New Bishop for Ossory
At noon on Friday, 14th September the Vatican Information Service released the following statement:
The Holy Father appointed Fr. Séamus Freeman S.A.C., pastor of the Church of San Vincenzo Pallotti at Pietralata in Rome, as bishop of Ossory (area 1,972, population 88,442, Catholics 84,053, priests 96, religious 299), Ireland. The bishop-elect was born in Mullinahone, Ireland in 1944 and ordained a priest in 1971. He succeeds Bishop Laurence Forristal, whose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese the Holy Father accepted, upon having reached the age limit.
Fr. Séamus Freeman was born on 23 February 1944 and is the eldest of eight children. At the age of eight months his family moved from Mullinahone to Callan where his mother continues to reside. He attended Coolagh National School and Callan CBS before entering the Pallottine Minor Seminary in Thurles.
Subsequent to his ordination he studied at the Jesuit University of Detroit and the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. In 1975, he was appointed Rector of the Church of San Silvestro in Rome before becoming a member of the Provincial Council of the Irish Province of the Society of Catholic Apostolate (Pallottines). In 1981 he returned to Ireland where he took up the post of Rector and Director of Formation of the Pallottine College in Thurles. In 1983 he was elected to the General Council of the Pallottines for a term of six years. In 1989 he was elected Vicar General of the Society and, on the resignation of the then Rector General of the Society in 1992, he succeeded to that post. He was re-elected Rector General for a second six year term in 1998.
At the conclusion of his second term as Rector General of the Society of Catholic Apostolate, Fr. Freeman spent a year with the Irish Pallottine Community of San Silvestro in Rome after which he was appointed parish priest of the parish of St. Vincent Pallotti in Rome. It is from this position that he returns to lead the Diocese of Ossory.
Frs. Dan, Roderick and Liam welcome Fr. Freeman as bishop-elect of the Diocese of Ossory and look forward to his consecration at a later date. We feel that all in St. Patrick’s Parish will join in welcoming our new bishop and keep him in our prayers.
Bishop Forristal has now retired as Bishop of Ossory and we join in wishing him well in his retirement. He has served the diocese for over 26 years and has well-earned his retirement. Until Fr. Freeman is consecrated the diocese will be administered initially by the Diocesan College of Consulters. This group will elect a Diocesan Administrator early this coming week who will administer the diocese until the new bishop takes canonical possession of his see.
Blood Donation Clinic
Give blood and join Ireland’s most extraordinary club. Clinic at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny at the following times:-
Sunday, 23rd September from 11.30am - 3.30pm; Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th, Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th September from 4.30 to 8.30pm. Donor Information: 1850 731 137.
M.A.B.S.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service, William Street, Kilkenny now offers a confidential helpline on 1890 283 438. Having problems paying off debts? Experiencing financial difficulty? Need advice on money management? Call 1890 283 438 for a confidential non-judgmental independent service.
It Was You All Along
Figuratively speaking, we’ve all taken the wrong bus, made the wrong decision, worshipped the wrong God even. So, we can understand the mistake of this motley band wandering in the desert. Who hasn’t wanted a ‘golden calf’ – a God they could see, touch and feel? At least they were trying to praise a deity.
And who hasn’t experienced a glimpse of the joy of God when the lost ones are found? If a key or document that is found can prompt such a response, how much more a human life? While some are more comfortable with a God whose ‘wrath... blazes out’; we obviously have an involved God. A God who cares.
A God who is a father - prodigious in giving who in some way has been told by Western culture (younger son); ‘I’m taking all my inheritance from you and going to treat you like you were dead.’ Could our churches be like the elder brother, doing the right thing, but with no real heart. Maybe in the end, we will realize that we were more searched for than searching, more found by God than lost. After our course of life, with all its twists and turns we can say ‘it was you all along that I sought.’
Fr Tom Cox
Questions People Ask
Q. You recommend the psalms as a school of prayer where we learn the language of prayer. But what about the psalms where enemies are cursed and slaughtered?
