The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, 2nd November 2014

The Faithful Departed

All Souls’ Day is traditionally celebrated on 2^nd November. This day specifically commemorates the departed faithful who have not yet been purified and reached heaven. Catholics celebrate All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in the fundamental belief that there is a prayerful spiritual communion between those in the state of grace who have died and are either being purified in purgatory or are in heaven (the ‘Church penitent’ and the ‘Church triumphant’, respectively), and the ‘Church militant’ who are the living.

It is traditional on All Souls day to pray for the dead, by attending Mass and visiting (where possible), the graves of the deceased.  People also like to light a candle on this day in memory of those who have died.

November Lists of the Dead

Throughout November we remember in a special way our loved ones who have died.  Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam will each offer a novena of Masses especially for deceased parishioners.

Pre-printed commemoration sheets are available in all our churches for those who would like to write a list of deceased relatives and friends.  These can be placed before the altars and those listed will be remembered during our November Masses.  It is a good and wholesome thing to pray for our dead. 

November Remembrance Service

Our annual Parish Remembrance Service takes place on Thursday, 27^th 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 night of prayer .

First Friday Home Visits

The first Friday of November occurs this week. The priests of the parish will visit the housebound and sick at the usual times.  Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you, or anyone you know, would like to be added to the First Friday lis.

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Jack Devlin, Larchfield.  Requiem Mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am on Sunday followed by interment in Foulkstown Cemetery. Kitty Stallard, Danville. Esther Mullins, Warrington. Eileen Swift, Birmingham.

Anniversaries: Jack Garrehy (Sat 6.15). Ned O’Neill (Sat 7.00). Cormac Cullen (Sun 10.00). Declan Walsh (Sun 10.30). P.J. Marrinan (Sun 12.00). Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.30). Michael Kennedy (Fri 9.30), Dominic Coll (Fri 10.30), Michael Phelan (Sat 9.30). Julia & Richard Ryan. Jack Welford. Mary Russell. Alan Mooney. The Gleeson & Cullen Families. Anna, Mary, Michael & Paddy Bowe. Joe Gargan. Joe Dowling.

Intentions for Next Weekend: John Glynn (Sat 6.15). Richie Delaney (Sat 7.00). Margaret Moore (Sun 9.30). Charles Carroll (Sun 10.00). John Cullen (Sun 10.30). Paul Maloney (Sun 11.00). Martin Brett (Sun 12.00). Mary Shannon (Sun 12.30).

Important Notice

During the winter months Adoration in St. Fiacre’s Church will finish at 9.00pm.  Those who keep watch between 9.00 an 10.00 are asked to take note. Thanks to all who take part in this worship.  

Parish Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Many thanks to almost 500 people who offer their time and talents as volunteers in our parish. Our Volunteer Appreciation evening is our way of saying thanks.  A great night!  Special thanks to the organisers of the event.

Saturday Adoration and Prayer

There will be no Adoration and prayer after 6.15pm Mass on this Saturday, 1^st November. This time of prayer will return on Saturday, 6^th  December. 

Readers - Final Call

We are updating our lists for next year.  Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you would consider being a reader at our Masses.

Westcourt News

The monthly Mass to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice in our lives and for his canonisation will take place in Westcourt on Monday, 10^th November at 7.30pm.  Please note the change of date. All are welcome.

John Paul II Awards

We understand that many young people are enrolling for this year’s John Paul II Award Programme at the moment.  Those interested in providing some service in our parish should contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.

Plate Collectors - St. Patrick’s Church

We require plate collectors for all Masses in St. Patrick’s Church. This  involves distributing baskets for both collections and assisting in bringing the baskets into the sacristy at the end of each Mass.  We require at least one person to assist the current collector at each Mass. Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you normally attend one of the four Masses in St. Patrick’s Church and are willing to help.  Thanks to all who help at the moment.

St Martin De Porres Triduum

The annual Triduum will be held at the Black Abbey during the coming week. 

Monday 3^rd:10.15am Rosary; Mass at 10.30am; 7.15pm Rosary, Mass at 7.30pm (With Anointing of the Sick). 

Tuesday 4^th: 10.15am Rosary; Mass at 10.30am; 7.15pm Rosary; Mass at 7.30pm. 

Wednesday 5^th: 10.15am Rosary; Mass at 10.30am; 7.15pm Rosary; Mass at 7.30pm.  All welcome.

