20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 14th August 2011

World Youth Day 2011 In 1985, the UN declared the International Year of Youth and Pope John Paul II followed suit by creating an event for young Christians to meet, to acknowledge their faith and to come together in peace and celebration: ‘I want to meet with you, to listen to you and to hear about your life...’ (John Paul II). 

Twenty-six years later this legacy lives on as this week one million young adults from around the world will descend on Madrid for the World Youth Day (WYD) events.  Consider an intimate life-changing retreat combined with a crowded rock concert – at WYD the Church is alive and it is young.  Four young people from St. Patrick’s Parish will join hundreds of pilgrims from Ireland and take part in this enormous festival of faith.  In a world where secularism and atheism are considered to be neutral stances this festival gives young people permission to celebrate their faith, to stand up and say, YES I am a Christian!  Please remember these pilgrims in your prayers this week as they journey with one another:

Lord, You have called our young people to make a journey of faith, and with the help of Your Spirit they have heard and answered the word You have spoken in their hearts.  Teach them to choose life and to choose what is just.  Help them to share with other the life You promise, especially in service of the poor.  Lead our young pilgrims along the way Lord, and make safe their journey to Madrid, to You and the life You promise. (USCCB)

Jane Mellett

World Youth Day Pilgrims
Sadly, there will not be an official Ossory presence at this year’s World Youth Day celebrations in Madrid.  However, we are delighted to know that four young people from our parish will travel with groups organised by the Dominican Fathers and the Loreto Sisters.  We wish our pilgrims well and promise to include them in our prayers during the coming week.

Keep updated by checking http://admin.madrid11.com/en for more information and videos of the pilgrimage.

15th August is a Holy Day

This Monday is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  It is a holyday of obligation for all Catholics.  Beginning with the Vigil Masses on Sunday evening at 6.15pm and 7.00pm the Masses for this holyday  follow our usual weekend timetable.

The Parish Centre will be closed on Monday.

Our friends at St. Mary’s Cathedral have asked us to remind you that there will be no 5.30pm Mass at the Cathedral on this Sunday.  However, the feastday Vigil Mass will be celebrated there at 8.00pm on Sunday.

Questions People Ask

Q. Was there any message from Our Lady to the visionaries at Knock?

A.  No words were spoken but the silent vision contained a most profound message.  Mary is not at the focal point of the vision but she is drawing our attention to the lamb standing on the altar, beneath the cross.  Between Mary and the altar, Saint John holds open the book of scripture, representing the liturgy of the word at the start of Mass.  The surrounding angels are a reminder that at Mass we are already participating in the perfect glorification of the Father.  The message of Knock is to contemplate the wonder of the Mass.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Weekly  Envelope Collection

Last week’s envelope collection amounted to: €2,670. Thank you for your generosity. 
Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you require an envelope pack.

Viatores Christi says Thanks

The members of Viatores Christi have written to express their thanks for the very warm welcome they received in our parish last weekend. They were greatly touched by the hospitality and response received from all in St. Patrick’s Parish. They express their sincere gratitude for €3,011.07 which was donated to their organisation. They were also delighted to receive some enquiries from people who may be interested in joining their missionary preparatory course.

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Patricia Power, Tingarran, Callan. (Sun 6.15). Michael Reade, Stockport and late of 149 Walkin Street.

Months Mind: Marie Manogue (Sun 11.00, Dónal O’Neill (Sun 12.30).

Anniversaries:  Mary Coogan (Sat 6.15), Margaret Shanahan & Joe Maher (Sat 7.00), Phil O’Neill (Sun 10.00), Josephine Glendon (Sun 10.30),  Elizabeth Foley (Sun 12.00), Joseph McHugh (Mon 12.30), Moscow Larkin (Wed 10.30), John, Ellen, Pat & Paul Butler (Thurs 10.30), Fintan Wallace (Sat 9.30), Christopher & Mary Ryan, Nance O’Neill, Richard Kenny,  Walter & Josephine Kavanagh, Ray Bolger, Christina Gargan, Eileen Tynan, Peadar  Blanchfield, Peggy Ryan.

