Taking up your cross
From triumph to agony. It’s a time where the Temple of the moneychangers is cleansed. A time where bread is broken, friendships betrayed and denied. Often we try to place ourselves in these scenes and wonder, what would I have done? Would I have run away, betrayed, kept awake, denied or stayed at the cross until the end? When we join a procession or a protest, (holding a palm branch or a placard), we are committed.
Nevertheless, we also enter the stories of our own Passion. We might want the long Gospel to be over quickly, but we must try not to miss the journey that this week offers us.
‘You have to incorporate your pain into yourself. This is what Jesus means when he asks you to take up your cross. He encourages you to recognize and embrace your unique suffering and to trust that your way to salvation lies therein. Taking up your cross means, first of all, befriending your wounds and letting them reveal to you your own truth.’ (Henry Nouwen) Jane Mellett
Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus suffer in the agony in Gethsemane?
A. The hypostatic union, the unity of divine and human natures in Jesus, is beyond our experience, yet on the ordinary human level we can understand his fear at the prospect of the suffering he was soon to undergo. He suffered in leaving his mother and in thinking of the sword of sorrow piercing her soul, as Simeon had predicted.
Traditional meditation books pictured all the filth of sin sweeping over him in a torrent. Deepest of all was the darkness of spirit he suffered in becoming sin, as St. Paul put it. The dark dereliction he suffered was that awful sense of alienation from God which is the ultimate pain of hell.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.
Holy Week Ceremonies
We appeal to all to make a special effort to join with our local Christian Community in celebrating Holy Week. We have a wide range of celebrations at various times in our parish and we invite you to come along. We particularly invite all to the Solemn Easter Vigil on Saturday evening. This should be the highlight of the year for those who believe that Christ died for our sins and rose again to save us from eternal damnation.
Diocesan Chrism Mass
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral on next Wednesday, 20th April at 7.30pm. Sacred Oils, for use in the diocese during the coming year, will be consecrated during the liturgy. Bishop Séamus invites all to attend. At this Mass, the priests of the diocese gather and renew their priestly vows. Please come and join in prayer with and for your priests.
Extra Lenten Mass
Thanks to all who supported the extra 6.15pm Lenten weekday Mass at St. Fiacre's Church. This Mass was added to our schedule for your convenience during Lent. The final Mass in the series will be on Tuesday evening at 6.15pm.
Parish Centre Hours
The St. Patrick’s Parish Centre will be closed on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Weekend including the Bank Holiday. Groups that use our facilities on these days are asked to take note.
The Parish Office will be closed on Holy Thursday & Good Friday and will reopen on Tuesday 26th April 2011.
The priests can always be contacted by dialling 056 776 4400 and following the auto prompts.
Congratulations
Happy Birthday and hearty congratulations to Sr. Marie Joseph Fleming, St. John of God Community who celebrates her 102nd birthday this weekend.
Holy Week Schedule
The schedule for Holy Week is printed on the front of this leaflet. Please keep for reference during the week ahead.
Parish Shop
A wide range of 1st Holy Communion gifts are available at the Parish Shop which is located in the Parish Centre. Also available are Confirmation and Baptismal items, candles and medals. Feel free to drop in and have a look around.
St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band Beginners’ Class
St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band are currently enrolling for a beginners’ class. Full tuition will be given by experienced tutors. Enrolment takes place on Monday and Thursday night at 8pm in the Band Headquarters in Coote's Lane (Beside the Village Inn).
The Band also has limited opening for experienced musicians, especially French Horn, Tenor Horn, or Trombone Players. This is a fantastic chance for any musician to work with a musical director and conduction of the calibre of Norman Cree.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Gretta Brett, Rioch Street. Jim Gibbons, Meath
Anniversaries: Michael & Mary Burke (Sat 6.15), Betty Byrne (Sat 7.00), Margaret Banahan (Sun 9.30), Joan Smithwick (Sun 10.00), Mary Glennon (Sun 11.00), John Hennessy (Sun 12.30), Kate Coyne, Michael O’Reilly, William Maher, Geraldine Carroll, Mary Brennan, Patricia Walshe, Eamon O’Neill, Noel & Ann O’Dwyer, Annie Martin, Joe Cuddy.