Angel Days

The Irish Wheelchair Association will hold its national fund raiser “Angle Days” on Thursday, 6^th and Friday, 7^th November. Angel pins, angel phone charms and angel fun packs will be on sale at €2 each. All funds raised are spent on services for local people with physical and sensory disabilities.

Polish School / Polska Szkola

Polska szkola rozpoczyna dzialalnosc w Kilkenny  7 listopada o 16.15 w szkole Gaelscoil Osra, Outrath Road.

Spotkanie z rodzicami odbedzie sie 4 listopada o 19.30 w St. Patrick's Parish Center, Loughboy.

Kontact: Yolanta @ 087 958 02331.

Daj szanse swojemu dziecku.

Polish school starts on the 7th November at 4.15pm at Gaelscoil Osrai, Outrath Road.

Parent-Teacher Meeting will take place on 4^th November at 7.30pm at St. Patrick's Parish Center, Loughboy.   Contact: Yolanta @ 087 958 0231

Give your child a chance!

Coeliac Support Group

The next meeting of the Kilkenny/Carlow Coeliac Support Group is on Monday, 3^rd  November at 8.00pm in St. Patrick's Parish Centre, Loughboy. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.

Mindfulness Course

Living mindfully is living the present more fully.  Mindfulness course to commence Thursday, 8th January in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.  Contact Dympna 086 894 6633 for information.

Mini Messers

"No Fuss Messy Play" is a Sensory Art/Messy Play for babies and toddlers 6 months - 5 years. It runs once a month in the Parish Centre. The next session runs on Tuesday, 18th November. Call Karen on 086 326 8061 or Orla 087 933 4884 for information.

Prayer for All Souls Day

Lord God,
you are the glory of believers

and the life of the just.
Your son redeemed us
by dying and rising to life again.
Since our departed brothers and sisters
believed in the mystery of our resurrection, let them share the joys and blessings of the life to come.  Amen.

Ossory Times

Sharing the life of our diocese.  The latest edition of this quarterly magazine is available in the Sacristies and at the Parish Centre.  Among other things this edition has articles on our new diocesan deacon, the Do This in Memory Programme, Pope John Paul II Awards and the Great War.  Cost is only €2.

Limited Newsletter Space

Our newsletter space is limited so we are often unable to fit in items.  Sorry! Parish notices get priority, followed by diocesan announcements and after that we fit in as much as we can.  Please keep items short  and get them in early.  We will do our best.  Thanks.

All Saints

The Solemnity of All Saints is celebrated on 1st  November in honor of all the saints, known and unknown. In Western Christian theology, the day commemorates all those who have attained the beatific vision in Heaven. It is a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church.

The origin of the festival of All Saints celebrated in the West dates to May 13, 609 or 610, when Pope Boniface IV consecrated the Pantheon at Rome to the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs. The feast of the ‘dedicatio Sanctae Mariae ad Martyres,’ has been celebrated at Rome ever since.  The feast of All Saints, on its current date, is traced to the foundation by Pope Gregory III (731.741) of an oratory in St. Peter's for the relics "of the holy apostles and of all saints, martyrs and confessors, of all the just made perfect who are at rest throughout the world",

In English-speaking countries, the festival is traditionally celebrated with the hymn "For All the Saints" by William Walsham How. The most familiar tune for this hymn is Sine Nomine by Ralph Vaughan Williams.  Catholics generally celebrate All Saints with a day of rest consisting of avoiding physical exertion.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 26th October 2014

Parish Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Our Parish Volunteer Appreciation evening takes place on next Saturday, 1st November at 8.00pm. This evening gives us an opportunity to show appreciation to the multitude of people who volunteer in our parish in many different ways.  If you are a volunteer in our Parish and have not received a letter of invite, our apologies on a failed distribution system.  We hope you will still join us and a ticket is available at the Parish Centre.  Tickets are free but essential to help us plan catering for the evening.  Please collect your ticket before Tuesday and we look forward to seeing you in the Springhill Court on the night.

Altar Servers - Final Call

This is the last weekend for applications for altar serving.  Those who intend serving should complete an application form available in all of the sacristies and the Parish Office.  Current servers must also fill out and return these forms.  Parental permission is required for all servers new and current.

Ministers of the Word

We are currently compiling new rosters for Readers/Ministers of the Word.  Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you would consider being a Minister of the Word at our Masses.