A. The violent and vengeful pieces reflect their pre-Christian composition. These verses are valuable in showing us that revelation and religion were incomplete before the teaching of Jesus. The Church omits these verses from our liturgical books. With a stretch of imagination, one might still pray with these violent passages by referring them to the final triumph of Christ’s reign over the evil spirits which are still causing trouble in the world.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Sr. Presentation Breen, St. John of God Convent, College Road. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Tuesday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Rita McCarthy, 37 Riverview. Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am on Monday followed by cremation in Dublin (House private). Anna Bluett, Clonakilty. Kevin Dowling, College Gardens. Phil Maher, Limerick. Sr. Brigid Collins, late of Peace in Christ Retreat House. Anastasia Ayres, 31 Fr. Murphy Square. Patrick Wall, Dean Cavanagh Place.
Anniversaries: Catherine & John Alley (Sat 6.15), Sharon McEvoy (Sat 7.00), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Mary & Tom Bissett (Sun 12.30). Patrick Morris (Tue 9.30), Jimmy Morrissey, Ciss Holland, Margaret Morris, Kathleen Murphy, Molly Browne, Evelyn Costello, Bridget Curran, Margaret Beehan, Patrick O’Donoghue, Syd & Elizabeth Bluett, Josephine Neary.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Fahey (Sat 7.00), Anna Beale (Sun 9.30), Kathleen Kenny (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30).
St. Vincent De Paul Society
The monthly collection for the parish conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up during all Masses this weekend. We ask that you contribute as generously as possible to this local charity. The proceeds will be used locally.
There will be a meeting of the local conference at the Presbytery on this Monday evening at 8pm.
Charity Golf Classic
There will be a fundraising Golf Classic in aid of Kilkenny City St. Vincent de Paul at Kilkenny Golf Club on Wednesday, 19th of September. Teams of three €25 per person. Time sheet available on 056 776 5400 or www.kilkennygolfclub.com
Parish Finance Committee
There will be a meeting of the Parish Finance Committee at the Presbytery on Thursday evening at 8 o’clock. All members are asked to attend this important meeting.
Be still and know that I am God
Christian meditation will resume in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4.00pm from 19th September 2007. All are welcome.
GROW Says ‘Thank You’
GROW Community Mental Health Movement has written to say thanks for your contribution of €2,156.29 which was collected during a recent church gate collection in our parish.
Peace in Christ Celebrations
Peace in Christ, the Ossory Diocesan Retreat House, is this month celebrating 40 years of service to our diocese. The theme for the celebration is “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10). The anniversary celebrations include an Open Day with presentations of the story of Peace in Christ on Monday, 24th September. Further details will be announced later or, if you prefer, contact Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, Kilkenny on 056 772 1054 for full programme.
Baptisms in Our Parish
Baptisms are celebrated on the second Saturday (St. Patrick’s Church), the fourth Saturday (St. Fiacre’s Church) and the third Sunday (St. Patrick’s Church) of each month. Saturday baptisms are at 4.30pm and Sunday baptisms are at 1.15pm. At least two weeks notice is required for baptisms. Please contact the presbytery (776 4400) for further information and booking.
Yoga Classes
Are you full of aches and pains, with restricted mobility? Why not come along to the Thursday morning yoga class due to begin soon at LARC, Bishop Birch Place. Senior citizens are especially welcome.
Loreto Secondary School
Enrolment dates for Loreto Secondary School, Kilkenny are from 1st October 2007 to 13th October 2007. Applications forms may be obtained from the school office.
Nursing Home Visitation
We have a small group in the parish whose members make pastoral visits to parishioners in the local nursing homes and long stay hospitals. In this way patients can keep in touch with the parish and know that they are being remembered and prayed for by the parish community. Please contact the Presbytery (056 776 4400) if you know of someone in a nursing home who would like a visit.
