Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King. Last Sunday of the Year, 25th November 2007

Family Liturgy
During Advent and for the next four Sunday’s the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church will be a special Family Mass. The children will prepare the readings and prayers they will present their offerings and they will be expressing themselves in drama and song. Through this active involvement and the simplified version of the readings and prayers, the Mass is more meaningful for them and also for their families. Jesus did say, “let the little children come to me” and this is exactly what we hope to do at the 10.30 Mass each Sunday. I would like to extend to you all an invitation to come and experience for yourselves the wonderful feeling of togetherness and sense of Christian Community that we in St. Fiacre’s Church experience when our children come together to celebrate this Family Mass.
Practice for the Family Mass will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursdays at 6 pm. and will last for about one hour. As well as preparing the readings and prayers we also have a children’s choir. All children are welcome. The first practice will take place on Thursday 29th November 2006.

Questions people ask
Cardinal Brady spoke at Knock against consulting horoscopes, tarot cards etc. I know people who use them as a sort of fun. Why should the church condemn them?
Is it only a sort of fun or is there also a desire to control the future and maybe even to utilize hidden powers other than God. The Catholic Church considers such practices as contrary to the first commandment: ‘I am the Lord your God, you shall not have strange gods before me’. There is a danger that calling up spirits or using ouija boards may be allowing evil spirits access to the mind. I have met people who have been deeply harmed by these practices.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

November Parish Draw
The November parish draw takes place this coming Tuesday at 8:30pm. All are welcome to attend the draw and if you’re not already part of the draw you can join by contacting any of the promoters or sacristans. Thanks to all who support us.

Tallaght Choral Society
Presents “Messiah” by George Frederick Handel in St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Saturday 1st December 2007 at 8pm. Tickets €25. Available at the door.

Remembrance Service
Our Parish Remembrance Service will be held next Thursday, 29th November for all the faithful departed but especially for all those who died in our parish in the past year. This service which will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm. Please place the names of your beloved dead in the baskets before the altars in each church.

Irish Catholic
The Irish Catholic of 6th December will feature a special commemorative supplement on the installation of Monsignor Freeman as Bishop of Ossory. This will feature an exclusive interview with the new bishop with photos and coverage of the occasion itself. Please pre-order your copy at the sacristy as soon as possible.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Archbishop Seán Brady who was elevated to the title of Cardinal yesterday (Saturday 24th). This is an historic occasion for our country, this is the first time there has ever been three cardinals in our land, Cardinal Daly, Cardinal Connell, and Cardinal Brady.

Radio Kilkenny is Alive
Radio Kilkenny A.G.M. will take place on Wednesday, December 12th at 8pm in Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. Be there to help us move forward.

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Paddy Murphy, St. Fiacre’s Place, Elizabeth Kelly, Ballinalina, Ann Casey, Broguemakers Hill, Edward Phelan, Connolly St.
Paul O’ Dwyer, 35 Bishop Birch Place, Funeral Prayers Sun 7:45pm, removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem mass Monday, 11am, burial in St. Kieran’s. Edward Lawless, Newpark, Requiem mass Monday, 10:30 in St. John’s.

Anniversaries: Michael Hickey (Sat 6.15), Pat Kearney (Sat 7.00), Maura Leahy (Sun 9.30), Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00), Deceased Members of the O’Neill Family, (Sun 10.30), Maureen O’Shea (Sun 11.00), John Cullen (Sun 12.00), Margaret O’Brien (Sun 12.30), Patrick Crotty, Thomas Beehan, Owen Beehan, James Conway, Mary Conway, Jack Conway, Philip O’Dwyer, John Kehoe, Joe McKane, Jim Corcoran, Ollie Bergin, John McCarthy, Rory McPhillips

Intentions for Next Weekend
Months Mind: Mary Mulrooney (Sat 7.00),
Anniversaries: Tom O’Dowd (Sat 6.15), Laurence Healy (Sun 10.30), Kathleen Browne (Sun 11.00), Michael Dwyer (Sun 12.00), Thomas Dowling 9Sun 12.30), Elaine Kelly (Tues 10.30), Margaret Doyle (Sat 8th 10.00)