We understand that many young people are enrolling for this year’s John Paul II Award Programme at the moment.  Those interested in adding ‘Reading in Church’ to their achievements should register now.  Please contact the Office.

October Stations

We invite parishioners to contribute towards the income of the parish clergy and bishop through the October Stations. The October envelope is in your contribution pack which you received earlier this year.  Please contact the Parish Office if you didn’t receive parish envelopes and would like to.  The October Station is one of five collections taken up to support the priests.  Thanks to all who have contributed so far.  We are grateful for your generosity.

Plate Collectors - St. Patrick’s Church

We require plate collectors for all Masses in St. Patrick’s Church.  This  involves distributing baskets for both collections and assisting in bringing the baskets into the sacristy at the end of each Mass.  We require at least one person to assist the current collector at each Mass. Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you normally attend one of the four Masses in St. Patrick’s Church and are willing to help.  You will join a group of experienced collectors who will show you what to do.

Sincere thanks to all who collect in all our churches; we are grateful for your help and assistance.

Mission Sunday Collection

Because of the monthly collection for the Society of St. Vincent De Paul scheduled for last weekend we deferred the annual Mission Sunday collection until this weekend.  Please give a little extra at the second collection and we will forward your contributions to World Missions Ireland who support more than 1,500 Irish born missionaries still in the field.

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Vera Davis, England. Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 11.00am on Thursday followed by burial of ashes in the adjoining cemetery. Bernadette Dermody, Rosemount, Newpark Drive.   Ann McInerney, Australia.

Months Mind: John Scanlon (Sat 6.15).

Anniversaries: Olive Barry (Sat 7.00). Gerard Moynihan (Sun 9.30). Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Tom Foley (Sun 10.30). Eugene & Nora Curry (Sun 11.00). Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00). John Joe Kealy (Sun 12.30). Joseph Brennan (Tues 10.30). Tess O’Neill. Breda Hehir. Annie (Nancy) Tiernan. Philip O’Brien. Sheila O’Beirne. Anastatia Muldowney. Angela & Thomas Prendergast. Ned Mahon. Josie Walsh.

Intentions for Next Weekend:  Maura Brennan (Sat 10.00). Birute Poskaite (Sat 10.30). Paddy Murray (Months Mind Sat 12.30). Jack Garrehy (Sat 6.15). Ned O’Neill (Sat 7.00). Cormac Cullen (Sun 10.00). Declan Walsh (Sun 10.30). Michel Phelan (Sun 11.00). P.J. Marrinan (Sun 12.00). Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.30). 

Bank Holiday Monday

On Monday the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am.  There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday.

The Parish Office will reopen at 9.00am on Tuesday.  The Priest on Duty may be contacted by dialling 056 776 4400 and following the auto prompts.

Feast of All Saints

Next Saturday is the Feast of All Saints and is a holyday of obligation.  Beginning on Friday evening Masses in our parish will follow the usual weekend pattern.  The Vigil Masses for the Feast of All Souls will be celebrated on Saturday evening at 6.15pm (St. Fiacre’s Church) and 7.00pm (St. Patrick’s Church).

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers who have brought Holy Communion to the sick in the past and who may have borrowed a pyx from the parish are asked to return it to the Sacristy or Parish Office if you are no longer using it. Also, if you are still using the pyx please contact us and let us know. 

Ossory Times

Sharing the life of our diocese.  The latest edition of this quarterly magazine is available in the Sacristies and at the Parish Centre.  Among other things this edition has articles on our new diocesan deacon, the Do This in Memory Programme, Pope John Paul II Awards and the Great War.  Cost is only €2.

Relics of Saints

On 1st November in St Mary's Cathedral five hundred relics of saints will be  on display for veneration. Among the saints are Padre Pio, Therese, Dominic, Peregrine, Relic of the True Cross, Martin De Porres, Blessed Edmund Rice and other popular saints. The relics will be available for veneration during the 10.00am Mass and until noon on the Feast of All Saints.

Limited Newsletter Space

Our newsletter space is limited so we are often unable to fit in items.  Sorry! Parish notices get priority, followed by diocesan announcements and after that we fit in as much as we can.  Please keep items short and get them in early.  We will do our best.  Thanks. 

Bangers & Mash Lunch

The Samaritans Kilkenny Branch are hosting a Bangers and Mash Fund Raising Lunch on Thursday, 6^th November at the Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. Donation only €10. Drop by for a quick lunch to support this very worthy cause.

