

Mass for Loreto Past Pupils
Mass to mark the 400 anniversary of Loreto education will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 11th October at 3pm.

Youth Choir
The Youth Choir returns to the 12.30 Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on Sunday, 11th October. Singers and musicians are welcome. The choir practices before the 12.30 Mass each week.

Pizza and Democracy
Kilkenny Youth Council are recruiting. This is for you if you are between 12 and 14 or between 15 and 18 years of age, want to represent young people in your area or want to campaign for something you are passionate about. Meeting at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel on Wednesday, 21st October from 7 to 9pm. One night only free special offer: pizza, games and a challenge to make changes in Kilkenny. Contact Jacinta on jhogan@ossoryyouth.com, 056 776 1200 or 087 887 6366 for further details.

Loughboy Library News
Print Sale and Display: Continues until 16th October. All prints are €10. Proceeds to the Susie Long Hospice Fund.
Basic Digital Photography Classes: Wednesday, 28th October at 11am for 8 weeks. Free.

King of the Castle
Fund-raising events in the King of the Castle campaign continue locally until the end of October. Please help your local parish and GAA Club by supporting the following events.

Fundraising Barbeque at The Sceilp
Come along on this Saturday evening. Good food and lots of craic.

We Urgently Need Your Help
We make an urgent appeal to parishioners to help sell tickets for the Buster Draw and Gala Greyhound Night at Kilkenny Track. This event will take place on next Friday, 16th October. Buster Draw is for €1,000. We would appreciate hearing from you if you could purchase/sell tickets on behalf of the parish. The Parish must sell 30 more tickets before Friday. Please contact the Parish Office (776 4400) if you can help.

Table Quiz
As part of the campaign to elect Michael Costello King of the Castle a table quiz will be held at Springhill Court Hotel on Thursday, 29th October. Table of 4 is €40. Contact Tobias White at 086 308 4183.

We appreciate the Trojan work and participation by parishioners to date. Fundraising is hard work in this time of recession. We appeal for one last effort in this joint campaign to ensure Michael Costello is elected King of the Castle. Our community will benefit greatly from the funds raised