Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Holy Family 27th December 2009

Gift-wrapped from God
A news item in The Irish Times of September 2009 caught my eye. It was headed, ‘Couple marry at son’s funeral.’ It told of a couple from New York State who got married at their son’s funeral. His name was Asa and he was only seven when killed. He was travelling as a passenger in his grandfather’s car when it crashed in a multiple car pile up. His one wish in life was that his parents should marry. He had frequently asked them why they weren’t. Strange that one so young could feel what was most appropriate while the adults concerned couldn’t. Out of the mouth of babes….(Ps 8:3).
In today’s Gospel reading another child also asks his parents a question. It too reveals what he finds most appropriate: that he be in his Father’s house. Telling his parents that his place is in his Father’s house confuses them. Even his mother, who presumably knows full well his extraordinary origins, doesn’t grasp what he’s implying or revealing about himself. This makes one wonder what the Annunciation actually was and what it conveyed to Mary. Mary and Joseph had with them the One whom no human mind can fathom. So, if even they who are closest to him don’t recognise who he is – and indeed how can they – then we shouldn’t be too disappointed at our inability to recognise him at times either. This holds even for members of our own families. We may think we know them, but deep down they’re a mystery gift-wrapped from God. (Fr Tom Cahill SVD)

Questions people ask
Q. When Jesus was growing up in Nazareth did Mary & Joseph know that he was the Son of God?
A. The revelation of the divinity of Jesus was not yet complete. Because of the virgin-birth and the annunciation by the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph knew that Jesus was unique. Yet we read in the Gospel that they did not understand what the twelve year-old Jesus meant in saying that he must be busy with his Father’s affairs.
Mary stored up these things in her heart. Mary and Joseph went forward in faith, accepting the mystery of what they did not fully understand.

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Fr. Kevin Brennan, Liverpool and late of Tullaroan. Edward O’Brien, Manchester and late of Kilkenny. Bridie Kerwick, 1A Lord Edward Street: Requiem Mass at St. Canice’s Church at 11.30am on Sunday.

Months Mind: Mark Butler (Sun 12.00).

Anniversaries: Richie Delaney (Sat 7.00), Angela Murphy (Sun 10.00), Tommy Doran (Sun 10.30), George Byrne (Sun 11.00), Edward Taylor (Sun 12.30), Patrick & Eleanor Murray (Mon 11.00), Jimmy King (Tue 11.00), Betty Furniss (Wed 11.00), Josephine McGrath (Thur 11.00), Doris Americas (Fri 11.00), Joseph & Anna Dunphy (Sat 11.00), Bill Esmonde, Roseanna Smyth, James & Samuel Dunlop, Liam & Mary Ryan, Ted Carroll, Denis Lahart, May & John Rhatigan, Kathleen Fahy, Martin, & Peg Browne and Brendan Doheny, Tom Purcell, Martin & Mary Doheny, John Hayes.
Intentions for next weekend: Billy & Anastasia Hickey (Sat 6.15), Maura Molloy (Sat 6.15), Philomena Brennan (Sat 7.00), Harry Joe O’Connor (Sun 10.00), Peg, Jack & Breda Molloy (Sun 10.30), Michael Kenny & John Condon (Sun 12.00).

Mass Arrangements this Week
The only public Mass in St. Patrick’s Parish will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day during the coming week. There will be no public Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church during the week.

Eucharist Adoration
There will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church from 12 noon to 10.00pm on Monday, 28th December. There will be no adoration in St. Patrick’s Church New Year’s Day.

Remembrance Service
The Irish Sudden Infant Death Association will hold a Remembrance Service in St. John's Community Centre, Kilkenny on Monday, 28th December 2009 at 11.00am. This service is dedicated to all our children who have died no matter how or when. All welcome!

Sincere Thanks to All
Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam pray that you have all had a Holy and peaceful Christmas. May God continue to bless and protect us in this holy season. May all travellers be safe and may patience and Christian love and goodwill mark this holiday time.
We take this opportunity to thank everyone who help out in any way to make this wonderful parish function so well. We won’t name names, because there are so many people who help in prayer, action and support. People help out so quietly and generously that all runs so smoothly. To everyone, we offer a sincere and heartfelt thank you.
A sincere word of thanks to all for your generous support this Christmas and indeed throughout the year. We appreciate your prayers, kind words and material support. We pray that the New Year will be filled with every grace and blessing for you.

Looking for Jesus
Not for nothing was it written: “Your father and I have been looking for you anxiously”. The search for Jesus must be neither careless nor indifferent, nor must it be only a transitory affair. Those who seek in this manner will never find him.
Origen (183-253)

Notices for the Newsletter
Space allowing, we endeavour to publish all notices of interest to parishioners and members of the wider community. Needless to say such notices must respect our Catholic ethos. Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 or stpatricksparish@ossory.ie if you would like to have a notice included. Please let us have notices as early as possible but certainly by the Thursday before publication and include a contact number (not necessarily for publication) so that we can contact you for any clarifications.
Requests for inclusion in our parish anniversary lists should also be sent in as early as possible. As we often have to check name spellings, duplication etc. it would help if such notices also included contact numbers.
Fundraising Bag Pack
Thanks to the many volunteers who raised invaluable funds for the parish by bag packing at Supervalu on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week. The amount raised was €4,581. Many thanks to the Supervalu Management Team, the coordinators and all who gave freely of their time to help with this valuable fundraiser.