Book Launch

Please join Tom Burnell and the Kilkenny Great War Memorial Committee for the launch of his book commemorating Kilkenny war dead.  Kevin Myers, journalist and author, will attend from 4.30pm on Sunday, 2nd November Springhill Court Hotel. 

Mini Messers

"No Fuss Messy Play" is a Sensory Art/Messy Play for babies and toddlers 6 months - 5 years. It runs once a month in the Parish Centre. The next session runs on Tuesday, 18th November. Call Karen on 086 326 8061 or Orla 087 933 4884 for information.

Loughboy Library News

Wi-Fi is now available for your laptops and mobile phones at Loughboy Library.

Hallowe'en Storytime  & Crafts on Thursday at 11.30am.

Printing/Photocopying: A3 and A4 colour and  black and white available. 

Basic Computer Course commencing shortly.

CAO Information Evening

Ossory Youth presents a CAO Information Evening for parents and students facilitated by Declan Murphy, Career Guidance Counsellor on Wednesday 29^th October from 7.30 - 9.00pm. Step by step guide to CAO, questions and answers, demo application presentation. Information stands by Carlow IT and NUI Maynooth.

More notices on our Facebook and web page.

Home Instead Senior Care

We are seeking compassionate, dependable and experienced carers to assist our clients with day to day living activities including companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transport and assistance with personal care needs.  Flexible Part Time hours and Live In (2/3 days) positions available.  FETAC Care Qualifications and Patient Moving and Handling Experience Desirable but not essential as Full Training provided.  Fluent English. Please call 045-484623 or email helen.hatfield@homeinstead.ie

South Kilkenny Historical Society Lecture

A lecture on 1914 Ireland and the Coming of War with speaker Dr. Pat McCarthy on  Thursday, October 30th at 8pm in Mullinavat Parish Hall. Admission: €5 (members free). All welcome

Short Mat Bowling

Short Mat Bowling and Go For Life games are resuming in the Watershed on Tuesday, 4^th November from 8.00pm until 9.00pm.  No experience is necessary. First night is free to all! Come along and try it out!

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje

Leaving Dublin May 27th to June 3rd 2015. €529.00  if booked and paid in full before 10th December 2014. €679 applies after these dates. Spiritual Director Fr. Pat O'Donaghue. Limited places available. Contact Group Leader: Sean O'Shaughnessy 086 295 9380.

Mindfulness Course

Living mindfully is living the present more fully.  Mindfulness course to commence Thursday, 8th January in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.  Contact Dympna 086 894 6633.

Twenty Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 19th October 2014

That They May Have Life

In October, the Church celebrates Mission Month with World Mission Sunday celebrated on this Sunday, 19^th October. The theme for this year is .  We have a long tradition in the Irish Church of mission outreach to the less-well-off in our world.  Over 1,500 Irish Missionaries still serve faithfully the Gospel challenge that you may have life with the poorest in our world.  Talking to the young people in our schools at the moment suggests that a new generation wants to make the difference for the less-well-off in our world.  Praise God for the way the Holy Spirit continues to move our hearts.

Today is Mission Sunday: We thank God for your generosity to the work of the missions. Our diocese contributed more than €23,145 last year which in addition to helping the more than 1,500 Irish people still serving on the missions helps places that are in most need of the basics of food, water etc. This generosity of Kilkenny people continues today in your prayers and practical help on Mission Sunday and in recent years the many lay volunteers who work road for a year or two. Your generous contribution will be sent in its entirety to support many mission projects. We can’t do it without you. Large or small, it makes a difference and thank you for your help.

Pope Francis in the “Joy of the Gospel” calls on all to “take up the role of preacher of the Good News, joyfully bringing Jesus to every street, every town, square, every corner of the earth”.

Please contribute to next weekend’s Mission Sunday collection and continue your prayers for the success of the Church’s mission effort.

Altar Servers - New Members Needed

The new altar servers rota is being compiled in the Parish Office at the moment.  Current servers are asked to contact the Parish Office to confirm your willingness to continue as a server for another year.  New servers are very welcome too.  Please note existing servers will need to submit a new registration form.  Forms are available at the sacristies.  

Month of the Holy Rosary

October is the month of The Holy Rosary. “Say the Rosary every day... Pray, pray a lot and offer sacrifices for sinners... I am Our Lady of the Rosary. Only I will be able to help you. In the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”                                                    (Our Lady of Fatima)

Public Rosary

There will be Rosary in the Seville Lodge Grotto on the Callan Road at 3.00pm on each Sunday for the month on October.  Please come if you can.

