Pope
Benedict XVI
With great surprise tinged with sadness, we learned of the
resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on Monday last. During his time as leader of the Catholic
Church Benedict has been a faithful witness to Christ, and in this decision, he
teaches us with his integrity and humility, about putting the needs of the
Church first. Such a message is very
appropriate as we begin the Season of Lent.
It is appropriate that we pray for Pope Benedict during the final
days of his pontificate; that we give thanks for his leadership and pray for
the Church as we look to the future and the election of a new Pope.
Next Friday, 22nd February, is the feast of the Chair of St.
Peter and we will celebrate the 9.30am and the 10.30am Masses for the
intentions of Pope Benedict XVI and for inspiration and strength for the
cardinal-electors as they choose a new Holy Father to lead us in the years
ahead.
The
Season of Lent
This holy season of preparation for the celebration of the Lord’s
Passion, Death and Resurrection continues.
We encourage all to participate in the traditional disciplines of
prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Please
note that for your convenience we have scheduled an extra Mass at St. Fiacre’s
Church at 6.15pm on each weekday of Lent. Our morning Masses remain
at the usual times: St. Patrick’s Church at 9.30am and St. Fiacre’s Church at
10.30am.
Do
Something Special this Lent!
Many people choose to abstain from alcohol for the duration of
Lent. Take this opportunity to help
someone you love with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your sacrifice
as a prayer for their freedom and wellbeing.
Take the Short-Term pledge and make a difference to someone’s life! Visit www.pioneerassociation.ie or contact
Fr. Liam on 056 776 4400.
Trócaire
Family Fast Box
This Lent we prepare
ourselves for the promise of the life of the world to come, when every tear
will be wiped away and there will be no more suffering, hardship, greed or
injustice. Lent wakes us up to the
promise that Christ overcomes darkness, despair, destitution and
devastation. As our parish prepares for
Easter let us actively play our part to give concrete expression to that
promise every day. Trócaire Family Fast
Boxes are available at the church today - please take one home with you.
Talks on
the Bible for Lent
Fr. Willie Purcell will present a series of Talks for Lent at St.
Patrick’s Parish Centre. All welcome.
Tuesday, 19th February at 11.00am - An Introduction to the Bible.
Tuesday, 26th February at 11.00am - Characters of the Bible.
Lenten Alms
We invite parishioners to
contribute to the annual Lenten Alms collection. This collection contributes to the income of
the priests of the parish and Bishop Freeman.
Please use the special envelope in your contribution pack or any
envelope with your name and address attached.
Your priests acknowledge and appreciate your generosity.
Parish
Volunteer Sunday
Last weekend St. Patrick’s Parish held ‘Parish Volunteer Sunday’ during
which we encouraged parishioners to assist with various ministries in the
parish. Thanks to those who offered
their help - we will be in touch with you shortly. Forms are still available in the churches for
those who need them. Please return them
as soon as possible.
Parish
Shop
Available in the Parish Centre is a wide variety of religious goods and
books. Among the items for sale are
Baptismal candles and items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently
Deceased: Jimmy Phelan, late of Patrick
Street and Cullahill, Co. Laois. Reposing
at Johnston’s Funeral Home. Rosary at 8.00pm on Monday. Funeral prayers at 10.00am on Tuesday
followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church for Requiem Mass at 11.00am. Burial
afterwards at Foulkstown Cemetery. Colm
Kennedy, St. Francis Terrace. Christina Kelly, Fr. Albert Place. Tommie Ryan,
Troyswood & Johnswell Road. Paddy McGuinness, Maudlin Street.
Months Mind: Sean Bolger (Sun 10.00).
Anniversaries: Philomena Summers (Sat 6.15). Michael Walsh
& Milo Bourke (Sat 7.00). Mollie Johnston (Sun 10.30). Maureen Barry (Sun
11.00). Michael Phelan & Bridget Lannon (Sun 12.00). Peadar Flanagan (Sun
12.30). Ann Somers (Tue 9.30). Mary Lynch (Tue 10.30). Ann Kelly (Wed 10.30).
Jenny Clancy (Fri 6.15). John O’Rourke. Mary Lynch. Ann Delaney. John O’Neill.
Sarah Tynan. Seamus Culleton. Christy Walsh. Billy Maguire. Mikey Holland.
Intentions for next weekend: John & Bridget O’Rourke (Sat
6.15). Sr. Conleth Donohoe (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Vera Phelan (Months Mind
10.00). Pat Kearney (Sun 10.30). William Smith (Sun 11.00). Brian Griffin (Sun
12.00). Joe Lawlor (Sun 12.30).
Cake Sale and Coffee Morning
There will be a Cake Sale at the
Parish Centre after all Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church next weekend, 23rd/24th March. Coffees/Teas
will also be served after the Sunday morning Masses. This is to help raise funds to enable young
people with special needs to travel to Lourdes at Easter. The event is organised by Fr. Dan and Group
174 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.
www.ihcpt.com. The Parish Centre
will be open from 3.00pm on Saturday 23rd to accept any donations of cakes etc.
Your support would be appreciated.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the local conference of the Society of St.
Vincent de Paul will be taken up at all our Masses this weekend. Thank you for your support of this local
charity. Those who are in need of the
society’s help can contact them at 087 681 0589. Alternatively, you can write your request and
put it in a sealed envelope and drop it into the Parish Centre. All requests for help are dealt with in the
strictest confidence.
Kilkenny
City I.C.A. 60th Anniversary
We are celebrating the
60th Anniversary of the Kilkenny City I.C.A on Wednesday, 20th February at
7.30pm in the Club House Hotel. We are seeking out all who were members over
the years to join us for dinner and entertainment. Phone Catherine at 776 4838 for details.
Lost and
Found
A small chain and cross have been found in the vicinity of St. Fiacre’s
Church. Contact the Parish Office 056
776 4400.
Kilkenny
and Carlow Contact
This is a befriending and support organization for older persons.
Volunteer induction and open morning in the Fr. McGrath Centre on Monday, 18th
February from 11.00am - 12.30pm. Please
come along if you are interested in volunteering with us. We ask volunteers to donate an hour or two
each week to visit an older person who may need social contact and community or
security connections. Please contact
Eleanor Doyle, Coordinator or Mary Colclough, Development Worker on 056 775
1988.
Living
Well with Arthritis
The Neighbourhood Centre, Butts Green (Snooker Hall, next door to St. Vincent
de Paul). 6 weekly sessions; starts
Thursday, 28th February. 7.00pm -
9.30pm. Consists of 6 weekly sessions. Cost: €30 for 6 sessions.
Nature in Poetry and Prose
A 6-week course begins on Tuesday, Feb 26th, 7-9pm. Exploring work from Wordsworth and Heaney to
Hughes and haiku, course fee €90, including tea/coffee. To book, call 7775910
or email Kilkenny.campus@nuim.ie. Kilkenny Campus is located at St Kieran’s
College.