Brass and Reid Band Concert
The 125th anniversary concert of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reid Band, featuring the Kilkenny Gospel Choir and the Army Band of the Southern Command will take place this Sunday 25th at Cillin Hill, Carlow Road, Kilkenny.
The concert starts at 8pm and is the first ever concert and the impressive new venue at Cillin Hill

Parish Building Fund
Our new development at Loughboy continues to take shape and thanks to the weather being so good the development is more or less on target.
We continue to fund raise for this development at St. Fiacre’s Church. To date we have our very successful Parish Draw which is held every month thanks to Ted Byrne and his faithful army of promoters who keep this going. If you are not already part of our draw and would like to be, contact any of the promoters, priests or sacristans in our churches.
Another initiative has been to write to all those who are registered as parishioners of our parish and ask for either a donation or a 5 year loan towards the development of the Parish Centre. To date this has had a very positive response with over €120000 raised and more pledged. This means we have €120 000 less to borrow and we’re grateful to all who have been so generous. Further details on this will be published later.
While these are fundraising initiatives, the main source of income for the day to day running of the parish and income for the building fund is the weekly envelopes and standing orders that many of you contribute to every week. We are grateful to all who support us.
Another fundraiser planned to the coming weeks will be a cake sale. If you would like to volunteer your time and baking skills to this venture, then contact Rita Byrne at 7721129 or Mary Parsons at: 7721356. More details of this upcoming fundraiser will be published next week.

City Parishes Day of Prayer
The city parishes are gathering together next Friday 30th in St. Mary’s Cathedral for a day of prayer. The day of prayer is in preparation for the ordination of our Bishop-elect Séamus Freeman next Sunday.
The day will consist of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from 10am to 7pm. Volunteers from each parish are required for the different hours of the day. If you would like to be part of t his day of prayer then please sign your name on the rota which is available in all the sacristies.
At 7:30pm, the day of prayer will end in the Cathedral with evening prayer. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this time of prayer.

Bishop’s Letter
This weekend, our bishop-elect has asked us to read a pastoral letter addressed to all the faithful of the diocese. We publish the entire letter on our website. Just click on the link entitled ‘Bishops Letter’ or follow the newsletter link to locate this document.

Bishops Ordination
Next Sunday Kilkenny will be alive with all things ecclesial as cardinal, bishops, priests, religious and faithful gather in St. Mary’s Cathedral for the ordination of our new bishop.
All are most welcome to attend. As there is limited room in the cathedral arrangements have been made for people to watch the ceremony live via television link in a nearby building. We are sorry that not everyone can get a seat in the Cathedral, it’s just not physically possible.

Prayer for our New Bishop
O God, by the gift of your grace alone, you call your servant and priest, Séamus Freeman, to oversee the Church of Ossory. Enable him to carry out worthily the office and ministry of Bishop.
Grant that under your constant guidance he may lead by word and example the people entrusted to his care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Pastoral Letter to the Priests, Persons of Consecrated Life, and Lay Faithful

TOGETHER WE JOURNEY: TOGETHER WE SERVE

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,

Today is the Feast of Christ the King. It is the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year. To conclude the year we affirm the greatness of the Lord as the source of all that is good and true. How are we to understand the meaning of this word “KING”? We know that the characteristics of the “kings” of this world are power, influence, control, wealth and ambition. In Chapter 20 of Matthew’s Gospel, we read how James and John, Apostles of Jesus and the sons of Zebedee, had a petition presented to Jesus asking to be in influential positions in his Kingdom. The reply of Jesus indicates that the apostles did not understand the spiritual meaning of “King” and “Kingdom”. “But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve” (Jn.20:26-28). The message is clear: The Christian community is a family, the family of God, a family of responsible service to one another, a family of the children of God belonging to one another. We journey together, and together we serve. That’s the ideal put before us today, the Feast of Christ the King. I pray it can be seen to be my ideal too as I begin my service as your Bishop, next Sunday.

