Floating Mulberry Trees
Were we to believe some of the Energy drink advertisements – toppling power comes in a can. So if you need to get through that exam, perform at work after a night out, tackle that big project – their product (Red Bull et alia) is your man. Producers will claim improved performance, increased concentration and reaction speed, vigilance, stimulated metabolism. It used to be Coffee for stimulant, and an adrenaline buzz. Now it seems people are happy to pay obscene prices for a dubious result.So, when the disciples ask ‘Increase our faith’ – it sounds a bit like the 21st Century cry ‘give us the energy boost’. Jesus’ response is to give some advice. The answer isn’t more faith or a souped-up type; it’s simply embracing the faith you have – even if it’s only a little bit. We all know that a mulberry tree does not plant, never mind grow well in the sea – and that’s an understatement. A mustard seed is very small – like our faith. But without our faith, nothing happens. With our faith, all things become possible. The disciples wanted more faith, presumably because they had grandiose schemes in mind. Jesus told them that the world can be transformed one person at a time, one mustard seed at a time. There is hope for the broken world. ‘Fan into a flame the gift God gave you…’
Fr Tom Cox
St. Mary’s Cathedral Anniversary
This weekend, St. Mary’s celebrates 150 years of the Cathedral. An invitation has been extended by the priests and people of St. Mary’s Parish to all at St. Patrick’s Parish to join with them in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Cathedral on Sunday, 7th October at 3pm. Followed by refreshments at the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.
Website of the Week
www.themass.com
Live mass each day via the internet
Questions People Ask
Q. ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.’ Sounds a bit crazy to me. How are we to understand these words of the Lord?
A. The background is important. Jesus has just spoken about putting no limit on how often one should forgive, an impossible demand without faith which enables a person to share in a love which goes beyond any injustice or injury. In that context the apostles ask Jesus, ‘Increase our faith.’ Planting a tree in the sea is an image of the impossible. Here it refers to uprooting the roots of anger and the growing tree of hatred so as to cast them from us forever. It becomes possible with faith.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Dublin City Marathon
One of the fundraisers for our new parish development is this years Dublin city marathon.
Members from our parish have kindly agreed to either run or walk in the marathon to support the houses for the elderly part of our development.
To support their generous initiative, we now need sponsorship.
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.
When you take a card, please remember to leave your name and how many cards you take.
New Altar Servers Rota
The new Altar Servers rota for new and existing altar servers is available this weekend. They are available in the sacristy of each Church. We are grateful to these young people for giving their time to this ministry. Late application forms will be added later.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Paul Doheny, Weir View; Una Breen, Borris; Kathleen Hogan, Assumption Place; Catherine Mulhare, Cork; Ber Malone, England; Nuala Corcoran, Dublin; Mary McDonald, Chapel Ave & England (Tues 9.30)
Months Mind: Sr. Presentation, St. John of God (Sat 13th 9:30)
Anniversaries: Patsy Walsh (Sat 6:15),
Joannie Waters (Sat 7:00pm), Pa Carter (Sun 11:00), Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12:00), Eddy Dean (Wed 10:30), Anne Conway, Kitty Lucas, Margaret McNamara, Tom O’Neill, Ellen O’Neill, Margaret Reid, Bridget O’Brien, Mark Nugent, Mary Delaney, John & Mary O’Connell, Paul Grace, Billy Tallent, Billy Maher, Paddy Ryan, Mary Dunne, Martin Grace, Garry& Norah Dunne.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Paul & Mary Cody & Bill Marnell (Sat 6:15), John Frawley (Sat 7:00), Gerard Moynihan (Sun 9:30), Tom Foley (Sun 10:30), Judy O’Brien (Sun 11:00), Deceased member of the Curley Family (Sun 12:00), Richard Kelly (12:30).
