All for One?
M. Scott Peck wrote in The Different Drum: “Pseudo community is conflict-avoiding; true community is conflict resolving”. In today’s reading Paul would seem to hold a similar view. He appeals to the Corinthians to remember in whose name they were baptised. Respecting their common baptism in Jesus’ name creates unity. As Paul asks them collectively and not individually about their baptism, they must answer collectively. They can do that only by talking constructively together first. Respect for Jesus name is the springboard to that desired exchange. Two things are clear here: baptism unifies; it’s not automatic. Those baptised have to work with their baptism to allow it to have its effect. This doesn’t mean that as soon as we recall our common baptism in Jesus name everything is hunky dory. No more bickering, self-interest or breaking up into groups, gangs or factions. Call them what you will.
But what it does mean is that we’ll have to do some thinking about why we want to be called Christian in the first place and follow with behaviour that shows that why.
Today more than ever conflict resolution, at all levels, is direly needed today being Holocaust Memorial Day.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Questions People Ask
What are the synoptic gospels? Are these a short synopsis of the other gospels?
A. The name ‘Synoptic’ is misleading for us today because it suggests a shorter or abbreviated version of something. But when applied to the gospels it has its original, Greek meaning of writers looking at something from the same point of view. Since the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke have the same outline plan and more or less the same material, they are known as the Synoptic Gospels. Each of the writers puts his own stamp on the story. Matthew, our Sunday evangelist this year, emphasises the teaching of Jesus about the Kingdom of God on earth.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual Ossory diocesan pilgrimage will travel to Lourdes between 22nd and 27th May. This is the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the apparitions and millions from around the world will flock to the Marian Shrine this year. Our diocesan pilgrimage will be led by Bishop Séamus Freeman. Cost is €685 pps or €710 for those aged between 85-95years.
Further details and application forms from Glenmore Parish Office on 051 880 414 or St. Patrick’s Presbytery.
First Friday
The first Friday of February occurs this week. Frs. Dan and Roderick hope to visit the housebound at the usual times. Fr. Liam will visit on Friday, 8th February. Please contact the Presbytery if you, or someone known to you, would like to be included on the list.
Pray For The Deceased
Recently Deceased: Elizabeth Oakes, 2 Cloonbeg, Larchfield Court. Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am on Monday. Margaret (Peg) Grace, Tullaroan Road, Nancy McEvoy, Carlow.
Months Mind: Edward Taylor (Sun 9.30).
Anniversaries: Pauline English (Sat 6.15), Kathleen Hickey (Sat 7.00), Orla Roche (Sun 10.00), John Maher (Sun 11.00), Jack Comerford (Sun 12.00), Thomas Walton (Sun 12.30), Con Noonan (Tues 9.30), Kathleen Kelly (Tue 10.30), Catherine Brett, Billy Culleton, Annie Delaney, Brendan McKenna, Derek De Loughry, Rev. John Nyhan, Martin Coyne, Tom Walshe, Margaret Fanning, Delia Hennessy, John Hennessy, Ned Larkin, John & Catherine Curry,
Intentions next weekend: Mary Lynch (Sat 6.15), Breda Butler (Sat 7.00), Billy, Eamon & Lil Costello (Sun 10.00), Pat Kearney, Waterford Road (Sun 10.30), James Loughlin (Sun 11.00), John Hennessy (Sun 12.00), Jimmy McGrath (Sun 12.30).
Parish Draw
The Parish Draw for January takes place at the Presbytery on this Tuesday evening at 8.30pm. All welcome. Promoters and subscribers are asked to have their tickets and money in before the draw. Thanks for your ongoing generous support.
Thanks for Generous Donations
Thanks to those who have contributed as a result of our recent appeal for funds. Since our last report over €25,000 has come in - a more detailed report will follow our next committee meeting.
In the meantime great progress is being by the builder and the development is still on target. Some photographs will be available on www.patricksparish.com from Sunday.
