Faith’s Strength
I’ve just finished reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins with my faith intact despite running the gauntlet of rational, and at times seemingly irrational, assault. I think that his approach to eradicating religion is rather like fighting fire with wind. It may blow it out, but then again it may just fan the flames.
Anyway, today’s second reading reminds us of a very important fact with regard to faith. It’s not primarily a matter of our relationship with God, but of God’s relationship with us. That’s its strength.
Paul puts it boldly as he asks: ‘Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword’ separate us from Christ? To which he gives us a resounding No! Neither will ‘death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come...’ (including science and Dawkin’s book?) – nothing, simply nothing, can separate us from the love of God. In other words nothing can touch God’s love for us. That’s what we believe, wonderfully unscientific though it may be.
And the faith we have – or, more accurately, that has us – is not for hoarding but for sharing. It’s a gift to improve the quality of human life by bringing out all that is good within and around us. That’s the point of today’s Gospel reading too. The crowds are hungry, in a barren place. Jesus tells his followers – those with faith in him – to feed the crowds. Once the faith is present, the miracle happens.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Castlecomer District Hospital
There will be a night of music and dance in aid of the Castlecomer District Hospital on Friday, 22nd of August in Castlecomer Community Hall at 8pm. Performances will include African Drumming, IrishDancing, Hip Hop and contemporary dance. For further information, contact Alan Gleeson on 087 645 2015
I’ve just finished reading The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins with my faith intact despite running the gauntlet of rational, and at times seemingly irrational, assault. I think that his approach to eradicating religion is rather like fighting fire with wind. It may blow it out, but then again it may just fan the flames.
Anyway, today’s second reading reminds us of a very important fact with regard to faith. It’s not primarily a matter of our relationship with God, but of God’s relationship with us. That’s its strength.
Paul puts it boldly as he asks: ‘Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword’ separate us from Christ? To which he gives us a resounding No! Neither will ‘death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come...’ (including science and Dawkin’s book?) – nothing, simply nothing, can separate us from the love of God. In other words nothing can touch God’s love for us. That’s what we believe, wonderfully unscientific though it may be.
And the faith we have – or, more accurately, that has us – is not for hoarding but for sharing. It’s a gift to improve the quality of human life by bringing out all that is good within and around us. That’s the point of today’s Gospel reading too. The crowds are hungry, in a barren place. Jesus tells his followers – those with faith in him – to feed the crowds. Once the faith is present, the miracle happens.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Castlecomer District Hospital
There will be a night of music and dance in aid of the Castlecomer District Hospital on Friday, 22nd of August in Castlecomer Community Hall at 8pm. Performances will include African Drumming, IrishDancing, Hip Hop and contemporary dance. For further information, contact Alan Gleeson on 087 645 2015
Questions People Ask
Q. Could heaven be boring? Eternal life, going on and on with no end, doesn’t appeal to me at all.
A. Try thinking of eternity not in terms of time but as a total experience of love, joy, celebration etc. We get little glimpses of the eternal in moments of beauty when we would like the clock to stop right there. Jesus promised: ‘I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you’ (John 16:22). St. Paul wrote that no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no imagination has managed to visualise all that God has prepared for those who love him. That doesn’t sound like the recipe for boredom!
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Eileen Grace, 6 Cypress Court, Loughboy. Funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.00pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church. Requiem Mass on Monday at 11.00am followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Sr. Vianney Hickey, St. John of God Convent, College Road. Sr. Imelda Mullins, St Patrick’s Convent, Kells Road. Paddy O’Neill, Castlecomer. Richard White, Dublin Road. John Bosco O’Mahony, Wexford.
Anniversaries: Margaret & Lawrence Langton (Sat 7.00), Angela Tiernan (Sun 10.00), Martin Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Tom Burns (Sun 12.00), Ger Dooley & P.J. O’Neill (Sun 12.30), Paddy Hickey, Mick Coonan, Chrissie Drennan, David Gaffney, James Browne, Joseph Brown, Sheila & George Mastino, Marie Kealy Carson, Doreen Tallent, Jack Allen, Michael Browne, Clare Mahon, Rita Thompson.
Bank Holiday Mass Times
There will be no Mass at 9.30am or 10.30am on Monday. Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am. Requiem Mass will be celebrated at St. Fiacre’s at 11.00am.
St. Rioch’s Cemetery Mass
The annual cemetery Mass in St. Rioch’s Cemetery will take place on Thursday, 7th August at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 3rd August at 3pm. All are welcome.
Vincentian Annual Pilgrimage
Join the Vincentian Fathers, Daughters of Charity, Society of St. Vincent De Paul and the Sisters of the Holy Faith as they pilgrimage to Knock to honour Our Blessed Lady and give thanks for the many blessings we receive. Pilgrimage will take place on Saturday, 13th September 2008.
Our Lady’s Island, Wexford
Each day of the pilgrimage season, 15th August to 8th September: Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm. Pilgrims are invited to make their own way around the island reflecting on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.
· Friday, 15th August: Feast of the Assumption: Mass at 3.00pm. Eucharistic Procession at 3.45pm concluding with benediction.