The Rosary is recited before our parish Masses each day: 9.05am at St. Patrick’s Church and 10.05am at St. Fiacre’s Church.  Thanks to all who come along.

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Fr. Denis Treacy, Mill Hill Missionaries and Inistioge.  Funeral prayers at his family home in Inistioge at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Columbkille’s Church.  Requiem Mass at 2.00pm on Monday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.  Anne Nolan, Cashel Drive. Tom Walsh, Ballyreddin, Bennettsbridge. Sr. Alma Conway, St. John of God Community, Kilkenny. Sr. Catalina Camara, St. John of God Community, Wexford. John O’Brien, Loreto Park.

Anniversaries:  Frank Stapleton (Sat 6.15). Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00). Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30). Joseph Eardly (Sun 10.00). Ned & Anthona Burke (Sun 10.30). Paddy Cullen (Sun 11.00). Katryn Doran (Sun 12.00). Alfie Sheehy (Mon 9.30). Deceased Residents of Larchfield and Nuncio Road (Tues 10.30).  Bridget Butler (Wed 10.30). Helen Raftery (Fri 10.30). Jimmy O’Leary. Eithne O’Connor. Nancy Coyne. Bill Cody.  Jimmy O’Leary.  Kathleen Bawle. Mamie Shortis. Mark Nugent.  Julie Burke.  David Doran.

Intentions for Next Weekend:  John Scanlon (Months Mind Sat 6.15). Olive Barry (Sat 7.00). Gerard Moynihan (Sun 9.30). Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Tom Foley (Sun 10.30). Eugene & Nora Curry (Sun 11.00). Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00). John Joe Kealy (Sun 12.30).

Parish Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Our Parish Volunteer Appreciation evening takes place on Saturday, 1st November. Readers, Ministers, cleaners and plate collectors who have not yet received a letter are asked to pick one up at the sacristy of church in which you minister. Tickets, which are free, can be collected from the Parish Centre. 

Ministers of the Word

We are currently compiling new rosters for Readers/Ministers of the Word.  Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you would consider being a Minister of the Word at our Masses.

We understand that many young people are enrolling for this year’s John Paul II Award Programme at the moment.  Those interested in adding Reading in Church to their achievements should register now.  Please contact the Office.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection

The monthly collection for this parish based charity will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.  Please make your contribution at the second collection and the money will be passed to the parish conference for use locally.

How Can Prayer Transform My Life?

with Peter Hannan S.J. on Wednesday, 22^nd October at 8.00pm.  This evening presentation will address the question of what is real prayer and how can it change my life for the better.  Fr Hannan will explain this with specific reference to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, which greatly inform the life and work of Pope Francis and the renewal of the Catholic Church at this time. Prayer will be introduced as an education in love and relationships. The evening is free and is open to anyone to attend.  Integritas, Ennisnag, Stoneyford. 056 772 8902. www.integritas.ie

October Stations

We invite parishioners to contribute towards the income of the parish clergy and bishop through the October Stations. The priests and bishop acknowledge with gratitude your generosity.  Thanks.

Message of the Synod Assembly

The full official text of the Message of the Extraordinary Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, dedicated to the “Pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelisation” was released on Saturday afternoon and is available on our parish website and Facebook pages and at www.zenit.org

Ossory Times

Sharing the life of our diocese.  The latest edition of this quarterly magazine is available in the sacristies and at the Parish Centre.  This edition has articles on our new deacon, the Do This in Memory Programme, Pope John Paul II Awards and the Great War among other things.  Cost is only €2.

Monastic Experience

Do you feel attracted by the life of poverty and prayer which St. Clare and her sisters lived? If so, you could be a light in the church. Monastic discernment day at the Poor Clare Monastery, Carlow on Saturday 25th October from 11.00am to 5.00pm  For more information go to www.poorclarescarlow.ie.

Eucharistic Ministers

The new Eucharistic Ministers Rota is now available in all sacristies.  Please collect your rota now.

Bridge

Every Tuesday in the Parish Centre from 2.30pm.Those interested should come along. No partner required.

DREAM

Dementia Research Education and Advocacy in Motion is a peer support group for people living with dementia starting up in Kilkenny soon. There will be an information evening entitled “Living Well With Dementia” in Springhill Court Hotel Kilkenny on Wednesday, 29th October at 7.00pm.  All welcome.