Intentions for Next Weekend: James Bambrick (Sat 6.15), Eddie Kelly (Sat 7.00), Tom Drohan (Sun 10.00), Mary and Tom Byrne (Sun 10.30), Patrick McDonald (Sun 11.00), Della Harney (Sun 12.00), James & Mary Brennan (Sun 12.30).

Divine Mercy

In honour of Divine Mercy, there will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Friary Church on Sunday August 14th from 3 - 4pm.

The New Roman Missal
Changes in the people’s parts of the new edition of the Roman Missal to be introduced in November of this year include the following:

Dialogue before the Gospel

Priest: The Lord be with you

People: And with your spirit

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

Dochas Nasamu
An Irish run and Irish built orphanage, in Nairobi, Kenya, is holding a used clothing appeal for ladies, gents and children’s clothes, shoes, household linens, i.e. towels, sheets, blankets etc. Also, soft toys.  Drop off outside St. Patrick’s Parish Centre before noon on Monday, 15th August. Contact Marie on 087 689 0995 for further information.

Attention Eucharistic Ministers

Please keep in mind that Ministers of the Eucharist are not to give extra Communion Hosts to those who present a pyx or request an extra host.  Such requests should be brought to the priest at Mass and not the ministers. Genuine people commissioned to bring Communion to the housebound are aware at this stage that they should approach the priest to request an extra host. 

Those receiving Holy Communion should consume the host at the altar steps and not bring it back to their seats.  When necessary a priest or Eucharistic Minister will happily  take Holy Communion to those at Mass who are unable to approach the sanctuary.

It is never permissible to remove a Sacred Host from the church without explicit permission from the priest.

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Parish Gardens
We congratulate and thank all who work to keep the open spaces in our parish in top class condition.  All are volunteers and give their time and talent to keep our property around St. Patrick’s, St. Fiacre’s and St. Joseph’s in wonderful condition for the benefit of all.  Take a bow - you are doing great work.

Kilkenny Contact
Kilkenny Contact exists to hold out a hand of friendship and support to all older people in Kilkenny City and County.  Our main aim is to provide weekly visits for people who may feel lonely or isolated.  We do this by recruiting and training volunteers in visitation and communication with older people.  All our volunteers are registered with Volunteer Centre of Ireland and obtain Garda Clearance before visiting. 

Volunteers needed: We are looking for volunteers who are sincere, dependable, fun and friendly and have a genuine willingness to help.  We provide a training course and support for all our volunteers.  If you are an elderly person or if you know of an elderly people who may benefit from these visits please contact: 056 775 1988 or 086 410 8902.

Leaving Certificate Results

This weekend we are conscious of those awaiting the results of the Leaving Certificate Examinations 2011 due out during the week.  We wish you well and hope you achieve the results you want.  Good luck, too, with the CAO offers and we promise to pray with and for you as you make decisions about your future.

Musical Workshops

As part of Kilkenny’s Positive Ageing Plans for September, Musical Workshops will take place for the over 50s weekly from Tuesday 16^th August at 7.30pm in the Kilkenny Ormond Hotel. The workshops will culminate in the re-staging of “The Good Old Days” music hall variety show on 25^th September. If you are interested in singing, performing or getting involved contact Marianne on 086 196 1035.

Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre

Andy Irvine Concert on Thursday, 25th August.  Come and enjoy the music of Andy Irvine, member of legendary groups Sweeney's Men and Planxty.  Tickets €15. Details on www.ballykeeffe.com and Facebook.

CHY 2 Certificates

Please return signed outstanding CHY2 Certs (Tax Certs) as soon as possible.  Thanks.

Fun Field Day

The Kilkenny Rugby Club, Foulkstown will hold a fun field day for all ages on this Sunday,  14th August from 2.00pm to 6.00pm.  Items range from cake stalls, bouncy castles, wheel of fortune, pony rides, for the older youth penalty shoot out, strong man demonstrations, long puck and many more. 

