33rd Sunday in Ordinary time, 16th November 2008

A Talent to Bemust
The technical support person was having difficulty identifying the problem the caller was having with her computer. After ten minutes of futile questioning he asked her the most basic question of all: ‘What type of computer do you have?’ ‘A white one’, she replied. You might think that a caller like that couldn’t possibly have a future in computer technology. And, you’d probably be right. However, when it comes to answering God’s call to do something that sort of reckoning goes out the window. God often calls the least talented, in secular terms, to do God’s will. Why so? Because it must be clear that it’s God’s power working through the individual that gets things done, not the individual’s own talents. Look at his choice of Pope, for example. The first, I mean. An unlettered fisherman. Would we ever dream of choosing such a candidate for the post today? Definitely not. Our candidates have to be extremely well-lettered and talented, even in secular terms. Is that saying anything about our trust in God’s power?
Today’s Gospel is all about trust. A man divides his property among his servants to look after it for him while he’s away. What matters is not how much they earn, but how they use what he gives them. Hiding it away safely is not an option. The owner gives it for use. We all have at least one talent. It remains a talent to bemuse until, trusting in God, we see its purpose and put it to good use.
Fr. Tom Cahill

Parish Web Page
We continue to update the parish webpage with the weekly newsletter. We hope to have a new website in the New Year once we are up and running in our new Parish Centre.
Volunteers to help with the design and running of the new web site would be welcome as my knowledge of such things is limited. Interested? Contact Fr. Liam.

Questions People Ask
Q. I find it hard to understand what holiness means?
A. When the Prophet Isaiah was granted a glimpse of heaven, he described this awesome experience as holy. We repeat his threefold cry of “Holy” at Mass. The holiness of God means that God is totally above and beyond anything we have ever experienced: that God is all-perfect, without any moral blemish and worthy of all reverence and worship. A person is holy to the extent that one is full of reverence, love and kindness… in a word, Christlike.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Liam Delaney, 130 Walkin Street. Reposing at his home. Funeral prayers on Sunday 11.15am followed be removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral for Mass at 12 noon. Funeral afterwards to St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Catherine Phelan, Cedarwood Avenue. John Glynn, College Gardens. Edmund Kenny, Cullohill. Denis Griffin, USA. Madge Rice, Conahy.
Anniversaries: Mary & Anne O’Shea (Sat 6.15), James & Mary Mulrooney (Sat 7.00), Margaret Moore (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10.30), Deceased Members of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Rena Brett (Sun 12.30), Gertrude Donnelly (Mon 9.30), Patrick Morris (Tues 9.30), Eugene & Nora Curley (Tue 10.30), James Fox (Fri 9.30), Joan Taggart (Fri 10.30), John Fogarty, Michael Kennedy, Dymphna Condon, James Leahy, Catherine McDonald, May O’Connor, Joan Meehan, Tom Murphy, Paddy & Lily Power.
Intentions for next weekend: Maura Leahy (Sat 6.15), Patrick Murphy (Sat 7.00), Paul O’Dwyer (Sun 9.30), Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00), May Muldowney (Sun 10.30), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 11.00), John Hand (Sun 12.00), Henrietta Hyland (Sun 12.30).
Remembrance Service
The parish remembrance service will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. All are invited to come and pray for those who have died. The names of parishioners who died during the past year will be included in a special roll of honour.

St Patrick's Brass and Reed Band
The 11am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on this Sunday will be for the deceased members of the St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band. The band will provide the sacred music.

I.N.T.O. Mass
There will be a Mass for deceased members of the Irish National Teachers Organisation in the Friary Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19th November 2008.

Celebration of Faith for Youth
St. Patrick’s Parish has been chosen to host a Celebration of Faith for Young People from neighbouring parishes on Sunday, 30th November. The event will take place during the 12.30pm Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on that day.
This celebration, instigated by the Diocesan Forum, is in response to the stated needs of young people in a recent diocesan survey. It is expected that young people from all over the diocese will gather on that weekend in 13 host venues throughout the diocese to celebrate and rejoice in their faith.
It is hoped this event will be planned and hosted by young people for young people. Please offer your talents and abilities to help make this a memorable occasion. Contact Michelle on 056 776 4400.

Welcome New Altar Servers
We welcome the young people who are joining our altar serving teams from this weekend. They join an already dedicated group of young people who serve at Masses in our parish. We wish them the very best and hope that they find this ministry fulfilling.

When Are We Moving?
This is a question which has been on many lips for the past few months. In short the answer is: we hope to move the parish office towards the end of this week or early next week. In reality as soon as the electricity was switched on last weekend the contractors returned as promised and are working flat out to have the complex ready for later this week. At that stage it will be up to the Design Team to issue the necessary certificates before the parish can formally take over the buildings. Subsequent to this insurance cover will have to be arranged by the parish before the complex can be used by members of the public.

Homes for the Elderly
The Supervising Committee invites applications from those who are interested in acquiring accommodation in the new homes at St. Fiacre’s Church. The development is grant aided and statutory guidelines will apply in the allocation of the houses. Those interested should provide written details of name, current address and relevant contact details to the Presbytery without delay. (Those who put their names down earlier need not re-apply as your details are on file).

St. Vincent de Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be taken up at Masses this weekend. The society offers help to those struggling financially. The conference can be contacted through The Presbytery at 7 Ormonde Road or through the new presbytery at Loughboy. Put your name, address and details into a sealed envelope and drop it into the above places. The St. Patrick’s Parish Conference meets at the Presbytery, 7 Ormonde Road every Monday at 8pm.

Compassion - the heart of the Gospel
Fr. Peter McVerry SJ will give a talk on this topic at St. Canice’s Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday, 19th November. All welcome.

40 Hours of Adoration
The Ossory St. Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society is collaborating with the Ossory Vocations Team in holding 40 hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Adoration will begin at 7.30pm on next Friday, 21st November and finish with solemn benediction following 11am on Sunday, 23rd November. St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society members will be present at all times. While we encourage parishioners to attend at any time during the 40 hours we are anxious that the times allotted to St. Patrick’s Parish will be filled. We have been asked to provide cover from 8.30pm on Friday, 21st to 12.30am on Saturday, 22nd and from 9.00pm to 12.00pm on Saturday, 22nd November. Please contact any member of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society or the Presbytery if you are willing to commit to cover any one of these hours.

Benefit Night
A benefit night in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital & Ronald McDonald House will take place in Cleere’s Pub Parliament Street on next Wednesday, 19th November at 9.30am. The performing artist will be Dave Brown of Picturehouse. Proceeds from the night will be presented to Crumlin by Liam Phelan. Further details of this worthy event, contact Paul Whitnell 087 257 0634.

Mayor of the Village
Two candidates are going all out to win the coveted title Mayor of the Village: Liz Murray (nee O’Rourke) and Kevin O’Dwyer are canvassing hard for your votes at the moment. Each €1 collected by the candidates is worth one non-transferable vote. The money goes to the St. Patrick’s Voluntary Housing Project for Elderly adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church.
The election count will take place and the Mayor will be enrobed during a celebration cabaret and dance at a Larchfield venue on Monday, 24th November at 9pm. Adm €5.

4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drug Training Initiative will continue at the St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

The Carlton Years Revisited
A special fundraiser with The Uptown Band (guest Andy Murray 5th Degree) and Phoenix plus Carlton Disco with D.J. Murphy (KCLR) will be held at Hotel Kilkenny on Saturday, 22nd November. Tickets at €12.50 are available from Rollercoaster, Kieran Street or on the door. Proceeds in aid of Enable Ireland, the O’Neill Centre, Kilkenny.

James Stephens GAA News
Congratulations to the Senior football team on their win against Cashel last weekend. See www.james-stephens.com for more.
They face the Meath county champions in the Leinster Semi-Final on Sunday week. The Best of luck to the players and management. A special All-Ireland celebration takes place on Thursday 4th December in the club in honour of Eoin Larkin, Jackie Tyrrell and Donnacha Cody on winning the 3 senior hurling All-Irelands in a row. All hurling fans in the parish are most welcome. Congratulation to Club Star Eoin Larkin who was recently Crowned the Vodafone and GPA Hurler of the year for 2008. Jackie Tyrrell also made the Vodafone and GPA hurling teams of the year at corner back for his solid performances throughout the year.

Christmas Spending
The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in conjunction with St. Canice's Kilkenny Credit Union, is launching the “Keep the Wolf from the Door this Christmas” campaign and is appealing to people and families who feel that they are vulnerable to spending excessively and in danger of borrowing money at hugely inflated interest rates from unscrupulous money lenders (bookmen) to contact them. Assistance in preparing a budget and some very sensible financial advice will be afforded to them in order to prevent over-borrowing and over-spending this Christmas. Leaflets available at the churches.

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, 9th November 2008

The Mother of all Churches
This church is prayer-conditioned, the sign outside it read. Clearly, it was purpose built. So too are we, as temples of God’s Holy Spirit. We, too, are dedicated as God’s dwelling – at our baptism. But how aware of it are we? In Jesus’ time, Temple commerce seemed more important than Temple ‘Presence’, God’s presence among God’s people. Today’s Gospel tells us as much. In the Temple, people sold cattle, sheep and doves; and moneychangers thrived. With a vengeance Jesus drives out the lot of them, animals and humans alike, dumps the moneychangers’ money unceremoniously in the dirt, and upends their tables. This is not the Jesus – gentle, meek and mild – that we fancy at times. Yet, this is still Immanuel, he who is God-with-us – and with us in ways we least expect or even want. It’s shock therapy to bring us to our senses. How could we focus more on animal sacrifice than on God, more on profit than on prayer?
The Lateran Basilica may seem a long way from this, but its symbolism isn’t. In commemorating the dedication of this church at a distance in terms of time and place, we acknowledge the importance of suitable places to worship God. Though each of us is an Immanuel, we still need places to worship. We are not isolated units in which God dwells. We are a community in which God dwells. A community compelled to worship that inner Presence through a practice of religion that’s both public and prayerful.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Vocations Discernment Group
An opportunity to share time in prayer,
reflection, sharing,
chat and refreshments.
In St. Mary’s Cathedral Centre
James Street, Kilkenny
On the first Saturday of each month
10.30am – 12.30pm
All welcome.
Further details from Fr. Willie Purcell
Tel: 087 628 6858 wpurcell@eircom.net

Questions People Ask
Q. What is so special about the Lateran Basilica that it should get a special feast which replaces the normal Sunday readings?
A. The Basilica of St John on the Lateran Hill in Rome is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome. In celebrating this church, we emphasise two important points: the residing role of the Bishop of Rome in the universal church; and the function of sacred buildings consecrated for sacred worship. While God can be worshipped in any place, we are greatly helped by having sacred buildings consecrated for divine worship, and suitable for quiet reflection and prayer, away from the busy streets of life.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Patrick’s Branch of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on next Friday, 14th November after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. New members welcome.

