Praying Out
What would you do if you were given divine information about the impending destruction of a city? Contact the TV stations? Telephone someone? Raise the alarm? Abraham however chose to ‘…[remain] standing before the Lord’. You could say that he chose to remain in prayer. He stayed in the presence of God.
This Sunday we are told a few things about prayer. They seem almost contradictory at first sight, but they aren’t. Prayer is not be long-winded as God already knows our needs. It is also to be persistent. At times, there seems no answer to our prayer. It may be that we need to demonstrate our resolve, or that the time to grant our request is not yet right, or that we are asking for the wrong thing. Whatever the reason, we are not to lose heart; still less to worry that God might grow impatient with us. It also seems that God seeks intercessors in the mould of Abraham when there are situations of sin and injustice [First Reading.] Have you raised your voice for a good cause? Ever?
Someone once said that God answers prayer in one of four ways: Yes, No, Wait, and Are you joking? Somewhat glib, but there is some truth to it. Sometimes the heart must be ready, that inner house swept clean before the visitor can truly enter within.
Fr Tom Cox
Welcome Visitors
This weekend we welcome members of the Spiritans’ (formerly known as the Holy Ghost Fathers) Mission Team to our parish. Frs. Des Arigho and Noel Murphy will preach at all Masses and greet as many people as possible afterwards. They are here to tell us about the work of the Spiritans, encourage our prayers and tell us about some practical ways we can help the congregation. Please give them a warm welcome and come up and say hello after Mass.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why is Luke’s version of the Our Father different to Matthew’s version, which we normally use? Which one is the authentic teaching of Jesus?
A. As Jesus travelled from place to place, he must have taught this prayer many times, probably with slight variations. You may regard both versions as authentic. Luke’s version is shorter than Matthew’s but essentially the same. This prayer is a summary of the new relationship with God which Jesus brought to us and of the work of Jesus establishing the kingdom of God in place of the reign of Satan. As a prayer, it takes a minute to learn the words but a lifetime to know it by heart.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Saints This Week
St Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556) is celebrated on Tuesday, 31st July. He was a native of Northern Spain, a soldier who experienced a new personal calling as he recovered from injury. He founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), whose influence throughout the world continues to grow. By the time of his death the Society had more than a thousand members. His great theme was Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam – to the greater glory of God. The experience of his conversion led to his writing of The Spiritual Exercises.
St John Vianney (1786-1859) is celebrated on Saturday, 4th August. He had to contend with poverty and learning difficulties before becoming a priest. Sent to the small obscure village of Ars, he ministered there as pastor and confessor. He became known and loved as the Cure d’Ars. St. John Vianney is the patron saint of priests.
First Friday
The first Friday of August occurs this week. The priests will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times on Friday. Please contact the presbytery on 776 4400 if you, or someone known to you, would like to be added to the list.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Milo Butler, 3 Parnell Street. Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11am on Sunday followed by burial at Johnswell Cemetery. Eileen Hogan, Troy’s Court and late of Friar’s Bridge. Funeral prayers at St. Luke’s Hospital at 7pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Eileen Hogan, Emmet Street. Funeral prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral. Requiem Mass at 11am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Tommy McGlynn, Edenderry (brother of Killian McGlynn, St. Patrick’s De La Salle School). Eleanor Loucher, Clontarf & Jenkinstown. Eileen Hogan, St. Canice’s Parish
Months Mind: Fran Ryan (Sun 12.30).
Anniversaries: Larry & Margaret Langton (Sat 7.00), Mick Coonan (Tue 10.30), David & Peggy Gaffney, Jimmy Bourke, Billy Bourke, Nancy Bourke, Angela Tiernan, Mary Tynan, Chrissie Drennan, Peter Wiltshire, Felix Campbell, Catherine Manogue, William Deegan, Jack & Eileen Langton, Mary O’Carroll.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Rita Thompson (Sat 7.00), Angela Tiernan (Sun 10.00), Martin Mulhall (Sun 11.00).
Monthly Parish Draw
If you don’t win on the National Lottery this weekend you might have a better chance in our parish draw. The July Draw will be held at the Presbytery at 8.30pm on Tuesday, 31st July. All are welcome to come along.
Promoters and subscribers are reminded to have their returns made by draw time on Tuesday. Tickets €10 at the Sacristies.
Kilkenny Medjugorje Pilgrimage
There will be a pilgrimage from Kilkenny from Friday, 7th to Friday 14th September. Day flight, house near church. Price €639 inclusive. Bookings on 056 776 5840 or 086 882 5622.
St. Rioch’s Cemetery
The annual cemetery Mass will be celebrated at St. Rioch’s Cemetery, Walkin Street at 7.30pm on Thursday, 2nd August. All are encouraged to come along to this ancient cemetery to pray for those who are interred there.
Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown
Thanks to all who participated in the annual Mass at Foulkstown on last Thursday evening. In spite of earlier indications to the contrary God blessed us with a wonderfully and everyone enjoyed a wonderful, prayerful evening. Special thanks goes to the dedicated people on the Cemetery Committee who had the area looking resplendent as usual.
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.
Grandparents’ Knock Pilgrimage
Saturday, 22nd September is the date of the first-ever National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage in Knock Shrine, Co. Mayo. In the build-up to the pilgrimage the organisers have launched an appeal for 10,000 prayers, written by grandchildren, in honour of their grandmothers and grandfathers. Grandchildren can post their prayers on www.nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com or post them to National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage, Horizon House, North Mall, Westport, Co. Mayo. Further information available on the website.
Catholic Newspapers/Periodicals
Copies of the Irish Catholic and The Word magazine are available in the porch at St. Fiacre’s Church. These publications may be purchased at our other churches by order only.
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.
Our Lady’s Island
The pilgrimage season is about to begin on Our Lady’s Island in Co. Wexford. The Opening Ceremony will be at 3pm Wednesday, 15th August, the Feast of the Assumption. The Closing Ceremony will take place at 7pm on Friday, 7th September (note change of time and day from previous years). See posters at church doors for further details or telephone 053 913 1167 or visit www.ourladysisland.com.
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.
