Sunday, December 24, 2017

34th Sunday in Ordinary time, 26th November 2017

What sort of king is this?
From a very young age, children tend to hear a lot about  royalty.  Popular  fairytales,  many  of  them around for hundreds of  years, tell tales of beautiful princesses, brave princes, and noble, wise, old kings and queens. They transport children into a world of extravagant palaces and riches beyond anything they could  imagine.  Modern  children’s  stories  and  cartoons continue  the fascination, but  many now  turn the traditional stereotypes  on their head. Princesses
no longer wait around to be rescued, but take their fate into their own hands. Princes don’t necessarily want to be brave or to become the next king.
In the time of Jesus kings were powerful rulers, and  some  were  tyrants.  We  know  from  earlier  in Matthew’s Gospel that King Herod was capable of brutal  acts.  There  were  expectations  too  about  the great Messianic  King  who  would  lead  a  rebellion and establish his kingdom on earth.
The king that Jesus talks about turns these images upside  down.  He  is  a  fair  judge,  a  shepherd  who looks after his flock, inviting all who act with justice and generosity to take their place in his kingdom. He is  also  in  solidarity  with  the  ‘least’  of  his  people. Who ever heard of a king who knows what it’s like to  be  in  need  of  food,  clothing  or  company?  But Jesus is a different sort of royalty. His kingdom is not based  on power or riches,  but  charity, compassion and forgiveness.
Tríona Doherty
 

November Remembrance Service

Our annual Parish Remembrance Service takes place on Thursday, 30th November at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church.  During this service we will remember those who have died, especially those of our parishioners who died during the past year.  All are welcome and invited to attend  this special evening  of prayer.  Lists of the dead sheets are available in all of the churches.  Names can be filled in and placed in the baskets on the sanctuary.  May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen
 

Rosary

Rosary will be recited at the Town Hall in Kilkenny City on Thursday the 30th of November 2017 at 7.30pm. 

Pray  for Our Deceased Friends 

Recently Deceased:  Marie Cullen, Michael St. 
Months  Mind:  Maurice  Ryan  (Sun  9.30).  Mary Hennessy. 
Anniversaries: Billy Walton (Sat 6.15). James Fox Sat 7.00). Eileen Gleeson (Sun 10.00). John Drennan (Sun 10.30). Deceased members of St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band (Sun 11.00). Henrietta Hyland (Sun  12.00).  Mary  Maher  (Sun  12.30).  Frank McKenna Sr. (Mon 9.30). John & Margaret McCarthy  (Tues  10.30).  Michael  Shortall  (Thurs  10.30). Maureen  Nolan.  Patrick  J.  Crotty.  Ollie  Bergin. Sheila & Tony Bolger. Patrick Murphy. John Kelly. The Roche Family. Phillip O’Dwyer.  Eileen Barry. James Donnelly Sr. James Donnelly Jr. Sean Donnelly.  Theresa  Scanlon.  Kitty  McMyler.  Johnny Burke. Rory & Eddie McPhilips
Intentions  for  next  weekend:  Patrick  Malone  &  Eileen McCormack (Sat 6.15). Peter  & Julia Carroll (Sat 7.00). Mary  &  James  Mulrooney  (Sun  9.30).  Mary  Hennessy (Months Mind Sun 10.00). Maeve & Laurence Healy (Sun 10.30). Margaret ‘Madge’ O’Brien (Sun 11.00). Michael Dwyer (Sun  12.00). Patsy Hanrahan (Sun  12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest.  Anniversaries after  that  will  be published the following week.
 

Adoration

This year it has been decided to hold an hour of Adoration of  the  Blessed Sacrament in  every parish in the  Diocese  from  3-4pm  on this  Sunday 26th November, the Feast of Christ the King. To enable as many  people  as  possible  to  participate,  Adoration will take place in St. Fiacre’s & St. Patrick’s.
 

St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw 

The next draw will take place on Wednesday 29th November  2017.  Many  thanks  for  your  continued support.  Please contact Fr. Roderick to join.