Br. Edmund Rice Monthly Mass
Seasons greetings from the Edmund Rice Centre at Westcourt, Callan. The Monthly Mass to pray for the blessings of Edmund Rice on our lives and for his Canonisation will be held at Westcourt on Monday, 4th January 2010 at 7.30 p.m. All welcome.

Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Bookings are now invited for our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, May 22nd - May 27th 2010. The cost is €720p.p.s. All who are interested in travelling should contact Glenmore Parish Office on 051 880414: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10.30am - 2.30pm or email glenmore@ossory.ie.

Parish Website
Visitors home for Christmas may like to know that we have a parish website which is updated with the newsletter every week. This provides and opportunity for those away from ‘The Village’ to check out local activities. The website is always available at www.patricksparish.com. The website continues to be redesigned and comments and suggestions are welcomed.

Relationship Counseling
Accord Kilkenny, based at St. Mary’s Centre, James’ Street, offers couple and relationship counseling for couples and individuals experiencing marital and relationship problems. Please contact the office for an appointment. Office Hours: Monday, 2.00pm to 5.00pm; Wednesday, 11.00am to 1.00pm; Thursday, 2.00pm to 5.00pm and Friday, 11.00am to 1.00pm. Telephone 056 772 2674 for an appointment.

St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
We are now well established in our new Parish Centre. We have established routines and procedures which serve the parish well.
We feel it is now time for the official opening of the new centre and homes for the elderly which, please God, will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, 17th January 2010. We plan this to be a great parish celebration and we invite you to keep the afternoon free. All are invited to attend.
We will keep you informed of the details as they emerge. Make sure to mark the day in your diary.


Parish Calendars
We are delighted to offer parish calendars again this year. Calendars may be picked up at the back of all our parish churches. Thanks to Paula Raggett at Kilkenny Cards for the design and printing of this year’s calendar.

Charitable Donations Refund
We have recently received a cheque for €59,245.89 from the Revenue Commissioners representing a refund of the income tax you paid on your contributions to St. Patrick’s Parish. As you can see this is an invaluable source of income for the parish and the best part is that it comes at no extra cost to you: we simply reclaim the tax you paid on donations over €250 per year (about €5 per week). Thanks to all who returned signed CHY2 Forms enabling us to make the claim. We’ll be in touch soon seeking signatures for the year ending December 2009.

Christmas Cribs
We encourage you to visit our excellent cribs at St. Patrick’s, St. Fiacre’s and St. Joseph’s Churches and our new crib at the Parish Centre when it reopens after the break.
Speaking at the blessing of cribs earlier this month Pope Benedict said: “We must seek to live what the nativity scene represents in the reality of our everyday lives: that is the love of Christ, his humility and his poverty. The nativity scene is a school of life where we can learn the secret of true joy. This does not consist in possessing many things but in feeling ourselves to be loved by the Lord in making ourselves a gift for others, and in loving one another. Let us consider the nativity scene: the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph do not appear to be a very privileged family, they had their first child amidst great hardship, yet they are full of intimate joy because they love one another, they help one another and, above all, they are certain that God is at work in their story”.
“And the Shepherds”, the Pope asked, “what reason do they have to be happy? That newborn infant will certainly not alter their poverty and marginalisation. Yet faith helps them to recognise in the ‘child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger’, the ‘sign’ of the fulfilment of God’s promises for all the men and women ‘whom he favours’, even for them!” For this reason, Benedict XVI explained, true joy consists in “feeling that our individual and community lives are touched by and filled with a great mystery, the mystery of the love of God. In order to be joyful we need... love and truth, we need a God who is near, who warms our hearts and responds to our most profound expectations”.

Mount St. Anne’s Retreat House
Retreat & Conference Centre
Thursday January 14th, 21st and 28th 8pm-9.30pm. CROCHET CLASSES - ALL LEVELS: Learn to crochet in a relaxed atmosphere and create something fantastic!
Presenter: Sr. Róisín Gannon pbvm
Cost: 10 Euro per night
Thursdays January 14th – March 18th 8pm – 9.30pm, YOGA COURSE
Every Thursday for 10 weeks
Why not relax and ease the stresses of life with an enjoyable course in yoga.
Presenter: Edel Swords (ITEC; YTTC approved) Cost: 10 Euro per night (90 Euro  – 10 nights)

Christmas Day 25th December 2009

A Happy and Peaceful Christmas to All Our Parishioners & Readers

Fourth Sunday of Advent, 20th December 2009

Importance of Being Little
Size matters, even when it’s small. Take, for example, the Galápagos Islands. They’re not small nor a problem but the mosquitoes brought there by chartered flights and tourist boats are. Getting its name from the Spanish for ‘small fly’, the mosquito is a real and present danger to the islands’ unique species. Many mosquitoes carry deadly diseased such as avian malaria or West Nile fever. They could endanger even the Galápagos tortoises, marine iguanas, sea lions and Darwin’s famous finches. But small things can do much good too. Take, for example, bacteria. A controversial scientist trying to sequence the human genome (containing 3 billion DNA base pairs) claimed last August that by the end of this year artificial life would be produced in the lab. For some time now he has been trying to produce bacteria that would change coal into natural gas, and algae that would absorb carbon dioxide and turn it into hydrocarbon fuels. Small things can indeed have an enormous impact. Today’s First Reading knows the value of small things too, for it foretells the impact that the emergence of a ruler of Israel from one of Judah’s little clans will have. Repeatedly God chooses the small and insignificant in the world’s eyes, have been chosen for mission too. When at Christmas we celebrate that ‘Ruler’s’ birth let us be aware that in a very real sense we celebrate our own – our birth into greatness.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Parish Shop
Our parish shop, located in the foyer of St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, has a range of cards, cribs and religious gifts available for Christmas. Come and browse during the next few days and get items with a Christian theme for Christmas.