40 Hours of Adoration
The Ossory St. Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society is collaborating with the Ossory Vocations Team in holding 40 hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Adoration will begin at 7.30pm on Friday, 21st November and finish with solemn benediction following 11am on Sunday, 23rd November. St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society members will be present at all times. This is part of the Year of Vocations programme in the diocese. We encourage parishioners to attend at any time during the 40 hours and please continue to pray for vocations every day.
Our parish has agreed to provide cover from 8.30pm on Friday, 21st to 12.30am on Saturday, 22nd and from 9.00pm to 12.00pm on Saturday, 22nd November. Please contact any member of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society or the Presbytery if you are willing to commit to cover any of these hours.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Brigid Bergin, late of 2 Hazel Grove. Prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Monday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11am on Tuesday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Denis Philpott, Riverside Drive. Prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. House private please. Donal Johnson, Shandon Park (Fri 10.30). Joe Mahony, London & Kells Road.
Anniversaries: Mary Millea (Sat 6.15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30), James Rafter (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11.00), Patrick Fahy (Sun 12.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.30), Paddy Carroll (Mon 9.30), John Kelly (Tues 10.30), Barbara Rhatigan (Wed 9.30), Ellen Hickey (Wed 10.30), Sr. Maria Kissane (Thurs 9.30), Statia Grace (Thurs 10.30am), Bill Quinlan, James Maher, Andy Egan, Henry Tiernan, Margaret Cantwell, Margaret Shiels, Jack Wellford, Ellen Hickey, May Muldowney, Kathleen & Ann Conway.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary & Anne O’Shea (Sat 6.15), James & Mary Mulrooney (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Paddy Moore (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10.30), Deceased members of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Rena Brett (Sun 12.30).

Remembrance Service
There will be a Remembrance Service for our deceased parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. Prayers will be included for those who died in our parish during the past year.

In Honour of Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral, James Street, Kilkenny on this Sunday, 9th November from 3 to 4pm. All are welcome.
Celebration of Faith for Youth
St. Patrick’s Parish has been chosen to host a Celebration of Faith for Young People from neighbouring parishes on Sunday, 30th November. The event will take place during the 12.30pm Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on that day.
The celebration, instigated by the Diocesan Forum, is in response to the stated needs of young people in a recent diocesan survey. It is expected that young people from all over the diocese will gather on that weekend in one of 13 host venues to celebrate and rejoice in their faith.
It is hoped this event will be planned and hosted by young people for young people. Please offer your talents and abilities to help make this a memorable occasion. Contact Michelle at the Presbytery.

Prayer Group
Back after a short break the Prayer Group will meet again at St. Fiacre's Church at 7.30pm on Thursday next and continue to do so every second Thursday. This week’s assembly will begin with the celebration of Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Mayor of the Village
With the US Presidential elections out of the way the campaign to become Mayor of the Village is now in full swing. Two candidates are going all out to win the coveted title: Liz Murray (nee O’Rourke) and Kevin O’Dwyer are canvassing hard for your votes at the moment. While the Electoral Commission might not want to hear this, both candidates are taking brown envelopes (and other colours as well). Each €1 collected by the candidates is worth one non-transferable vote. The money goes to the St. Patrick’s Voluntary Housing Project for Elderly adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church.
The election count will take place and the Mayor will be enrobed during a celebration cabaret and dance at a Larchfield venue on Monday, 24th November at 9pm. Adm €5.

Peace in Christ
The annual church collection for Peace in Christ will be taken up this weekend. Please support this excellent diocesan resource.

Ecumenical Service
Families of those who have died in St. Luke’s General Hospital are invited to an Ecumenical Service on 14th November in St. Canice’s Cathedral at 8pm. This service is being organised by the hospital’s Care of the Dying Person and Their Family Committee.

Widows’ Association
The Kilkenny Branch of the Widows’ Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Club House Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny. New members welcome.

4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drug Training Initiative will continue at the St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

Church Gate Collection
The Young at Heart Club will hold their church gate collection on 15th and 16th of November.

Lost/Found Property
There is an accumulation of lost/found property in each of our sacristies. Feel free to drop in and see if we have your keys, glasses, hats, toys, rosary beads etc. etc. All unclaimed items are donated to local charity shops.

Christmas Spending
The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in conjunction with St. Canice's Kilkenny Credit Union, is launching the “Keep the Wolf from the Door this Christmas” campaign and is appealing to people and families who feel that they are vulnerable to spending excessively and in danger of borrowing money at hugely inflated interest rates from unscrupulous money lenders (bookmen) to contact them. Assistance in preparing a budget and some very sensible financial advice will be afforded to them in order to prevent over-borrowing and over-spending this Christmas. Leaflets available at the churches.

James Stephens GAA Club
Juvenile Draw Results:- 1st: (Golf for 2 at Mount Juliet): Helen Lanigan, Paulstown. 2nd: (Dinner for 2 at Lautrec’s): Paddy Fry, O’Loughlin Road. 3rd: (Kilkenny Jersey Signed by Jackie Tyrrell): Brandon O’Leary, McAuley Place. 4th: (Eoin Larkin’s 2008 Hurley): John Dermody Paulstown. 5th (JJ Delaney’s Signed Hurley): Eíthne Keoghan, Tullaroan. 6th (3 In a Row Kilkenny Team Photograph):Tommy O’Keeffe, Springfields.
Good luck to the Senior Football Team as they bid to make history on Sunday when they play Cashel (Longford) in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Club Football Championships in Nowlan Park at 2.30pm on Sunday. Come on the Village!
Manager Jim Mulvin and his Senior team as they bid to make history Sunday when they play Cashel {Longford} in the quarter Finals of the Leinster Club football championship in Nowlan Park at 2.30p.m.

All Souls 2nd November 2008

The Best is Yet to Come
The church sign reads: Man’s way leads to a hopeless end – God’s way leads to an endless hope. How true, both long term and short term! Long term, because science tells us that ultimately the fate of our ever-expanding universe seemingly is to become frozen and lifeless. Short term, because life tells us that fate without faith has nothing lasting to offer. If everything ends for us at the moment of death then that’s it – we’ve had it, all of it. And depending on one’s circumstances during life, you could ask justifiably if the experience of living was really worth it. Not everybody enjoys more contentment than misery, more pleasure than pain. If what you see is what you get – and only that – then the ‘accident’ of birth might not be a blessing. Today, the Feast of All Souls, we publicly profess our belief that life is a precious gift because it places us at the entry to eternity. We go on record that there is more to life than meets the eye. We believe and proclaim that our family and friends are precious beyond life; and that they survive beyond this earthly life to experience that the best wine is indeed served last. And served, as our First Reading tells us, ‘in a feast of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear’. No frozen wastes for us. Our jubilant cry of hope today can only be: The best is yet to come!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 2nd November at 3pm. All are welcome.

James Stephens GAA Club
Requiem Mass for the deceased members of the James Stephens GAA Club will take place at St. Patrick's Church on Thursday, 6th November at 8pm. Club members are asked to make a special effort to attend. All parishioners welcome.

Questions People Ask
Q. Why should we pray for the dead? If they are in heaven they don’t need our prayers, and if they are in hell, then prayer can’t help them either since out of hell there is no redemption.
A. You are missing the consoling doctrine of purgatory, the purifying transition from earthly imperfections to divine glory. The mercy of God grants this process of purification to all who die in God’s grace but are not yet reflecting the holiness and glory of God. As members of the one Body of Christ, we assist one another by prayers, personal sacrifices and acts of charity.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Christmas Spending
The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Kilkenny in conjunction with St. Canice's Kilkenny credit Union are launching the campaign “Keep the Wolf from the Door this Christmas” and are appealing to people and families who feel that they are vulnerable to spending excessively and in danger of borrowing money at hugely inflated interest rates from unscrupulous money lenders (bookmen) to contact them. Assistance in preparing a budget and some very sensible financial advice will be afforded to them in order to prevent over-borrowing and over-spending this Christmas. Leaflets available at the rear of the Church.

Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of Peace of Christ Diocesan Retreat House takes place next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th November. Please support our diocesan retreat house.

Massive Toy Sale!
Not to be missed: a massive toy sale. All new toys to clear at reduced prices. Come to the St. Vincent de Paul Shop (Fred’s Fashions), Butts Green. Sale starts on Tuesday, 4th November.

Westcourt News
The November Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 3rd November at 7.30pm. The members of Callan Co-Op and Macra Na Feirme are preparing the liturgy. All are invited to this celebration.

Mayor of the Village
Gala Cabaret in aid of St. Patrick’s Parish Homes for the elderly on Monday, 24th November at 9pm at Larchfield Venue. Music: O’Dwyer/Dorney Band. Admission €5.

Ecumenical Service
Families of those who have died in St. Luke’s General Hospital are invited to an Ecumenical Service on 14th November in St. Canice’s Cathedral at 8pm. This service is being organised by the hospital’s Care of the Dying Person and Their Family Committee.

4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drug Training Initiative will continue at the St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

Diabetes Public Meeting
A meeting will take place in Hotel Kilkenny on Wednesday 5th November 2008 at 8pm. All welcome. Admission free.

First Friday Home Visits
The priests will visit the sick at the usual times on Friday. Contact the Presbytery if you or someone known to you would like to receive Holy Communion at home.

Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club's Gala Demonstration will take place next Wednesday, 5th November in Springhill Court Hotel at 8pm. Admission is €20. We look forward to international florist, tutor and demonstrator Richard Haslam. His stunning arrangements are seen on "Brides of Franc" All arrangements will be raffled and Christmas items will be on sale.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Joe Dowling, 15 Larchfield; Sr. Joan Reilly (Tues 9.30); John Cunningham, 26 Newpark; Wendy Curley, Stephen Street; John Maher, Freshford.
Months Mind: Ann Roche (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: P.J. Marrinan (Sat 6.15), Michael Phelan (Sat 7.00), Madge McIntyre (Sun 9.30), Jack Garrehy (Sun 10.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.00), Anastatia Muldowney (Mon 9.30), Anthony Colleton (Tues 10.30), Henrietta Hyland (Thur 10.30), Dominic Coll (Fri 10.30), Margaret Wallace (Sat 9.30), Patrick & Josie Cantwell, Michael Mullins, Tess O’Neill, Anna Bowe, Michael Bowe, Mary Bowe, Paddy Bowe, May Byrne, Margaret Dunlop, Tom Maher.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary Millea (Sat 6.15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7.00), Margaret Moore (Sun 9.30), Jim Rafter (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11.00), Patrick Fahy (Sun 12.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.30).

Parish Draw
Fr. Dan apologises that last week’s draw could not be held in the new parish centre as planned. While the building is practically complete we are awaiting the connection of electricity and the formal signing over of the premises to the parish. Following advice from the parish’s insurance advisors Fr. Dan had little option but to change the venue on last Tuesday evening.

Our Lady’s Apparitions
An afternoon of videos and a talk on Our Blessed Mother’s apparitions, along with her important and urgent messages for us today, will be presented by Mr. Tony Murnane at the St. John of God School, New Street on Sunday, 2nd November at 2pm. Open to the public. All welcome.

Parish Remembrance Service
The annual Parish Remembrance Service will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. More later.

Hard luck to the senior hurlers in last weekend’s St. Canice’s SHF against Ballyhale Shamrocks. You did the parish proud. The newly designed Club Website is up and running at the moment This is proving to be a great communication tool for players, coaches, officers and members to log onto to keep up to date with all games and club events. Log onto www.james-stephens.com and see for yourself.
There is wide selection of James Stephens Juvenile jersey's for sale from the club. We also have a stock of the newly designed Village red & green helmets from Mycro. These items would make great Christmas presents. Contact Mark Tyrrell @ 086 258 9760.
The Juvenile Season has come to a close. Well done to the dedicated coaches who have worked with the teams since last February making it such a successful year. Enjoy the break!

Lost/Found Property
There is an accumulation of lost/found property in each of our sacristies. Feel free to drop in and see if we have your keys, glasses, hats, toys, rosary beads etc. etc. All items unclaimed after a reasonable time are donated to local charity shop.

Camphill Community
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us on our open day, 21st September 2008.s.

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time 26th October 2008

Come on the Village!
All associated with St. Patrick’s Parish wish the members of our parish hurling team the best in Sunday’s St. Canice’s Senior Hurling Championship Final against Ballyhale Shamrocks at Nowlan Park. The match begins at 3.00pm. Let’s go along and support our men as they aim for their 9th County Championship. Come on the Village!

Love is all you need
The Beatles got it right: all you need is love! Trouble is, they didn’t say where to get it. Neither does Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. A lawyer tests him with a question. Is it a genuine one to assess his depth of understanding or a trick question to make him look foolish? It could be either. It’s not the Ten Commandments that Jesus is quizzed about, but the Torah with its 613 commands. Of these 248 are positive, ie, have a ‘you shall’ form; 365 are negative and have a ‘you shall not’ form. So, just imagine being asked which of those is greatest. Jesus, however, remains unfazed. He ignores any deviousness on the part of the questioner. Taking the question at face value, he answers it: love God and love your neighbour. Could anything be simpler of clearer? Why then are there so many problems with human relationships and so much suffering in our world? Can loving God and our neighbour be that difficult? Not at all! But many people prefer complexity to simplicity. Simplicity scorns wiggle room, dislikes nitpicking, finds defining and qualifying things until they’re beyond recognition distasteful; and if offers no excuse for foot-dragging when action is called for. By putting Jesus to the test, that lawyer unwittingly puts himself to the test also. Now he can never claim ignorance of what is expected of him. He has no excuse for not allowing the information he was looking for to be his guiding light. Come to that, neither have we.
Fr. Tom Cahill

Our Lady’s Apparitions
An evening of videos (large theatre screen) and a talk on Our Blessed Mother’s apparitions around the world, along with her important and urgent messages for us today, will be presented by Mr. Tony Murnane from the Apostolate for Mary’s Messages in Melbourne, Australia. Over many years, Tony has spoken in over 400 parishes and towns throughout Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Tony Murnane will make his presentation at the St. John of God School, New Street. Kilkenny on Sunday, 2nd November at 2pm. All welcome.

Holiday Arrangements
As Monday is a public holiday the only public Mass in the parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11am.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place as usual at St. Fiacre’s Church.

4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
Because of the public holiday the 4-2-1 Group will not meet on this Monday evening. Next meeting on Monday, 3rd November between 7.30 and 9.30pm.

Parish Draw
The October Draw will be held at the Parish Centre, Loughboy at 8.30pm on Tuesday. This is the first function we are holding so if you would like to get a first-look at the centre then do come along. Entry is through the red door in the middle of the Parish Centre and is accessible both from the road and the parish car park. The Parish Draw is our main fund raising event and we are grateful to all who run and support this event. So, come along and join in the celebrations.

Parish Cookery Book
Copies of our parish cookery book, Good Food for Healthy Living, are available at the sacristies and the presbytery, Ormonde Road. The book is good value at €10 and money raised goes to parish funds.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Patrick Brennan, 16 Wolfe Tone Street. Funeral prayers at 6.15pm at Johnstown’s Funeral Home on Sunday followed by removal to St. John’s Church. Funeral after 10.30am Mass on Monday to St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Isma Haughton, England and Danesfort. Funeral prayers at her brother Billy Ireland’s Home, Danesfort at 6pm on Tuesday followed by removal to St. Michael’s Church, Danesfort. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Wednesday followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Tom Maher, Waterford. Patrick Hogan, Fr. Murphy Square.
Anniversaries: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15), Breda Hehir (Sat 7.00), Michael Davin (Sun 10.00), Gerard Moynihan (Sun 11.00), Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00), Henrietta Hyland (Sun 12.30), Gary & Nora Dunne (Thurs 10.30), Ned Mahon, Margaret Skehan, Josie & Dick Walsh, Kathleen & Laurence Tynan, Patrick Cantwell.
Next weekend: P.J. Marrinan (Sat 6.15), Michael Phelan (Sat 7.00), Jack Garrehy (Sun 10.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.00), Ann Roche (Sun 12.30 Month’s Mind).

Feast of All Saints
The 1st November is the Feast of All Saints on which we honour those men and women who have dedicated their lives to God and are now recognised as saints. This feast is an ideal time to honour the saint whom we may be called after or whom we have chosen at Confirmation.
The feast of All Saints is a holyday of obligation and all who are able are asked to attend Mass. Masses for the holy day follow the same schedule as our weekend Masses.

November Remembers our Dead
Next Saturday marks the beginning of November, our special month in which we remember our faithful departed. Sheets for writing the names of deceased loved ones for inclusion in November Masses are available at the churches. Inscribe the names of loved ones and place in baskets before the altars in any of our churches.

Remembrance Celebration
The staff in the Paediatric Unit of Waterford Regional Hospital have organized a special Children’s Remembrance Celebration for families and relatives who have suffered the death of a child. The service will be held in the hospital chapel on Saturday, 8th November at 3.00pm. All are welcome to come along to the celebration.

Parish 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, 27th November. More details later.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be taken up as part of our second collection at all Masses this weekend. The extra money you donate is used to help people in need in our parish.
The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul can be contacted by writing to them. Put your details in a sealed envelope, mark it ‘St. Vincent de Paul Society’ and leave it into the parish office

Altar Servers
Due to the mid-term break, the publishing of the new altar servers rota has been delayed. It will be available soon. If you are not a student in our parish schools, are in 4th class or above and would like to serve at the Mass at you normally attend with your family, then you can collect an application form from any of the sacristies.

Parish Website
We hear news this week of former parishioners now living in California keeping abreast of all that’s happening in St. Patrick’s Parish by checking our website. Why not encourage your relatives and friends abroad to have a look at our site at www.patricksparish.com. We would love to hear from them.

St. Martin De Porres Novena
The annual St. Martin De Porres novena will be held in the Black Abbey between Sunday, 26th October and Monday, 3rd November.
Daily Devotions include Solemn Opening of Novena 12 noon and 6pm on Sunday, 26th. Rosary (10.15am and 7.15pm) and Mass (10.30am and 7.30pm) each day. See posters on notice boards for details. Preacher: Fr. John Harris OP. All welcome.

Year of St. Paul
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has invited Bishop Tom Wright, Anglican Bishop of Durmam, will speak in Carlow Cathedral on 10th November on “Paul: faith and hope for tomorrow's world”. The presentation marks the Year of St. Paul and it should be an excellent talk and all are most welcome. Details available at www.kandle.ie/2008/08/31/bishop-wright-paul-cathedral/
Another feature of the Year of Saint Paul will be a pilgrimage from Kildare and Leighlin to some of the Pauline sites in Turkey. The itinerary includes a visit to Tarsus and along the path of Paul’s first missionary journey. Bookings should be made as soon as possible. Contact Map Travel, 36 O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Tel. 01- 878 3116.

Church Gate Collection
In aid of the Susie Long Hospice Fund will take place next weekend, 1st and 2nd of November at all Masses.

