The Right Attitude
It’s strange, but people who tell you that ‘who you are’ is more important than ‘what you do’ – are usually themselves great achievers. Achieving indeed, or getting things done seems to be the focus in the early part of life. In later years we consider what was done and how. During the second half of life, success loses its importance. Being fulfilled is more important than being successful in later years. The reason for all this is that if you need something external like success and acclaim to feel good about yourself- it becomes ultimately a prison.
So, what one thing do you need in life? After all, that was exactly what Jesus told Martha ‘one thing is needed’. So, name it in your life. Are your needs really wants? Is that one thing ‘living in the presence of the Lord’ (Psalm)? Most of us know what we need to do, but lack ‘will ‘ or ‘won’t ‘ power. We make bad choices, or let them be made for us and the Lord gets short shrift. We feel bad about it, make occasional stirrings to do better but it’s a case of the same repeat offender syndrome. It can often be among those who do ‘the work of the Lord’ that there can be a seething resentment that they are under-paid (if at all), over-worked and unappreciated. What gets lost in all this our attitude. The ‘why’ and ‘who ‘ of what we are at. Who is it for? After all as Martha learned, God is as much interested in attitude as service. Fr Tom Cox
Patrick Malluzzo Campaign
Patrick Malluzzo, whose mother is originally from Callan has been accused of drug trafficking in India and sentenced to 10 years. Patrick maintains his innocence and now finds himself confined in the most appalling and inhumane conditions.
Patrick’s family have started a campaign to clear their son’s name and have him released. They are appealing for people to sign a petition which will be given to the British Prime Minister, Gordon Browne.
If you would like to sign this petition, sheets are available at the back of all our churches. Details of Patrick’s case were highlighted in last week’s Kilkenny People and on KCLR.
Questions people ask
I made a deliberate choice to leave my paid job to be a mother and homemaker, two unpaid jobs, and I feel hurt in the way Martha was made feel inferior to her sister, Mary. Have you any helpful insight?
A. I’m sure you’d agree that the busier you are the more you need moments to chill-out. I’d prefer to say “warm up”. This gospel story encourages us to find the quiet moment to sit with God and warm up our relationship. And remember, Martha is honoured with a saint’s feastday on July 29th, whereas we do not have such a celebration for her sister, Mary of Bethany. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown
Our annual Cemetery mass will be held at Foulkstown Cemetery this coming Thursday, 26th July at 7.30pm. Please tell your families, neighbours and friends about this event and date.
The cemetery committee have been working flat out these past few weeks, and have our cemetery looking magnificent, a fitting tribute to all our deceased loved ones. Please support their gate collection on the night of the cemetery mass. This is their only source of funding throughout the year. And perhaps while your at it, a word of thanks to them for their work would no doubt be appreciated.
If you are driving to the cemetery mass, please come early and obey the instructions of the attendants. Please be careful crossing the main road. And bring an umbrella, just in case.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Joseph Walsh, Troyswood. James Gilmartin, Glendine Heights. Mary Lonergan, Paulstown. Vanessa McGarry, Gowran.
Anniversaries: Nicholas Comerford (Sat 7.00pm), Vera Brannigan (Sun 11:00), Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.30), Ellen & Margaret Fogarty, Danny Galvin, Doreen Tallent, John & Esther Loughman, Tom Davis.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Months Mind: Fran Ryan, Archers Crescent (Sun 12.30).
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.
Knock Youth Festival
The Knock Youth Festival takes place from the 26th to the 29th of July.
www.youthtwothousand.ie
A FREE buss will be leaving from the Parade next Thursday 26th July at 1:45pm.
If you are interested in going then contact Helen at 086 1678027
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.
Our Parish Centre
As the builders get ready to take their well deserved holidays, we can all see the great progress that’s been made on the building of our new parish centre, elderly house and presbytery. Even the rain couldn't halt progress and the buildings start to lift from the ground.
But while the work stops for the holidays, the work at raising money to pay for the building does not.
We appeal to all our parishioners to continue your support for our work and building. You contribution to the parish, be it big or small is greatly appreciated and every cent helps.
Our main source of funding for the new centre is through the parish envelopes system and from those who pay by direct debit. We are grateful to all who use these methods of contributing. If you do not currently receive envelopes and would like to support your parish, or if you would like a direct debit form then please contact any of the priests or the parish office.
With your generous support we will meet our commitments now and in the future.
Parish Draw
Another major source of income for our building project is the monthly Parish Draw. This is well supported and new members can join any time. Just contact any of the promoters, the priests or the sacristans who will be happy to give you all the details
The next draw is on Tuesday week, the 31st July and 8:30pm in the presbytery. Please contact your promoter in plenty of time.
Donations
Many thanks also to those who have made donations big and small to our building fund. If you would like to make a donation, public or private, then we would love to hear from you.
St. Vincent DePaul Society
Meeting at the Presbytery, 1st and 3rd Mondays of July and August.
Benedictine Retreat House
St. Benedict’s Priory Retreat House, The Mount, Cobh, Co. Cork is available for individual or group retreats and day retreats. Retreatants are welcome to share in the liturgical life of the Benedictine Community. Suggested offering is €40 per night including all meals. Contact 021 481 1354 for further information.
Craft Sale at St. Fiacre’s Church
Your support would be very much appreciated in the sale of handcrafted goods made by the group known as ''Partnership of the Sick'' in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, Kenya.
The conditions there are frightening; no running water, no electricity, no garbage disposal and only shacks for accommodation.
By purchasing these goods you ar giving these ladies the dignity of earning a living and enabling them to put food on the table for their children. Sale of crafts will take place at St. Fiacre’s Church after Mass on Saturday, 21st and Sunday, 22nd July.
Coach to Knock
Coach to Knock on Thursday, 26th July at 7.30am from the Parade via Ballyragget and Durrow. Contact Eileen on 776 3259.
Parish Competition
And finally, the competition you’ve all been waiting for.
To pass the summer, and to encourage and develop your poetry and writing skills, we are holding a small parish competition.
Hanging on the wall in St. Fiacre’s Church, above the priest’s chair, there is a rather colourful picture. The scene is based on the gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, verses 35 to 41. (The calming of the storm).
Using the picture as your inspiration, we invite you to write a short poem or a short story. Your entry should have a religious theme and contain the words: ‘Be Calm’
This competition is open to all ages and there are three prizes in all. Two winners over 16 will receive a copy of Pope Benedict’s new Book: ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ (which is an excellent and well worth while read). A winner under 16 will receive a book voucher.
The closing date for entries is August 5th and winners will be announced the following week with the winning entries posted here on the newsletter.
Please include you name, address and contact number. (Those under 16 should include their age and let your parents know you are taking part in this competition). You can drop your entry into the presbytery or into any of the sacristies.
We look forward to receiving your entries