World Youth Day Pilgrimage
World Youth Day is the Catholic Church’s week of events for youth gathering thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about the Catholic faith and to build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Begun by Pope John Paul II Sydney will host the 10th international WYD from 15 – 20 July 2008. The invitation is to young people between the age of 18 and 35 years.
The cost of this unique 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. Parishes will be invited to make a commitment to the cost also.
Further information is available at the back of the church, from Fr Scriven who is coordinator of the pilgrimage and from www.ossory.ie
Rosary Rally
A Rosary Rally for the renewal of Catholic Education and the Faith in Ireland will take place in Dublin at the Phoenix Park Papal Cross, Sunday, Oct 7th (Feast of the Holy Rosary) at 4pm. Bus from Kilkenny leaves at 11.30am. Booking at Murphy’s Boutique. Tel 056 7721495
A Day for Life
This weekend marks ‘A Day for Life’ The Church has a consistent and clear message on the sacredness of human life. Day for life is our annual celebration of this message.
This year’s campaign for life is available at the back of the Church. Please take one.
Prayer for Day for Life
We thank you Lord, for the gift of life. Every human life is your gift to the world. Each person is unique, with a task you have entrusted to them alone.
Help us always to promote the basic rights of all, and to recognise that we are all parts of one body, dependant on one another, and called to share a common life.
Amen
An October Saint
St Canice 11 October St Canice was born in Co Derry around 527 and died in 603. Though his people were poor he studied at Clonard under Finnian and at Glasnevin under Mobhi. A deep friendship developed between himself and Colum Cille, with whom he worked for a time in Scotland, where he set up a number of churches. In Ireland his principal foundation was in Aghaboe in Ossory, but this was replaced centuries later by his church in Kilkenny.
Rosary
Monthly Rosary at James Green at statue of Our Lady this Sunday (7th), at 3pm
St. Joseph’s Young Priest’s
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society will take place next Friday Oct 12th after the 10:30am mass. In St. Fiacre’s Church. New members always welcome. The society prays for and supports those who are studying for the priesthood, a worthy initiative.
First Aid Course
Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership are offering an Order of Malta, Basic First Aid Training Course. The course will run for 6 weeks starting on Thursday the 11th of October, in Kilkenny City Vocational School from 8 to 10pm.For more information on either of these courses, contact KRSP for more details. 056 7720870
Kilkenny Job Club
Kilkenny Job Club runs a free four week training programme, which aims to help people find work. We examine your skills, interests and abilities and assist you in improving your job-seeking and interview skills. All facilities - newspapers, stationery, telephone, internet access etc. are provided free of charge. The Job Club is open to anybody actively seeking work, and a weekly allowance is payable to all participants. Social Welfare payments are not affected. If you are interested, or you would like more information contact the Kilkenny Job Club , 5 Johns Quay, Kilkenny Tel: 056 7756043
Kilkenny Archaeological Soc.
‘The Black Abbey & The Dominican’s’ Saturday 13th October at Rothe House, 10am to 1pm. At the Black Abbey 2.30 to 4pm (same date) Adm €20. All are welcome to attend.
Learning in Primary School
Has your child started primary school this year? Or have you a child already in Primary School who has moved to a new class this year? If so, you will be interested in learning more about what your child is learning and doing throughout his/her primary school years. This course focuses on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA’s) recently launched DVD for parents.
Venue: Kilkenny Education Centre, Tuesday 16th October 2007 7-9pm, Facilitator: Margaret Maxwell.
Loreto Parent’s Association
The A.G.M. of Loreto Secondary School Parents Association will be held on Monday 15th Oct at 7:30pm sharp. Mr. Tony O’Carroll will address the meeting on drug & alcohol awareness for students and parents. All welcome
Ossory Social Services
The annual Church Door Collection for Ossory Social Services is next weekend, 13th & 14th Oct. Please Support this worthy cause.
Meals on Wheels are in urgent need of drivers. Have you a car and an hour a week to spare? If so, please contact Kitty or Kay at Social Services 7721685