Diabetes Federation of Ireland
The Kilkenny branch of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland will hold a public education meeting on Wednesday, 5th November at Hotel Kilkenny, College Road, at 8pm. Admission is free and all are welcome. These meetings are designed to encourage people with diabetes to become more knowledgeable about their condition so they can more effectively work with their diabetes team in order to maintain good control of their diabetes. Our speakers are Dr. Colm McGurk, Consultant Endocrinologist, St. Luke’s Hospital, and Ms Kate O’Connor, Dietician, St. Luke’s Hospital. Dr. McGurk will speak extensively on “The Challenge of Diabetes” and Ms O’Connor will focus on the “Management of Diabetes with Diet and Lifestyle”. For further information contact 021 4274229 or 1850 909 909 or www.diabetes.ie

Volunteers Needed
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Kilkenny urgently requires suitable volunteers with three hours or more per week to staff their charity shop “Fred's Fashions” at the Butts Green Kilkenny. If interested in doing this very rewarding work please contact the shop on 056 770 2637 or 087 212 0201.

Have a Safe Weekend
We welcome all who have come to our parish this holiday weekend. Please God locals and visitors will have a safe and enjoyable holiday.

Mission Sunday 19th October 2008

Go and Tell
In a youthful, uppity manner many years ago I remarked at an inter-faith dialogue meeting in Selly Oaks, Birmingham that Jesus wasn’t crucified because he dialogued. That remark – no less incisive for being rather obvious – didn’t go down well. While useful as a getting-to-know-you exercise, thereby improving relations between different faith traditions, dialogue is not the preferred option for Christian missionary activity. It may be a necessary first step in a missionary approach, but it can hardly be considered the only or the final one. Were Jesus sending out his disciples on mission today would he tell them to dialogue instead of to teach? Personally, I doubt it. But then I don’t have a hot line to God. Missionaries are people called to tell. They tell people basically two things: God has created them for a purpose; and, by following Jesus, they fulfil that purpose most assuredly. In telling this good news, missionaries do more than just talk. They present truth in various ways but always with humility; they meet weakness with understanding and they confront evil with firmness. They respect diversity; they promote growth both individually and collectively; and, they bear witness to what they say. Put that way it doesn’t really matter where you are: at home, or away, at work, or at play. If you defend truth, allow for weakness, oppose evil, respect others, promote growth, and live honestly – and do so because you love God, then you are a missionary. Fr. Tom Cahill

Do This In Memory
We welcome the young people preparing for their First Holy Communion to our churches this Sunday. Our 10.30am Mass and 11.00am Mass are special liturgies for the young people preparing for this Sacrament, their parents, families and community. The students of Gaelscoil Osrai and KSP will be at St. Fiacre’s while those from St. John of God and De La Salle will attend St. Patrick’s Church.

Questions People Ask
Q. Jesus said ‘You must call no one on earth your father.’ Isn’t it wrong to call priests Father?
A. It is misleading to take this one quotation literally while disregarding the many places where scripture refers to fathers. St. Paul regarded himself as a Father in Faith: ‘Remember that it was I who fathered you in Christ Jesus by the gospel’ (1 Cor. 4:15). He addressed Timothy as his son. Priests are called father because of their ministry in nurturing Christian life in proclaiming the word of God, in baptism, Eucharist etc. Speaking as a priest, being called father is a humbling reminder of the standards of faith, reverence and behaviour that people expect of me.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Altar Server Recruitment
During the week the priests will visit the parish schools to recruit new altar servers. Servers assist the priests at Mass and other special occasions. This is an important ministry which is open to young people from 4th class upwards. Candidates must have received their First Holy Communion, be a regular Mass goer and have an interest in what goes on at Mass. Parental consent and support is needed.
Those who wish to be considered for serving in our three churches should take a form at school and discuss the matter with their parents/guardians. Those interested who do not attend our parish schools should contact one of the priests. Those who are currently serving will also need to take a form and obtain their parents’ permission for another year.
To those who are retiring this year we say ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ Your serving has been exemplary and on many occasions people have commented on how well you have served.

Ten Commandments of Parenting
Talk by Dr. Vincent Maloney on Tuesday, 21st October at 8pm at the St. John of God School Hall. Free Admission. All are very welcome.

Today is Mission Sunday
World Mission Sunday reminds us of our role as disciples of Jesus. Today we are called upon to play our role in helping to bring the word of God to those who are still hungry for his message. We are given the opportunity to share in the experience of our brothers and sisters who carry on the missionary task today as they ‘Go and Tell’, often in difficult and dangerous circumstances.
Our spiritual and material offerings are crucial for the continued work of missionaries throughout the world, allowing them to share God’s love and compassion. The total raised in today’s collection will be sent in its entirety to support various mission projects. Please give what you can afford, every gift – no matter how small- makes a difference.

St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local St. Vincent de Paul Society will be held next week.

Parish Cookery Book
Good Food for Healthy Living is still available. The book contains about 120 easy-to-follow recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. Copies are available for €10 at the presbytery and at the sacristies of all our churches.

Pregnant and Distressed?
If you are pregnant and distressed and would like to talk to someone in confidence. Telephone 1850 622 626 or 056 772 2739 (local centre). Telephone or drop in. Opening hours: 2 - 4 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; Thursday evenings 7 - 9pm.

Attention Gardeners
We appeal to those who are “decluttering” gardens to offer spare plants, trees, spring bulbs or suitable cuttings for use in the landscaping at St. Fiacre’s Church. Please contact Doreen at the sacristy at St. Fiacre’s Church if you can help. Thanks to all who responded generously to last week’s appeal.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: `Michael Quinn, 12 Hebron Park. Removal from his home at 5.30pm on Sunday to The Curragh Camp. Funeral after 10am Mass on Monday to St. Conleth’s Cemetery, Newbridge. Catherine Kavanagh, 92 Maudlin Street. Con Gowen, UK. Lily Spiers (nee McCormack).
Anniversaries: Nancy Coyne (Sat 6.15), Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00), Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30), Joseph Eardly (Sun 10.00), Tom Foley (Sun 10.30), John Frawley (Sun 11.00), Richard Kelly (Sun 12.00), Eithne O’Connor (Sun 12.30), Carmel Casserly (Tues 10.30), Bridget Butler (Wed 10.30), Henrietta Hyland (Fri 9.30), Doris Americas (Sat 9.30), Jimmy O’Leary, Maureen Bryan, Therese Brennan, Brigid Butler, Bill Cody, Tommy Hackett, Breda Hehir, John Cantwell, Mary & Joe Hurley.
Intentions for next weekend: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15); Michael Davin (Sun 10.00), Gerard Moynihan (Sun 11.00), Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00), Henrietta Hyland (Sun 12.30).

Volunteers Urgently Needed
St. Patrick’s Parish urgently needs adult volunteers to help with the 4-2-1 Parish Drugs Education Programme. Adults are needed to help with the programme which will see specially trained young people teaching 12 year olds in a peer initiative that will lead to young people saying ‘no’ to drink and drugs. The campaign is aligned to the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative and has the backing of the Kilkenny City Drugs Initiative at Ossory Youth and the Health Services Executive. Interested adults are asked to come along to the St. John of God School at 7.30pm on Monday. Our young people need your help.

Parish Drugs Initiative
The training in the 4-2-1 Parish Programme continues at the St. John of God School from 7.30pm - 9.30pm on this Monday. We are delighted with the enrolment and, please God, great things will happen as a result.

October Station Envelope
The October stations for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due this month. This is one of five special collections and is the priests’ main source of income.
The five collections are represented by the green envelopes in the envelope pack which many families received earlier this year. If you didn’t receive any envelope and would like to support this collection, just place your donation in an envelope and put your name and address on it. Many thanks.

Readers in Church
We are currently seeking volunteers to read the Word of God at Masses in our parish. Contact the presbytery if willing to help.

Kavanagh in Kilkenny
To commemorate the poet Paddy Kavanagh’s one and only talk in Kilkenny in 1958, Dr. Una Agnew will give a lecture on the poet’s legacy in Rothe House on Friday, 24th October at 8pm. Admission €10 on the night

Talk for Pauline Year
The Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has arranged for Bishop Tom Wright, Anglican Bishop of Durham to speak at Carlow Cathedral on Monday, 10th November on “Paul: faith and hope for tomorrow’s world”. All welcome to this interesting presentation. Further details are available on www.kandle.ie

Year of St. Paul Pilgrimage
To mark the Year of St. Paul the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin has organised a diocesan pilgrimage to some of the Pauline sites in Turkey. The itinerary includes a visit to Tarsus and along the path of Paul’s first missionary journey. Booking should be made as soon as possible. Contact Map Travel, 36 O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Telephone 01 878 3116.

St. Martin De Porres Novena
The annual novena in honour of St. Martin De Porres will be held at the Black Abbey from Sunday, 26th October—Monday, 3rd November. Preacher: Fr. John Harris OP. Further details on our church notice boards.

Mass times at the Friary
Masses at the Capuchin Friary will be as follows from the First Sunday of Advent, 30th November 2008.
Sunday/Holy Days: Mass at 7.00pm on Saturday evening. Masses at 7.30am, 10.30am (Irish) and 12.00 noon on Sundays. Extra Mass at 5.40pm on holy days only.
Week Days: Masses at 7.30am and 10.30am.
Saturdays: Masses at 10.30am and 7.00pm.
Bank Holidays: Mass at 10.30am.

Volunteers Needed
The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Kilkenny urgently require suitable volunteers with three hours or more per week to staff their charity shop "Fred's Fashions" at the Butts Green Kilkenny.
If interested in doing this very rewarding work please contact the shop on 065 770 2637 or Mobile on 087 212 0201.

Twenty Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time 12th October 2008

Cherry Pickers Beware!
A street-wise and disarmingly down-to-earth Christian Brother once told his class of second-year secondary students, “The first miracle Jesus worked was to make booze!” Not a particularly reverential way of referring to the miracle of Cana. But true, nonetheless. Put that way it could be a stumbling stone for inter-faith dialogue. You’ll find more stumbling stones in today’s Gospel reading. Take the bit about bringing both the good and the bad to the wedding feast. Doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re good or bad, does it? You’re invited regardless. How do you get your head around that? Let me know if you do. Anyway, everyone seems to be invited, and not very formally either. It’s almost as if they’re put on the spot in the street. Here’s the invitation. Take it or leave it. It’s up to you. What a godsend for freeloaders, cherry pickers and opportunists! But wait. There is a sting in the tail. One of these, let’s say a cherry picker, who ‘answers the call’ hasn’t done his homework. Life has ground rules – and that’s the most basic one of all. Poor fellow! He saunters in without a care in the world and what happens? He’s out on his ear before he knows it. The reason? His dress code. Nothing to do with him being good or bad. Though come to think of it, flouting social mores can indicate arrogance, selfishness or stupidity. Flouting religious ones can indicate the same. Whichever. Cherry pickers of the world be warned. You’re on note!

