Living with Ambivalence
In Confronting Power and Sex in the Catholic Church, Bishop Geoffrey Robinson writes: ‘In the First Book of Samuel there are two stories of the appointment of Saul as the first king of Israel’. One favours it; one doesn’t, thus indicating the Bible’s ambivalence towards kingly rule over Israel. He concludes, ‘The perfect religious organization, with the divine and human in total harmony, never has and never will exist.’ The same is true for any individual. Take David in today’s first reading. God shows no ambivalence in choosing him as king. But, later David grossly misuses his power to have Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, killed so he can have her for himself. Yet, God does not disown him. God ‘does not see as mortals see’. He knows that with the evil there is also much good in David. We too must live with ambivalence – in ourselves and in others. Black and white may be easier on the eye than grey, but perhaps compassion is best of all. For, as Timothy Radcliffe OP claims in his book, Sing a New Song, ‘Compassion surely trains the eye to see the loveliness of God in unexpected places’.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday of the month will be recited at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny, James Green on this Sunday, 2nd March at 3pm. All welcome.
First Friday
The first Friday of March occurs this week. The priests hope to visit the sick and house-bound at the usual times. We would love to hear from you if you would like a priest to call to your home.
World Day of Prayer
Friday, 7th, 8pm in Methodist Church, William Street.
Fourth Sunday in Lent: Blindness
Our inner blindness has, in the past, prevented us from seeing the damage we have been doing to creation. Nowadays the information we have on climate change and the devastating effect it is having on those who are least able to cope in the developing world surely means that we can no longer claim “blindness” as an excuse.
The question for each one of us is “What am I going to do with this gift of new sight and understanding? What can I do to help those most in need?” For more information on Trócaire’s Lenten campaign please log onto www.trocaire.org/lent
Pray for the Deceased
Recently deceased: Ann Somers, Patrick Street, Peggy McGrath, Lacken Drive.
Month’s Mind: Frances Costello (Sun 12.30).
Anniversaries: Frank O’Brien (Sat 6.15), Pat Adams (Sat 7.00), Mikey Holland (Sun 9.30), John Walsh (Sun 10.00), Michael McKane (Sun 11.00), Brian Griffin (Sun 12.00), Martin O’Shea (Mon 9.30), Eamon Muldowney (Tues 6.15), Bishop Peter Birch, Denis Gorey, James Ralph, William Holland.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Michael Tomney (Sat 6.15), Lulu Lynch (Sat 7.00), Bobbie Brannigan (Sun 9.00), Evelyn Herlihy (Sun 10.00), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.30), May Brannigan (Sun 11.00), John Dooley (Sun 12.00), Elizabeth Ryan (Sun 12.30).
Peace in Christ Retreat House
The annual Parish Evening for St. Patrick’s Parish will be held at the diocesan retreat house on Monday, 10th March beginning at 8.00pm. This is a highly recommended experience and we invite as many as possible to attend.
Peace in Christ offers an opportunity to relax and reflect in a prayerful atmosphere. This special evening for our parish community enables us to prepare together as we move towards Easter.
See notice boards for further details.
Heating at St. Fiacre’s Church
We apologise for the lack of heating in St. Fiacre’s Church this weekend. The cause is beyond our control and will be rectified as soon as possible.
Loreto Vocations Weekend
Our Loreto Life Weekend will be held on 5th - 6th April at the Dominican Retreat and Conference Centre, Montenotte, Cork. This weekend is open to women in their 20s and 30s who are interested in finding out more about the Loreto sisters and their way of life. You will have the opportunity to meet some sisters to find out more about us, to ask questions and to pray. We offer this time to help you in your exploration and discernment. We want you to feel free and comfortable in the welcome we offer while hoping that you will consider our way of life as a possible way for you. The weekend runs from Saturday afternoon to Sunday after lunch. Please contact Thérèse at loretonewmemberoffice@eircom.net or 01 495 8346 for further information.
Parish Calendar & Newsletter
sponsored by:
Patrick N. Meany & Sons
Funeral Directors
Greenridge, Johnswell Road, Kilkenny
056 775 1100 / 086 868 8868
Fitwalk Clinic
A Fitwalk Clinic will take place on Thursday, 6th March in O’Loughlin Gaels from 10am to 12.30pm and Callan Parish Hall from 7pm to 9.30pm.
The Fitwalk Clinic will teach you how to squeeze every ounce of fitness from your walks and will introduce you to the key techniques of Stride Walking, Power Walking and Nordic Walking. The cost of the clinic is €15 per person. This workshop is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 772 0870 for details.
Village GAA Club Golf Classic
James Stephens is organising a Fund Raising Golf Classic. This high profile event is going ahead in Gowran Golf Club on Friday, 13th June 2008.
We would ask companies or business and golf enthusiasts to enter a team of four. Contact Tony Scanlon at 087 262 2321 or John Byrne at 086 603 4987. Entry fee: €240. High profile Kilkenny hurlers are expected to participate. Musical entertainment at
Our Under 6 / 7 / 8 Hurling Structures have recommenced their Coaching and Games Programme every Sunday Morning in Cootes Lane Pitch starting at 11.30am.
Membership fee: €30 euro for the year.
Pilgrimages 2008
Full escorted, Half Board, includes Entry Fees and tips.
Poland - Krakow, Czestochowa, Auschwitz, Zakopane Salt Mines, Monday 7th July to Monday 14th July 2008. Cost per person €1265.00, single supplement €210, Coach from Callan to Dublin
Holy Land - Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Jerico, Judea, Mount of Olives, Cana. Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd of November 2008. Cost €1,305 per person sharing, single supplement €210. Coach from Callan to the Airport and return.
Iona - Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and Oban. Saturday 8th June to Saturday 14th 2008. Cost per person €990. Single supplement €210. Coach Tour. For details and Itinerary Phone Deirdre 086 3853989 or 0567755151 or Teresa 0868312537
First Holy Communion Dates
10th May: St. Patrick’s de la Salle at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church.
17th May: St. John of God at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church.
17th May: Gaelscoil Osraí at 10.30am at St. Mary’s Cathedral.
18th May: KSP at 12 noon at St. Fiacre’s Church.
“Happy Mothers’ Day”
“Happy Mothers’ Day” means more than have a happy day.Within those words lie lots of things we never get to say. It means I love you first of all, then thanks for all you do.It means you mean a lot to me,And that I honour you. But most of all, I guess it means
That I am thinking ofyour happiness on this, your day,with pleasure and with love