Fund Raising Bag Pack
The management of Supervalu Supermarket, Loughboy has kindly agreed to allow us have a fundraising bag-pack for our new parish centre on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 7th, 8th and 9th February. To reap maximum benefit from this opportunity we need a lot of adult volunteers to help during shopping hours on these days. Please contact the Presbytery on 776 4400 if you can offer any time at all to avail of this excellent opportunity to help our parish raise essential funds for our development. The organising committee continues to develop a rota for the days in question. Thanks to those who have already volunteered - more, many more, are needed. In this case it is genuinely a case of Many hands make light work — all help will be gratefully received.
Education in Faith Sunday
We celebrate Education in Faith Sunday this weekend. Education in Faith Sunday has been celebrated during the month of February since 2003. However, because Lent is early this year, it is being celebrated on Sunday, 27th January and the chosen theme is “Living Faith Fully”.
Boards of Management
The recently appointed Boards of Management of St. John of God Girls’ NS, St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys’ NS, St. Patrick’s Special School and Gaelscoil Osrai will be commissioned at 11am Mass on this Sunday. The board members will be commissioned to manage our schools on behalf of the parish community, to nurture and develop the Catholic ethos of our school communities, and to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential as a child of God. May their work facilitate the growth and development of the children who are the future of our community.
St. Brigid
Brigid, whose feast is celebrated on Friday, is renowned for her hospitality, almsgiving and care of the sick. She was born c. 454. When she was young her father wished to make a very suitable marriage for her but she insisted in consecrating her virginity to God. She received the veil and spiritual formation probably from St. Mel and stayed for a period under his direction in Ardagh. Others followed her example and this led her to found a double monastery in Kildare with the assistance of Bishop Conleth. She died in 524 and her cult is widespread not only throughout Ireland but in several European lands.
Presentation of the Lord
This feast, celebrated on Saturday, ‘is a combined remembrance of the Son and the Mother… on this day Christ’s faithful people, with candles in their hands, go out to meet the Lord and to acclaim him with Simeon, who recognised Christ as “a light to reveal God to the nations”. They should therefore be taught to walk as children of the light in their entire way of life, because they have a duty to show the light of Christ to all by acting in the works that they do as lighted lamps.’ Ceremonial of Bishops
Candles will be blessed at 9.30am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on Saturday morning.
Do This in Memory...
We welcome the candidates for First Holy Communion and their families to our parish Masses this weekend. Candidates from Gaelscoil Osrai and KSP will attend 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church while those from St. Patrick's De La Salle Boys’ School and St. John of God Girls’ School will be at 11am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church.
As an Eucharistic Community we join in prayer for these young people who are preparing to join our ranks. Our prayers and good example should be a great influence in handing on the faith to this future generation.
Ash Wednesday
The first day of Lent, a day of fast and abstinence, is celebrated on Wednesday week, 6th February. Masses in our parish will be at 9.30am and 7pm (St. Patrick’s Church) and 10.30am and 6.15pm (St. Fiacre’s Church). We encourage all to consider making an extra effort at renewal in our lives this Lent.
Hearing Help/Lipreading Classes
Classes begin on Monday, 28th and Tuesday, 29th (beginners) at Comhairle, The Parade. Phone 776 5176 / 776 3508.
Church Gate Collection
Ossory Youth will hold their Church Gate Collection at all Masses this weekend Saturday, 26th & Sunday, 27th January.
Healing Prayer
Join the Kilkenny Gospel Choir at St. Fiacre’s Church at 8.00pm on Friday for the annual St. Brigid’s Day healing service for those whose lives have been touched by cancer. Traditional red flannel and water from St. Brigid’s Well will be blessed.
Ministers of Communion
We will shortly revise the rosters for Ministers of Communion. Please contact Frank Murphy or any of the Sacristans if you would like a change to your schedule.
Our Lady of Lourdes Triduum
At the Black Abbey on 9th, 10th and 11th February. More details next week.
Fountain of Knowledge...
Offers a comprehensive Educational Assessment to identify your child’s strengths and weakness (ages 7 to 15), a personalised blended learning programme designed by qualified teachers. Classes each Saturday in Kilkenny. For assessment and information call 087 927 7488.