Fr. Tom Cahill

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral on this Sunday, 12th October from 3 to 4pm. All are welcome.

Choir Practice
The St. Patrick’s Parish Adult Folk Choir practice in St. Patrick’s Church at 8pm every Thursday and provide the music at the 7pm Saturday Mass. New members are always welcome. Drop in any Thursday.

Questions People Ask
Q. My mind is constantly battling with wrong thoughts, uncharitable, envious and impure. Are these terrible sins?
A. St. Teresa of Avila called the imagination the fool of the house. Imagination and memory come up with every sort of improper thought. Improper thoughts are to be regarded as sinful only when they are wilful, that is, when one deliberately nurtures them. You sound as if you do not want them. When you talk of battling, I wonder if an unnecessary feeling of guilt is causing a certain obsession in your mind. Be more gentle with yourself in accepting that we have a fallen nature and praise God who sees your desire to be better. Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Readers in Church
We are currently compiling the lists of readers for next year. Please contact Fr. Dan if you would consider proclaiming the word of God in our parish. Volunteers nominate the Mass at which they would like to read and are rostered well in advance.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul urgently requires suitable volunteers with three hours or more per week to spare to staff their charity shop “Fred’s Fashions” at the Butts Green. If interested in doing this very rewarding work please contact the shop on 065 770 2637 or 087 212 0201.

Church Redecoration
St. Fiacre’s Church has been repainted and re-carpeted and we believe worshippers will be pleased with the results. Thanks for your patience while the church was closed.
Now is an opportune time to appeal for volunteers to keep St. Fiacre’s Church in pristine condition. Please contact the sacristans if you could see your way to join the church cleaning roster. We really need your help in this area. Please take pride in your church and help in this way.

Attention Gardeners
We are currently preparing a landscaping plan for the area around St. Fiacre’s Church and the new parish centre. Needless to say it will help curtail costs if we can get gifts of suitable plants, shrubs etc. We appeal to those who may be “decluttering” their gardens to consider offering spare plants, trees or suitable cuttings to the parish. Please contact Doreen at the sacristy at St. Fiacre’s Church if you think you can help.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Anniversaries: Eddy Dean (Sat 6.15); Judy O’Brien (Sat 7.00); Patsy Walsh (Sun 10.30); Kit Grace (Month’s Mind on Sun 12 noon); Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.30); Thomas & Ellen O’Neill (Thurs 10.30); Patrick Morris (Sat 9.30); May Wallace, William Meehan Snr, William Meehan Jnr, Ned Brennan, Mary Dunne, William Maher, Billy & Patty Reinhardt, Patrick Tynan, Kitty Lucas, Josephine Kavanagh, Martin Grace, Margaret McNamara, Michael & Hughie Dollard.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Nancy Coyne (Sat 6.15), Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00), Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30), Tom Foley (Sun 10.30), John Frawley (Sun 11.00), Eithne O’Connor (Sun 12.30).

Mission Sunday — Go and Tell
Next week marks the annual worldwide Catholic celebration of Mission Sunday. Our prayers and donations on Mission Sunday help to support missionaries and those they reach out to in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. Our support allows Catholic communities throughout the world to become self-sufficient and progress according to their own needs and traditions. A special collection will be taken up next Sunday in aid of our brothers and sisters currently on mission allowing them to continue their difficult but vital work reflecting the theme for Mission Sunday 2008: ‘Go and Tell’.

Parish Drugs Initiative
Last Tuesday evening fifty-six Transition Year and Fifth Year students from local second level schools gathered at the St. John of God School to enrol on a plan to extend the award-winning 4-2-1 Drugs Education Programme to our parish. The programme will see specially trained young people teaching 12 year olds in a peer initiative that will lead to young people saying ‘no’ to drink and drugs. The campaign is aligned to the Irish Bishops’ Drugs Initiative and has the backing of the Kilkenny City Drugs Initiative at Ossory Youth and the Health Services Executive and will continue well into next Spring.
The first training session will be held at the St. John of God School, New Street between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on this Monday, 13th October. This is the final opportunity for 16 - 17 year olds to enrol on the training programme. Interested adult volunteers are also urgently required. Further information from Mel Bay on 087 984 5019 or Fr. Dan.

Traveller Community
Next Tuesday, 14th October will be a very important date for every Traveller in Ireland. It marks the day when the Census for the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study - Our Geels - begins. The Parish of the Travelling People, along with the main traveller organisations countrywide, are encouraging all travellers to participate in the census and the health study which aims to improve travellers’ health and well-being.

Brassed Off
The renowned CWU Concert Band from Dublin will perform a concert “Brassed Off” in the Watergate Theatre on Saturday, 18th of October at 8pm in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Tickets: Adult €10, Children €5 from the Watergate.

Ossory Social Services
The annual church gate collection for Ossory Social Services will be held this weekend.
Parent and Toddler Group
If you are a parent, guardian or childminder of a child/children aged between 0 - 5 years and are interested in availing of this service, please come along for a chance to meet other parents, guardians and childminders of young children in your nearest centre.
Time: 10.30am - 12.30pm. Age Group: Children from 0 - 5 years. Locations: Fr. McGrath F.R.C. (Mondays). Newpark Close F. R.C. (Tuesdays). O’Loughlin Court Community Centre (Wednesdays).
For further information please contact Mailyn on 087 7538484 or at Newpark Close F.R.C. at 056 772 3309.

Come on the Village!
We join in wishing our parish Senior Hurling Team all the best in this Sunday’s St. Canice’s Credit Union SHC semi-final against O’Loughlin Gaels at Nowlan Park. The match is at 2.00pm and we encourage as many as possible to come along and shout for our lads!

Parish Cookery Book
Good Food for Healthy Eating is selling well and has proven very popular among parishioners and visitors alike. The book contains about 120 easy-to-follow recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. Copies are available for €10 at the presbytery and at the sacristies of all our churches.

Do This In Memory
The next liturgy in our Do This In Memory Programme for First Holy Communicants will take place on next Sunday, 19th October at St. Fiacre’s Church (10.30am) and St. Patrick's Church (11.00am). We look forward to meeting the children and their families again.

The Most Holy Rosary
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto, Seville Lodge, Callan Road, each Sunday during October at 3pm. All are welcome.

Legion of Mary Series of Talks
In St. Patrick’s College, Thurles (sponsored by the Legion of Mary)
Tuesday, 14th October: “Mary Disciple & Mother” by Fr. John Littleton.
Tuesday, 21st October: “Mary Queen of Apostles: the call of all to be missionaries of “the Way, the Truth and the Life” by Bishop Séamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory.
Talks will start at 8pm and tea will be served. Cost: €5.00. All welcome.

Helping to Defeat Depression
Aware is seeking volunteers, drawn from all walks of life, to help with their work in defeating depression. If you would like to be involved please contact Mick on 087 94 98 100 or email mick@awaresoutheast.com for further information or to arrange an informal interview. Training and support will be given.

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 5th October 2008

Day for Life
When I started using a computer for the first time I had to download some loony lingo into my brain. Acronyms were all the go. You had WYSIWYG: what you see is what you get, or don’t blame your computer for your silly mistakes. Another was GIGO: garbage in, garbage out, or, don’t blame your computer for spewing out your sow’s ear instead of a silk purse. The GIGO maxim applies not only to computers but also to life, especially today as we celebrate Ireland’s ‘Day for Life’. It’s a response to the proposal of the late Pope John Paul that “a day for life be celebrated each year in every country to foster individual consciences, in families, in the Church and in civil society, a recognition of the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition.” Now, back to GIGO, or, what you put into life is what you get out if it. In today’s Second Reading Paul tells us what to put in: truth, honour, justice, purity, excellence, and whatever is pleasing, commendable, or worthy of praise. We should focus on these, absorbing them, savouring them and allow them to do their work of bringing happiness, gratitude, and peace into the human heart. Perhaps, GIGO needs an update; goodness in, goodness out.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Pastoral Letter
The Catholic Church in Ireland will mark the ‘Day for Life’ 2008 on this Sunday at Masses throughout the country with a Pastoral Letter addressing an important aspect of health care: mental health. Copies of the Pastoral are available at the back of the churches and on www.catholicbishops.ie. This year’s Day for Life focuses on the issue of mental health and, in particular, on the needs of those affected by mental ill-health, their family, friends, and carers. It also acknowledges the support which the parish community and the professional services can bring to those affected.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Anne Roche, 19 Beechpark. Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 12 noon on Sunday. Burial afterwards in Ballymore Eustace cemetery. Thomas Kealy, Connolly Street.
Months Mind: Ben Delahunty (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Billy Roche (Sat 6.15), Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00), Joanie Waters (Sun 11.00), Evelyn Coppinger, John & Mary O’Connell (Tues 9.30), Bridget McKenna, Mark Nugent, William Tallent, Tom O’Neill, Anne Conway, Garry & Norah Dunne, Eileen Barry, Paddy Ryan.
Intentions next weekend: Eddy Dean (Sat 6.15), Judy Owens (Sat 7.00), Patsy Walsh (Sun 10.30), Kit Grace (Sun 12.00 Months Mind), Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.30).

St. Patrick’s Parish Cookery Book
St. Patrick’s Parish cookery book, Good Food for Healthy Living, contains about 120 easy-to-follow recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. The book is excellent value at €10 and is available at the Presbytery and the sacristies of all our churches.