Next Sunday (2nd December) is the First Sunday of Advent, the first Sunday of a new Liturgical Year. In the religious sense it could be called a new spiritual beginning, new in the sense of being a new opportunity to begin again with the ongoing invitation to deepen ever more our spiritual relationship with one another and with Jesus Christ, our teacher and our friend. A friend is one who “loves at all times” (Prov. 17:17). But what is love? The evangelist John tells us that we must love as Jesus loves: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Jn. 15:12-14). Advent is a time for each of us to deepen God’s love within us. The life of Jesus Christ is the great love of God for each one of us. Therefore, we prepare to celebrate Christmas, not by material gifts and celebration, but by opening the doors of our hearts and minds to the love of Jesus Christ, a love that becomes authentic and happy life.

Next Sunday (2nd December) is also the day of my Consecration as Bishop of Ossory. Many of you will be able to attend. The majority will be unable to attend. However, my hope is that all of you will be present spiritually with me on that day, praying for all the people in the Diocese and praying especially for your new Bishop, that he can serve the needs and challenges of the diocese with a creative fidelity, while at the same time being “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). On such occasions, many use the phrase – “a new beginning”. There is a sense in which it is true to say there will be a new beginning. In fact, every moment of our lives is a new beginning. Scripture declares: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). Also, St. Paul invites us to “walk in the newness of life”. Every day is a new beginning for all of us. It is a blessing when we have the conviction that “newness of life” is part of every day. That is why we are encouraged to pray every day. This is how the birth of Christ in our minds and hearts will continue to bring us new life. Tomorrow, we will be either more priestly or less priestly, more married or less married, more faithful or less faithful. Therefore, it is so important to seek the newness of life in Christ, every day.

There is also a sense in which next Sunday is not a new beginning. We are not starting from the beginning. The liturgical celebration of next Sunday will take its place in the long history of the Christian faith of this unique Diocese. The arrival of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Ossory was heralded by the tinkling of a bell. According to tradition, Saint Kieran left his home near Cape Clear, Co. Cork, and went to Rome to be ordained a priest and a bishop before returning to Ireland. St. Patrick is reported to have given him a bell and Kieran was to build a monastery on the spot where it should first sound. When the saint had passed over the Slieve Blooms, the bell sounded. Here Kieran established his monastery at Seir Kieran, the centre from which Ossory was evangelised. I hope to make a pilgrimage to that holy place next Saturday, 1st December.

From Seir Kieran in County Offaly, the centre of the diocese moved to Aghaboe in County Laois. Saint Canice had been founder and abbot of this great monastery. Historians record that Canice was a great scholar who wrote a commentary on the scriptures. May his wisdom and insight continue to guide us; may his love for the word of God inspire us all to be true and faithful Disciples of Christ the Lord.

Some time in the twelfth century the Bishop of Ossory moved to the growing city of Kilkenny. In the intervening centuries the Church in Ossory experienced great growth as monasteries and churches were to spring up all over the diocese: Kells, Jerpoint, Gowran (to mention but a few) remind us of that. Then came persecution and famine: many parishes have a Mass rock that bears witness to the faith and courage of the people despite the threats they faced. Through times of joy and difficulty, through darkness and light, the people of Ossory have proclaimed their faith in God and have gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. May we, in our time, hold fast to the heritage of faith that we have received as we seek to express this great gift in the changed circumstances of today.

Today, many say that we live in a fragile world. Significant challenges face us as a Church at this time. First of all, there is the challenge to communicate the joy of Christian faith and the power of Christian love of the other, especially, the poor, the suffering and the deprived, in a world that is often more concerned with self love. The abuse of the other, regardless of age or origin, is always a very great sin. The God of love is a God of mercy and compassion. Such love assures all persons that they are welcome in God’s Church, a community where compassion and mercy embrace us all. Faith-development and the promotion of vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life must also be a priority, an urgent priority, as we look to the future of our diocese. In all of these endeavours we are supported by the Holy Spirit who never leaves the Church untended.

Let us listen to the Holy Spirit who “renews the face of the earth” and who guides us with these words: “Now I am revealing new things to you, things hidden and unknown to you, created just now, this very moment, of these things you have heard nothing until now, so that you cannot say, ‘Oh yes, I knew all this’ (Is. 48:6-7). We must be open to the Spirit as Mary was when she proclaimed: “Let what you have said be done to me” (Lk. 1:38). This response and attitude of Mary gave to humanity the spiritual gift of Christmas, new life in Christ.

