Lá Fhéile Naomh Pádraig
Ceiliúraimid Lá Fhéile Naomh Pádraig Éarlaimh na hÉireann ar an Máirt seo chugainn, ní hamháin in Éirinn ach ar fud an domhain mhór. Tógadh mar sclábhaí é go hAontroim áit ar chaith sé, sé bliana ag aoireacht muc. Bhí sé mar nós aige guí chun Dé céad uair sa ló agus céad uair san oíche. D’éalaigh sé go dtí an Fhrainc agus oirníodh ina shagart é agus ina dhiaidh sin rinneadh easpag de. D’fhill sé ar Éirinn agus chraobhscaoil sé Soiscéal na Críostaíochta.
Tugann an fhéile deis dúinn buíochas a ghabháil le Dia as an tseoid luachmhar seo a bhronn Naomh Pádraig orainn. Gabhaimid buíochas chomh maith dóibh siúd idir chléir agus tuath a scaip an Creideamh ar fud an domhain. Bhí Pádraig umhal de shíor i láthair Dé. Ins an Confessio cuireann sé é féin in aithne dúinn mar seo “Mise Pádraig, peacach róthútach, an té is lú de na fíréin go léir agus an té is mó a bhfuil dímheas ag a lán.” Tugaimis ómós dó mar ba chóir.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig ar chlann mhór dhomhanda na nGael, sa bhaile agus ar fud na cruinne, ar ár lá náisiúnta ceiliúrtha féin.
St. Patrick’s Day and Eve Mass Times
Monday Evening: St. Fiacre’s Church (6.15pm). St. Patrick’s Church (7.00pm).
Tuesday: St. Patrick’s Church (9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 5.00pm (Latin)). St. Joseph’s Church (10.00am). St. Fiacre’s Church (10.30am and 12.00noon).
Latin High Mass
On St Patrick’s Day there will be a celebration of High Mass with Gregorian Chant at St Patrick's Church at 5.00pm. All welcome.
Extra Parish Mass for Lent
Each weekday, Monday to Friday, we have an evening Mass for Lent at St. Fiacre’s Church. This is provided as a way of helping people in their Lenten journey. To date this Mass is very well attended - all are welcome to join us.
Happy Mothers’ Day
We wish all our mothers a very happy day and join in praying in thanksgiving for their love.
Gracious God, we thank you for adopting us into your family through the miracle of your grace, and for calling us to be brothers and sisters to each other.
Today, loving God, we pray for our mothers:
who cared for us when we were helpless,
who comforted us when we were hurt,
whose love and care we often took for granted.
Today we pray for:
those who are grieving the loss of their mother,
those who never knew their biological mother, and now yearn for her;
those who have experienced the wonder of an adopted mother’s love;
those families separated by war or conflict.
Lord, give them special blessings. Keep us united with you and with each other, so that we can be and become all that we are meant to be. Amen.
Annual Parish Envelopes
We are currently preparing our new parish contribution envelopes for distribution. You can help in a number of ways:
· Those who regularly contribute to parish funds who have not received envelopes during the past few years are invited to let us know if you would like to receive envelopes this year. By using envelopes you help us to record your contributions, prepare accurate and transparent accounts and, in many cases, reclaim, at no cost to you, tax already paid on your contribution. Please consider requesting and using parish contribution envelopes.
· We are in great need of envelope distributers in certain streets, estates, roads, neighbourhoods and townslands in our parish. Volunteers agree to distribute a small number of envelopes to houses in a particular area.
Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you can help in either of these ways. Our parish needs your help right now!
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Sadie Lawlor, Rosehill Court. Mary O’Gorman, Graiguenamanagh. Richard (Dick) Marnell, London & late of 6 Newpark. Bridget Brady, Robert’s Hill & late of St. Francis Terrace. Mai Staunton, Attanagh.
Anniversaries: John Dooley (Sat 6.15). Mary & Michael Brannigan (Sat 7.00). Patrick & Teresa Kennedy & Marjory Foskin (Sun 9.30). Joseph O’Neill (Sun 10.30). Matthew Gleeson (Sun 12.00). John Barry (Sun 12.30). Thomas Donnelly (Mon 9.30). Bridget Eardly (Tues 10.00). Gerry & Mary Coyne (Tues 12.00). Michael Muldowney (Thur 9.30). William & Nora Lacey (Fri 6.15). Paddy Larkin. Mary Hickey. John & Kitty Cleere. Bridget Slattery. Billy Connick. Bernie Fitzgerald. William Meehan. Michael & Mary Conway. John Murray. Mary Browne. Ellen Audoire. James Doheny. Lou McCarthy.