Parish Penitential Service
In preparation for Christmas we will have our Christmas Penitential Service on Monday, 21st at 7.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church. Other priests will join us for this celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Annual Parish Carol Service
The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Carol Service takes place on this Sunday, 20th December at 4pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown. For many this has become a must-attend event in the lead up to Christmas and all are welcome. Seasonal refreshments will be served in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre after the service. All are welcome to come and prepare for Christmas.

Parish Christmas Programme
The following Christmas schedule will apply.
St. Fiacre’s Church: Vigil Mass at 9.00pm
Mass of Midnight (Latin)
8.30am (Latin)
10.30am, 12.00 noon
St. Patrick’s Church: Midnight Mass
9.30am,11.00am, 12.30pm
St. Joseph’s Church: 10.00am
Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am on Saturday, 26th December. That evening the usual weekend Mass schedule returns. During the week after Christmas the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day.
Please come and join with your neighbours and friends as we celebrate the birth of Christ in our parish churches.

Questions People Ask
Q. Why was 25 December chosen for the birthday of Jesus?
A. The conception of Jesus at the Annunciation to Mary, nine months earlier, was an older celebration than his birthday. 25 March was a very important date, regarded as the first day of creation and the day of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Thus the conception of Jesus was linked with creation and the cross. Another reason for choosing 25 December was that this date was decreed by the Emperor Aurelian as a feast for the return of the Unconquered Sun after the mid-winter solstice. Christians put their own spin on the feast by celebrating the coming of Christ, the light of the world. (Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap)
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Bill Deegan, Castlegardens. Bart Keaney, Blackrock.
Months Mind: John Joe Kealy (Sun 11.00), Una Heffernan,.
Anniversaries: Christopher & Mary Coogan (Sat 6.15), Geraldine Cody (Sat 7.00), O’BrienReardon Family (Sun 9.30), Jeff & Jane Power (Sun 10.00), James, Brigid & Della Maher (Sun 10.30), Elizabeth Comerford (Sun 12.00), Mary Blanchfield (Sun 12.30), Tommy Clooney & the Clooney Family (Tues 9.30), Felix & Mary Campbell (Tue 10.30), Margaret & Patrick Cantwell (Wed 10.30), Thomas Saunders (Thurs 10.30), Anne & John Bissett, Peggy Blanchfield, George Byrne, Nora Bartholomew, Richard & Maureen Free, Jim Dollard, Nora, Patrick & Catherine Bambrick, Maurice & Margaret Maher, Sean & Mary Fitzpatrick, Kitty, Christy & Eileen Grace, Richard Gaule, Milo, Ann & Seamus Fry, Patrick Burke, Edward Geoghegan, Ann Holohan.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Richie Delaney (Sat 7.00), Angela Murphy (Sun 10.00), Tommy Doran (Sun 10.30), George Byrne (Sun 11.00), Mark Butler (Months Mind, Sun 12.00), Edward Taylor (Sun 12.30).

Eucharist Adoration
There will be no adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Patrick’s Church on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Adoration will resume again on Friday, 8th January 2010.

Carol Singers
A big thank you to all from St. Patrick’s 7pm Choir for carol singing outside Supervalu on Thursday evening. They collected €266 which they kindly donated to St. Patrick’s Parish.

Youth Choir
All members of St. Patrick’s Youth Choir are asked to attend a practice for Midnight Mass on Wednesday 23rd December at 7pm in St. Patrick’s Church.

Society of St. Vincent De Paul
Thanks to all who donated so generously to the St. Patrick’s Conference this Christmas.
Remembrance Service
The Irish Sudden Infant Death Association will hold a Remembrance Service in St. John's Community Centre, Kilkenny on Monday, 28th December 2009 at 11.00am.
This service is dedicated to all our children who have died no matter how or when. All welcome!

Latin Mass
The Society of St. Oliver Plunkett organises the Mass in the ‘Usus Antiquior’ in St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on Sunday afternoons. The Society will gather for Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at midnight on Christmas Eve and at 8.30am on Christmas Morning before reverting to St. Patrick’s Church for future Masses. All welcome. Further information about this group available at
http:/societyofstoliverplunkett.blogspot.com/

Christmas at Loughboy Library
The library will close on Wednesday, 23rd December at 2pm and re-open on Wednesday, 30th December at 10.30am. Closed on New Year’s Day. Books can be renewed online www.kilkennylibrary.ie with your pin number. Christmas Storytime for aged 8 and under in the library at 12 noon on Wednesday, 23rd December...all welcome. Exhibition of the Loughboy Community Mapping Project continues until 31st December.

