The Most Holy Trinity
Clue: Mexican salamander. Seven letters. What is it? Haven’t a clue? Stars with a and ends in l. No? Middle letter is l. So it has to be….axolotl. Ah! The stuff of addictions. The first newspaper crossword puzzle appeared in the New York World, 1913. Englishman, Arthur Wynne, its creator, called it a word-cross. Ten years on it had soared to the status of a national craze. Even then some media people decried it as a national threat because of the hours ‘squandered’ on it by all and sundry alike. Today, Trinity Sunday, we don’t celebrate a puzzle, but we do pay homage to a mystery. Puzzles get solve, mysteries don’t. They’re not for solving. The more you delve into a mystery the more you realise there is to delve into. Thus it is with that mystery we so abstractedly call: the Most Holy trinity. God is not an abstraction. God is person. Three in fact. Though no less mysterious for it, God is more accessibly to our minds and hearts by being seen as Father, Son and the Spirit of love between them. God is not a cold, unfeeling, unit of isolated magnificence. He is the father running out to welcome home a repentant brat of a son. He is the Son who couldn’t resist becoming one of us even though he would have to pay the ultimate price for doing so. And, unlike pagan gods to be feared, God is Spirit inspiring love in the hearts of all people of good will. Clue: God, Four letters. Solution?
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
National Vigil of Adoration & Prayer
For the Church in Ireland.
St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy, Kilkenny.
7.00pm until 4am. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7pm and 12 midnight. Everyone is invited to this night of prayer and you can come and go as you please.
Loughboy Library
Nintendo Wii training classes for over 55s continue on Tuesday at 11am and 2pm. This is a great way to exercise in a fun relaxed way! No charge - please book your place at 779 4176.
Questions People Ask
Q. Since the Trinity is said to be a mystery beyond our comprehension, what is the point of trying to understand it or talk about it?
A. While we cannot, in this life, have a complete understanding of the inner life of God, yet, through God’s revelation in Sacred Scripture, we know a certain amount about the relationships between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our knowledge may be incomplete, yet it can be true. It’s like a glass full of water. It is full to its limitation but not containing the entire ocean: incomplete yet true. With the revealed knowledge of God we believe that in Mass we render all glory and honour to the Father, through the Son, in the unity brought by the Holy Spirit.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
A Must for the Weekend"
Garden Tour and Plant Sale this week-end - Sat. 29th, Sun. 30th and Mon. 31st May. at Holden's, Harristown, Graiguenamanagh (opp. old creamery) from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Teas, books, bric-a-brac and a raffle also. Proceeds will go to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Details from Betty or John, tel. 087-9447961.
The Happy Valley Festival
June 1st - 7th are holding a free candle light concert with Thukolo performing Gospel music, followed by the Thomastown Folk choir on Thursday 3rd June at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown. Lots more music, arts, and fun events - many free - for all the family see happyvalleyfestival.blogspot.com for more info.
Congratulations
We would like to congratulate Sr. Sylvester Brennan, St. John of God Community, College Road on celebrating her platinum jubilee (70 years) of profession during the week.
Melville Heights Mass
Thanks to all who were involved in the open air Mass at Melville Heights on last Friday evening.
Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Philip Morrissey, Westfield: funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral home at 5.45pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. John’s Church. Requiem Mass at 10.30am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Breda Doherty, Fr. Murphy Square. Funeral prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. John Quinn, Barrack Street, Castlecomer.
Months Mind: Con Bateman, (Baby) John Edward Kirwan-Malone (Sun 10.30)
Anniversaries: Tommy & Kitty Phelan (Sat 6.15), John Cleere (Sat 7.00), Patrick Banahan (Sun 9.30), Blanaid Cleere-Manning (Sun 10.00), Susan Delaney, Ann Conway, Mary O’Meara, Denis Garrehy (Sun 12.00), William Doheny (Sun 12.30), Catherine Brennan (Tues 10.30), Richard Ruth (Wed 10.30), Michael O’Carroll & Ellen Mooney (Thurs 9.30), Margaret Maher & Nora Bambrick (Fri 10.30), Brigid Culleton, James & Mary O’Brien, Mollie Fitzgerald, Mary Lanigan, Joseph Curry, Brian Mahon, Agnes Dermody, Mary Drennan, Jimmy McGuire, Bridget & Jack Leahy
Intentions for next weekend: Sarah Mullally (Sat 6:15), Gerry Keyes (Sat 7.00), Joan Smithwick (Sun 10.00 Months Mind), Jim O’Brien (Sun 10.30), Ellen Ryan & John Ryan (Sun 11.00), Mary & Billy Butler (Sun 12.30).