On Sunday next I will come among you as the successor of St. Kieran to be ordained as Bishop of Ossory following the retirement of Bishop Laurence Forristal. Like Kieran, I left my native Coolagh in the parish of Callan for Rome and now return with a mandate from Pope Benedict XVI to be pastor of Ireland’s oldest diocese. This is a great responsibility which I do not undertake lightly. As I prepare for my ordination I ask your prayers for me and for the diocese. May Saint Kieran, Saint Canice and the many good women and men who have lived the Gospel throughout the ages be our strength and guide. May the bell that first pealed for Kieran continue to ring out loud and clear, assuring us that God continues to walk with the people of Ossory and that his love and forgiveness are to be found in the Church.

In conclusion, and in your name and mine, I wish to express a word of heartfelt thanks to Bishop Forristal for his 26 years of dedicated and fruitful service as Bishop of Ossory. Let our prayer be that his years of retirement will be marked by his ongoing Christian witness, by happiness and good health.

Yours faithfully in the Lord,

Séamus Freeman, SAC
Bishop Elect

Thirthy Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 18th of November 2007

Building a Community (Centre)
I am currently writing to all parishioners asking for financial help towards the cost of the parish development at St. Fiacre’s Church. Most parishioners will have received my letter by now and those who did not will hear from me during the next few days. To date your response has been magnificent and €97,250 has been added to the parish coffers. This is without doubt a very generous return which, over time, will save the parish up to €100,000 in interest repayments. As a registered charity the parish can also reclaim income tax already paid on much of this amount thus significantly increasing the value of the contribution at no extra cost to the donor. Thanks for your generous support for this long awaited parish facility.
While I fully appreciate that I am asking for a significant sum of money I do not want anyone to feel obliged to make a donation or the contribution to cause hardship. Every euro helps. Ní neart go cur le chéile – there is strength in unity – working together the people of our parish can do great things. Working together as a community will make paying for our Parish Centre easier.
I ask you to consider what you can do for our parish at this time. All contributions will be carefully recorded and acknowledged. Thanks again for your support.

Remembrance Service
Our Parish Remembrance Service will be held on Thursday, 29th November for all the faithful departed but especially for all those who died in our parish in the past year. This service which will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm. Please place the names of your beloved dead in the baskets before the altars in each church.

Farewell and Thanks
After many years writing his hugely popular column Fr. Tom Cox has decided to take an extended break. We wish him well as he takes some time of refreshment and renewal.

No Work, No Food
A famous comic cartoon strip called Peanuts had a main character called Charlie Brown. Charlie once delightfully declared: ‘I love humanity. It’s people I can’t stand!’ Sometimes our attitude to the Bible is like Charlie’s to his fellow human beings. We love the Bible. It’s its challenges we can’t stand! Take today’s second reading, for example. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thess 3:10). Can Paul really be serious? In answer, another question: was Jesus serious when he said that if a brother or sister has something against us, we should settle the matter first before bringing an offering to God? (Mt 5:24). Yes? No? Tricky, isn’t it? If yes, are there exceptions? What happens if we apply this to the Eucharist? Just how literal should we be? If we don’t want to be literal and start toning down what Jesus said where do we stop? As far as I know there isn’t a ‘Cherry-Picker’s Bible’ on the market. If Paul commands something, he means it. Jesus doesn’t joke about serious matters. People who don’t pull their weight should earn their food and not be kept – hard though that may be for them to swallow.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Questions People Ask
Q. If you were asked to celebrate Mass in the Tridentine Rite, how would you answer?
A. Candidly, I would be reluctant to go back to a rite which lacks the great theological riches of the changes introduced at the time of Pope Paul VI. The revised rite is, in fact, far more conservative than the rite going back to the Council of Trent, as it conserved elements from the early Christian centuries such as the Prayers of the Faithful and the sign of peace. The Tridentine Rite has only one form of the Eucharistic Prayer (Eucharistic Prayer I): sadly, this prayer lacks the very important prayer calling down the Holy Spirit on the gifts of bread and wine.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Rena Brett, Derdimus. Funeral prayers at her home at 10.45am on Monday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards in Foulkstown Cemetery. Richard Delaney, 20 McCauley Place. Funeral arrangements later. Sr. Leonard Casey, Wexford.