Live bands including Marble City Band with a live D.J. all day.  Please come and support.

Loughboy Library

The Circus Stars Summer Reading Challenge finishes on Friday, 19th August.  Please return completed registration cards to the library and you will receive an invitation to the awards party in mid-September. 

A mixed-media exhibition by the locally based KK Art Group will run until 26th August.

Heritage Week - ecologist Billy Flynn will talk about the Flora & Fauna in Kilkenny City on Thursday, 25th August at 11.00am.

 

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 31st July, 2011

Alone Time

Earlier this year I read a selection of entries for a Mother’s Day competition, in which sons and daughters described why their mother deserved the prize.  The entries had several themes in common – She never does anything for herself; she’s always thinking of other people; I can’t remember when she last had a break. 

In today’s Gospel it is Jesus who needs a break.  It is a very human Jesus that we encounter.  Having learnt of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws from the crowds in a boat to a ‘deserted place’.  Like any of us, he feels the need to be alone from time to time, and this is a time of particular pressure for him.  He has been preaching solidly for some time, Herod is asking questions, and now he hears his cousin John has been killed. 

But there is little time for rest.  Seeing the crowds that follow him, Jesus feels another very human emotion – pity.  The disciples are protective of Jesus and want the people to go away, but Jesus has other ideas.  It is a compassionate Jesus who addresses the hunger of his large crowd of followers. 

While he needs time to reflect and pray, and we can only imagine how tired and weary he feels, he is happy to postpone his own needs it while he cares for his flock.  It’s an example followed by many a parent.  But it is interesting to note what follows the story of the feeding of the five thousand.  Having dismissed the crowds, Jesus makes another attempt to retreat by himself, this time up a mountain.  His alone time is important.

Triona Doherty.

Bank Holiday Monday

The only public Mass in the Parish on Bank Holiday Monday is at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church.  There will not be exposition at St.  Fiacre’s Church on Monday.

St. Rioch’s Cemetery Mass

The annual Mass for those buried at St. Rioch’s Cemetery, Walkin Street will take place on Thursday, 4th August at 7.30pm.  All are welcome.

Questions People Ask

Q.  Did St. Peter really walk on water?  It defies the laws of science. Or is this a sort of story for the sake of making a point?

A.  A miracle is some happening which goes beyond the normal laws of science.  As far as I am concerned, it would not bother me if somebody could prove that Peter’s act never actually happened.  What appeals to me in the story is the lesson that as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could walk through the storm, but once he concentrated on the wild wind and billowing sea, he began to sink.  But even then, the Lord stretched out a hand to save him.  It is a story giving immense encouragement.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Don Nolan, St. Patrick’s, Kells Road.  Sean Kelly, Sion Road. Kieran Phelan, St. Francis Terrace.

Months Mind: Peg McGrath (Sun 11.00), Maureen Walsh (The Capuchin Friary, Sun 12.00).

Anniversaries: Thomas McGuire (Sat 7.00), Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00),  Margaret & Larry Langton (Sun 12.00), Teresa Delahanty (Sun 12.30), Jim Devlin, Jimmy Carroll, Billy Bourke, Jimmy Bourke, Nancy Larkin., Martin Doheny, Joseph & Michael Browne, Breda O’Hara.

Intentions for next weekend: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15), Pat Roche (Months Mind Sat 7.00), Martin Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.00), Lily Purcell (Months Mind Sun 12.30).

May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed.  Amen.

Shrines of France Pilgrimage

Clara Parish and surrounding parishes are organising an October pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Shrines of France.  7th - 14th October. Seats are still available and immediate booking is advised.  Pilgrimage will visit Lourdes, Avignon, Ars, Paray-Le-Monial, Nevers, Paris and Lisieux.  7 Nights. Cost €799 including insurance.  Contact Fr. Larry O’Keeffe on 056 772 6560 for further details and booking.

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Many thanks to the First Holy Communion Class in the KSP and the Confirmation Class in the St. John of God for their recent donations to the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The young people gave some of the gifts they received on the occasion of their Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  Well done.