First Friday
Next Friday is the first Friday of the month and the priests of the parish will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times.
Light that Shines in the Darkness
Are you interested in priesthood in the Diocese of Ossory? For information on priesthood in the diocese please contact Bishop Séamus Freeman on 056 776 2448 or Fr. Willie Purcell on 087 628 6858.
Africa Day in Kilkenny
Come and celebrate Africa Day on Sunday, May 30th at the Kilkenny Rugby Club, Waterford Road, commencing at 2.30pm. A fun family day open to the whole community and free to attend. Tag rugby and hurling workshop, drumming, music, storytelling, face painting etc. African BBQ. All welcome.
Parish Pilgrimage to Knock
The popular annual parish pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Thursday, 24th June. Coach leaves St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.15am and St. Patrick’s Church at 7.20am. Fare €15 and tickets are only available at the reception desk at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Tickets must be purchased in advance. In order to finalize the necessary arrangements, tickets will only be available until 22nd June. This pilgrimage is open to anyone who is interested.
Mill Hill Missionaries Pilgrimage
This year’s annual Mill Hill Missionaries Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday, 12th June. Fr. Donal Harney MHM will lead the pilgrimage. Coach will leave Prague House, Freshford at 8.00am with a pick up at Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny at 8.30am.
Main Celebrant and preacher Rev. Fr. Anthony Murphy. Fare: Adults €20, children €10. Contact 056 772 1482 to book your seat.
Eucharistic Congress 2012
The Irish Episcopal Conference has asked, in order to help finance the Eucharistic Congress 2012, that each diocese make a collection at Masses on Corpus Christi, Sunday 6th June 2010. The Congress will be held in Ireland in 2012 for the first time since 1932. Please support the collection next weekend.
Parish Website
Comments, suggestions relating to the parish website are welcome, contact: Fr. Liam.
A Note On Child Protection.
As part of our diocesan and parochial response to child protection all adults who are working with children in our parish have been put forward for vetting by the statutory authorities (An Garda Siochana). It is also considered best practice that all priests should be vetted by the same statutory authorities. This is currently taking place. If anyone has any concerns regarding child protection in the church/parish contact details of the relevant authorities are posted in all of our churches.
Gaelscoil Congratulations
Congratulations to Gaelscoil Osraí which celebrated its 25th anniversary last Friday. Well done to all involved in the celebrations and best wishes for the next 25.
Parish Shop
On sale in the foyer is a wide selection of religious goods, anything from rosary beads to prayers book to statues. Come in and have a look. The volunteers at the desk will be happy to help.
Signed Mass cards are also available at reception. Suggested stipend for each mass is €10 and an individual Mass is guaranteed. Masses are said by priests supported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Friday Adoration
Every Friday, special prayers are offered at mass for the renewal of the Church in Ireland as requested by the Holy Father. The hour after each morning Mass is also dedicated to this renewal. If you would like to join in this Mass and adoration you are welcome to participate.
The Universal Testimony
A good illustration of the Trinity comes from world-renowned scientist Dr. Henry Morris. He notes that the entire universe is Trinitarian by design. The universe consists of three things: matter, space, and time. Take away any one of those three and the universe would cease to exist. But each one of those is itself a trinity. Matter = mass + energy + motion. Space = length + height + breadth. Time = past + present + future. Thus the whole universe witnesses to the character of the God who made it (cf. Psalm 19:1).
Light that Shines in the Darkness
Are you interested in priesthood in the Diocese of Ossory? For information on priesthood in the diocese please contact Bishop Séamus Freeman on 056 776 2448 or Fr. Willie Purcell on 087 628 6858.
Exam Time
We keep in our prayers all who will soon sit their Junior and Leaving Certificate exams. We wish you all the best in your studies in preparation for these exams.
Latin Mass
The Latin Mass Society will celebrate Mass in St. Patrick’s Church on Thursday for Corpus Christi at 7pm with a procession afterwards.