Anniversaries: Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sat 6.15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7.00), Patrick Morris, (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10.30), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Deceased Members of St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band (Sun 12.30), Julie Mary Taggart (Wed 9.30), James Fox (Thur 9.30), Maura Leahy, Michael Beale, John Fogarty, Margaret Guilfoyle, May O’Connell, Joan Meehan, Joseph Murphy, James Donnelly Snr, James Donnelly Jr, Sean Donnelly, Michael Gibbons, Peter Blanchfield, Michael Kennedy, Kitty Henebry, Catherine McDonald.

Intentions for Next Weekend: Michael Hickey (Sat 6.15), Pat Kearney (Sat 7.00), Maura Leahy (Sun 9.30), Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00), Deceased members of the O’Neill Family (Sun 10.30), Maureen O’Shea (Sun 11.00), John Cullen (Sun 12.00), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 12.30).

Found
A sum of money was found in the vicinity of St. Patrick’s Church. Contact Fr. Dan if you think it may be yours. Well done to the honest young student who handed it in. If unclaimed the money will go to charity.

Bishop Freeman’s Coat of Arms
(See front cover of this newsletter)
Ensigned with a processional celtic cross palewise behind the shield of gold, the cross is countersigned by 6 symbols of infinity 3 per pale and 3 per fess with the two central signs forming a cross. The whole is surmounted by a galero with cords and twelve tassels disposed in three rows of one, two and three all vert. In a cartuche the motto “Libertas in Veritate”.
In the first partition of the shield the comet, since the birth of Jesus Christ, continues to proclaim the advent of our Lord. This charge placed on a field of green symbolises hope and is taken from the arms of the Pallottine Fathers of which Father Séamus Freeman is a member. In the second partition the bell represents the ancient tradition that Saint Kieran, the evangelising founder of the diocese of Ossory brought from Rome in the year 549 A.D. The clanger in bend underlines the dynamic action of the message. The final partition of the shield represents the book of books: the bible. From the word of life it contains Father Séamus has chosen to evoke the invitation to proclamation the apostle Paul proffered in his second letter to Timothy. The book has a red cover representing God’s love for man and all creation. The gold of the field, the quintessential colour of regality, embodies the meaning that only by listening to the word do we make ourselves worthy of the kingdom of God. The motto “Libertas in Veritate” (John, 8:32) stresses Jesus’ words according to whom only the knowledge of truth gives full freedom to man. It is also a play on the bishop’s surname of “Freeman”.

Prayer for Our New Bishop
In preparation for the ordination there will be a special service of Evening Prayer of the Church at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on Friday, 30th November. During the service the bishop’s symbols of office (ring, crozier, pectoral cross and mitre) will be blessed.
Each parish in the diocese has been asked to hold an individual service but, because of our proximity to the Diocesan Cathedral we believe it would be more meaningful to hold a combined service for the four city parishes. We invite all to come along and pray for our new bishop on the weekend of his ordination.

Irish Catholic
The Irish Catholic of 6th December will feature a special commemorative supplement on the installation of Monsignor Freeman as Bishop of Ossory. This will feature an exclusive interview with the new bishop with photos and coverage of the occasion itself. Please pre-order your copy at the sacristy as soon as possible.

Liam Lawton Concert
Liam Lawton, well known Irish composer and singer, will perform in concert at St. John’s Church, Dublin Road on Tuesday, 4th December.

Young at Heart
This group will hold a church gate collection this weekend. Please support.
Family Liturgy
During Advent and for the next four Sunday’s the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church will be a special Family Mass. The children will prepare the readings and prayers they will present their offerings and they will be expressing themselves in drama and song. Through this active involvement and the simplified version of the readings and prayers, the Mass is more meaningful for them and also for their families. Jesus did say, “let the little children come to me” and this is exactly what we hope to do at the 10.30 Mass each Sunday. I would like to extend to you all an invitation to come and experience for yourselves the wonderful feeling of togetherness and sense of Christian Community that we in St. Fiacre’s Church experience when our children come together to celebrate this Family Mass.
Practice for the Family Mass will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursdays at 6 pm. and will last for about one hour. As well as preparing the readings and prayers we also have a children’s choir. All children are welcome. The first practice will take place on Thursday 29th November 2006.