Questions People Ask
Q. This year of St. Paul bothers me. Was he not an anti-woman chauvinist who regarded women as inferior to man?
A. Quite the contrary. In a society where women were regarded as second class. Paul struck a mighty blow for the equality of the sexes: ‘There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus ‘(Gal. 3:28). When he writes to the Ephesians that the husband is the head of the wife, he is referring to their different roles in the family. This passage taken in its entirety makes greater demands on the husband in asking him to love his wife with the self-sacrificing love which Christ showed for his church.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

4-2-1 (Parish) Programme
St. Patrick’s Parish, as a community, has a duty to prepare our young people for the obstacles they will face in life. Drug use is just one of the obstacles. A programme has been developed in Kilkenny to help young people understand how the gifts of the Holy Spirit can help them to avoid the pitfalls of drug use. This programme is called the 4-2-1 (Parish) Programme. Young volunteers (15 to 18 years) are recruited and undergo a training which enables them to create their own Drug Awareness and Gifts of the Holy Spirit Programme. They then deliver these programmes to the Confirmation classes over an eight week period. Training takes place for two hours, one night a week for 14 weeks. It is designed to be fun and social and is based on the award winning 4-2-1 (Schools) Peer Drug Education Programme. Training is delivered by local drug and youth workers from Ossory Youth. Adult volunteers from the parish are recruited and undergo training in conjunction with the HSE Substance Misuse Team which equips them to work with young people and to train and support the young people in the delivery of the programme. If you are a young person aged 15 to 18 years who would like to become a peer educator or if you are an adult who would like to help please come along to a meeting at The St. John of God School, New Street at 7.00pm sharp on this Tuesday or contact Mel Bay on 087 984 5019 or Fr. Dan on 776 4400 for further information. See you there.

Do This In Memory
We welcome the young people who today enrol in the Do This In Memory Programme. The programme will run at the 10.30am Mass (Gaelscoil Osrai and KSP) and the 11.00am Mass (St. John of God’s and St. Patrick’s De La Salle) on one Sunday per month until next June.

Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the Statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 5th October at 3pm. All are welcome.

Repainting St. Fiacre’s Church
The re-painting and re-carpeting of St. Fiacre’s Church continues this week. Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church will be as usual on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. There will be no weekday Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church until the work has been completed. Neither will there be exposition or access to the church while work is underway. We apologise for the disruption this will cause but allowing the workers full and easy access means they will finish earlier.
Daily Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at the usual time of 9.30am.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Friday, 10th October after the 9.30am Mass. The meeting will take place in St. Patrick’s Presbytery on the Ormonde Road. Please not the change of time and venue. All welcome.

Legion of Mary
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto, Seville Lodge, Callan Road, each Sunday during October at 3pm. All are welcome.

Westcourt News
The October Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, October 6th at 7.30pm. The Irish Nurses Guild are preparing the liturgy.

Series of Talks
In St. Patrick’s College, Thurles (sponsored by the Legion of Mary)
Tuesday, 7th October: “The Rosary” by Archbishop Dermot Clifford.
Tuesday, 14th October: “Mary Disciple & Mother” by Fr. John Littleton.
Tuesday, 21st October: “Mary Queen of Apostles: the call of all to be missionaries of “the Way, the Truth and the Life” by Bishop Séamus Freeman, Bishop of Ossory.
Talks will start at 8pm and tea will be served. Cost: €5.00. All welcome.

Helping to Defeat Depression
Aware is a not for profit national organization which helps those affected by depression by providing confidential support groups, depression information and a Helpline service. Volunteers, drawn from all walks of life, are essential to this. Aware-South East is currently seeking to involve volunteers in the facilitation of its support groups in Carlow and Kilkenny. The ideal volunteer is someone who has good listening skills, common sense and who can empathize in a non-judgmental way with those who have had or are experiencing depression. If you would like to be involved please contact Mick on 087 94 98 100 or email mick@awaresoutheast.com for further information or to arrange an informal interview. Full and ongoing training and support will be given to selected applicants. See our websites at www.awaresoutheast.com and www.aware.ie

Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club will host a teaching demonstration next Thursday in Butler House at 8pm. Demonstration by Margaret Collins. An informative and entertaining evening. All welcome.

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th September 2008

Repainting St. Fiacre’s Church
At long last we are getting to the stage of renovating St. Fiacre’s Church. It has been long overdue and we have been waiting until the new development is near completion before undertaking this task.
The downside of the repainting is that the church will have to remain closed to the public on weekdays for two to three weeks. In light of this, the arrangements will be as follows:
Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church will be as usual on Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings. There will be no weekday Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church until the painting has been completed. Neither will there be exposition or access to the church while work is underway. We apologise for the disruption this will cause people but allowing the painters full and early access means they will be able to finish earlier.
Daily Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at the usual time of 9.30am.
We are sure you join with us in looking forward to a newly renovated church.

First Friday
The first Friday of October occurs this week. The priests will happily visit in their homes those who are unable to attend church. Contact the Presbytery someone known to you would like to be included.

Questions People Ask
Q. I have the unfortunate habit of saying the Holy Name. What can I do to break that habit?
A. As a general rule in life, the best of way to break from any unwanted habit is to replace it with another exercise which eventually becomes habitual. Practice makes perfect. Develop the good habit of quietly repeating the Holy Name of God or of Jesus Christ in prayer. Saint Paul tells us that every knee should bend at the name of Jesus. The irreverent use of God’s name betrays a shocking shallowness of faith.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

The Fast Lane
‘If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.’ So said fiction writer Isaac Asimov. Today’s Gospel reading put me in mind of that because it touches on an important point: the need to live authentically. Each of the sons in today’s reading says one thing and does another. The first son, the rebellious one, who says ‘no’, represents those despised in Jewish society: tax collectors because they take money from Jews for Roman authorities, and prostitutes because they sell their services, often to Roman soldiers. The second son, the ‘yes-man’, represents the religious leaders who publicly appear faithful to the Father but aren’t. Yet, when compared to the chief priests and elders - also, in fact, collaborators with the Romans to maintain the status quo - the despised ones fare better before God. You can’t say, ‘read my lips’ to God. Action is what counts, action according to one’s principles. Nobody gets that action right from the word go. You have to work at it. Two steps forward, one step back is the shuffle for many. It’s better than two steps forward in the wrong direction.
Mark Twain once wrote: ‘Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.’ If my doctor ever tells me I’ve only six minutes to live I won’t brood either. I’ll chuckle at that advice, hope for the best – and write a little faster. How about you?

Give Blood
The mobile blood donation clinic will be in the Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny on the following days: Sunday, 28th September from 11.30am - 3.30pm; Monday, 29th & Tuesday, 30th September; Wednesday, 1st & Thursday, 2nd October from 4.30pm - 8.30pm.

History of St. Mary’s Cathedral
The Story of a Dream, a history of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny 1857 – 2007, by Ray Cleere is now available at the Kilkenny Book Centre; St. Kieran’s College; Rothe House and the Watergate Theatre. Cost €10.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Liam Grace, 4 Oak Road, Dukesmeadows & Lisdowney: Funeral Prayers on Sunday morning, at 10.00am at his residence, followed by removal to Lisdowney Church for Requiem Mass at 11.00am. Burial immediately afterwards in St. Lachtain's Cemetery, Freshford. Nell Sweeney, Tramore and late of John’s Quay, Kilkenny: Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 11.30am on Wednesday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Mary Golden, 34 Dominic Street: Funeral prayers in Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral. Burial after 11.00am Requiem Mass on Monday to St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Sr. Immaculata Healy, Presentation Convent, Clonmel (late of Conahy and Castlecomer). Kevin McBride, France and late of Kilfera. Peggy Walsh, Tullogher.
Anniversaries: Eugene & Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15); Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00); Catherine & John Alley (Sun 9.30); Michael Doyle (Sun 10.00); The Byrne Family (Sun 10.30); Dick Furniss (Month’s Mind, Sun 11.00); Julie Foley (Sun 12.30); Peter Alan Bull (Tues 9.30); Séamus & Josie Murray; Elizabeth Connick; Robert Roche (Florida); Terry Kelly; Anastasia Buckley; Anne McKevitt; Nora Hogan.
Intentions for next weekend: Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00); Joanie Waters (Sun 11.00); Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.00); Ben Delahunty (Month’s Mind, Sun 12.30).

St. Patrick’s Parish Cookery Book
St. Patrick’s Parish cookery book, Good Food for Healthy Living, contains recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. In all there are more than 120 easy-to-follow recipes for starters, soups, main courses, desserts, buns and cakes which should get the taste buds watering and the kitchen utensils ringing. The book is excellent value at €10 and is available every day at the Presbytery and the sacristies of all our churches.

421 (Parish) Programme

Drug use is one of the most pertinent problems facing young people today. Alcohol use in Ireland is amongst the highest in Europe. Cannabis use is commonplace while the use of cocaine is reaching epidemic levels and crack cocaine and heroin are now both to be found in Kilkenny.
St. Patrick’s Parish, as a community, has a duty to prepare our young people for the obstacles they will face in life. Drug use is just one of the obstacles. But how can we do this? We look to the Holy Spirit to guide us in this matter as much as in others. In the Sacrament of Confirmation we receive the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. A programme has been developed in Kilkenny to help young people understand how the gifts of the Holy Spirit can help them to avoid the pitfalls of drug use. This programme is called the 421 (Parish) Programme.
So, how does the 421 (Parish) Programme work? Young volunteers (15 to 18 years) are recruited and undergo a training which enables them to create their own drug awareness programme and Gifts of the Holy Spirit programme. They then deliver these programmes to the Parish Confirmation classes over an eight week period. Training takes place for two hours, one night a week for 14 weeks. It is designed to be fun and social and is based on the Kilkenny based 421 (Schools) Peer Drug Education Programme that was awarded the Council of Europe Prevention Prize 2006. Training is delivered by local drug and youth workers from Ossory Youth. Adult volunteers from the parish are recruited and undergo training in conjunction with the HSE Substance Misuse Team which equips them to work with young people around the area of drug use and to train and support the young people in the delivery of the programme.
If you are a young person aged 15 to 18 years who would like to become a peer educator or if you are an adult who would like to help please contact Mel Bay on 087 984 5019 or Fr. Dan on 056 776 4400 for further information.
You will find it to be a fun and rewarding experience.
Significant Parish Dates in 2009

First Holy Communion Dates
Gaelscoil Osrai - Saturday, 9th May;
St. Patrick’s De La Salle - Saturday 23rd May;
K.S.P. - Sunday 31st May;
St. John of God - Saturday 6th June.
Confirmation Dates
Gaelscoil Osrai - Saturday, 14th March.
St. Patrick’s De La Salle, St. John of God N.S. and K.S.P. - Saturday, 16th May.