Rockfall

The 26^th Rockfall Festival is taking place in Kilkenny 24th - 27th October. All proceeds from this Festival are donated to Enable Ireland, O’Neill Centre, Kilkenny. Programme on www.rockfallfestival.com.

Listen To And Learn From Grandparents 
“But let me ask you: Do you listen to your grandparents?  Do you open your hearts to the memories that your grandparents pass on?  Grandparents are like the wisdom of the family, they are the wisdom of a people.  And a people that does not listen to grandparents is one that dies!  Listen to your grandparents…  Like the Holy Family of Nazareth, every family is part of the history of a people; it cannot exist without the generations who have gone before it.  Therefore, today we have grandparents and children.  The children learn from their grandparents, from the previous generation.”  (Pope Francis)

Twenty Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12th October 2014

Harvest Thanksgiving Mass

Next weekend St. Patrick’s Parish will host a Harvest Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 10.00am on Sunday morning.  As we look around us and see the fruits of this year’s harvest, we give thanks to the Lord for his bounty. Looking closer each is different... not all regular in shape or size... The uniqueness of God’s creation...  all precious!

For the gift we are to each other...  for the people who have enriched our lives this year; family, neighbours, friends... those who have supported us, nourished our lives during the year...  Let us take this special time to call them to mind by name thanking God for our many blessings at their hands.  We invite you to make a special effort to come along to this Mass.

Parishioners are also invited to bring suitable produce to the church between 6.00pm and 7.00pm on Saturday, 18th October.  This might consist of flowers, vegetables, fruit, grain, jams,  etc. to be used in decorating the environs and for presentation during the offertory procession.

Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults

A Veritas representative will attend a short meeting on Monday 13th October at 7.30pm at St Patrick’s Parish Centre to meet with those in the parish and diocese interested in the possibilities of how we might use in our parishes the recently published Irish Catholic Catechism for Adults and a Workbook that accompanies it.  The Catechism may be used for individual study or in group work.  All welcome.

Altar Servers - New Members Needed

The new altar servers rota is being compiled in the Parish Office at the moment.  Current altar servers are asked to contact the Parish Office to confirm your willingness to continue as a server for another year.  New servers are very welcome too. 

Please note existing servers will need to submit a new registration form. Forms are available at the sacristies.  

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased:  Matty Hayes, Bennettsbridge.  Michael Bolger, Grovine West.

Months Mind: Lillie Coyne (Sun 9.30). Paddy Heffernan (Sun 12.00).

Anniversaries: Eddie Dean (Sat 6.15). Judy O’Brien (Sat 7.00). David & Ita O’Rourke (Sun 10.00). William & Margaret Howe & Mary Mullally (Sun 10.30). Joanie Waters (Sun 11.00). Nicola Conway (Sun 12.30).  Garry & Norah Dunne (Mon 9.30). Maureen O’Dwyer (Tues 10.30). John & Mary O’Connor (Wed 9.30). Richard Kelly (Wed 10.30). John Drea (Fri 10.30). Jimmy Bateman. Michael Doyle. Billy Maher. Margaret McNamara. Mary Dunne. The Dullard Family. Mick O’Leary.  Walter & Josephine Kavanagh. Eileen Barry.  Martin Mulhall. 

Intentions for Next Weekend:  Frank Stapleton (Sat 6.15). Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00). Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30). Joseph Eardly (Sun 10.00). Ned & Anthona Burke (Sun 10.30). Paddy Cullen (Sun 11.00). Katryn Doran (Sun 12.00). Eithne O’Connor (Sun 12.30).

October Stations

We invite parishioners to contribute towards the income of the parish clergy and bishop through the October Stations.  Special envelopes can be found in the contribution packs or use any envelope marked “Stations”. The priests and bishop acknowledge with gratitude your contributions towards their upkeep.

Parish Volunteer Appreciation Evening

In preparation for the Parish Volunteer Appreciation Evening on Saturday, 1st November the leaders of the various groups in the parish are asked to please call to the Parish Office to collect invitations to distribute to members of your group. 

Tickets (free) are now available at the Parish Office.

Divine Mercy Prayer

There will be an hour of prayer and Eucharistic devotion in honour of Divine Mercy in the Capuchin Friary on this Sunday 12th October from 3.00pm - 4.00pm.  All are welcome.