Fundraising Bag Pack
Thanks to the many volunteers who raised invaluable funds for the parish by bag packing at Supervalu on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. We understand there was great camaraderie and fun while raising much needed funds for our parish. Full report next week.

Christmas Stamps
A woman went to the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards. “What denomination?” asked the clerk?
“Oh, Good Heavens! Have we come to this?” said the woman. “Well, give me 20 Catholic stamps for me and 20 Protestant stamps for my husband.”

Third Sunday of Advent 13th December 2009

Pitch Battles
Had there been footballers in the days of John the Baptist what would he say to them if they came to him for advice, as those in today’s Gospel do? ‘Play the man and keep your courage high’? (Joshua 1:18), depending on translation. Or, ‘Leave your knives at home’? Maybe not then, but today he might have to if a recent newspaper report is true. Footballers in France’s amateur leagues are being encouraged to leave their knives, scissors and even pistols at home because of a riot of on-pitch violence. Of the 700,000 matches played in the 2007-08 season 12,000 had serious incidents of physical or verbal abuse. Hot-headed players, aka warm-hearted sportsmen, were responsible for 90 percent of the violence, involving kicking (not the ball), punching and brawling. Being a sportsman isn’t easy, it seems. Being a thug comes easier. Doing what a Christian does isn’t easy either: sharing food with those who have none, acting honestly in dealing with others, respecting them and never bullying or being greedy. John the Baptist makes no extraordinary demands. Unburdened by degrees in theology, philosophy or psychology, or by diplomas from courses in spirituality, dream analysis or tree hugging he knows instinctively – as most of us do – what’s needed: generosity, honesty and gentleness. These bring peace.
Christmas may ooze platitudinous peace. The real thing does not come cheap. Tinsel and mistletoe can never replace the word of God. That word brought Jesus to his death and resurrection. As we celebrate Advent let’s ask: Where is it bringing me?
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Fundraising Bag Pack
A fundraising bag pack for the parish will take place in Supervalu, Loughboy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week. Some of our parishioners will pack your shopping to raise money towards the cost of our new Parish Centre. If you have a couple of hours to spare on any of the days and would like to help out, please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400. Many hands make light work!
Annual Christmas Carol Service
The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Carol Service takes place on next Sunday, 20th December at 4pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown. For many this has become a must-attend event in the lead up to Christmas and all are welcome. Seasonal refreshments will be served in the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre after the service.

Christmas Concert
St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will hold their annual Christmas Concert in St. Patrick’s Church on Wednesday, 16th December at 8pm. Come along and join the band and guests for an evening of seasonal music. Guests: Audrey Larkin, Eugene Dewberry, Billy Carrigan & Friends. MC: Noel Power.

Parish Website
With some effort attached we now have access once more to www.patricksparish.com. This means that our website can be assessed through .com and .net. The parish website has been redesigned and will be updated further for Christmas. Comments or suggestions welcome.

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of Adoration and Prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in the Friary Church on this Sunday, 13th December from 3pm-4pm. All are welcome.

Questions People Ask
Q. How does one explain the difference in the preaching of John the Baptist and that of Jesus? John was far more severe and promoted the fear of an impending judgement.
A. There are two ways of correcting: the stick of punishment or the candy of reward for improvement. John the Baptist came from a people who expected a Messiah who would immediately rid the world of all evil and sin. Hence the need for complete renunciation of wrongdoing or else face instant condemnation. The approach of Jesus did not expect instant perfection. He put less emphasis on condemnation and more on fanning into flame the possibility of goodness hidden in people.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Michael Dollard, Larchfield. Fr. Jeremiah Roche, Kenya.
Anniversaries: Marie Holohan (Sat 6.15), John Carroll (Sat 7.00), Michael Hynes (Sun 9.30), Joe, Nan & Aoife Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Kathleen Redpath (Sun 10.30), Eddie Slattery (Sun 11.00), Podge Butler (Sun 12.00), Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sun 12.30), James Hogan (Mon 9.30), Margaret Quinlan (Tues 10.30), Margaret Larkin (Thur 9.30), Patrick Morris (Fri 9.30), Dick Lynch (Sat 9.30), James Murray, Mary O’Neill, Sean Ryan, Kitty Ryan, Jim Bergin, Anna Quinn, Lawrence Quinn, Anne Fogarty, Margaret Larkin, Mary Delaney.
Intentions for next weekend: Christopher & Mary Coogan (Sat 6.15), Geraldine Cody (Sat 7.00), Jeff & Jane Power (Sun 10.00), The Maher Family (Sun 10.30), John Joe Kealy (Months Mind Sun 11.00), Elizabeth Comerford (Sun 12.00), Mary Blanchfield (Sun 12.30).

Parish Christmas Programme
Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year. The following parish Mass schedule will apply.
St. Fiacre’s Church: Vigil Mass at 9.00pm
Mass of Midnight (Latin)
8.30am (Latin)
10.30am, 12.00 noon
St. Patrick’s Church: Midnight Mass
9.30am,11.00am, 12.30pm
St. Joseph’s Church: 10.00am
Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am on Saturday, 26th December. That evening the usual weekend Mass schedule returns. During the week after Christmas the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day. Come and celebrate with the people of St. Patrick’s Parish.