C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the CBS (Secondary) Kilkenny Parents’ Council will be held on Thursday, 2nd October at 7.30pm in the school. At 8pm there will be a talk by Mr. John Leahy former Tipperary Hurler, who will speak on the subject of “Substance Use Awareness”.

Fit Walk Programme
The Fit Walk Programme is taking place at 9.30am in the Sports Hall in St. Patrick's School, Kells Road. This is a walking based fitness programme, comprising five one hour sessions each of which will take you a step further along the way to understanding fitness walking. Between sessionsyou will be invited to do weekly homewalks! Elements of the programme include posture, resistance, stride walking, power walking and the increasingly popular nordic walking. For more information, contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 056 772 0870.

Table Quiz for Samaritans
The Samaritans will hold a table quiz on Monday, 29th September in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel at 8pm sharp. €10 per person.

Brassed Off!
The internationally renowned CWU Concert Band from Dublin will perform a concert "Brassed Off " in the Watergate Theatre on Saturday, 18th of October at 8pm, in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. Tickets: Adult €10, children €5 from the Watergate. Information from Liam on 087 212 0201.

Positive Ageing Week
To mark Positive Ageing Week a seminar will be held in Springhill Court Hotel on Tuesday, 30th September. Those who are working/caring for older people are invited to attend. General inquiries to Philip O’Reilly Age Action Ireland on 087 695 1053

Adult Evening Classes
St. Brigid’s College Callan offers Evening Classes. Tuesdays: Advanced Computers €90; Pilates €100; English for Non-nationals €25; Painting for Beginners €90; First Aid €100. Wednesdays: Flower Arranging €90; Computers for Beginners €90; Interior Design €90; Soul Dancing/Yoga followed by dance workout, 7.30 - 9.30 €100. For details phone (056) 772 5189 or (086) 831 2537. Classes begin on Tuesday, 7th October and Wednesday, 8th October at 7.30pm. Enrolment from 25th September to 2nd October in the school at 8.00pm.

Aware - Helping to defeat Depression
Aware is a not for profit national organisation. We help those affected by depression by providing confidential support groups, depression information and a telephone Helpline service. Volunteers drawn from all walks of life are essential to this.
Aware - South East is currently seeking to involve volunteers in the facilitation of its support groups in Carlow and Kilkenny. The ideal volunteer is someone who has good listening skills, common sense and who can empathise in a non judgemental way with those who have had or are experiencing depression.
If you would like to be involved in this type of voluntary work please contact Mick on 087 9498100 or email mick@awaresoutheast.com for further information or to arrange an informal interview. Full and ongoing training and support will be given to selected applicants.

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st September 2008

Whose Strange Ways?
Biologist JBS Haldane once remarked that the universe is not only queerer than we might suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. Something similar might be said of God – though phrased more elegantly. Perhaps St. Augustine’s comment that ‘God is younger than all else’ fits the bill. Straightaway it puts us on a collision course with logic: how can the one who is ever ancient, be ever new?
Not surprising then that this ‘illogical’ God acts in some rather strange ways. God admits this in today’s First Reading: ‘...my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways...’ But shouldn’t God be the norm, and not us? If so, then it’s our ways that are strange and not God’s. Is it because of our strange ways of doing things that today’s Gospel reading seems unfair, until the denarius drops? When it does, what seems unjust to our narrow way of looking at things turns out to be incredibly generous. All the workers receive a fair wage, some a very generous one. If this story bugs us then we have two issues, at least, to deal with: accepting God’s ‘right’ to do as God pleases – which may not be too easy depending on how close to the bone God operates – accepting God’s challenge to us to live generously. Only in facing these can we begin to see the heights where God’s thoughts are found (v.9). Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Questions People Ask
Q. I am old and tired. My wife and friends have passed away. Is it wrong to ask God to take me soon?
A. Your question is one that Saint Paul wrestles with in the Second Reading at Mass today. Part of him longs to be gone and to be with Christ in heaven but he is willing to continue to serve God on earth for as long as God desires. There is nothing wrong in wanting to be gone from, ‘this valley of tears’. Christian hope makes us look forward eagerly to all that God has in store for those who love him. But, like Saint Paul, let us accept the time God gives us an opportunity to serve God on earth.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Fr. Martin Gillespie, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road. Funeral prayers at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Freshford at 5.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Lactain’s Church, Freshford. Requiem Mass at 12.00 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Lactain’s Cemetery. Jackie West, 38 Dean Cavanagh Place, Michael Brennan, Dunmore West.
Months Mind: Fintan Wallace (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 9.30), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Fr. John Lennon (Thurs 9.30), Maurice Maher (Thurs 10.30), Stella & Edward Gildea, Syd & Elizabeth Bluett, William Hickey, Anna Beale, Mary Kennedy, Ger Kavanagh, Rory O’Connor, Jimmy Morrissey, Paddy Larkin, Jimmy Owens, Pat Owens.
Intentions Next Weekend: Eugene and Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15); Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00); Catherine & John Alley (Sun 9.30); The Byrne Family (Sun 10.30); Dick Furniss (Month’s Mind, Sun 11.00), Phyllis & Laurie Preston (Golden Jubilee of Marriage, Sun 12.00); Julie Foley ( Sun 12.30).

Mayor of the Village
Some interested parishioners are organising a Mayor of the Village ‘election’ in aid of St. Patrick’s Houses for the Elderly. Would you - or do you know of someone who would - like to be Mayor/Mayoress of the Village? We are looking for people to nominate or put their own names forward for this competition. Names and further information at the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.

Bag Packing
A sincere thank you to all who helped with and supported our recent bag packing venture in aid of our new parish centre. A special word of thanks to Caulfield’s Supervalu. The amount raised was €4,566. Thanks to all.

St. Patrick’s Parish Cookery Book
St. Patrick’s Parish will publish a cookery book at the National Ploughing Association Championships this week. Good Food for Healthy Living contains recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. For example, Brian Cody presents his recipe for three-in-a-row success - was it Brian’s hearty Beef Stir Fry recipe which underpinned this year’s historic victory for the boys in Black and Amber? It must be good stuff as I see champion jockey Shane Gorey, following a career-threatening injury, favoured Irish Stew to nourish him back to race-winning fitness. Kilkenny Olympians Joanne Cuddihy and Eileen O’Keeffe offer lighter courses of Chilli Beef and Roast Pork respectively. In all there are more than 120 easy-to-follow recipes for starters, soups, main courses, desserts, buns and cakes which should get the taste buds watering and the kitchen utensils ringing.
The book is exceptional good value at €10 and will be available at the St. Patrick’s Parish Stand at the National Ploughing Association Championships this week. Our stand number is F285A - we invite those at the NPA Championships to come along and say ‘hello’ to those staffing our stand.
Good Food for Healthy Living will be available to buy at the Presbytery and at all the sacristies from Wednesday of this week.

Ossory Goes Ploughing
The Diocese of Ossory invites you to visit their stand at the National Ploughing Championship in Cuffesgrange from Tuesday, 23rd to Thursday, 25th September, situated at site L564. Bishop Freeman with priests and people of the diocese will be there to welcome you. There will be a prayer time each day at 12noon and 3pm and you are welcome to visit the dedicated prayer room at any time, for private prayer and to write a petition. An opportunity for one-to-one conversation in our ‘Listening Ear’ space will also be available. See you there.
First Communion Programme
It’s that time of the year again when we begin meetings and think of the year ahead. Worthy of special mention are the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion which will be celebrated by the children of second class in our schools. To help families prepare for these important Sacraments, our parish runs a special monthly programme called ‘Do This in Memory.’ To explain this programme to parents and to encourage family involvement, there will be a meeting next Tuesday, 23rd September at 7.30pm in the St. John of God School, New Street. This meeting is for all parents and guardians of those preparing for these sacraments.

History of St. Mary’s Cathedral
The Story of a Dream, a history of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny 1857 – 2007, by Ray Cleere is now available at the Kilkenny Book Centre; St. Kieran’s College; Rothe House and Watergate Theatre. Cost €10.

C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the CBS Kilkenny Parents’ Council of the Parents’ Council will be held on Thursday, 2nd October at 7.30pm in CBS Secondary School, James Street. At 8pm there will be a talk given by Mr. John Leahy former Tipperary Hurler, who will speak on the subject of “Substance Use Awareness”.

Table Quiz for Samaritans
The Samaritans will hold a table quiz on Monday, 29th September in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel at 8pm sharp. €10 per person. This quiz is being run nationwide at the same time for the Samaritans and all monies raised will go to the local branch. So bring yourself or your team of 4 and enjoy the challenge.

Grow - Thank You
Grow Community Mental Health Movement says thanks for your generosity to their recent church gate collection. €2,370.60 was collected in Kilkenny City.

Garda Siochana Message
Traffic heading from Kilkenny to Callan on N76, during the Ploughing Championships, will not be allowed travel past the junction at Ballybur, commonly known as the Lime Tree. Motorists travelling on this route, can turn right at any of the four junctions between Kilkenny and Cuffesgrange and travel via Ballykeeffe and Kilmanagah to Callan. Traffic direction signage will be erected on the Callan Road (N56) toshow where motorists may turn off.
Queries to 087 236 7205.

St. Fiacre’s Church
We apologise for the disruption and dust at St. Fiacre’s Church at the moment. This essential work is to facilitate the upgrading of alarms and lighting. The church will be carpeted and repainted when the electrical work is completed. The disruption will be temporary but the advantages will last!

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
Unfortunately essential work at St. Fiacre’s Church necessitates the suspension of adoration on Monday of this week. St. Patrick’s Church will be in use by St. Kieran’s College on Friday morning. Adoration will commence at 4.00pm.