· Sunday, 17th August: Mass and General Anointing of the Sick at 3.00pm.
· Sunday, 24th August: Liturgy of Light at 8.30pm.
· Sunday, 31st August: Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm.
· Sunday, 7th September: Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm.
Special Evenings of Reflection
· Friday, 22nd August: Mass at 8.00pm. Very Rev. Aidan Jones: “Our Lady and the Other Christian Churches”.
· Friday, 29th August: Mass at 8.00pm. Prayer Around the Cross at 9.00pm.
· Friday, 5th September: Island Voices Gospel Choir Concert of Sacred Music at the parish church at 8.30pm.
“The Rock” Youth Project
We are very grateful to all who helped or supported so generously with bag-filling at Supervalu. Over €2,800 was collected.
Clonmacnois Youth Festival
The Youth 2000 Summer Festival will take place near the ancient ruins of the Clonmacnois monastic site in Co. Offaly. The festival is for young people age 16 - 35 and will take place over the weekend of Thursday, 14th - Sunday, 17th August 2008. The weekend will include inspiring talks, dramas, a concert, prayer, Mass, games, and times of sharing. It promises to be a great opportunity for young people for all around Ireland to explore their Catholic faith, meet new friends and have some craic!
This is a donation-only retreat. Free buses are available throughout the country—just bring a sleeping bag and a pair of wellies. (Over 18s may like to bring their own tent.)
For further information see posters at the back of the church or www.youth2000.ie or 01 675 3690.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
Pilgrimage departs Kilkenny on Friday, 19th September and returns on Friday, 26th September. Spiritual Director is Fr. Christy Fox MHM. Coach to Dublin Airport included. Cost €669 inclusive. Bookings: Ann 776 5774 or 086 882 5622.
Redecorating St. Fiacre’s Church
As the building work approaches an end at St. Fiacre’s Church we are about to redecorate the building itself. The walls outside and inside will be washed and painted shortly. Preparatory work will begin soon - we ask your patience as we try some colour samples.
We also intend to recover the floors in the church and this will be attended to as soon as the other ’dirtier’ work is completed.
Thanks to all who have been so patient during the past 14 months. The work will be completed very soon.
St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
The annual St. Fiacre’s Well novena begins at 8.00pm on Saturday, 23rd August and continues each evening at the same time. Bishop Freeman has accepted our invitation to be principal celebrant at this year’s open-air Mass on Sunday, 31st August.
St. Fiacre’s Well is approached through the grounds of Sheastown House a few miles out the Bennettsbridge Road.
Prayer is Important
“Often we are not convinced of the importance of prayer and that is why we easily neglect it. Above all, we live it with little depth. We must believe that with prayer we can make many people return to the Lord.”
(Cardinal Angelo Comastri,
Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica,
speaking in the Vatican this week.)
St. Patrick’s Parish July Draw
Prize Winner Promoter
1st Prize - €1000 Teresa O’Brien, 17 St. Fiacre’s Place Lena McCarthy
2nd Prize - €200 John Walsh John Comerford
3rd Prize - €100 Mary Walton, The Glebe, Kells Road Mary Parsons
4th Prize - €100 Nancy Doyle, Rose Inn St Kitty Byrne
5th Prize - €100 Pat Millea, Wallslough Michael Costello
6th Prize - €50 Peter Barrett, Waterford Road Helen Devlin
7th Prize - €50 Anthony Kavanagh, Archers Crescent Brigid Armstrong
8th Prize - €50 Shane Murray, 11 Beechpark Breda Murray
9th Prize - €50 Rita Holohan, St. John of God School Ena McEntee
10th Prize - €50 Derry Noonan, Larchfield Kitty Byrne
11th Prize - €50 Niamh Brennan, Archer’s Court Michael Brennan
12th Prize - €50 Jane Gillman, Springfields Pauline Purcell
13th prize - €50 Jean Rafter, Tennypark Ann Condon
Promoters’ Prizes
Joan Cody, Kilfera and Mary White, Sheastown
1st Prize - €1000 Teresa O’Brien, 17 St. Fiacre’s Place Lena McCarthy
2nd Prize - €200 John Walsh John Comerford
3rd Prize - €100 Mary Walton, The Glebe, Kells Road Mary Parsons
4th Prize - €100 Nancy Doyle, Rose Inn St Kitty Byrne
5th Prize - €100 Pat Millea, Wallslough Michael Costello
6th Prize - €50 Peter Barrett, Waterford Road Helen Devlin
7th Prize - €50 Anthony Kavanagh, Archers Crescent Brigid Armstrong
8th Prize - €50 Shane Murray, 11 Beechpark Breda Murray
9th Prize - €50 Rita Holohan, St. John of God School Ena McEntee
10th Prize - €50 Derry Noonan, Larchfield Kitty Byrne
11th Prize - €50 Niamh Brennan, Archer’s Court Michael Brennan
12th Prize - €50 Jane Gillman, Springfields Pauline Purcell
13th prize - €50 Jean Rafter, Tennypark Ann Condon
Promoters’ Prizes
Joan Cody, Kilfera and Mary White, Sheastown