Prisoner Sunday
Like their victims prisoners are also human beings. On this Prisoner Sunday let us pray for prisoners, their families and the victims of their crimes. We are called to ‘love the sinner while hating the sin.’

A November Saint
• St Columban
(543-615) • 23 November
Columban (or Columbanus) is associated with the monastery of Bangor, where he was monk and teacher. In 591, with twelve companions, he set out as a missionary for Christ and travelled widely in mainland Europe, setting up monasteries, after the Irish model, in Annegray, Luxeuil, Fontaine and other centres. His best-known foundation was in Bobbio, near Genoa, where he died in 615. Columban’s influence is celebrated widely in Germany, Switzerland and Italy today. He is regarded as one of the greatest of Irish missionaries.

Thirty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Eleventh of November 2007

Is Resurrection For All?
Will everybody experience resurrection?
No, if you take at face value what you hear in this Sunday’s first reading: But for you there will be no resurrection to life! (2 Macc 7:14). The ‘you’ is a despotic king and his sadistic torturers. One suspects the list could easily be lengthened. Again at face value, today’s gospel reading reinforces this view: those who are considered worthy of a place in that age and in the resurrection from the dead … (Lk 20:35). The implication is clear: some won’t be considered worthy of resurrection. So, what happens those?
Basing its views on Jn 5:28-29 the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: ‘All the dead will rise, those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment.’(Par.998).
We describe death as the separation of soul and body – not knowing really what either is. The body decomposes conveniently, but what about that soul? Where is it until it rises with its glorified body? Why does it need one? Do those who ‘rise’ to judgment also have one? If not, what do they have? Silly questions? Maybe. But allow me one more: what’s the difference between unquestioned faith and fundamentalism? Over to you!

Exploring the Scriptures
A course on Sacred Scripture which is also open to new members. St. Kieran’s College. 10.30am–12.30pm on 13th, 20th, 27th November and 4th, 11th, 18th December.

Peace in Christ
This weekend’s church gate collection is for Peace in Christ, our diocesan retreat house which celebrates its fortieth anniversary this year. Please support.

Mass For Deceased INTO
Mass for deceased members of the INTO will be held at the Capuchin Friary Church at 7:30pm on Monday 12th November.

Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus mean when he said that, in the resurrection of the dead, people do not marry, because they can no longer die?
A. The journey to marriage begins in two people being attracted to one another. This arises out of each one’s incompleteness … ‘it is not good for man to be alone’. The word sex originates in the Latin word for a section or an incomplete part. It is nature’s way of ensuring the reproduction of the human race. In the perfect love which is heaven, there will be no incompleteness and, obviously, no need to reproduce. I believe that the loving relationships which are formed on earth will continue in heaven, in a way even beyond our greatest expectations.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

New Readers
Thanks to those who volunteered to proclaim the Word of God in church each weekend. The coordinators have met and the new rosters will be available for the First Sunday of Advent - 2nd December. We appreciate this valuable ministry to the people of the parish.

Prayer for Our New Bishop
In preparation for the ordination of our new bishop, Monsignor Séamus Freeman, there will be a special service of Evening Prayer of the Church at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on Friday, 30th November. During the service the bishop’s symbols of office (ring, crozier, pectoral cross and mitre) will be blessed.
Each parish in the diocese has been asked to hold an individual service but, because of our proximity to the Diocesan Cathedral we believe it would be more meaningful to hold a combined service for the four city parishes. We invite all to come along and pray for our new bishop on the weekend of his ordination.

Prayer for the New Bishop
O God, by the gift of your grace alone, you call your servant and priest, Séamus Freeman, to oversee the Church of Ossory. Enable him to carry out worthily the office and ministry of Bishop.
Grant that under your constant guidance he may lead by word and example the people entrusted to his care.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
We are asked to keep Mgr. Freeman in our prayers at this time. The above is the prayer to be said throughout the diocese.

All Night Vigil
The people of Callan – Monsignor Freeman’s home parish – are organising an all night vigil on the eve of Monsignor Freeman’s ordination. The service will be at Coolagh Church culminating with 9.00am Mass on Sunday, 2nd December. All are invited to attend all or some of the vigil. More details later.