The New Roman Missal

Changes in the people’s parts of the new edition of the Roman Missal include the following:

The Greeting

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

People: And with your spirit

The Confiteor

I confess to almighty God,

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

that I have greatly sinned,

in my thoughts and in my words,

in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,

through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;

therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,

all the Angels and Saints, 

and to you, my brothers and sisters,

to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Trócaire appeal for Africa

Last week you contributed €9,859.96 in response to the Trócaire appeal for East Africa.  The money has been forwarded to the diocesan office for transfer to Trócaire.  Thank you very much.

Parish Envelope Collection

In spite of your generosity to Trócaire you continued to support your parish envelope collection.  Thanks for €1,265 received last weekend.

Self Help Collection

Thanks to all who supported the church gate collection for Self Help Africa: €1,088.00.

Foulkstown Cemetery

Thanks to all who participated and made the cemetery Mass last Thursday a  wonderful success.  We are extremely grateful to the cemetery committee who, yet again, pulled out all the stops in having the cemetery looking top shape for this annual gathering in remembrance of loved ones.

Now, down to business.  Due to a recent accidental fire in the waste facility in Foulkstown Cemetery we have closed this area in the cemetery and hired a skip to take away the waste.  As you can imagine this is enormously expensive as all waste has to be disposed of in the proper manner (which we have been doing thus far).  Therefore this skip is only for grave wreaths and flowers from graves.  It is NOT for household or other waste.  Anyone caught dumping illegally will be reported to the litter warden.  We are sorry to be so blunt but when it costs the parish thousands of euro in waste disposal  and some people show little regard for this holy resting place, we have to take appropriate action.

We are grateful to all who keep our cemetery well maintained.

Certificate in Theological Studies

The Diocese of Ossory is providing a new course in theology to provide general theological education and formation in the main aspects of faith and to provide the theological background needed for lay involvement and leadership roles at parish and diocesan level.   100 hours part-time over one academic year from September 2011 to May 2012.  For an application form and further information please contact: Course Director, St. Kieran’s College Kilkenny, Email declanmurphy@ossory.ie.  Telephone 056 772 1086.  Closing date for applications: 19th August 2011. 

St. Patrick’s Parish may be in a position to offer some financial support to registered parishioners who are accepted on this course.  Contact the Parish Office for further details.

 

Parish Website

Visit us on www.patricksparish.net

Age Friendly County Programme

As part of Kilkenny’s Age Friendly County Programme our volunteer researchers will be in your parish in the coming 2-3 weeks interviewing people over 50 about matters that effect their daily lives. This is a very important project for Kilkenny and it is important that all parishes are included. Please assist our volunteers with the research by part taking in the questioner if asked to do so. All our volunteers have been fully training, and carry Identification cards. Your help and time is really necessary to make this project a success.

Have you arthritis or Fibromyalgia?

The Living Well with Arthritis Programme is for you.   Learn how to decrease your pain, reduce your fatigue, introduce exercise and relaxation into your daily life, increase your self-confidence to manage your arthritis, improve your sense of well-being. This award winning course costs just €30 for 6 sessions.  St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Thursday 15th  September and continuing for 6 weeks.  For further information and registration contact Arthritis Ireland  01 647 0206.

Pregnant and Distressed?

CURA office is now located at: No. 7, Priory Square, Dean Street, Kilkenny. Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00 p.m. and Thursday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.  Call 1850 62 26 26 or 056 772 2739.

The Millionaire’s Testimony

At a church meeting a very wealthy man rose to tell the rest of those present about his Christian faith. “I’m a millionaire,” he said, “and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I remember that turning point in my faith. I had just earned my first dollar  and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God’s work or nothing at all. So at that moment I decided to give my whole dollar to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today.”

He finished and there was an awed silence at his testimony as he moved toward his seat. As he sat down a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said to him: “I dare you to do it again!”

