Generous love
A remarkable story of generosity featured on Joe Duffy's Liveline: Call Back programme on RTÉ recently. It was the story of Shane O'Neill, who had a history of drugs offences and ended up serving time in prison in Belgium. On release from prison he went to the Irish Embassy to ask for the price of a flight to return home, but was turned down. Another Irish man, Charlie Kiernan, overheard the exchange and decided to help, booking him a flight and buying him breakfast. When Shane asked how he could repay him, Charlie suggested he 'pay it forward'. The kind gesture was the catalyst for Shane turning his life around.
It is this sort of generous love that we hear about in today's gospel, in the parable told by Jesus. The master who cancels the servant's debt does so out of compassion and generosity. It is of no benefit to him to pardon the debt. He will be down ten thousand talents - one talent was worth more than 15 years' wages of a labourer, so we are talking about a large sum of money! The servant is grateful, but not so grateful that he is willing to take pity on a fellow servant who owes him just one hundred denarii - one denarius was the usual day's wage for a labourer.
The parable speaks to us about the kindness of God, but also what he expects from us. Because we have been loved, we must love. Because we have been forgiven, we must forgive.
Tríona Doherty
St. Mary's Cathedral Draw
The next draw will take place on Wednesday 27th September 2017. Many thanks for your continued support. To join the draw please contact Fr. Roderick.
St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the St. Vincent de Paul will be taken up as part of the second collection at all Masses this weekend. The St. Vincent de Paul can be contacted at 087 681 0589. Many thanks for your continued support.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Rene Murphy, Dukesmeadows. Bridget Delaney, Fr. MurphySquare.
Anniversaries: Eugene & Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15). Marian Lennon (Sun 10.30). Mary & Joan Bissett (Sun 11.00). Margaret Jones (Sun 12.00). Patrick Johnston (Sun 12.30). Mary, John & David Doran (Wed 10.30). Mary & James Long (Thus 10.30). Sarah & Patrick Leahy (Fri 10.30). John 'Sean' Curran. Mary & Patrick Blanchfield. Maurice Maher. Eileen Grace. Molly Browne. Kathleen Murphy. Margaret Morris. Sally Holden. Syd & Elizabeth Bluett. Paddy Larkin. Jimmy Owens. Nora Connick. Ernie Harrington. Anna Beale. Paddy Donoghue. Ger Kavanagh.
Intentions for next weekend: Milo Grogan (Sat 7.00). Paddy Moore (Sun 10.30). Deceased Members of the Byrne Family (Sun 11.00). Jack Nolan (Sun 12.00). Mary Ward (Sun 12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest. Anniversaries after that will be published the following week.
Parish Pastoral Council
A meeting of the Parish Pastoral Council will take place on Monday 18th September at 8pm in the Parish Centre.
Bestill and Know thatI am God - Psalm46
Christian Meditation will resume in St. Patrick's Parish Centre on Wednesday 20th September at 4pm. All are welcome.
St. Fiacre's Folk Choir
We are delighted to have St. Fiacre's Folk Choir back to our 6.15 Mass on Saturday evening. The choir practice at the Parish Centre on Tuesday eve- nings from 7pm to 8pm. New members are always welcome.
Aim High Youth Club
Aim High Youth Club for 1st & 2nd year students starts on Friday 22nd September in the Friary Hall, Kilkenny from 6.30 pm to 8 pm. Regular activities include: Games, Activities & Faith Formation. Contact Frank on 087 137 3050 for further details.
World Meeting of Families
For the past year, the Church in Ireland has been preparing for the World Meeting of Families which will be held in Dublin from 22nd to 26th August 2018. Two years ago, the Pope Francis selected Ire- land to host this event with the theme 'The Gospel of the Family, Joy for the World'. It is a great blessing for the Church and for Ireland. The Pope is expected to attend. Saint John Paul 11 established the World Meeting of Families in 1994 as an international event of prayer, catechesis and celebration. It is held every three years and it unites families worldwide in prayer and meditation on the central place of marriage and family, the cornerstone of our life, society and the Church.
Let us pray for the success of the World Meeting of Families.
Lord Jesus, bless all families throughout the world. Give comfort and solace to those who are burdened with ill health, anxiety or sorrow. May they always be steadfast in faith. Amen.
Loreto Secondary School
1st Year Enrolment September 2018
The closing date for applications for a First Year place is Thursday 12th October 2017. Application forms and admissions policy can be obtained from out website www.lotetokk.ie or the school office.
Open night for 6th class Girls
An open night will take place on Monday 25th September 2017 at 6.30pm. This is a ticketed event and tickets are available by either emailing your request to office@loretokk.ie or by calling to the school office.
Bargue Gerome Cours De Dessin
(Drawing Course). Explore this famous and fabled 19th-century drawing course. 10-week course, every Wednesday from 10.00am-12.30pm, starting 27 September 2017 at St. Patrick's Parish Centre. Cost: € 200. All materials supplied. 10% discount from Cork Art Supplies.
See www.classicalartatelier.com or telephone 087 660 9644 for info and booking.
Knock Shrine
Handel's Messiah - Saturday 18th November at 7.30pm sees the return of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to present Handel's 'iconic' Messiah at Knock Basilica. Conducted by Proinnsías Ó Duinn with soloists, Soprano Claudia Boyle, Alto Anne Marie Gibbons, Tenor Julian Hubbard and Bass Christopher Cull together with Our Lady's Choral Society, Cór Mhaigh Eo and Ballina Chamber Choir. Presented by Liz Nolan, RTE lyric fm.
Tickets available now at www.knockmessiah.com and at the Witness to Hope office Knock Shrine and Downtown Records Castlebar & Westport.
Online Theology Course
Join our supportive student community and study theology by distance learning this Autumn. Application deadline September 26th. 01 4048124. enquiries@prioryinstitute.com www.prioryinstitute.com.
A Cursillo Weekend
Are you willing to experience a Cursillo Weekend in Seville Lodge, Kilkenny? Are you seeking Happi- ness, Peace, Joy, Friendship, Human and Spiritual Development and wish to become the person Jesus wants you to be, then the Cursillo in Christianity Weekend is for you. Men's Weekend on 5th to 8th October 2017. Women's Weekend on 12th to 15th October 2017. For Details, Contact: Fr. Seán Kelly, OFM, Cap, Kilkenny Capuchin Friary on 087 055 0584 or email:kellybrosean@aol.com.
South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture
The Origins of Waterford Glass. Speaker: Dr. Martin Hearne. Date: Thursday, September 28th. Time: 8pm. Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church). Admission: €5 (society members and students free). All welcome.
Irish Kidney Association
The Annual Church gate collection in aid of the Irish Kidney Association Kilkenny Branch will take place next weekend Sat 23rd and Sun 24th September.
