You're Our Father
A story is told about an Irish missionary priest who lived for a long time in a remote part of Tanzania. He lived alone, a single white man among his African flock. One day a British government official arrived on a tour of the area. All the African children ran out to welcome the visitor. They clapped and danced. After the official left, the children excitedly told the missionary priest, "We saw a white man! We saw a white man!" A few children said that the visitor was the first foreigner they had ever seen. The priest was amazed and exclaimed, "But I'm a white man. I'm a foreigner. I've been living here with you all these years." One of the children said, "You're not a white man; you're our Father." Joseph G. Healey, M.M.
Questions people ask
Q. I often wonder why do we have to use words when we pray. God can read our secret thoughts and emotions. Words are for human communication and God is different.
A. True enough, God does not need our words. But it’s we who need words to focus our attention and to clarify our thoughts. Prayerfulness reaches beyond words into eloquent silence. Words are like the shell surrounding the inner kernel of God’s presence. Sometimes we can arrive at the kernel with the minimum of peeling at the shell. But other times, because we are so distracted or unclear, we have to be content with picking away at the shell. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Meals on Wheels
Voluntary drivers are urgently needed for our “Meals on Wheels” service. We would like to hear from you if you are a car owner and could spare one hour per week!
If you can help, please contact Kitty or Kay at Kilkenny Social Services. Their number is: 056 772 1685.
Mission Sunday
This Sunday is Mission Sunday. Missionaries reflect God’s love by their commitment to the development of the spiritual and material needs of those they serve.People are invited on Mission Sunday to assist them by prayer and a financial gift which will be sent in its entirety to a Mission Church.
Some give to the missions by going; others go to the missions by giving
October Station
The October collection for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due this month. It’s the green coloured envelope in your parish contribution pack. Those who pay by standing order will have received a box with this envelope in it.
If you haven’t done so already, you can drop your envelope into any of the churches or to the priests house.
We are grateful to all who support us financially and through prayer.
Black Abbey Novena
The annual novena in honour of St. Martin De Porres in the Black Abbey will be held on Friday, 26th October to Saturday, 3rd November. Daily Devotions. Rosary each weekday at 10.15am and 7.15am. Mass at 10.30am and 7.30pm. On the Saturdays Mass will be at 6.10pm. Sunday, 28th October will be a special Novena Day for the Sick. Mass at 3.30pm with Anointing of the Sick. Confession will be available daily. Preacher: Fr. Gerard Dunne O.P.
Dublin City Marathon
Some members of our parish have kindly agreed to either run or walk in this year’s Dublin City Marathon to raise funds for the houses for the elderly adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church.
We appeal to people to take a sponsorship card (available in the sacristies), and raise sponsorship for the marathon runners/walkers. Even if you only collect among your family and friends, every little helps.
Ordination of Bishop Freeman
Due to the elevation of Archbishop Seán Brady to the title of Cardinal on November 24th in Rome, Mgr. Freeman’s Episcopal Ordination as Bishop of Ossory will now take place at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 2nd December 2007 at 3.00pm.
We have drawn three people from a list of applicants and three are on standby.
As mentioned last week, numbers are severely limited due to the huge number of people from all over the country who will be attending this special occasion. We are aware that some people are upset at not being able to attend but there is little choice available to us. The committee is presently exploring different options to try and cater for the huge number of requests from people wanting to attend.
World Youth Day Pilgrimage
Sydney will host the 10th World Youth Day from 15th to 20th July next year. We are looking for a few young people (18 – 35 year olds) from our parish to attend with the Diocesan Group. The cost of this pilgrimage is €3,000 approx per pilgrim. Each pilgrim will be asked to commit to fundraising and will be asked to make a personal contribution. We will make a significant contribution to help a number of people from our parish attend.
Further information is available in leaflets and posters at the back of the church, from Fr. Richard Scriven who is coordinator of the pilgrimage and at www.ossory.ie
To date twelve people from the diocese have signed up – the closing date is approaching.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Jimmy O’Leary, 53 Larchfield. Funeral Mass Sunday 21st at 2.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church. Frank O’Hara, 26 St. Francis Terrace. Funeral Mass, Sunday at 11.00 St. Mary’s Cathedral. Sharon Maynard, Amershin, England.
Months Mind: Rita McCarthy, (Sun 10.30)
Anniversaries: Maura Leahy (Sat 6:15), Ned Nolan (Sat 7:00), Joseph Eardly (Sun 10:00), Nancy Coyne (Sun 11:00), Mary McCormack (Sun 12:00), Eithne O’Connor (12:30). Ciss Holland, David Doran, Brigid Butler (Tues 10:30), Bill Cody, Gerard Cleere, Tommy Hackett, Michael & Mary Lawlor, Doris Americas, John Drennan.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Breda Hehir (Sat 6:15), Anthona Burke (Sun 10:00), Denise Kemple (Month’s Mind Sun 11:00), Tom Shanahan (Sun 12:30),
Adult Guidance Service
Kilkenny VEC provides information, advice and guidance on education, training and careers enabling adults to make informed decisions for future learning and/or career progression. The service is used by individuals and groups who are interested in returning to learning, feel they need a second chance at education, attending educational classes in their local community, looking at career transition, considering options for further education and training, seeking further qualifications to gain employment. Contact Bernadette or Rose on 776 4448 or kilkennyadultguidance@eircom.net for further information. Address: 9 Ormonde Road, Kilkenny.
Readers
We are currently recruiting new readers to assist at weekend Masses. Please leave your name and Mass preference to the Presbytery before 1st November if you are willing to help in this way. A commitment to reading the Word of God at Mass is a commitment to spreading the Good News. Please consider allowing your name to go forward.
Sincere thanks to all who are already involved in this ministry. Your attendance and help is appreciated.
S.O.S Church Gate Collection
Church Gates in aid of the S.O.S. takes place this weekend 20th and 21st of October
S. O. S is a voluntary, non profit making organization working in and for the people of Diocese of Ossory.
We currently cater for over 135 people with an intellectual disability in our Day Services in Castlecomer and Kilkenny and over 70 adults in our residential services.
New Altar Servers’ Rota
The Altar Servers’ rota for new and existing altar servers is available in the sacristies this weekend. We are grateful to the young people who volunteered for this important ministry. Names of those who applied after the deadline will be included soon.
St. Vincent De Paul
The monthly collection for the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please support.
Members meet at the Presbytery on Mondays at 8pm.
Presentation A.G.M
The Presentation Secondary School A.G.M is on November 8th at 7:30pm in the school. Rory Mulvey from Student Enrichment Services will talk about various aspects of study and provide some guidelines for parents. Ms. Geraldine Harrison who has experience of working with third level students will highlight areas in which parents can help children who are starting college. All parents are encouraged to attend.
Do this in Memory
This Sunday sees the beginning of the First Holy Communion programme: ‘Do this in memory of me’. The boys and girls from our schools who are preparing for First Holy Communion will formally be enrolled this Sunday at the 10:30am mass and the 11:00am mass.
Each month, from now until May, there will be a special mass for these young people. We invite all our parishioners to pray for these young people and we encourage those preparing for Communion to attend these (and every Sunday) special Masses.