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 24th, July 2011

Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will take place on this Thursday, 28th July.  Mass will begin at 7.30pm  As usual large crowds are expected for this annual event.  We appeal to all to be patient and careful on your journey to and from the cemetery.  Please follow the advice of the Gardai and stewards on the evening.
The Cemetery Committee has made great efforts to have our burial ground looking very well on the evening and we thank them sincerely for their voluntary work.  We appeal to plot owners to attend to family graves in preparation for Thursday evening and invite your family and friends, especially those who live some distance away, to come along.

Have you understood?

‘Have you understood all this?’ Jesus asks his disciples.  Over the past few weeks we have heard Jesus speak in many parables as he moves around Galilee, speaking to the crowds from an offshore boat and explaining the parables privately to his disciples.  You can imagine the crowds outside still puzzling over what Jesus has said, even as the privileged disciples get the benefit of his interpretation.  And we, too, are treated to this ‘insider’ view.  The parables of Jesus challenge us to look at the world in a different way.  Jesus asks them to keep his listener’s attention.  They are not supposed to be straightforward; they are more like riddles, intended to tease the mind.  The parables often begin ‘The kingdom of heaven is like...’, and today’s Gospel contains three such comparisons to illustrate the supreme value of the kingdom of heaven – it is like treasure hidden in a field, a pearl, a haul of fish which will be separated into good and bad.  The succession of metaphors can be confusing as we try to get our head around what Jesus is trying to tell us about the mysteries of his kingdom.  Which one resonates with you?
Triona Doherty

Envelope Collection
Last weekend your contribution was €2,095.00.  Thank you for your generosity.

Questions People Ask

Q.  How might a person apply the parable of the hidden treasure in life today?  What is this hidden treasure?

A.  This is one of seven parables about the kingdom of God.  The kingdom, or reign of God, means that a person accepts the importance of God in life and resolves to live by God’s law.  It is the key to inner peace.  Sadly, for many the treasure remains hidden because they search in the wrong places.  As C.S. Lewis put it, there is a God-shaped emptiness in the human heart.  Knowing Christ Jesus is a treasure awaiting discovery.

Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased:  Sr. Carmel Rita Maguire, Religious Sisters of Charity, St. Patrick’s Convent, Kells Road.  Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 2.30pm on Sunday.  Burial immediately afterwards in the Community Plot, Foulkstown Cemetery.  Joseph Doyle, Dominic Street. Anne Skelley, Banim Terrace. Charlie Adams, formerly of Garden Villas who died in England. Billy O’Carroll, Gowran and late of Upper Patrick Street.

Anniversaries: Mick Coonan (Sat 6.15), Davina Crosbie (Sun 10.00), Vera Brannigan (Sun 11.00), Joe Cody (Sun 12.30), Geoffrey Drennan (Thurs 10.30), Rokas Sinkevicius (Fri 6.00), Delia O’Hara, Jimmy Carroll.

Intentions for next weekend: Thomas McGuire (Sat 7.00).  Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00). Peg McGrath (Sun 11.00, Months Mind). Maureen Walsh (The Friary, Sun 12.00, Months Mind). Teresa Delahanty (Sun 12.30).

Shrines of France Pilgrimage
Clara Parish and surrounding parishes are organising an October pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Shrines of France.  7th - 14th October. Seats still available, book immediately. Visiting Lourdes, Avignon, Ars, Paray-Le-Monial, Nevers, Paris and Lisieux.  7 Nights. Cost €799 including insurance.  Contact Fr. Larry O’Keeffe, Clara 056 772 6560.

Youth 2000 Summer Festival

Clonmacnois 4^th – 7^th August 2011

Are you looking for some refreshment and revitalisation?  Hoping to meet like-minded young people to share in your walk of faith or are you simply searching for something more to life? Why not come along to Youth 2000’s Summer Festival in Clonmacnois, Co Offaly from 4^th – 7^th August 2011.  This is a lively 4-day Catholic festival for 16-35 year-olds with workshops, concert, inspiring talks, great music, prayer, and plenty of time for relaxing, chilling out and meeting new people.  Our theme for this year is “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here.”  (Matt 17:4)

The guest speaker for the festival is Fr. Bernard Murphy, of the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.  Fr Bernard works primarily with the poor and destitute and is well known for his inspirational preaching and infectious joy.

