World Youth Day 2008
World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Sydney from this Tuesday, 15th to Sunday, 20th July. WYD, the largest single mobilisation of young people in the world, is a week-long series of events attended by the Pope and up to 500,000 youth from all over the globe. More people will attend the event than attended the Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000. It is indeed ironic that the biggest regular event in the Church is World Youth Day at a time when perception dictates that young people are no longer interested in the Church. The week culminates in a final all night vigil and Mass celebrated by the Pope on next Saturday night and Sunday morning (the actual World Youth Day).
World Youth Day (WYD) will be held in Sydney from this Tuesday, 15th to Sunday, 20th July. WYD, the largest single mobilisation of young people in the world, is a week-long series of events attended by the Pope and up to 500,000 youth from all over the globe. More people will attend the event than attended the Sydney Summer Olympics in 2000. It is indeed ironic that the biggest regular event in the Church is World Youth Day at a time when perception dictates that young people are no longer interested in the Church. The week culminates in a final all night vigil and Mass celebrated by the Pope on next Saturday night and Sunday morning (the actual World Youth Day).
The WYD08 theme, received from Pope Benedict XVI is: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:8).
More than 800 young Irish people accompanied by Cardinal Sean Brady and eight bishops have made the trip to Sydney for the celebrations. Twenty six pilgrims from our diocese, led by Bishop Freeman, left Kilkenny for Australia last weekend. They are now in the Diocese of Ballarat participating in the preparatory activities and catechesis leading up the celebrations next weekend. We have been asked to pray for and with the Ossory pilgrims during their journey. As they left Kilkenny each pilgrim received a lighted candle to be kept burning for the duration of the pilgrimage in their local parish church. Sadly there are no pilgrims from St. Patrick’s Parish. However, two of the leaders work with Ossory Youth which is based in our parish and one pilgrim has joined the group from Newry, Co. Down. We will keep their candles lighting at St. Patrick’s Church until the end of the pilgrimage. Please remember Maureen Brennan, Charles Digney and Ann O’Brien in your prayers.
The Irish bishops have informative web pages at www.catholiccommunications.ie where you will find lots of information.
World Youth Day on Television
World Youth Day ceremonies will be broadcast on satellite EWTN channel as follows:
15th July: Opening Ceremony with Cardinal Pell @ 7.30am and repeated at 6.00pm.
17th July: Arrival and welcome of Pope Benedict @ 5.30am and 7.00pm.
18th July: Stations of the Cross @ 5.30am and 6.30pm.
19th July: Evening Vigil with the Holy Father @ 9.00am and 3.00pm.
20th July: Closing Mass @ 12.00midnight and repeated @ 8.00am and 7.00pm.
Please check www.ewtn.com for up-to-date information.
Guest Speakers from “Youth 2K”
Representatives from Youth 2000 will speak at many of the Masses in our parish this weekend. Please welcome our guests.
Youth 2000 is an international movement of young people called to spread the Good News of the Catholic faith and share this experience with other young people. They have around 40 weekly prayer groups around the country, 18 to 20 weekend retreats throughout the year, a summer festival, an annual ball and various other social events - all organised by young people, for young people. Our motto is “Youth leading youth to the heart of the Church.” We have experienced the love of God in our lives, and come to know how joyful and fulfilling it is to live out the Catholic faith. We want to share this with others, and lead our peers to Jesus Christ, the source of all love, joy and happiness. You will find more information on www.youth2000.ie
Kilkenny Pilgrimage to Knock
A coach will leave for Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock on Thursday, 24th July 2008 at 7.30am from the Parade via Ballyragget and Durrow. Fare: €20, payment required when booking. For details contact: Eileen 056 776 3259, Marian 056 776 2247 or Pauline 056 776 5540.
Questions People Ask
Q. My son upsets me when he accused the Catholic Church of causing psychiatric problems through creating guilty consciences. He calls it Catholic guilt. How can I answer him?
A. He has a point because some over-the-top preaching, especially on sexual matters, has caused great grief for people. Some writers today seem to think that any feeling of guilt is harmful and should be pushed aside. However, guilt is the proper response to wrong-doing. An important step in any recovery programme is the humble acceptance of responsibility for the harm done to others. The Church asks us to admit our guilt and then leads us beyond guilt to the healing power of God’s mercy.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Months Mind: Kathleen O’Carroll (Sun 11.00)
Anniversaries: Catherine Dowling (Sun 12.00), Ger Doheny (Sun 12.30), Patrick Morris (Fri 9.30), Michael & Margaret Power, Joe Delahunty, Nuala Bourke, Katie Murray, Denis Murray, Mary Ann Murray, Tommy Murray, Bridget & Christy Murray, David, Jim & Peggy Gaffney, Mary Power, Br. Konrad Boyle OP, Paddy Hennessy.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00), Vera Brannigan (Sun 11.00), Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.00), Nicholas Comerford (Sun 12.30).
Jubilee Celebration
Fr. James Hurley was born and reared in Foulkstown. He was ordained to the priesthood forty years ago and works in England. His friends in the locality have arranged to have Mass of Thanksgiving offered at Foulkstown on this Sunday at 10.00am.
Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 13th July from 3-4pm.