Christmas Mass Bouquets 

Christmas  Mass  Bouquets, offering  the  recipient  a share  in  the  Christmas  Masses  celebrated  by  the priests of our parish, are available at the reception in the Parish Centre.  The cost is  €3.00 per card.

Need a Diary for 2018

At present we have Catholic Pocket Diaries (2 pages to a week) in the Parish Shop.  A limited stock available at €3.50 each.  
 

Thukolo Gospel Choir 

Lourdes Pilgrimage Fundraiser. In Aid of Group 174 of  the  Irish  Pilgrimage  Trust—bringing  children with  special  needs  from  Carlow/Kilkenny  to Lourdes.  Friday 8th December 2017 in St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.30pm. Only €8  pp.
Tickets  available from St.  Patrick’s  Parish Centre, Loughboy  and  at the door on the night. 
 

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

The Ossory  Adult Faith Development group is organising  a  diocesan  pilgrimage  to  the  Holy  Land. From 2nd to  10th October 2018  you  will  have  an opportunity to prayerfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus around many of the locations that framed his life and ministry. Visit Jerusalem, Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, the River Jordan, Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane and many other places as we reflect on the life of Jesus and his earliest followers. 
Pilgrimage  Chaplains:    Fr.  Kieran  O’Shea  &  Fr. Dermot  Ryan.
Return flights and accommodation €1,295 per person sharing (single rooms also available  with  supplement).    www.ossory.ie  &  Ossory Adult Faith Development Office on 056 775 3624. 
 

South Kilkenny Historical Society lecture 

The Rabbit Industry in Ireland. Speaker: Mr Michael Conry. Thursday, November 30th  8pm, Mullinavat Parish Hall. Admission: €5 (members and students free)  All welcome 
 

Medieval Mile Run

Ireland’s  Medieval  Mile  Run  –  (part  of  Yulefest celebrations) will take place on Friday, December 1st at 7pm. Time chipped event is €10 including t-shirt and the recreational mile is FREE. For more details, see www.myrunresults.com
 

Marian Movements of Priests 

A meeting of the Marian Movements of Priests will take place on Monday 27th November at 7.30pm at Villa Maria, Talbots Inch, Freshford  Road. Mass, Rosary & Holy Hour. All welcome.

Ossory Priests Society

The Ossory Priests Society is charged with making suitable financial provision for the care of the priests in the Diocese of Ossory in infirmity, sickness and old age.  Currently  the  Society  supports  16 priests.  The Annual Collection for this good cause takes place on this weekend of the Feast of Christ the King, 26th November 2017.
 

The Three Tenors

A  magical  Christmas  Concert  will  take  place  on Saturday 9th December 2017 at St. Mary’s Cathedral featuring The Three Tenors - Dominic McGorian, Shane Morgan & Derek Moloney.  Tickets €25 available from the Cathedral Bookshop & Diocesan Office and the Parish Office.  
 

Home Instead Senior Care 

The largest non-medical home care provider in Ireland.  This  December  we  urgently  require  CARE-Givers  in  County  Carlow  &  Kilkenny.  We  offer Flexible  Schedules,  Weekends,  Weekdays,  Evenings. Experience is an advantage, training provided, Supportive and Responsive Office Staff. Please call Philomena on 056 - 7800508 or email your C.V to Philomena.clarke@homeinstead.ie 
 

Dates for your Diaries

Remembrance Service: Thursday, 30th November at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church.
Parish  Carol  Service:  Sunday, 17th December at 4.00pm in Foulkstown Church.  
Parish  Confirmation:  Saturday,  24th February  in St .Mary’s Cathedral at 11am. 
First Holy Communion
Gaelscoil Osraí- Saturday, 28th April at 11am in St. Fiacre’s. 
School  of  the  Holy  Spirit  -  Friday,  4th  May  at 11.30am in St. Fiacre’s. 
KSP - Sunday, 6th May at 12noon in St. Fiacre’s.
St. Patrick’s,  Kells  Road  -  Saturday,  12th  May  at 11.00am in St. Fiacre’s. 
St. John of God
- Saturday, 19th May at 11am in St. Fiacre’s. 
St. Patrick’s De La Salle -  Saturday, 26th May at 11am in St Patrick’s.