Reflecting on their experience at last year’s festival, one young person commented:

“When I arrived I really did not know what to expect but now I am so thrilled to have made the journey – it was so fantastic and inspiring, and for the first time in my life I feel as if I met God personally.”

Youth 2000 invites you to come along and experience this weekend for yourself.  The festival is donation-only with free buses from around the country, just bring a sleeping bag. 

To book on-line and for information on free buses please visit our website www.youth2000.ie or telephone 01675 3690 or 085 828 9231.

World Youth Day

World Youth Day celebrations take place in Madrid, Spain in the middle of August.  Hundreds of thousands of young people from all over the world will gather with the Pope to celebrate their faith.

While there will be no official representation from Ossory we have discovered that four young people from our parish are travelling.  We would love to hear of any others from the parish who intend going.  Please let us know at 776 4400.

Collection for East Africa

Bishop Seamus has asked that a special collection be taken up at Masses this week-end to provide aid for the people of East Africa.  The proceeds will be forwarded to Trócaire.

The New Roman Missal

What should we, as a faith community, reflect on as we prepare to use the new Missal?

We have been praying our current texts for over thirty-five years.  Moving to new texts will be a challenge and will require that we exercise patience and support for one another.  Priests and people, musicians and others involved in preparing the liturgy all need to work together to make the change as easy as it can be.  Ultimately we need to remember that the words of our liturgy are crucial - we pray as we believe.  But when we pray the Mass we do more than recite words – those words are recited in the context of all the actions, symbols and people of the liturgy.  As we work towards implementing the changes, may we keep in mind the bigger task of which the words of the Missal are a part: namely the Mystery of our Faith, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ made present for us in the Eucharist.

Certificate in Theological Studies

The Diocese of Ossory is providing a new course in theology to provide general theological education and formation in the main aspects of faith and to provide the theological background needed for lay involvement and leadership roles at parish and diocesan level.   100 hours part-time over one academic year from September 2011 to May 2012.  For an application form and further information please contact: Course Director, St. Kieran’s College Kilkenny, Email declanmurphy@ossory.ie.  Telephone 056 772 1086.  Closing date for applications: 19th August 2011. 
St. Patrick’s Parish may be in a position to offer some financial support to registered parishioners who are accepted on this course.  Contact the Parish Office for further details.

 

Solemn Sung Latin Mass

Solemn Sung Latin Mass and veneration of a 1st Class Relic of St. Oliver Plunkett
will take place on this Sunday, 24th July at 5.00pm in St. Patrick's Church, College Road.  All are welcome to attend.

Towards Healing Helpline

Towards Healing is an organisation which provides telephone counselling and a counselling and psychotherapy referral service for people who have suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse when they were children by persons working for the Catholic Church in Ireland – www.towardshealing.ie or telephone 1800 303 416.

Pregnant and Distressed?

CURA office is now located at: No. 7, Priory Square, Dean Street, Kilkenny. Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00 p.m. and Thursday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. 

If you are pregnant and distressed and would like to talk to someone in confidence phone CURA at 1850 62 26 26 or local number 056 772 2739.

Concert at St. Patrick’s Cancelled

The S.O.S. concert with the Garda No. 1 Band which was to be held at St. Patrick's Church on next Tuesday evening has been cancelled.  This is due to reasons beyond the control of the organizers.

Carers’ Association

Support Group Meetings will now be held monthly.  Next meeting taking place on 28th July:  Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy at 10.30am and meeting in the Parish Centre at 11.00am.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Local Youth to Medjugorje

On Friday of this week a group of almost 40 young people from the city and county will travel with their adult leaders to the Marian Shrine at Medjugorje.  The group, including 11 from our parish, will take part in the 22nd International Youth Prayer Festival which will be celebrated from 1st to 6th August.  The group will leave from the Parish Centre at about 3.00am on Friday.  We wish them God’s blessing on their pilgrimage.  Further information may be obtained on www.medjugorje.ie