Mission Month: That They May Have Life

We have a job to do this October as we celebrate Mission Month. There are approximately 1,500 Irish born missionaries working in more than 80 countries.  They continue to spread the Gospel through their work, their deep commitment to the people they serve and their Faith. In essence, they lead by example and have helped to change, for the better, millions of lives all over the globe. It is fitting then that the theme for this year’s Mission Month of October is ‘That they may have life’...life in all its richness and dignity. The richness of knowing the Gospel and Jesus Christ and the dignity of having food to eat, a roof to sleep under and work to go to.

Through their work, our missionaries strive to make all this a reality for the people they serve. ‘The Society for the Propagation of the Faith’ organises the Mission Sunday collection in all Churches nationwide, which this year takes place on the 19^th October. We are invited to reflect on our call to bring Christ to others, while remembering to pray and to assist the young churches, that they may have the spiritual and financial resources to grow and in turn announce the Good News.

For further information about Propagation of the Faith or to make a donation please visit www.wmi.ie.

Ministers of the Word

We are currently compiling new rosters for Readers/Ministers of the Word.  If you would be willing to become a Minister of the Word please contact the Parish Office 056 776 4400.

Eucharistic Ministers

The new Eucharistic Ministers’ Rota is now available in all sacristies.  Please collect your rota now.

Family Table Quiz

St John of God National School Parents’ Council invites you to a Family Table Quiz on next Friday 17th October 7.00pm in the Parish Centre.  €10 for team of 4 which must include one child. Doors open at 6.30pm.  Cash prize,  so come along and test your general knowledge.  Family friendly questions.

Month of the Holy Rosary

October is the month of The Holy Rosary. “Say the Rosary every day... Pray, pray a lot and offer sacrifices for sinners... I'm Our Lady of the Rosary. Only I will be able to help you. In the end My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”                                                                 (Our Lady of Fatima)

The Cry of the Earth

To mark the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, (October 4th), the Irish Bishops Conference issued a new call to action for Climate Justice, entitled The Cry of the Earth.  Trócaire launched a Pastoral Resource booklet to encourage Christians to pray, study and act for Justice towards our world and universe.

While we are embroiled in non-stop discussions about new water charges, our world is in danger of serious water shortage, causing literally millions of deaths through starvation or disease. As Christians we have a duty to understand that we are only stewards of God’s creation and to do what we can to treat creation with respect and reverence as God’s gift to all, not the few.

The documents are available on www.trocaire.ie, and offer excellent material for prayer and reflection.

Foulkstown Cemetery

Our mapping and indexing of the old section of our cemetery is nearing completion.  Thanks to all who helped us identify unmarked and unnamed graves.  We now have a better idea of how many and where people are buried.  If you happen to have details about an unmarked grave do contact us and we will be happy to include their names on our files.  In the near future we hope to print a map of the different sections of our cemetery and put this up for people visiting the cemetery to see.  It is our hope that all this work will make finding and maintaining graves easier for everyone.

Kilkenny Horticultural Society

Lecture by Shirley Lanigan on Irish Gardens in the Club House Hotel on Wednesday 15th October at 8.00pm. €6.50.

Bridge

Every Tuesday in the Parish Centre from 2.30pm.

Anyone interested should come along. No partner required.

The Extraordinary Synod of Bishops

Those interested in finding out more about the Synod and its deliberations will find up to date and accurate information on www.zenit.org and www.catholicbishops.ie

Alzheimers/ Stroke related/Dementia

Alzheimers/Challenging Behaviour in Older Adults talk by Mia Mc Loughlin, Consultant Psychiatrist for Later Life. Are you providing extra support for a loved one? Could you do with additional support? If so, come along to our talk on Monday, 13^th October at 3.00pm at The Carers Association Centre, Springhill Clinic, Waterford Road, Kilkenny.

Monday’s Child

Barnstorm's play Monday's Child, on Saturday 18th October at 2.30pm & 4.00pm at The Barn Theatre.  This sensitive, imaginative and funny play tells a simple poetic story of the unique bond between and old woman and a young girl.  For children aged 4+ and their families. Tickets €6; Family of 4: €20. Bookings 056 7751266. More info: www.barnstorm.ie

Art Classes

Monday evening art classes starting soon, acrylics and oil for beginners and more advanced. For more information and to sign up please contact Sonja - 083 394 1220 email: artwithsonja@gmail.com