Windgap Parish Mission
Windgap Parish will hold a Parish Mission between 28th September and 4th October. Mission will be conducted by Redemptorist Team: Fr. Tony Flannery and Br. Derek Ryan.

Irish Mission to Chad
We wish God Speed to the Irish troops especially the local men and women who depart for Chad this weekend. We pray that they will use their talents to bring peace to this troubled part of the world. As a community we will pray regularly for their safety.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The monthly collection for the local conference will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please support the local conference which meets at the Presbytery at 8.00pm on Mondays.

Irish Wheelchair Association
The IWA is seeking volunteers to participate in their 23rd International Sponsored Walk from the 8th to 17th April 2009 in Poland, Contact Peadar Doogue 087 282 4556 or 059 863 8969 or any branch of the IWA.

Fit Walk Programme
The Fit Walk Programme is starting on Friday, 26th of September at 9.30am in the Sports Hall in St. Patrick’s Centre and will run for five weeks. Elements of the programme include posture, resistance, stride walking, power walking and the increasingly popular nordic walking. To book contact KRSP at 056 772 0870 or email krsp@eircom.net

Word Aid
Problems with reading, writing, spelling or sums. Contact: Word Aid on 056 776 3149 or at Butler Court, Patrick Street.
Service is free and confidential to adults and school leavers over the age of 16.

Hearing Help & Lipreading
Hearing Help and Lipreading classes start on Monday, 22nd and Tuesday, 23rd September at Comhairle, The Parade. Phone 776 5176 or 776 3508 for further information.

More On Our Cook Book
This initiative is part of our fundraising for our new parish centre. The cook book is entitled ‘Good Food for Healthy Living’ and features loads of recipes that will bring healthy eating within anyone’s grasp.
What makes this cook book unique is that it features a section where many well known stars give their favourite food dish and the recipe is recreated for you to try. Some famous names you will recognise are: Brian Cody, Eileen O’Keeffe, James (Cha) Fitzpatrick and many others.
The cook book will cost €10 each and all the money raised goes towards our new parish centre at Loughboy.
The book will be launched at our stand at the ploughing match this coming week. We are located at Row F, Stand 285A. A little later on the book will be available to buy in the parish and will make a lovely present for anyone who is interested in cooking.
While we mention the book we say a sincere word of thanks to Mrs Barbara Tehan and Mrs Mary Parsons for have worked so hard to produce this book.

The Triumph of the Cross 14th September 2008

At Cross purposes
If Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified would we be celebrating the Triumph of the Rope? No irreverence is intended here. It is a serious question. The symbolism of hanging from a rope would not be as strong, nor the image as powerful, as that of an outstretched man, naked, pin in agony to a cross. Yet redemption would just as surely have been achieved. The means of death was not important. The fact of death was. While today’s feast focuses on the symbol, the external sign, we cannot be blind to what really counted: Jesus’ love for his Father. Concentrating on, and glorifying, the cross can be dangerous, even unchristian. It can give the impression that the pain is all important, not the love that overcomes the pain. Had Jesus not had to die for what he said and did would he still be Saviour? An unqualified yes to that! If it was his love that brought salvation, then the suffering was tragically unnecessary. But because of our sorry state, it was inevitable. That’s why today’s Gospel reading (John 3:13-17) tells us that the Father sent the Son into this world, not to condemn it but to save it. That mission is what triumphed, not the cross. Without the love in his heart Jesus would not have had his cross to bear. He would not have had to face the enemy to the bitter end – and he would not have been a man to take seriously.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD.

Questions people ask
What is meant by original sin?
An honest look at human behaviour sees that we have inherited a fallen nature, subject to temptation and often inclined to evil. Where did it start? The Bible offers the story of the fall of Adam and Eve from whom all have inherited a wounded nature. The Catholic Catechism admits that the exact way of transmission is mysterious, beyond our understanding. The Good News is that God so loved the world that he sent his Son of save us. The tree associated with the forbidden fruit has been replaced by the glorious tree of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Catherine (Kit) Grace, Funeral Prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home, Sunday at 6.30 followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church. Funeral mass 10.30 on Monday followed by burial in St. Kieran’s cemetery. Josephine Brennan, 11 Stephen Street. Tommy Grace, Conahy. Rosaleen Bull, Goslingstown. Maureen Campion, Cathedral Square. Maureen Holden, Graignamanagh. Jackie West, 38 Dean Cavanagh Place. Funeral 12noon on Monday in St. Mary’s Cathedral, burial in St. Kieran’s.
Months Mind: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15)
Anniversaries: Sr. Presentation Breen (Sat 7.00), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Mary & Joan Bissett (Sun 11.00), Rita McCarthy (Sun 12.00), Enda Cody (Sun 12.30), Ciss Holland (Tues 10.30), Patrick Morris (Thurs 9.30), Margaret Beehan, Catherine (Kitty) Ralph, P.J. Sweeney, Bridget Curran, Margaret Dollard, Michael & Bridget Slattery, Ernie Harrington, Tom Little, Margie & Bob Brady, Kathleen Murphy, Margaret Morris, Evelyn Costello, Glenn Brady, Josephine Neary,
Intentions for Next Weekend
Months Mind: Fintan Wallace (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 9.30), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Catherine & John Alley (Sun 10.30), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00),

Christian Meditation
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46
Christian Meditation will resume in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4pm from 17th September 2008. New members welcome.
Paralympics
Well done to Gabriel Shelley from St. Patrick’s Parish has won a bronze medal so far. We wish him and all the athletes well.

St. Vincent de Paul Shop, Butts Green (Fred’s Fashions)
MASSIVE SALE!!!!!

13th to 20th Sept.
Fill a bag for €5, men's, women’s, children’s clothing and footwear.

Bag provided by shop.

AHFI
The Alliance of the Holy Family International is a movement dedicated to the worldwide promotion of the sanctification of the family through the Alliance of the Two Hearts, Jesus and Mary, approved by Pope Benedict XVI.

Two Hearts Weekend Retreat
September 27th/28th, in Maynooth College with World Renowned Fr Edgardo Arellano known as Fr Ring (EWTN). Spiritual Director of the AHFI and Fr. John Santos.
To experience a wonderful weekend of spiritual healing contact:
Joan 01 8255438, Attracta 01 8214435
Jim 021 4385184 (evenings).

Camphill Community Open Day
The annual Open Day at the Camphill Community in Ballytobin, near Callan, takes place on Sunday, 21st September from 2pm to 5pm. This is an important fund-raising occasion for the Camphill Community which, as you know, cares for children and adults with mental disability. Please support.

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in honour of Divine Mercy in St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday September 14th 3pm—4pm. All are welcome.

National Ploughing Match
The Diocese of Ossory invites you to visit their stand at the National Ploughing Championship in Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny, from 23rd to 25th September, situated at site L564. Bishop Freeman with priests and people of the diocese will be there to welcome you. There will be a prayer time each day at 12noon and 3pm and you are welcome to visit the dedicated prayer room at any time, for private prayer and write a petition. An opportunity for one to one conversation in our ‘Listening Ear’ space will also be available. See you there.

Kilkenny Contact
Kilkenny Contact is a voluntary organization, bringing friendship to older people by visiting them in their own homes. We only visit at the request of the older person. Could you volunteer one hour a week to have a friendly chat with someone? If so Kilkenny Contact might be the group for you. We are a voluntary organisation that aims to help older people who may feel lonely and isolated through the onset of illness or of living alone. We do this by organising weekly visits and we are currently looking for volunteers throughout the City of Kilkenny. The befriending service we offer, works by linking up people in the community to form friendships. Volunteers commit themselves to visiting an older person for one hour per week and Kilkenny Contact links them with the most suitable person. Each volunteer is interviewed and Garda clearance is sought. Volunteers are made aware of the need for confidentiality and commitment of their visit.

Person of the Year Awards ‘08
The Kilkenny Person of the Year Award scheme is being organised to give public recognition to the people in Kilkenny and City for their contribution to society. A gala banquet will take place in the New Park Hotel in Friday 31st October 08 at 8pm sharp with Ronan Collins of RTE as MC and music by The Showband Show. Tickets available from Declan McCann, First Active, 79 High St. Kilkenny.

First Aid
A basic First Aid course will take place inKilkenny City VEC school for four Thursday nights, from 6pm to 10pm, starting on the 16th of October. For further information or to book your place,contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 056 7720870

Code of Ethics
A code of Ethics course will take place in Kilkenny City VEC school on Thursday, the 9th of October, from 6pm to 10pm. For further information or to book your place, contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 056 7720870

Confirmation Dates 2009
Our confirmation dates for next year have been announced. St. John of God, St. Patrick’s De La Salle, KSP - Saturday, May 16th, Gaelscoil Osrai - Saturday, March 14th.

Medjugorje Prayer Evening
It had been planned that Medjugorje visionary, Jakov Colo, would visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, on Tuesday the 16th of September at 7.30pm. Unfortunately Jakov has taken ill and is unable to attend.
The evening of Prayer will still go ahead with another guest speaker. The evening will include Rosary, Mass, Adoration and Prayers for Healing. Confession will be available throughout the evening. All are welcome.

Our Building Progress
It’s been a while since we reported any progress on the building of our new parish centre.
The building work is virtually complete and the final touches are being put in place. Our biggest delay continues to be the ESB connection which, we are informed will take place towards the end of the month. Once the electricity is installed and the heating is turned on, there will be a delay in drying out the floors in the main halls before fitting the wooden floor.
The rest of the centre however should begin to open and the parish office will move to the new centre. All going well, we are on target for a late October , early November start up.
Progress continues behind the scenes however in setting up the company and hall committee that will run the centre. We are grateful to the numbers of people who have already volunteered their time and energy to the centre.
Our fundraising also continues with our successful monthly parish draw and recent bag pack. We have a lot of fundraising to do to pay for our new centre but we are confident that our fundraising efforts will be generously supported by the people of St. Patrick’s and surrounding parishes as you have in the past.
More on the centre later and as always, comments or observations are welcome.