St. Patrick's Parish Draw
This month’s Parish Draw will take place on Tuesday next, 15th December at 8.30pm in the Parish Centre. Thanks to our promoters and subscribers for their loyalty and support over the past number of years and we wish each of them and their families peace and joy this Christmas season and New Year.
Society of St. Vincent DePaul
The annual Christmas collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent DePaul will be taken up outside all Masses this weekend. Please give as generously as possible. When you contribute to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul you give hope to people in need. When you contribute to our parish conference you give hope to local people.
The members of the local conference can be contacted at the Parish Centre at 8.00pm on Mondays or by telephoning 087 681 0589. All calls are dealt with in complete confidence.

Cathedral Carol Service
The St. Mary’s Cathedral Carol Service will be held on Sunday, 20th December at 7.30pm with the combined choirs of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Unity Singers. They will be joined by Tanya Sewell (mezzo soprano) and Alan Hayes (boy soprano). All welcome.

Sacred Heart Messenger
The Messenger has been an integral part of Irish life right from its foundation 120 years ago. The story goes that Fr. Paul Cullen S.J. approached his superior about starting a new publication, and that he was given permission, a small room and a pound note! The first issue was published in January 1888.
With a circulation of 120,000 per month, the Messenger remains one of the biggest-selling publications produced in Ireland at the present time. Representatives from the Messenger Office are expected to explain more at Masses this weekend. Please give them a warm welcome.

Family Liturgy
All young people and their parents are invited to St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.30pm on Wednesday for a practice for the 10.30am Sunday family liturgy.

Book Signing
Fr. Liam Lawton will sign copies of his book The Hope Prayer in Stone House Books at McDonagh Junction on Saturday, 19th December at 4pm.
Westcourt News
The monthly Mass to pray for the blessings of Edmund Rice on our lives and for his canonisation will be held at Westcourt on  Monday, 14th December at 7.30pm. (Note date).

St. Canice’s Cathedral Carols
The local Church of Ireland community invites you to the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Canice’s Cathedral at 7.00pm on Sunday, 13th December.

Christmas Concert
The Kilkenny Choir will give a Christmas Concert in St. John’s Church, Dublin Road on Sunday, 13th December at 4.30pm. The choir will perform a programme of music by Victoria and Lassus with brass ensemble and guests - Kilkenny Consort. Conducted by Philip Edmondson. Tickets available at the door €10/€8. The Choir will also sing a Victoria Mass as part of the Liturgy at 12.00 noon Mass in St. John’s Church on Sunday, 20th December.

Relationship Counseling
Accord Kilkenny, based at St. Mary’s Centre, James’ Street, is offering couple and relationship counseling for couples and individuals experiencing marital and relationship problems. Please contact the office for an appointment. Office Hours: Monday, 2.00pm to 5.00pm; Wednesday, 11.00am to 1.00pm; Thursday, 2.00pm to 5.00pm and Friday, 11.00am to 1.00pm. Telephone 056 772 2674 for an appointment.

Parish Shop
Our parish shop, located in the foyer of St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, has a range of cards, cribs and religious gifts available for Christmas. Come in a browse during the next few days and select items with a Christian theme for Christmas.

Parish Penitential Service
In preparation for Christmas we will have our Christmas Penitential Service on Monday 21st at 7.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church. Other priests will join us for this celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation.

Cookery Book
Good Food for Healthy Living - our parish cookery book - is available for sale at the Parish Office. An ideal Christmas gift at only €10.

A Plea for Support
Kids Included Ireland has been invited to meet Mayor Malcolm Noonan at City Hall at 7.00pm on Monday, 14th December prior to a presentation to the Kilkenny Borough Council to ask for land and a building for play, leisure and recreation for children with special needs and families, for indoor and outdoor play all year round. We need and would be very grateful for your support and for your prayers for children with disabilities and families in Kilkenny. Contact: Valerie Butler (Grandmother of severely disabled child) on vjebutler@yahoo.ie.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Second Sunday of Advent, 6th December 2009

On the Margins
Drunk and wobbling, he stood in the middle of O’Connell Street, Dublin. Ignoring the rictus of the Floosie in the Jacuzzi statue behind him, he berated passers-by for walking around in a dream and not knowing it. He had a point. But no impact. ‘Ye’r all livin’ in a dream!’ was his shouted message. But for his spectral hearers the medium was the message: a noonday drunk couldn’t have anything worthwhile to say. Yet what about another down-and-out: the poet Francis Thompson. He had much to say, and all of it worthwhile. As God’s word came to John the Baptist in the wilderness of sand so too it came to an opium addict in his wilderness of streets. When it came his eyes opened and he penned these luminous lines:
The angels keep their ancient places
Turn but a stone and start a wing!
‘Tis ye, ‘tis your estranged faces,
That miss the many-splendored thing.
John the Baptist couldn’t have put it better! Truly what Advent announces is a ‘many-splendored thing’: God’s splendour shining through simplicity, God’s power bursting through weakness. Conceived out of wedlock, born out of home, rejected by society, killed by the ‘law’, Jesus became a man on the margins. Do we want to cheer at the birth of a marginalised man? Do we want to listen to what he says? Do we not prefer the hollow chant of ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’ and the glint of tacky tinsel? Could that be why we’ve handed Christmas over to kids?
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
We are now well established in our new Parish Centre. Thanks to Ted Byrne and his team we have established routines and procedures which serve the parish well.
We feel it is now time for the official opening of the new centre and homes for the elderly which, please God, will be held on the afternoon of Sunday, 17th January 2010. We plan this to be a great parish celebration and we invite you to keep the afternoon free. All are invited to attend.
We will keep you informed of the details as they emerge. Make sure to mark the day in your diary.