Intentions Next Weekend: John Edward Kirwan-Malone (Sun 9.30), Eileen byrne (Sun 10.00), Michael Gaule (Sun 10.30), Canice & Michael Dunphy (Sun 12.00).
May they rest in peace.
Hearing Aid Found
An over-the-ear type hearing aid has been found at St. Fiacre’s Church. Further information at the Sacristy.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
This Palm Sunday as we prepare to celebrate Holy Week we are asked by Trocaire to remember that our giving to those in the developing world is not an act of power but of solidarity and love. We give because it is the right and just thing to do. Support the Lenten campaign and ensure poor people have a chance to build a better life. For more information on the campaign visit www.trocaire.org/lent or call 1850 408 408.
Mini Marathon
The Carers’ Association Mini Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May 2011 over a distance of 10km. Entry fee €12 by cheque or postal order only made payable to the Careers Association. Closing date 29th April 2011. Enquiries to: 056 772 1424 or email carerskilkenny@carerssireland.
Taize Prayer
The St. Patrick’s Parish Youth Choir will host a Taize prayer at St. Patrick’s Church on Good Friday at 8pm. We invite all people of all ages, particularly those who may have travelled to Taize in the past, to join us for worship and prayer around the cross.
Golf Classic
Kilkenny County Macra na Feirme are holding a Golf Classic in Callan Golf Club, Callan, on Saturday 21st May. Team of 3 (Mens, Ladies or Mixed) is €75. Tee times are from 2pm. Contact 085 810 7890 or golfclassic@ymail.com if you are interested.
Happy Birthday Pope Benedict
Pope Benedict XVI has received several greetings ahead of his birthday this weekend, including one from Queen Elizabeth II. The Holy Father turns 84 on this Saturday. The queen wrote, “On the occasion of your eighty fourth birthday, I have much pleasure in sending my warmest felicitations and prayers to Your Holiness, recalling with great fondness the memorable visit of Your Holiness to the United Kingdom. Elizabeth R.”
Eucharistic Adoration
Eucharistic Adoration takes place at St. Patrick’s Church every Friday (except Good Friday) from 10.00am until 1.00pm and from 4.00pm until 9.00pm. On Holy Thursday after the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Patrick’s Church the Blessed Sacrament will be on the altar of Repose in the Nun’s Chapel until 10pm. All adorers are welcome.
Good Friday Walk
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir is holding this year’s Good Friday Walk in remembrance of those whose lives have been touched by suicide and drug abuse. The walk will begin at 7.30 pm on Good Friday evening from St. John’s RC Church and end in St. Fiacre’s Church. Where a service will be held in support of all those affected by suicide and drug abuse. All are welcome to participate: feel free to join in at any point or meet the procession at St. Fiacre’s Church.
Latin Mass at St. Patrick’s Church
Palm Sunday Procession and Sung Latin Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church on this Sunday at 4.00pm. All are welcome.
Eucharistic Ministers
Abiding by diocesan rules a number of Eucharistic Ministers must retire this Easter. We thank you for your generous service to the Church and to St. Patrick’s Parish in particular. Your work has been appreciated. Well done.
Reflections for Easter
Palm Sunday Afternoon Reflection this Sunday at Mount St. Anne's, Killenard, Portarlington. 3pm - 6pm
An afternoon of prayer and reflection in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.
Presented by the Mount St. Anne's Team. No charge - donations welcome.
Easter Retreat - Wednesday 20th - Sunday 24th April, 2011
Prepare for Easter by taking time to reflect quietly and creatively on our journey with Jesus through His passion, death and resurrection. Begins with Supper on Wednesday and ends with Breakfast on Easter Sunday morning.
Facilitated by Fr. Micheál Murphy, Carlow and Sr. Róisín Gannon pbvm
Cost: 290 euro residential and 140 non-residential
An option of one or two day attendance is also available - 50 euro per day non-residential (meals included)
Also taking bookings for Sunday Lunch, Confirmation and First Holy Communion Lunches.
Enquiries to The Secretary: 057-8626153 or email: msannes@eircom.net
