Ascension of the Lord, Sunday, 20th May 2012

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to the pupils of St. Patricks de la Salle Boys’ School, St. Patrick’s Special School, Kells Road, the School of the Holy Spirit, Seville Lodge and the Kilkenny School Project who celebrated their First Holy Communion this weekend.  We pray that the Eucharist will have a special place in your lives as it brings you closer to Jesus.

We appreciate the work of all those involved in preparing the children so well: the parents and guardians, teachers and school staff, Do This in Memory Coordinators, priests and all others who helped in any way.

Foulkstown Cemetery

By now regular visitors to Foulkstown Cemetery  will have noticed that the main gate at the far end remains closed.  Sadly, we have had to take this action in an attempt to prevent the illegal dumpers who show no respect for our cemetery by dumping household rubbish.  We regret any inconvenience caused to parishioners and visitors alike.

Please be aware that Foulkstown Cemetery is not a dumping ground.  The waste disposal facilities provided are for withered flowers and wreaths from Foulkstown Cemetery graves only.  We ask people to keep a close eye out for people who are dumping and forward their car registration numbers to the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.

Tickets for the Eucharistic Congress

We are delighted that many people from our parish have booked tickets to attend next month’s Eucharistic Congress in Dublin.  Those who booked tickets for events at the RDS will be able to pick up their tickets at the venue on the day.  Those tickets for the Croke Park event booked through the Parish or Diocesan Offices will be delivered to the diocese for distribution.  We will be in touch as soon as we receive our allocation of tickets. Further information on the congress is available on iec2012.ie

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Patrick (Sonny) Nolan, 6 Bohernatounish Road.  Funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 7.00pm on Saturday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church.  Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am on Sunday followed by burial at Clara Cemetery.

Patricia Frawley, 4 Cashel Avenue.  Requiem Mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery.  

Breda Conoboy, 12 Woodlawn, Archers Avenue.  Funeral arrangements will be announced later.  Martin Leahy, Grovine. Maureen Phelan, 83 Assumption Place.  Sr. Peg Rice, Sisters of Mercy, Athy. Anastasia Lahert, Waterford.

Anniversaries: Ellen Garrihy (Sat 6.15). Mary Glennon (Sat 7.00), John Cleere (Sun 9.30), Ciaran Flood (Sun 10.00), Tom & Oliver Kennedy (Sun 10.30), John Coppinger (Sun 11.00). Marian O’Sullivan (Sun 12.30), Bridget Cody (Mon 9.30), Kathleen King (Tue 9.30), Bridget Barry (Wed 10.30), Joe Davy (Thurs 9.30), Rev. Richard Conway (Thur 10.30), Margaret Maher, Jim Lanigan,  Michael & Christina McGrath, Tom & Sean Brett, James & John Doheny, Patrick & Martin Browne, Sheila Batten, Molly & Jack Brennan, James Morris, Joe Kelly, Johnny Murphy, Annie Bourke, Molly Owens.

Intentions for next weekend:  Michael Maher (Sat 6.15), Patrick William Doheny (Sat 7.00), Blánaid Cleere Manning (Sun 10.00), Angela Quigley (Sun 10.30). Tommy, Kitty & Martin Phelan (Sun 12.00). Martin Neylon (Months Mind, Sun 12.30).

St. Vincent De Paul Collection

The monthly collection for the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the Society will be taken up during the second collection at Masses this weekend. Please be as generous as possible.

Prayer for Healing

There will be healing prayer at St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday between 7.30 and 10.00pm.

The Ascension of the Lord

The Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension is celebrated on this Sunday.  Ascension Day is traditionally celebrated on a Thursday, the fortieth day of Easter (following the count given in Acts 1:3), although some bishops’ conferences (including Ireland) have moved the observance to the following Sunday.

Kilkenny Gospel Choir

There will be a Cake Sale in aid of Kilkenny Gospel Choir Charity after 10.30am and 12.00 noon Masses in St. Fiacre’s Church on next Sunday, 27th May.  The Kilkenny Gospel Choir will sing at the 12.00 noon Mass.