The Immaculate Conception
Tuesday is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We keep it as a holyday in the Catholic Calendar. Masses in our parish follow the usual weekend schedule.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Maureen Nolan, Fr. Murphy Square. Johanna Maher, Maudlin Street. Elsie Ryan, Canada, (Fri 9.30). Paddy Forrestal, England.
Months Mind: Bernadette Delaney (Sun 12.30), Margaret Hutchinson (Mon 7.00).
Anniversaries: Tom O’Dowd (Sat 6.15), Mary Millea (Sat 7.00), Laurence Healy (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Brown (Sun 10.00), Elaine Kelly (Sun 10.30), Michael Hickey (Sun 11.00), Michael Dwyer (Sun 12.00), Michael Fitzmaurice (Mon 6.15), Myra Treacy (Tue 10.00), Eugene Curley (Tue 12.00), Hughie Tiernan (Tue 12.30), Deceased Members of the Larchfield Community (Wed 10.30), Joseph Kelly (Thurs 9.30), Anne Fogarty (Fri 10.30), Syl Gaffney, Bess & Mick Delaney, Annie Wall, Catherine Bambrick, Thomas & Mary Toomey, Angela Murphy, Margaret Doyle, John Egan.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Marie Holohan (Sat 6.15), John Carroll (Sat 7.00), Michael Hynes (Sun 9.30), Joe, Nan & Aoife Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Kathleen Redpath (Sun 10.30), Eddie Slattery (Sun 11.00), Podge Butler (Sun 12.00), Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sun 12.30).

A Word of Thanks
The members of St. Fiacre’s Folk Choir would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the successful launch of their recent CD, Joy & Inspiration. Copies of the CD are on sale in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre or from any member of St. Fiacre’s Folk Choir at a cost of €10. Proceeds to Parish Centre.

Rosary Procession
The annual Candlelight Rosary Procession will leave the Parade at 8pm on Tuesday, 8th December and proceed to the Black Abbey for Benediction.

Family Liturgy
All young people and their parents are invited to St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.30pm on Wednesday for a practice for the 10.30am Sunday family liturgy.

St. Westcourt News
The monthly Mass to pray for the blessings of Edmund Rice on our lives and for his canonisation will be held at Westcourt on Monday, 14th December at 7.30pm. (Note date).

St. Canice’s Cathedral Carols
The local Church of Ireland community invites you to the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at St. Canice’s Cathedral at 7.00pm on Sunday, 13th December.

Pat’s Cabaret
The annual ‘Pat’s Cabaret’ will he held in Delaney’s Bar, Patrick Street on Thursday 10th December. Proceeds to charity. Music by John Hillman & Sean Shortis plus guest artists. Door Prizes. Admission €2.00.

Craft Fair and Coffee Afternoon
The S.O.S. Craft Fair and Coffee Afternoon takes place at Seville Lodge, Callan Road on Sunday, 6th December from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Come and buy you Christmas cakes, Christmas puddings, plants, window boxers and festive items.

Kilkenny Lions Club
Christmas Hamper and Charity Appeal
Kilkenny Schools’ Concert featuring the CBS Boys’ Choir, Kilkenny College Jazz Band, Junior Choir and Chamber Choir, St. John’s Senior School Choir and Chamber Ensemble, St Canice’s Co-Ed School Recorder Ensemble and Jazz Band, Gaelscoil Osrai Choir, Castlecomer Community School Choir at St. Canice’s Cathedral on Thursday, 10th December at 8pm. Admission - Payable at door: Adults €10/€4.

L’Arche Christmas Fair
Fair will be held on Sunday, 6th December in L’Arche workshop, Callan from 11.30am - 5pm. Handcrafted cards, candles, weaving, garden produce and much more.

Society of St. Vincent De Paul
The annual collection for the local conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up outside all Masses next weekend. Please give as generously as possible.
The members of the local conference may be contacted at the Parish Centre at 8.00pm on Mondays or by telephoning 087 681 0589. All calls are dealt with in complete confidence.

Capuchin Friary Advent Retreat
The Capuchin Friary hosts an Advent Retreat from Tuesday, 8th to Thursday, 10th December. Mass and talk at 10.30am each day. Healing Mass at 7.00pm on Tuesday, Reconciliation Mass at 7.00pm on Wednesday and Mass of Thanksgiving at 7.00pm on Thursday. Preacher: Fr. Dermot Lynch OFM Cap. There will be adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each day. Please note there will be no 7.30am Masses on these three days.

Parish Christmas Programme
Christmas Day falls on a Friday this year. The following parish Mass schedule will apply.
St. Fiacre’s Church: Vigil Mass at 9.00pm
Mass of Midnight (Latin)
10.30am, 12.00 noon
St. Patrick’s Church: Midnight Mass
9.30am,11.00am, 12.30pm
St. Joseph’s Church: 10.00am
Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am on Saturday, 26th December. That evening the usual weekend Mass schedule returns. During the week after Christmas the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day.
You are invited to celebrate the Birth of Christ with the people of St. Patrick’s Parish.

