Life Giving
Many years ago I saw a Hollywood ‘religious’ film about Jesus of Nazareth. Jeffrey Hunter – he of the brilliant blue eyes, for those old enough to remember him – portrayed Jesus. In one scene, the raising of Lazarus to life (today’s Gospel reading), Hunter calls on him to come forth from his tomb. He does, wrapped in layers of loose cloth, except for his face, which would have been better wrapped too. He looked hideous. I thought that if that was what being raised to life meant, he’d have been better left as he was. In today’s first reading Yahweh says he will bring the house of Israel up from its grave and put his spirit within them so that they live. No ghoulish appearance there, no mummified creatures creaking around zombie-like as in a horror film. God gives his Spirit, beautiful, vibrant, and creative. Whoever opens up to that Spirit, in turn becomes beautiful, vibrant and creative. The body is often debased in today’s entertainment industry. Constant exposure to that debasement can degrade one’s respect for the beauty and sanctity of the human body – the dwelling place of God’s Holy Spirit. Nothing debased or second-grade ever comes from the hand of God.
Fr. Tom Cahill
New Life: New Creation
The resurrection of Christ is the beginning of a new creation. “In Him a new age has dawned, the long reign of sin is ended, a broken world has been renewed and human beings are once again made whole”. Our world is enduring another “brokenness” –despoiled, pillaged, polluted. It is surely time for another “New Creation”. Let us pray that the Spirit will inspire us to “renew the face of the earth” so that all who come after us “may have life and have it to the full.” Please support Trocaire this Lent.
St. Patrick’s Day 2008
This year’s liturgical celebration of St Patrick's Day will be held on next Saturday, 15th March as the traditional date falls in Holy Week which this year begins on Monday, 17th March. For the first time since 1913, and the last time until 2160, St Patrick's Day will fall in Holy Week this year. As the days of Holy Week and Easter Week rank above all others St Patrick's Day (and St Joseph's Day) must be transferred. The Vatican had intended transferring the celebrations to April, after Easter week, but at the request of the Irish bishops it agreed to the 15th March date as this would be closer to the civic celebrations of St Patrick's Day.
As a transferred feast the celebration of St Patrick's Day on next Saturday will not be a holy day of obligation. Next weekend Masses in our parish will be as follows:
St. Fiacre’s Church
Friday: 10.30am and 6.15pm
Saturday: 10.30am, 12 noon and 6.15pm
Sunday: 10.30am, 12 noon
Monday: No Mass
St. Patrick’s Church
Friday, 9.30am and 7.00pm
Saturday: 9.30, 11.00am (as gaeilge), 12.30pm & 7.00pm
Sunday: 9.30, 11.00am, 12.30pm
Monday: 11.00am
St. Joseph’s Church
Saturday: 10.00am
Sunday: 10.00am
As a matter of interest, Easter Sunday falls on 23rd March this year, the second earliest date it could be. The earliest date is March 22nd, as Easter Sunday - since the Council of Nicea in AD325 - always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox. In 1940 an unusual coincidence took place when Palm Sunday occurred on the same day as St. Patrick’s Day. On that day the Irish were able to wear both the palm and the shamrock on the same day. If you were around at the time cherish the memory as this will not happen again until 2391!
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.
This evening for our parish community enables us to prepare together as we move towards Easter. Details on the notice boards.
Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday, 14th March immediately after 10.30am Mass. All welcome.
Divine Mercy
In honour of Divine Mercy, there will be an hour of prayer in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday from 3-4pm. All are welcome.
Medjugorje
A pilgrimage to Medjugorje takes place on Saturday, 31st of May to Saturday, 7th June. Cost: €619 inclusive. Bookings Ann 776 5840 or 086 882 5622.
Heating at St. Fiacre’s Church
We again apologise for the lack of heating in St. Fiacre’s Church this weekend. The cause is connected to the building works and is beyond our control at the moment. It will be rectified as soon as possible.
Chernobyl Children’s Project
The local outreach group of the Chernobyl Children's Project are again bringing children from orphanages in Belarus to stay with host families for a month starting in mid-June. Four adults will accompany these children and we are looking for a vacant house in the city that will be free from approx 10th June to 15th July. We can assure you that the property will be well looked after. Contact Mags on 776 1551 / 086 605 0075 or Penny 086 171 3464.
Concert for Children’s Hospital
A benefit concert in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children will take place in The Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle on Friday, 14th of March at 8pm featuring Quintessenz a brass quintet from the Black Forest, Alison Comerford Violin, In Caelo Choir and St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band. A varied and enjoyable music programme to suit all tastes delivered in a light hearted manner. Tickets from Book Centre, High Street or at the door. Information from Liam on 087 212 0201.
Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club is pleased to announce that a talk on “Gardening at Home and Abroad” will be given by renowned gardener Frances Macdonald in Butler House at 8 p.m. next Thursday,13th March. Come early.