Grand Variety Concert

A Grand Variety Concert will be staged at Langton’s Set Theatre, John’s Street, Kilkenny on Thursday, 24th May at 7.30p.m. Tickets at €20 are available at the venue, phone 776 5133. There will be an intermission with wine and finger food. The Unity Singers will be joined by Cara O’Sullivan, Soprano and Tanya Sewell, Mezzo Soprano.  Early booking is advised.

Bag Pack for GROW

If you have an hour to spare we would be very grateful for any help with a Bag Pack in Supervalu from Thursday, 7th to Saturday, 9th June in aid GROW Mental Health Movement.  Please contact Mary/ Eileen 056 776 1624 if interested.

Mens’ Action Network

Day trip to Kilmainham Jail, Dublin Castle and Chester Beatty Library.  Tuesday, June 5th.  Admission Fees, Bus and Dinner at the Maldron Hotel, Portlaoise. Cost €40.  Bus leaves Butts Green at 8.30am.  For booking contact Larry: 086 129 0284 or Eamonn: 056 778 9749.

Foulkstown School Reunion

We welcome all who have returned for the Foulkstown School Reunion this weekend.  Hopefully, all will have a great get-together with memories and chat about old times.

Kids Mini Marathon and Adult 5K

A Kids Mini Marathon and Adult 5K will take place on Father’s Day, 17thJune at Kilkenny Castle Park with kick off at 2pm. Children and Teens are welcome to take part. An Adult 5k will take place directly after the kids run also in the Castle Park ensuring the whole family can participate and have fun while raising much needed funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Chernobyl  Children International. Entry for the Kids Run is €5 and the Adult 5K is €10 but participants are not asked to raise any sponsorship; a welcome relief to many as raising sponsorship can be hard in these difficult times. Registration forms are available from Studio One Barbers, Loughboy and Hennessy’s, Newpark Shopping Centre or alternatively you can register on the day but must be there for 12.45pm at Kilkenny Castle Entrance Gates.

Family Field Day

On Sunday, May 27th Bunscoil Mc Cauley Rice in Callan will host their first Family Field Day from 2.00pm to 6.00pm.  It will be filled with lots of fun for all the family: wheel of fortune, big bouncy castle…  Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be there on the day!

Kilkenny Parks Tennis

Summer Tennis Coaching Camps start on 2nd July for 4 weeks (each programme runs for 2 weeks).  For children aged between 6 and 17 years.  Registration at Presentation Secondary School on Saturday, 9th June from 2.00 - 4.00pm.  Cost € 15 per child.  For more information please call 085 282 8846.

6th Sunday of Easter, 13th May 2012

First Holy Communion

Congratulations to the pupils of St. John of God Girls’ School who celebrated their First Holy Communion in our parish this weekend.  We hope you all had a wonderful day and we pray that the Eucharist will have a special place in your lives as it brings you closer to Jesus.

Next weekend the pupils from St. Patrick’s de la Salle Boys’ School will receive their First Holy Communion at 11.00am at St. Patrick’s Church while the pupils of St. Patrick’s Special School will receive the Eucharist for the first time at 11.00am at St. Fiacre’s Church.  We keep them in our prayers also.

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased:  Eamon Cregan, Park View Drive, Freshford Road.  Reposing at Hehir’s Funeral Home from 4.00pm on Sunday with funeral prayers at 6.00pm followed by removal to St. Canice's Church.  Requiem Mass on Monday at 11.00am followed by burial in St. Kieran’s Cemetery.  Br. Sean Murphy CBS, Kilkenny.  Louisa Broderick, Curron, Killarney, Co. Kerry. (Mass at Friday 7.30pm at St. Fiacre’s Church).

Months Mind: Christina McLoughlin (Wed 10.30).  Tom Fitzpatrick (Thurs 10.30).

Anniversaries: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15). Deceased members of St. Kieran’s College Class of 1962 (Sat 7.00). Patrick Foley & Patrick Foley Jnr (Sun 9.30). Charles Slattery (Sun 10.00). Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00). Gerard Carolan (Sun 12.30).  Michael Deegan (Tues 10.30), David McGrath (Thurs 12.30pm in Foulkstown, followed by burial). Jack & Bridget Leahy (Fri 10.30).  Rosemary Tierney, Liam Meehan, Robert Kenny, Eileen Culleton, Noreen McDonald, Patricia (Pat) Murphy, Margaret (Peggy) Lawlor.