Blessing of Christmas Crib
Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC will bless the crib at Workhouse Square, MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre at 5.45pm on Tuesday, 8th December. Christmas Carols will be provided by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir from 5.30pm until 6.30pm.
Adults Activity Festival in the Watershed
Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership (KRSP) is hosting an activity day in the Watershed on Wednesday, 9th December with a range of activities for adults to try out and it’s all free of charge. Activities include Nordic Walking, Kurling and Boccia games, badminton, pilates, swimming and aqua aerobics. A light lunch will be provided in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre at 1.30pm and Eoin Hogan from Trail Kilkenny will give a brief presentation on the walking and cycling trials available in Kilkenny. For further information, contact the sports partnership on 056 772 0870.

Christmas Concert
The Kilkenny Choir will give a Christmas Concert in St. John’s Church, Dublin Road on Sunday, 13th December at 4.30pm. The choir will perform a programme of music by Victoria and Lassus with brass ensemble and guests - Kilkenny Consort. Conducted by Philip Edmondson. Tickets available at the door €10/€8. The Choir will also sing a Victoria Mass as part of the Liturgy at 12.00 noon Mass in St. John’s Church on Sunday, 20th December.

Free Public Lecture in Carlow College
Professor Patricia Casey, (UCD/Mater Hospital), will give a public lecture on the topic: ‘Psycho-social benefits of religion - the scientific evidence’, in Cobden Hall, Carlow College, on Thursday, 10th December at 7.30pm. Admission free. The lecture will be followed by a question and answer session.

Rosary at James’ Green
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday 6th December at 3pm. All are welcome.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the Society will take place on Friday, 11th December in the Parish Centre immediately after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church.

Christmas Demonstration
Kilkenny Flower Club will have a Christmas Demonstration by Maura Hanrahan on next Thursday, 10th December in Butler House, Kilkenny at 8.00pm. Maura is a demonstrator in the club and will have some very interesting ideas. Non-Members will be welcome.

Village Crafts
Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Ormonde College Sunday, 6th December. Wood turners Mick Morrissey, Canice Ryan and Ciarán Walsh; Painting Pat Holland; Carving Frank Collins.

Music with Johnny Barry
At Drakelands House Nursing Home. Fundraising event on Tuesday, 8th December from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Coffee, best cakes in town, music and craic. The management, residents and staff are raising much needed funds for the Simon Community, St. Vincent de Paul and the Flood Disaster Victims. If you cannot join us please drop a donation to Mary O’Carroll 056 777 0925.
Thank you, from all in need.

Old Kilkenny Review
The Old Kilkenny Review 2009 is now available. To keep postage costs down it would be much appreciated if you could collect your copy at Rothe House. Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 10.30am-4.30pm, Saturday 10.30-1pm 2pm-4.30pm. Closed Sundays. Many thanks.

Questions People Ask
Q. On a television programme it was claimed the Christmas was a development of the pagan cult of Mithra, a pagan god associated with worship of sunlight. Is there any reason to doubt the traditional belief that the Son of God was born at Bethlehem?
A. Pagan myths lack all foundation in historical fact whereas Christianity is rooted in facts about real, historical people and geographical places. Read St. Luke’s list of real people and places in today’s Gospel. The incarnation, that is the coming of God in human flesh and blood, is no imaginary myth but historical fact.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

First Sundy of Advent, 29th November 2009

Caterpillars Beware!
What a way to enter with a bang! Enter a new liturgical year, that is. Just look at our Second Reading today: ‘may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all’. What a way to start the year if love means, as it must, seeing butterflies in caterpillars! Not even Specsavers could do that for you. Advent is a time for staring: at the Creator coddled in a cot, at heaven harboured in a home, at power naked in swaddling clothes, at divinity bubbling through a baby, at the darkness of a silent night illumined by a cosmic chorus of heavenly hosannas. Indeed it is; but don’t forget the caterpillar.
Why should we be stumped by a muddled Marian message ringed in a tree? Why have apparitions in strange places? Don’t we have divinity at our fingertips each day? We need but reach out in friendship to another human being to touch the face of God. For if not there, where else? Advent is a time for daring: to find the intimately elusive God nestling in our hearts, to find his sacred face imaged on the heart of those we love and, dare we admit it, those we don’t forget the caterpillar.
Next time you meet one stare and dare. Stare until its lowly form morphs before your eyes. Then dare to believe what your eyes tell you. Advent has arrived; can birth be far behind?
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Questions People Ask
Q. What might I do to get more out of Advent?
A. What a pity that Advent has been devoured by the commercial side of Christmas. Advent develops hope in the time of waiting, and hope is a virtue most needed to sustain our faith in the wilderness of scandals and recession. Try to let Christmas wait until Christmas. Let Advent be a time for more reflection and prayer. Get in touch with those areas of life where we struggle, where we experience our incompleteness, where we come to recognise our need of God. Christmas will be properly celebrated by those who know their need of God. Come, Lord Jesus, come.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
The Murphy Report
In a statement issued on Friday Bishop Séamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory, said:
“I take the opportunity to welcome the publication of the Report of the Commission of Investigation into the sexual abuse of children by priests in the Archdiocese of Dublin, published yesterday. This Report will help all of us to face up to our responsibilities in being transparent in all dealings with reports and complaints of child abuse. I personally want to apologise to all who have suffered in any way from the effects of this tragic abuse of trust and subsequent cover-up.
I also want to assure the people of the Diocese of Ossory that our Diocesan Safeguarding Children Policy is fully compliant with the current Statutory and Church Guidelines and we welcome the on-going monitoring of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.
It is with great shame and deep shock that I have come to know the extent of this tragic abuse, and I pledge every effort possible and necessary to avoid any such tragedy in the future.”