Intentions for Next Weekend: John & Jack Ryan (Sat 6.15). Chris Kenny (Sat 7.00). Jimmy Waters (Sun 9.30). Billy Norris (Sun 10.00). Denis Kavanagh & Jessica Harper Brennan (Sun 10.30). Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00). Con & Patsy Kenealy & Sue Daly (Sun 12.30).
Parish Lourdes Fund Cabaret
The St. Patrick’s Parish Lourdes Fund Committee will hold a cabaret at The Village Inn, Patrick’s Street on Saturday, 21st March. Great music by the Uptown Band and guests. A great night is guaranteed; plenty of spot prizes. Tickets €5 at the door.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
Sincere thanks to the many parishioners who have purchased tickets in support of the St. Mary’s Cathedral Refurbishment Draw. Tickets for the first draw, which will be held on 25th March, are available at the Parish Office and the Sacristies. €10 per month.
Annual Novena to St. Joseph
The annual Mill Hill Missionaries Novena to St. Joseph continues until Thursday, 19th March. Mass and prayers every evening at 8.00pm in the Community Chapel at Mill Hill Missionaries, St. Joseph’s, Waterford Road.
St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the parish conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please be generous.
Coffee Morning
All are invited to support a special Coffee Morning at St. Mary’s Day Centre (behind the cinema) between 10.30am and 1.00pm on next Saturday, 21st March. Help a volunteer going to Lourdes to assist and support young people with special needs.
St. Patrick’s De La Salle Family Fun Run
A Family Fun 5k and 10k Walk or Run in aid of St. Patrick’s De La Salle School in our parish will take place on next Sunday, 22nd March. Race starts at James Stephens Club Grounds, Larchfield. Registration from 10.00am. All welcome - buggies, dogs on lead; fun for all the family. Entry: €10 per Adult; €5 per student; €25 per family or return a sponsorship card. Contact St. Patrick’s De La Salle 056 776 1081 for further information or sponsorships cards.
St. Patrick’s Boxing Club
Best of luck to the members of the local Boxing Club taking part in Leinster Championships over the next two weekends in Kildare.
Loughboy Library
The Writers Group will launch their first magazine at Loughboy Library on next Friday, 20th March at 6.00pm. All are welcome. Refreshments served.
Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership
The Go for Life Games aim to involve older people in recreational sport and focus on three sports that can be played in singles, pairs and teams. KRSP has two games scheduled for Kilkenny on the 23rd March and 27th April in the Watershed. Contact 056 779 4990.
Spring Is In The Air!
Mary Dillon’s Watercolour Painting Day for beginners and those with experience! At St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Saturdays 28th March, 18th April, 6th June from 10.00am to 3.00pm each day. Contact Mary on 087 222 4260.
Starburst Easter Camp
30th, 31st March and 1st April. Art, Drama, Music and Games. Suitable for children aged 4 - 12 years. Contact Kate on 085 114 2686 for more details.
School of the Holy Spirit
On behalf of all the parents and pupils in The School of the Holy Spirit a Special needs school in Kilkenny city we wish to say a big thank you to all those who very generously donated money at our recent church gate collection. All monies will go towards complimentary therapies which all the pupils greatly benefit from. We would also like to say a big thank you to all our volunteers whom without their support the church gate would not have been such a success .
Towards Peace: A Spiritual Support Service
Towards Peace offers spiritual support to survivors of abuse by Church personnel. This service is for those whose faith has been damaged by abuse and who wish to continue their search for meaning and for God. Feedback from survivors has highlighted the profoundly negative impact that abuse has had on their faith and on their relationship with God. Towards Peace is a whole Church response to this concern. By contacting Towards Peace the co-ordinator will help you to talk through your hopes and desire for inner peace. Once the service has been explained you will be in a better position to decide if it suits your needs.
Towards Peace offers an opportunity to talk to a trained spiritual companion. This will involve a series of conversations in which you can explore your relationship with God and seek His presence in your life. Towards Peace is funded by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Conference of Religious of Ireland, and by the Irish Missionary Union. Www.towardspeace.ie