Intentions for next weekend: Ellen Garrehy (Sat 6.15). John Cleere (Sun 9.30). John Coppinger (Sun 11.00). Marian O’Sullivan (Sun 12.30).  May they rest in peace.  Amen.

Pilgrimage to Slievenamon

In preparation for IEC2012 a pilgrimage will take place to Slievenamon on Saturday next, 19th May.  Meet @ Church in Kilcash at 11.00am.   Please bring a change of clothing, a drink and a light snack and later we will proceed to the birthplace of Br. Edmund Rice at Westcourt, Callan for light refreshments and a talk on the Eucharistic Congress and Mass @ 4.00pm.

Both young and not so young are welcome to come along on the day.  If people can’t make the walk up Slievenamon please come along to the Mass at 4.00pm.

We have 30 young people from the Diocese of Ossory going to the Eucharistic Congress on 17th June and many of these are from St Patricks Parish.  

For further  details on the pilgrimage or the Youth Day at the Congress please contact Joe Malone on 086 312 8838.

Foulkstown School Reunion

Some tickets are still on sale for the Foulkstown School Reunion on next Saturday, 19th May at 8.30pm in the Springhill Court Hotel.  All past pupils, partners and family members are welcome to come along.  There will be Mass in Foulkstown Church at 7.30pm to start the evening.  A great evening’s reminiscing is guaranteed.  Do come along. 

Contact any of the committee for a ticket: Colm Kennedy 086 037 7732, Frank O’Neill 087 949 0669, Patty O’Neill 087 966 8037, Michael Doyle 056 772 3313, Timmy Byrne 086 827 1688 and Richard Eardley 086 176 7458.

Parish Finances

Please take a copy of our parish financial statement from the back of the church.  They are green in colour and cover the 2011 Financial Year. 

Our annual accounts are prepared by the Parish Finance Committee and audited by a local accountant.

Medjugorge Youth Group

Table Quiz in aid of Kilkenny Medjugorge Youth Group in Delaney's Bar, Patrick Street on  Thursday 17th May at 9.00pm. Table of  4 - €20.  Spot prizes galore - Raffle on night.  Please support.

Variety Concert for Charity

A Variety Concert will take place on Wednesday, 16^th May in the Set Theatre in aid of locally-based African charity, Kilimanjaro Direct. The admission is €5 with all proceeds going to the Kilimanjaro Direct school building fund. All are welcome.  Tickets available from the Set (telephone 776 5133) or on-line at www.set.ie..Doors .

Grand Variety Concert

A Grand Variety Concert will be staged at Langton’s Set Theatre, John’s Street, Kilkenny on Thursday, 24th May at 7.30p.m. Tickets at €20 are available at the venue, phone 776 5133. There will be an intermission with wine and finger food. The Unity Singers will be joined by Cara O’Sullivan, Soprano and Tanya Sewell, Mezzo Soprano.  Early booking is advised.

Cosmology/Care of the Earth

Title: The New Story – its implications for faith, life and living

Speaker: Br. Mark McDonnell

Date: Saturday 26th May 2012, Venue: St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy.

Time: 10.00am - 4.30pm. Cost : €10

 Please bring packed lunch - (tea and coffee will be provided) Please book before 18th May by contacting Pam or Catherina at 056 772 2870 between  9.00am and 5.00pm.

To Contact the Priest on Duty

Dial the parish number  (056 776 4400) and press 2 when prompted.

Bookings and Anniversaries

In order to avoid misunderstanding and upset, please note the following:

Names for inclusion in the weekly anniversary list MUST be in the parish office by Thursday at the latest.  After this date we cannot guarantee publication that week and announcements may be held over until the following week.

Anniversaries may be delivered to the Parish Office in person, by telephone, email or post (again to arrive before Thursday). Leaving anniversaries in sacristies, on altars  or in the priests’ letterbox is no guarantee they’ll arrive on time, e.g. if a priest happens to be away.