Folk Choir Launch CD
St. Fiacre’s Folk Choir presents A Night of Joy and Inspiration to launch their new CD on next Thursday, 3rd December at 8.00pm at St. Fiacre’s Church. The choir will be joined in concert by Billy Carrigan and Michael O’Grady, St. Patrick’s Adult Folk Choir, Keith Watson and Just Friends. Free admission.
During the concert the choir’s new CD will be launched by Mr. Malcolm Noonan, Mayor of Kilkenny. The CD costs €10 and the proceeds will go to the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Please come along and support the choir while enjoying an excellent evening’s entertainment.

Mass, Rosary, Benediction
The Marian Movement of Priests, Kilkenny will celebrate Mass, Rosary and Benediction at St. Joseph’s, Waterford Road, Kilkenny at 7.30pm on Monday, 30th November. All welcome to come along.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Jo Dempsey, New Ross. Fr. John Walsh, Galloway.
Months Mind: Jimmy Bateman (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Thomas & Nora McBride (Sat 6.15), Pat Kearney (Sat 7.00), Michael Kennedy (Sun 9.30), Charles Carroll (Sun 10.00), Mary & James Mulrooney (Sun 10.30), Deceased Members of St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band (Sun 11.00), Thomas Dowling (Sun 12.00), John & Kitty McMyler (Tues 9.30), Jeremiah Mullally (Tue 10.30), Gertrude Donnelly, Eileen Barry, Joe McKane, Ollie Bergin, John Wallace, Patrick Devlin, Philip O'Dwyer.
Intentions for next weekend: Tom O’Dowd (Sat 6.15), Mary Millea (Sat 7.00), Laurence Healy (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Brown (Sun 10.00), Elaine Kelly (Sun 10.30), Michael Hickey (Sun 11.00), Michael Dwyer (Sun 12.00), Bernadette Delaney (Sun 12.30 Months Mind).

The Importance of Silence
Our modern world is starved of silence – there is hardly a moment when our senses are not being bombarded with noise of one kind or another. Our churches – especially before, during and after the celebration of Mass – should be privileged places where we can go to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Silence has a very important role to play in the celebration of the Eucharist, prayer and reflection.
To help achieve this in our parish I ask all – priests, sacristans, ministers, musicians, servers and worshippers – to maintain a spirit of reverence and respectful silence in our churches. Let us help each other and refrain from importing the world’s clamour and clatter into our places of worship.

Bible Study Course
In preparation for Christmas a bible study course on St. John’s Gospel, given by Sr. De Lourdes will take place on Tuesdays 1st, 15th & 22nd December in the Parish Centre from 10am - 12.30pm approx. Cup of tea included. Cost €25. Booking necessary - contact Kathleen @ 087 246 8443. Enjoy this course in preparation for Christmas.

Society of St. Vincent De Paul
The annual collection for the local conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up outside all Masses on Saturday, 12th and Sunday, 13th December. Please give as generously as possible.
The members of the local conference may be contacted at the Parish Centre at 8.00pm on Mondays or by telephoning 087 681 0589. All calls are dealt with in complete confidence.

First Friday Visits
The first Friday of December falls this week. The priests will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times. Please contact the Parish Office (776 4400) if you, or someone known to you, would like a visit.

Blessed Sacrament Exposition
At the request of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday between 11.00am and noon. All welcome.

Loughboy Library Notices
Loughboy Community Mapping Project will be on show at Loughboy Library for the month of December. This project was initiated and facilitated by LARC who began by undertaking a needs analysis of the area. They recorded the positives and negative of the area through the medium of photography and the project has been very successful in building relationships between people in the community. Viewing during normal hours Tuesday to Friday, 10.30am to 5.00pm (closed 1.00pm to 2.00pm) and Fridays 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
The monthly Book Club meets in the library on Thursday at 10.30am. Current books are ‘Star of the Sea’ by Joseph O’Connor and ‘Brooklyn’ which is the latest offering from Colm Toibin. All are welcome.

VITA
This charity which was founded by Fr. Kevin Doheny will hold a church gate collection at all Masses on 6th December.

Advent Waiting
Discover the hidden depth of waiting during advent at Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road. Special weekend of prayer and reflection between 4th and 6th December. The reflections will be guided by Fr. Martin Delaney, Sr. Margaret Moloney and Christine Kelly. Contact 772 1054 for information and booking.

Readers
Please note that during the coming year readings will be taken from Year C of the liturgical calendar. Please return last year’s books.

Village Crafts
Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Ormonde College on Saturday and Sunday, 5th and 6th December. Wood turners Mick Morrissey, Canice Ryan and Ciarán Walsh; Painting Pat Holland; Carving Frank Collins.

Parish Shop
Going the Heart’s Way by Fr. Jim O’Connell MHM, St. Joseph’s, Waterford Road, Kilkenny is among the resources on sale at our Parish Shop. This book is a practical book of reflections for personal prayer.