Remembrance Service
There will be a special Parish Remembrance Service on Thursday, 29th November for all the faithful departed but especially for all those who died in our parish in the past year . We invite all bereaved to take part in this service which will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm. Please place the names of your beloved dead in the baskets before the altars in each church.

Pray for the Deceased
Recent Deaths: Mary Mulrooney, Aughtanny. Henrietta Hyland, Ormonde Road. Sr. Borgia Fitzpatrick, St. John of God, Waterford. Paddy Lopez, S.O.S. Retirement Home, The Sycamores.
Anniversaries: Mary Millea (Sat 6:15), Julia O’Carroll (Sat 7:00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9:30), Connor O’Brien (Sun 10:00), May Muldowney (Sun 10:30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11:00), Pat Fahy (Sun 12:00), Martin Brett (Sun 12:30), John Kelly (Tue 10:30), Margaret Cantwell, James Leahy, Richard Phelan, Henry Tiernan, Dymphna Condon, Billy, Mary-Ann & Jeffrey Brennan, Anne & Kathleen Conway, Ellen Hickey, Andy Egan, James Maher.

Anniversaries Next Weekend: Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sat 6:15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7pm), Patrick Morris (Sun 9:30), John Brennan (Sun 10am), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10:30), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 11am), John Byrne (Sun 12:00), Deceased Members of the Brass and Reed Band (12.30)

November Offering
The November Offering for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is now due. Please use the second of the green envelopes that you will have received with your parish contribution pack earlier.
We are grateful for your generous support of us priests. During November, each priest will offer 9 Masses each for the deceased faithful of our parish. Thanks once again.


Parish Registration
As a result of recent appeals a number of new parishioners have registered with the parish office. Welcome to all of you - its good to know that we are a growing and thriving parish.
In an ideal world the priests would know all our parishioners by name. However, with over nine thousand parishioners, we are the largest parish in the diocese and we have only three priests. Registering with the parish at least provides us with the opportunity to have some contact with our parishioners and to get to know their needs. While registration is not strictly necessary it does open the door when approaches are made for baptisms, wedding papers, funerals and other parish services. For example, the priests have been asked to provide “Letters of Freedom” and “Prenuptial Enquiry Forms” by residents of the parish preparing for Church marriages. This can lead to difficulties and embarrassment when people are not registered in the parish.
Up-to-date demographic details help us to make realistic plans for the future development of services for our parish; they enable us to draw down appropriate grants and resources and budget for parish growth.
Our parish is registered under the relevant Data Protection Acts and information will never be passed to others or used for purposes other than the running of St. Patrick’s Parish. Please call the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 if you would like to register.

Parish Centre
Thanks to a number of people who recently made donations or signed standing orders for the regular support of the parish centre. We appreciate every little bit of help from parishioners and from those who live outside The Village but who use our services. Together we are working to build up facilities which will cater for all the needs of the local community.

Castle Park Playground
A group of parents objecting to the closure of the playground in the Castle Park ask for your support in compiling a petition to the OPW. They will petition outside the churches next weekend.

St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band
The annual Mass for the deceased members of the band will be celebrated on Sunday, 18th November at 12.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church. The band members extend an invitation to all families and friends of past and present members to attend.

125th Anniversary Concert
Of the St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will take place on Sunday 25th November at Cillin Hill, Carlow Road, Kilkenny (New Mart Venue) at 8pm. Adm: €20. Special Guests: The Kilkenny Gospel Choir and the Army Band of the Southern Command.

Humour
Seen on a notice board: ‘How will you spend eternity, smoking or non-smoking?’

Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, 4th November 2007

Coping With God
Coping with God is difficult. The problem is: he’s too loving – by human standards, that is. We’re all for love when it’s to our advantage. We’re all for love for those we like. But that’s not good enough. God created those we hate, fear, despise, and avoid. He created them just as he created us. He called them too by name from their mother’s womb. Today’s reading from the Book of Wisdom (11:22-12:2) tells us as much: For you love all things that exist, and detest none of the things that you have made (11:24). If God loves some of the ‘things’ that we hate, one of us must be wrong. That ‘awe-full’ reading goes further. Incredibly, it tells us that God overlooks our sins so that we may repent (11:23). He turns a blind eye to sin! Is that the God you were taught to believe in? Was it not God the Punisher? The Just One who punishes every sin? The One who keeps his eye on you, rather than the One who can’t take his eyes off you for sheer love? Let us bask in God’s love. Soak up his mercy. Then face life as he does: with total love.Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Readers
We are currently recruiting new readers to proclaim the Word of God at all weekend Masses. Please contact one of the priests without delay if you are interested in helping with this important ministry.

