Good News and Comfort Zones
A gem of Cherokee wisdom goes as follows: When you were born you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die the world cries and you rejoice. Christmas, in its own way, confirms that we can do just that. That is what the Good news proclaims: death is not the end of everything, but the beginning of something new. Death is our passage to the rejoicing.
Our faith is not for pessimists unless, that is, to transform them into optimists. Recently I came across an amusing definition of a pessimist as one who feels bad when he feels good for fear he’ll feel worse when he feels better. No, our faith is not for those. Our faith instils joy, optimism, hope, vision, and trust. Otherwise, how could it be considered good news?
Some people, it seems, just cannot be happy being happy. They seem to feel there’s something wrong with it. God doesn’t want us to be happy in this vale of tears. A modern-day spin on this dreary spirituality is the blithely imposed duty to leave our so-called comfort zones.
I say, Thanks be to God for them. Just try living without any of them!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Questions People Ask
Is it OK to question the virginal birth of Jesus? I’ve read that this was a fashionable notion in those days in mythology and when writing about famous leaders.
The gospels of Matthew and Luke treat the virginal conception of Jesus as a fact, not as a fanciful notion or a myth. Joseph, on learning of Mary’s pregnancy, wanted to break off his contract with Mary until the virginal conception was revealed to him. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, already existed as a person before he came to earth in human nature. Therefore, he could not have had a second father, only an adoptive one. But to be fully human, his embryo needed nurturing in the womb of a mother.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Christmas Prayer from Bethlehem
The violence and conflict which still haunts the place where Jesus was born and walked two thousand years ago affect us all today. As we remember the birth of Jesus in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem, we cannot but remember the people of Bethlehem today that suffer poverty, a lack of housing, unemployment, fear and isolation.
As we prepare for Christmas, we have received a short prayer from the Parish Priest in St. Catherine's Parish of the Nativity in Bethlehem.
'Lord you know all who are suffering here because of the political situation and the climate of war. You know also that everything can be resolved if there is peace. Dear Baby Jesus, through the intercession of your Holy Mother and Saint Joseph, send us peace as soon as possible.
Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Tommy Tyrell, Archers Crescent. Stephen Brennan, Paulstown. Rita Cooney, Castlepollard
Anniversaries: Elizabeth Comerford (Sat 6.15), Geraldine Cody (Sat 7.00), Christopher & Mary Coogan (Sun 10.30), George Byrne (Sun 11.00), Margaret & Patrick Cantwell (Sun 12.00), Mary Blanchfield (Sun 12.30), Diane Keenan, Jim & PJ Keenan (Tues 10.30), Betty Furniss (Tues 11.00), Mary O’Dwyer (Wed 11.00), May & John Rhatigan, Martin Doheny, Mary Doheny, Brendan Doheny, Martin Browne, The Condon Family, Roseanna Smyth, Richard Gaule, Rita Cooney, Ted Carroll, James & Samuel Dunlop, Seamus Fry, Patrick Burke, Edward Geoghegan, John, Mamie & Billy Phelan, Paddy Doyle, Tommy Clooney, Stephen Fanning, Jim O’Rourke, Peggy Blanchfield, Nora Bartholomew, Terry Brett, Tommy & Bridie O’Neill, Eileen McCormack.
Intentions for next weekend
Months Mind: Paddy Murphy (Sat 7.00).
Anniversaries: Dr. Harry Roche (Jan 3rd 10.30).
Welcome our New Bishop
We welcome our new bishop Most Rev. Seamus Freeman to our parish on next Sunday. Bishop Seamus is expected to be principal concelebrant at 11am Mass on Sunday 30th December.
Cake Sale
Many thanks to all who baked or donated cakes for our recent cake sale. Thanks to all who helped out on the day. We also thank Kilkenny Rugby Club for kindly providing the venue for our cake sale. The amount raised was €1,085.
Christmas Candles
Thank you to Fiona and Aisling from the Children’s Choir who made Christmas Candles which they sold after Mass last Sunday. They collected €300 in Aid of Chernobyl Children’s Project. Well done!
Christmas Morning Run
Kilkenny City Harriers will hold their annual Christmas Morning Charity Run. Participants assemble at The Parade, opposite the castle gates, to depart at 11.00am. This years collection goes to the local St Vincent de Paul.
St Mary’s Cathedral
Annual Carol Service
Sunday 23rd December at 7.30pm.
Collection in aid of Cathedral Organ
St. Joseph’s Church
Mass goers are asked not to park cars in the entrance to Kilkenny Rugby Club as this may delay cars crossing the roadway to enter the club grounds. There is ample parking in the car park. Your cooperation would be appreciated.
Remembrance Service
The Irish Sudden Infant Death Association will hold a Remembrance Service in St. John's Community Centre on Friday, 28th December at 11.30am.
The Community Centre is behind St. John’s RC Church. All are welcome to this special remembrance service.
Midnight with the Youth Choir
The youth choir is celebrating 20 years singing at Midnight Mass in the Parish this year. We would like to extend an invitation to all former members of the choir to come along and join with us at Midnight Mass this year. Musicians and singers are welcome.
Exposition
There will be just one hours adoration from 11am to 12 noon at St. Fiacre’s Church on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Greetings
As this is the last newsletter before Christmas the priests and the members of the Parish Team would like to take this opportunity to wish all in our parish a very happy and holy Christmas.