At least two weeks notice must be given for baptisms and parents are asked to please note we celebrate baptisms in a communal setting three times a month.

Weddings: couples must give at least three months notice to church and state and a booking form must be completed in order to book a wedding.  Forms are available at the Parish Office.

Register With Us

If you are new to our parish and would like us to know you a little better, consider registering with us. Telephone the parish office or contact a priest.

Eucharistic Congress Candles

The parish shop has received a supply of candles specially design for the upcoming Eucharistic Congress.  They would make a lovely souvenir of this great event.  Also a candle can be burned as your personal participation in the congress.  Ossory day at the congress in June 12th.

The candles cost €2 for the smaller candle and €2.50 for the larger one. 

See our candles on display in the foyer of the Parish Centre in Loughboy.

Bag Pack for GROW

If you have an hour to spare we would be very grateful for any help with a Bag Pack in Supervalu -Thurs 7^th –Sat 9^th June in aid GROW Mental Health Movement.  Please contact Mary/ Eileen 056-7761624 if interested in helping.

Mens Action Network

Day trip to Kilmainham Jail, Dublin Castle & Chester Beatty Library.  Tuesday June 5th.  Admission Fees. Bus & Dinner at the Maldrom Hotel Portlaoise. Cost €40.  Bus leaves Butts Green at 8.30am.  For booking contact Larry: 086 1290284, Eamonn: 056 7789749

Irish Catholic

The Irish Catholic Newspaper is on sale in our parish, cost €1.30 and is a great source of information and  news about our Church here in Ireland and across the globe.

5th Sunday of Easter, 6th May 2012

An Chéad Chomaoineach Naofa

Comhghairdeas leis na buachaillí agus cailíní ó Rang II, Gaelscoil Osraí, a ghlac an Chéad  Chomaoineach ar an Satharn i Séipéal Naomh Fiacra.  Congratulations to the 54 pupils of Gaelscoil Osraí who received their First Holy Communion at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday morning.  Well done to the pupils themselves, their parents and families and their teachers. 

On next Saturday at 11.00am 52 pupils from St. John of God Girls’ School will receive the Sacrament at St. Patrick’s Church.

Bank Holiday Arrangements

Welcome to all who have travelled home for the Bank Holiday.  We welcome too those who have come to holiday with us for the weekend.  We hope all will have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

Please note: the only Mass in the parish on bank holiday Monday is at 11.00am in St. Patrick’s Church. 

Foulkstown School Reunion

Tickets are now on sale for the Foulkstown School Reunion on Saturday, 19th May at 8.30pm in the Springhill Court Hotel.  All past pupils, their brothers, sisters and parents are welcome to come along.  There will be Mass in Foulkstown Church at 7.30pm to start the evening. 

We still need some more photographs connected with the school to show on the night.  Please contact any of the committee with your photos or for a ticket: Colm Kennedy 086 037 7732, Frank O’Neill 087 949 0669, Patty O’Neill 087 966 8037, Michael Doyle 056 772 3313, Timmy Byrne 086 827 1688 and Richard Eardley 086 176 7458.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society

The monthly meeting of the St. Patrick’s Branch of the Society will take place immediately after the 10.30am Mass on Friday, 11th May in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.   All welcome to come and promote vocations.

Eucharistic Congress 2012

· There will be an information evening for all planning to attend the Eucharistic Congress and Statio Orbis at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday, 17th May at 7.30pm.  It is hoped all tickets booked for the event will be available for distribution at this gathering (subject to tickets being issued from Dublin). 

· Over 1,000 Statio Orbis tickets have been booked through the Ossory Diocesan Congress Office and further booking through the diocese is no longer available.  Tickets may still be booked online until 9th May after which applicants must apply in person at the RDS during the week of the Congress, if any places remain.

· Ossory Youth is preparing for the Congress by gathering for a pilgrimage to Slievenamon and Westcourt on Saturday, 19th May. Further details will be available here next weekend.  We encourage our young people to participate.

· To help defray the costs the fourth nationwide collection for the International Eucharistic Congress will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.  Please contribute generously.