Mass For Deceased INTO
Mass for deceased members of the INTO in Friary Church at 7:30pm on Monday 12th November. All welcome

Edmund Rice Mass
November mass for Canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice is Monday November 5th at 7:30pm. All Welcome.

Questions people ask
Q. What is meant by the soul?A. In a religious sense, the soul is the invisible, immortal element by which a human being is made in the image and likeness of God. The soul is not a material or physical part of the body but the spiritual principle which makes a person to be a person, on a level of life above all other forms of life. The soul is not formed biologically by the parents but is created directly by God. Hence, we respect the absolute sacredness of human life. The soul does not perish at the death of the body but is destined for unending life. Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Exploring the Scriptures
A continuation course on Sacred Scripture which is also open to new members. Director: Sr. de Lourdes Sheridan will explore the gospel of Luke in its historical, cultural and religious context. Venue: CREIDIM, St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. Cost: €30. Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm on Tuesdays, 13th, 20th and 27th November and 4th, 11th and 18th December.

Ordination of Bishop Freeman
Plans continue to be put in place for the ordination of our new bishop on Sunday, 2nd December. While much of the cathedral will be reserved for ticket holders we have been advised that there will be some accommodation on the day. We will keep you updated on the situation.
In the meantime you are asked to pray for our bishop-elect as he prepares to take up the leadership of our diocese.

Remembrance Service
Our annual Remembrance Service for our beloved dead (especially those who died during the past twelve months) will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 29th November. All are welcome to attend. More details later.

Pray for the Deceased
Recent Deaths: Br. McGuinness, CBS, James Street. Fr. Michael McCormack, England & Galway. Ann Beirne, Parkview Drive

Months Mind: Billy & Patty Reinhardt

Anniversaries: PJ Marrinan (Sat 6.15), Michael Phelan (Sat 7.00), James Rafter (Sun 10.00), Margaret Moore (Sun 10.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Tom & Kathleen Cody (Sun 12.00), Dominic Coll (Sun 12.30), Nancy Dunphy, Josie & Mick Walsh, Richard & Julia Ryan, Anastatia Muldowney, Michael Davin, Sally Byrne, Anna, Michael, Mary & Paddy Bowe.

Anniversaries Next Weekend: Mary Millea (Sat 6:15), Julia O’Carroll (Sat 7:00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9:30), Conor O’Brien (Sun 10:00), May Muldowney (Sun 10:30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11:00), Pat Fahy (Sun 12:00), Martin Brett (Sun 12:30).

November Remembers our Dead
Sheets for writing the names of deceased loved ones for inclusion in November Masses are available at all the churches. Please inscribe the names of loved ones and place in baskets before the altar.

World Youth Day Pilgrimage
As we approach the closing date for applications for the diocesan World Youth Day pilgrimage to Sydney next July we are still seeking volunteers from our parish to travel with the pilgrimage group. Please contact one of the priests without delay if you are interested in participating.

November Offering
The November Offering for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due this month. This is the second of the green envelopes that you will have received with your Parish contribution pack earlier this year.
We are grateful to you all for your kind and generous support of us priests. In the month of November, each priest will offer 9 masses each for the deceased faithful of our parish. Thanks once again.

Presentation Secondary School
The Presentation Secondary School Parents’ A.G.M. is on 8th November at 7.30pm in the school. All parents are encouraged to attend.

Life After Loss
A series of talks given by members of Kilkenny Bereavement Support. Venue: CREIDIM, St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. Cost: €30. 8pm. Starts Tuesday, 6th November.

Peace in Christ
The annual collection in aid of Peace in Christ Retreat house will be held next weekend (10th 11th), at all masses. Thank you for your support and generosity.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests
The society’s monthly meeting is next Friday , 9th November in St. Fiacre’s Church after the 10:30 mass. The society prays for and supports vocations. All welcome