We’re Moving Soon
As soon as the Parish Centre is ready the Parish Office will move to our new premises adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church. In the meantime the Parish Office will continue to operate from 7 Ormonde Road. Tel: 776 4400.
Fr. Liam has moved to the new presbytery adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church. Frs. Dan and Roderick will follow shortly.
A Different Summer Festival
Not fulfilled at Oxygen? Want a different kind of Summer Festival? The Clonmacnois Youth Festival is a lively 4 day festival with workshops, concert, inspiring talks, great music and prayer. And plenty of time for relaxing, chilling out and meeting new people. Age 16-35. No cost. Free buses. Bring a sleeping bag. Info: 01 675 3690 or www.youth2000.ie
Christian Youth Centre
“The Rock” Christian Youth Club continues from Tuesday to Saturday of this week. The club meets at St. Mary’s Hall, High Street between 2.30 and 5.30pm and 7.30 and 10.00pm on these days and young people are invited to drop in for a while. All welcome.
“The Rock” Youth Project"
Kilkenny Christian Centre is bag-filling at Supervalu, Loughboy, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 24-26th July to raise funds for “The Rock” Youth project. Bag packers are urgently required. Anyone willing to help, please telephone Maria Marshall as soon as possible on 087 618 8054.
Knock Youth Festival
Beginning Thursday 24th July, featuring music, drama, guest speakers and workshops covering important topics in young people’s lives. Cost €55 includes all meals and marquee accommodation; just bring your sleeping bag! Ages: 18 – 35 years. For details and to make a booking visit www.knock-shrine.ie/youthministry or phone 094 938 8100 or 087 692 7850.
Knock Youth Festival
Beginning Thursday 24th July, featuring music, drama, guest speakers and workshops covering important topics in young people’s lives. Cost €55 includes all meals and marquee accommodation; just bring your sleeping bag! Ages: 18 – 35 years. For details and to make a booking visit www.knock-shrine.ie/youthministry or phone 094 938 8100 or 087 692 7850.
Grandparents’ Pilgrimage
This year’s National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage will take place at Our Lady of Knock Shrine on Sunday, 14th September. 2.00pm - Anointing of the Sick; 3.00pm Pilgrimage Mass followed by Rosary Procession. Chief Celebrant is Bishop John Fleming, Killala and guest singer is Fr. Liam Lawton.
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The annual Mass at Foulkstown Cemetery will be celebrated at 7.30pm on Thursday, 31st July. As the occasion approaches we ask all to assist the dedicated local committee by attending to your family plots at the cemetery. Please help those who may not be able to attend to their family graves.
Drakelands Garden Party
Thanks to all who supported last weekend’s garden party. The proceeds will be given to St. Patrick’s Parish.
Thank You from Concern
The recent Church gate Collection in aid of Concern raised €1,324.98. Thank you.
Jesus - Social Revolutionary?
Peter McVerry SJ will be at The Book Centre, High Street on at 7.00pm on Thursday, 24th July to discuss and sign copies of his new book ‘Jesus - Social Revolutionary?’. Please come along and join in the discussion.
Protest
A number of Kilkenny citizens and others, concerned about the presence of a lap dancing club opposite Kilkenny’s Watergate Theatre, have been protesting outside the club since January. Kilkenny people are requested to join in this protest to keep our city free from such activity. Please come along on Friday or Saturday evenings from 9pm and protect Kilkenny.
Year of Vocation
The focus of the Year of Vocation for the month of July is young people - thosewho have travelled to Sydney for the World Youth Day event as well as those who were unable to travel. During the month of July Irish Catholics are being encouraged to pray for our young people.
Receiving the Word
The Word of God is to the human heartwhat a seed is to the earth.However, just as a seed needs soil,so the Word of God needs a receptive heart.The earth responds to rain and sunso that even the desert blooms.But the arid human heart has the power to resist so it remains barren.Lord, soften our hearts with your grace,open them with your love,so that the precious seed of your Wordmay take root in our hearts,and bear fruit in our lives.
One Word Only
Dionysius the Elder, tyrant of Syracuse, (430-367 BC) wasn’t called ‘the Elder’ for nothing. Cunning, if not wisdom, lurked in his depths. His testy tongue once snapped, ‘Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent!’ A guaranteed conversation-stopper at any party! Clearly, he wasn’t into small talk.
Neither is God. Today’s First Reading, with near-poetic elegance, pictures the power of the word that emanates from God. Note the singular. One word is sufficient for God’s purpose – uttered only once. God does not repeat himself. God doesn’t need dry runs. God utters his word and it goes forth, returning always but only after it fulfils its mission. We need to hear that today. When bad things happen people still ask indignantly why God allows it. Why, in other words, doesn’t God override human freedom, take back one of God’s greatest gifts? Why doesn’t God turn the perpetrators of the bad things into robots? Hard-wire them so they wouldn’t do evil? Put like that, such questions don’t make such sense.
We may need convincing that despite the evil that occurs in our beautiful world, God’s word is still active and potent. It operates in ways we just can’t fathom. Brings results in most unexpected ways. It’s a word spoken softly that breaks no silence, yet is far more powerful than silence could ever be.
It’s a word we need to train to listen for – in any place, at any time, from anyone. It’s a word that speaks not to the ear, but to the heart.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