· To mark the commencement of the final month of preparation for the 50th International Congress the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, will celebrate Mass live on RTE1 television at 12 noon on this Sunday, 6th May.

· Iarnrod Eireann is willing to operate special trains for pilgrims from Waterford and Kilkenny on 12th and 17th June. However, booking is slow and the service may be withdrawn if there is insufficient interest.  Intending passengers are asked to book at your local train station as soon as possible.

· Parishes, schools, residents’ associations and householders are invited to display flags and buntings locally to mark the Congress occasion and to welcome pilgrims who will join us from all over the world.

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Betty Bolger, Loughboy Park.  Funeral arrangements later.  Martin Patrick Butler, St. Teresa’s Terrace.  Funeral Monday at 11am in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Joan Manning, Ballyfoyle.  Louisa Broderick, Currow, Co. Kerry. Margaret (Peggy) Wall, DeLoughrey Place. Ger O’Brien, 4 Newpark. Brigid O’Neill, Ballyhale.  Juan Martinez, Epson. Kathleen Power (Sun 12.00). Judy Lawson, London (Fri 10.30).

Months Mind: Patricia O’Neill (Sat 7.00).

Anniversaries: Martin Ryan (Sat 6.15), Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00), Maurice Nolan (Sun 10.30), John Hennessy (Sun 11.00), William O’Brien Snr, William O’Brian Jnr, Ann & Billy O’Brien (Sun 12.30), Mary Carroll (Tue 9.30), Patrick O’Neill (Wed 9.30), John & Catherine Alley (Thurs 10.30), Catherine  (Kit) Grace, Elizabeth Tynan.

Intentions Next Weekend: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15), Charles Slattery (Sun 10.00), Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00), Gerard Carolan (Sun 12.30).

 

Congratulations!

Well done to parishioner Thérèse Buckley, Outrath who has been chosen as Carlow/Kilkenny Carer of the Year.

Last Weekend’s Envelope Collection

Thanks for your contribution of €1,965.00 received last weekend.

Roving Reporters

The Village GAA Club invites parents to submit written reports and images of juvenile and youth level games for publication in their monthly newsletter.  Submit to news@jamesstephens.com.

Parish Shop

A wide range of items for First Communion and other religious items are available at our Parish Shop in the foyer of the Parish Centre.

Local Activities

· An hour’s prayer and adoration in honour of the Divine Mercy in the Capuchin Friary on 13th May from 3.00 - 4.00pm.

· Rosary at the Seville Lodge Grotto on the Callan Road at 3.00pm on each Sunday during May.

· Rosary at the Statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny in James Green recited this Sunday, 6th May at 3.00pm.

· Help us start a Kilkenny Branch of Arthritis Ireland. Come to St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, on Thursday, 10th May at 7.30pm.  For information: contact Arthritis Ireland on 01 647 0206.

· Due to the Bank Holiday the next meeting of the Kilkenny Coeliac Support Group will take place on Monday, 14th May, from 8.00pm at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel. For more information contact Edwina at 086 862 8626.

· Social Dancing Classes at the Parish Centre, starting Monday, 14th May from 7.00pm - 8.30pm.  8 weeks.  No need to book, just turn up.

· Facebook Classes for over 55s will commence at Loughboy Library on Wednesday, 30th May at 10.00am.  Booking at 779 4176.

· Writers Group - meets at Loughboy Library  every Thursday at 2.00pm.  All ages and abilities are welcome.

· Support The Bangers and Mash Lunch for Amber (Carlow/Kilkenny Women’s Refuge) on Thursday, 17^th May at the Aspect Hotel, Ring Road, Kilkenny – from 12.30 to 2.30pm. Donation €10.

· Kilkenny Flower Club's demonstrator Vera Carroll will be in Butler House on Thursday, 10th May at 8.00pm.  Members and non members are welcome to attend.

· A Grand Variety Concert will be staged at Langton’s Set Theatre, Johns Street, Kilkenny on Thursday 24th May at 7.30pm. Tickets at €20 available at the venue.  Phone 056 776 5133.

The Irish Catholic

The Irish Catholic, which is a great source of information and teaching from the Catholic Church is available to buy at the Sacristies.  It costs €1.30.