Happy Heart Weekend
A meeting will be held on Monday, 10th March in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel at 8.00 p.m. for all existing and new volunteers. Please come along and bring a friend or two. Volunteers are needed to help the Irish Heart Foundation in their work in helping to prevent heart disease and stroke. Your assistance can make a difference. Light refreshments available afterwards.
St Patrick’s Day Parade
We are delighted to inform you that the Kilkenny St. Patrick’s Day parade is going ahead on Monday, 17th March. The theme is built around people’s sense of Kilkenny, its history, heritage, place and sport. This year we are staging the traditional type of a marching parade including floats, dancers, bands and people having fun. The parade is due to assemble at the main castle gates at approximately 3pm and move off at 3.30pm. The route is as follows: Castle Road; High Street; Parliament Street. Please contact Brid or Martina for entry forms at 087 641 0214 or email stpatsdayparade@autooffice.ie.
Annual St. Joseph’s Novena
The annual Mill Hill Novena will take place from 6th - 14th March at St. Joseph’s, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road at 8.00pm each evening. Mass with homily and novena prayers. Please note the feast of St. Joseph will be celebrated on 14th March this year. All welcome.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Tommy O’Brien, Michael Street; Requiem Mass at St. John’s at noon on Sunday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Jack Purcell, O’Loughlin Road. Eileen Hanton, Fr. Murphy Square. Melody Dwyer, Millennium Court.
Months Mind: John O’Rourke (Fri 6.15)
Anniversaries: Michael Tomney (Sat 6.15), Lulu Lynch (Sat 7.00), Bobbie Brannigan (Sun 9.30), Evelyn Herlihy (Sun 10.00), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.30), Mai Brannigan (Sun 11.00), John Dooley (Sun 12.00), Elizabeth Ryan (Sun 12.30), John Barry (Tues 10.30), Bridget Eardly (Sat 10.00), John Cleere, Vincent Morrissey, Patrick Leahy, Kathleen Murphy, Jim Phelan, Rose Cantwell, Breda Butler, Mary Kennedy, Maureen Burke, James Nugent, Patrick Brennan, Michael O’Neill, Anastasia Wixted, Martin O’Shea, Paddy Dore.
Intentions for next weekend: Olive Malone (Sat 6.15), Brendan Reid (Sun 9.30), Clara & Patrick (Sun 10.30), Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00), Deirdre Quinn (Sun 12.00), Paddy Delahunty (Sun 12.30).
St. John of God Day
Congratulations and best wishes to the local sisters on their feast day this weekend.
Easter Craft Fair
All are invited to an Easter Craft Fair at Irish Wheelchair Association, College Road, on Wednesday, 12th March at 11am. Selection of Easter goods and cakes for sale. Teas available.
U-14 Medal Presentation
James Stephen’s GAA Club is holding a Medal Presentation night for the very successful U-14 Squads of 2007. Medals will be presented to the squads of the Football League, Championship, Hurling League and Lisdowney Sevens by a star guest on the night. The event will be on Thursday, 13th March at 8pm. All players, parents and club members are asked to attend and acknowledge the effort of this successful squad.
Widows’ Association
The monthly meeting of the Widows’ Association will take place on Tuesday, 11th March at 2.30pm in the Club House Hotel. All welcome.
Dochas Kilkenny
The Ossory Diocesan outreach support agency to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers is seeking volunteers for a Mentoring/Befriending Programme for immigrant families. Interested persons should contact Dochas Office, Social Services, Waterford Road on Monday or Tuesday or phone Theresa on 778 9916.
Questions people ask
Q. Lazarus was dead for three days before Jesus brought him back to life. Where was his spirit during that time? Did he face his final judgement or was it postponed for a while?
A. Normally a person is pronounced dead when the vital organs cease to function and are beyond repair. However, the departure of the spirit or soul on its journey into God’s revealing light may take longer, especially in the case of sudden death. On that basis the Church advised prayers of absolution or anointing over somebody who has been pronounced dead. The reason underlying the traditional wake is to accompany the departing spirit on its journey from his life. Perhaps we should say of Lazarus that he was dead but not yet departed.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Parish Calendar & Newsletter
sponsored by:
Patrick N. Meany & Sons
Funeral Directors
Greenridge, Johnswell Road, Kilkenny
056 775 1100 / 086 868 8868
Divine Mercy
Novena to Divine Mercy begins on Good Friday until Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday after Easter). Leaflets available at door.
Afternoon of Prayer on Divine Mercy Sunday 30th March 2pm-5pm in the Friary. All are welcome
The sixth annual pilgrimage in honour of St Joseph will take place at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. Fr John Harris OP will deliver the Reflection on St Joseph and Fatherhood. Stations, Mass, Blessing of Pilgrims & Benediction.
Assembly in the Basilica is at 1.45pm sharp on Friday 14th March 2008.
