Following His Footsteps
It’s interesting to note how many sons or daughters follow their parent’s political allegiances in Ireland. Not to mention those who take up the same profession as their father or mother. Is it instinctive, genetic or just chance? It’s funny how the same dynamic doesn’t seem to apply in the case of faith. Some of our children will practice, others will not. There are many saints born of atheists and many atheists born of saints. Yes, you have better housing, almost full employment, lower taxes, SSIA lolly, a vastly wider variety of food, the rising tide of prosperity having raised all boats.
Still, the problem is not that the world isn’t spiritually hungry, it’s that the church has a tremendous lack of sold-out, unselfish Christians, committed to being a disciple for others. While people can be very willing to help out in practical parish projects, if you really want to get the back up of parishioners, all a priest has to do is to suggest anything that involves sharing their faith. The response can be in marked contrast to the Gospels’ , more on the lines of; ‘Who am I to tell my neighbour what to believe? ‘ Not so? Well, just think on this; what we are afraid to do is a clear indicator of the next thing you need to do. What do you need to act upon?
Fr Tom Cox
Cemetery Masses
The annual cemetery Mass at Foulkstown will be celebrated at 7.30pm on Thursday, 26th July. Many relatives, friends and former parishioners like to attend this celebration and we encourage you to publicise the date and time wherever possible.
We also appeal to those who are in a position to do so to tidy up family graves and other neglected graves in the vicinity of your family grave in preparation for Mass.
Thanks to those who prepared for an attended the annual Mass at St. Patrick’s Cemetery on last Tuesday evening.
Q. I have a neighbour who makes life very difficult. I don’t want to be bitter but it’s hard. Have you any advice?
A. Yes, it is very difficult not to allow the wrongdoing of another to poison our reactions. The ability to move beyond the hurt doesn’t come naturally, so we need super-natural help, namely the grace of the Holy Spirit. Anybody who acts like your neighbour is really a person sick in mind and soul. The Holy Spirit lifts us up to give us a broader picture of the problem. There we understand the sick personality and we move from bitterness towards compassion. So, my advice is to constantly hand it over to the Holy Spirit.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Fran Ryan, 22 Archers Crescent. Gay Doran Snr, late of 60 Larchfield. Christina Brereton, Offaly.
Month’s Mind: Jim O’Brien (Sun 10.30)
Anniversaries: Annie Cody (Sat 7.00), Dr. Patrick Boyd (Sun 9.30), Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00), Catherine Dowling (Sun 11.00), Ger Doheny (Sun 12.30), Margaret Barry (Mon 9.30), Paddy Bergin (Wed 10.30), Frank Clohosey, John Delaney, Mary Hayes, Sean Hennessy, Mary Holland, Peg Hourigan, Denis Murray, Mary Murray, Thomas Murray, Thomas Wall, Edward Whelan.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Dan Maher (Sat 6.15 Month’s Mind), Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00), Statia Quirke (Sun 11.00 Month’s Mind).
Mass at Elm Green
The annual outdoor Mass will be held on the green at Elm Green on next Thursday evening at 7.30. This is now a well-established annual event and all in the general vicinity are invited to join in the celebration of the Mass and the get together which follows.
World Youth Day 2008
We are currently recruiting young people (between 18 and 30 years of age) from our parish to travel to the World Youth Day celebrations in Sydney in July 2008. Contact one of the priests if you are interested in going to Sydney to celebrate your faith with hundreds of thousands of other young people from all over the world.
Application forms are available from the sacristy in each of our churches. More information: Fr. Richard Scriven, Diocesan Coordinator, St. John’s Presbytery, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Tel: 087 242 0033.
Cabaret
There will be a cabaret in aid of Bone Marrow and Leukaemia Trust, St. James’ Hospital at a Larchfield Venue on Friday, 13th July 2007. Music by Marble City Swingers and admission is €3. Please support.
Pope’s Collection
Thanks to all who contributed to last weekend’s collection for the Holy Father (Peter’s Pence). The money will be used by the Pope in supporting Church charities.
Integritas
This is the name of a centre for Christian prayer and reflection situated at Ennisnag, Stoneyford. It is based in a family home where a married couple and their children live. This centre seeks to provide:
· Christian meditation and contemplative prayer
· A programme of Christian spirituality
· A domestic model of the Church
· An integral vision and practice of the Christian faith.
Further information about the centre and its programme for September 2007 to July 2008 is available in brochures at the back of the churches.
More details on the centre may be found at www.integritas.ie or by telephoning 056 772 8902.
Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation
· If you are between 18—35 and wish to receive solid Catholic faith formation
· If you want to be trained in effective evangelisation
· If you want to experience residential community life
Our Lady’s School of Evangelisation may be the answer to your needs. OLSE is a Catholic Faith Formation Programme of nine months approved by the Archdiocese of Tuam and is run on a residential basis from September until May. For further information contact OLSE, St. Michael’s House, Kilkelly Road, Knock, Co. Mayo. Tel: 094 938 8245 or email olseireland@eircom.net
Parish Golf Classic
Thanks to all who supported our annual Parish Golf Classic on last Friday. It was our best ever classic and the proceeds will go to the development of the parish centre.
Well done to the hard working and dedicated committee who organised and executed a wonderful day for all.
Housing Grant
We received news from local politicians during the week that the Department of the Environment has accepted our application for a grant to help build the homes for the elderly adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church. While we have not yet received official written confirmation we understand we have been awarded our full application of almost €1.4 million.
Ladies Mini Marathon
Thanks to the ladies who raised money for the Homes for the Elderly by running in the recent mini marathon. The event added over €800 to the fund. Well done.
Concern Church Gate Collection
Concern has a Garda permit for a church gate collection this weekend. Please support.
Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir will join the Garda Band in concert at Ballykeeffe Quarry on Saturday 28th July at 8.00pm. Tickets €10 available in Kilkenny Book Centre and locally.
Coach to Knock
A coach will leave for Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock on Thursday, 26th July at 7.30am from the Parade via Ballyragget and Durrow. For particulars contact Eileen on 776 3259.
Prayer to the Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 8th July from 3 - 4pm. All are welcome.
Church Painting
The walls of St. Patrick’s Church are looking well following their recent redecoration. Thanks for your patience while the work was in progress.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which was suspended for two weeks while the work was in progress, will recommence at the church on next Friday.
St. Vincent DePaul Society
The local conference of the St. Vincent DePaul Society will meet at the Presbytery, 7 Ormonde Road on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of July and August.
Lough Derg
A coach departs the Parade, Kilkenny for Lough Derg at 7.00am on Friday 20th July and returns on Sunday, 22nd July. Booking before 19th July to 056 444 1264 or 087 253 5989. This coach is run by Buggy’s Coaches, Castlecomer and marks the 55th Anniversary Lough Derg Pilgrimage.
Know Your Neighbours
Macra na Feirme is rising to the challenge of helping people get to know their neighbours with an initiative called “Know You Neighbour Weekend” which will take place on 14th and 15th July. This campaign is encouraging people to organise an activity over this weekend and invite their neighbours. What will you do for “Know Your Neighbour Weekend”? For more information or to request an organisers pack visit www.knowyourneighbour.ie or text KYN followed by a space and your name and address to 51444.
“Come Watch With Me…”
There is exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in our parish on two days each week: St. Fiacre’s Church on Mondays between 11am and 10pm and St. Patrick’s Church on Fridays between 10am and 1pm and 4pm and 9pm.
All are welcome to come and spend some time with Jesus.
