Our Inscrutable God
How do you make God Laugh? Just tell him your plans! The hymn of praise that is today’s Second Reading soaring on a loftier plane than that opening quip, nonetheless points to the same reality: the inscrutability of God.
Down from the heady heights of Paul’s vision of God, what does it mean for us in daily life that God is inscrutable? Well, let’s say first what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that we can’t know anything about God, so there’s no point in trying to. It means that we can’t know everything about him. Coming to terms with God in our life is our number one priority, or should be. Sadly, for many it is not.
And when we try to come to terms with God we find, as Thomas Merton points out in Love and Living: ‘There is a disconcerting aura of secularity about much of God’s activity as recorded in the Bible, and uneasiness with this has generally led certain types of philosophic religiosity to improve on the concept of God, seeking to make it more spiritual, more impressive to humans minds, in a word, more “divine”.’ Not only is that secularity found in the Bible, it’s found in real life too. Compare the number of times we’re told in the Bible to pray to the number of times we’re told to love our neighbour. And showing that love is very down-to-earth stuff indeed – the stuff of the Good Samaritan. The sleeves up, hands on approach. God wants action not just intention.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Redecorating St. Fiacre’s Church
As the construction 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 re-cover the floors in the church and this will be attended to as soon as the other ‘dirtier’ work is completed. Thanks for your patience.
How do you make God Laugh? Just tell him your plans! The hymn of praise that is today’s Second Reading soaring on a loftier plane than that opening quip, nonetheless points to the same reality: the inscrutability of God.
Down from the heady heights of Paul’s vision of God, what does it mean for us in daily life that God is inscrutable? Well, let’s say first what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean that we can’t know anything about God, so there’s no point in trying to. It means that we can’t know everything about him. Coming to terms with God in our life is our number one priority, or should be. Sadly, for many it is not.
And when we try to come to terms with God we find, as Thomas Merton points out in Love and Living: ‘There is a disconcerting aura of secularity about much of God’s activity as recorded in the Bible, and uneasiness with this has generally led certain types of philosophic religiosity to improve on the concept of God, seeking to make it more spiritual, more impressive to humans minds, in a word, more “divine”.’ Not only is that secularity found in the Bible, it’s found in real life too. Compare the number of times we’re told in the Bible to pray to the number of times we’re told to love our neighbour. And showing that love is very down-to-earth stuff indeed – the stuff of the Good Samaritan. The sleeves up, hands on approach. God wants action not just intention.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Redecorating St. Fiacre’s Church
As the construction 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 re-cover the floors in the church and this will be attended to as soon as the other ‘dirtier’ work is completed. Thanks for your patience.
St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
The annual novena at St. Fiacre's Well begins at 8.00pm on this Saturday and continues each evening at the same time. The novena is part of an ancient tradition and consists of the rosary and some particular prayers of intercession to St. Fiacre. This year’s novena ends on Sunday, 31st August with open-air Mass at 3.30pm at the Holy Well. Bishop Séamus Freeman, who since his consecration has made a point of visiting the sites associated with the principal patrons of the diocese, will be the main concelebrant and homilist at the Mass. We hope and pray for good weather and a large congregation to mark the first visit of our bishop to St. Fiacre’s Well.
The ancient well of St. Fiacre is situated at Kilfera, a number of kilometres out the Bennettsbridge Road. Access is via the avenue to Sheastown House. The people of Kilkenny City and its environs have been coming here since the seventh century to implore the saint’s intercession. All are welcome but this year in particular we encourage people who have recently arrived in our parish to come along and join in the celebration.
Transport to the Well
If there is enough interest the St. Fiacre’s Well Committee is willing to organise a bus from the City to this year’s Mass. Please contact Tommy on 087 688 3647 if you would be interested in availing of a bus. If enough people express an interest a bus will be organised.
Our Lady’s Island, Wexford
There will be Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm on each day of the pilgrimage season, 15th August to 8th September. See posters.
Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Jim Bolger, England & Grovine. Burial of ashes following Requiem Mass at Foulkstown at 12 noon on Monday. Fintan Wallace, Derdimus. Bridget O’Gorman, Cuffesgrange. Ann Dwan, Piltown. Patty Murray-Lavender, Pearse Street & England.
Anniversaries: Tom & Michael Casserly (Sat 6.15), Eddie Kelly (Sat 7.00), Paddy Mullen (Sun 10.00), James Rhatigan (Sun 10.30), Michael White (Sun 11.00), Della Harney & Mary Campion (Sun 12.00), Annie McKenna (Sun 12.30), James Delaney (Mon 9.30), Moscow Larkin (Tue 9.30), Patrick Culleton, Pat Phelan, Dick Walsh, Cissie de Loughry, Kitty Mullins, Pierce & Catherine Marnell, John & Catherine Waldron, John & Mary Brennan, Josie Hackett, John, Ellen & Pat Butler, Joe O’Shea, Mary & Patrick Blanchfield, Anastatia Tallent, Josephine McKenna, Martin Ward, Frank Moran.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary & Paul Cody & Bill Marnell (Sat 6.15), Sr. Vianney Hickey (Month’s Mind Sat 7.00), Patrick McDonald (Sun 9.30), Jim Bambrick (Sun 10.30), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 11.00), Ann-Marie Manogue (Sun 12.00), Joe Cody (Month’s Mind Sun 12.30).
Parish Draw
The August Draw will be held at the Sacristy of St. Fiacre’s Church on this Tuesday, 26th August at 8.30pm. All welcome. Monies and tickets may be returned directly to Ted Byrne or to St. Fiacre’s Sacristy from 6.30pm on Tuesday evening. There will be a special draw for two All Ireland Hurling Final tickets on the night.
Theology at a Distance
The Priory Institute, Tallaght invites people to join in the study of theology from the comfort of their own homes. For information: dial 01 404 8124, email enquiries@prioryinstitute.com or write The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24.
Mayor of the Village
Some interested parishioners are organising a Mayor of the Village ‘election’ in aid of St. Patrick’s Houses for the Elderly. Would you or do you know of someone who would like to be Mayor/Mayoress of the Village? We are looking for people to nominate or place their own names forward for this competition. Names can be given at the Parish Office and for further information contact the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.
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, 4th, 5th and 6th September. To reap maximum benefit from this opportunity we need a lot of adult volunteers to help during shopping hours on these days. A similar initiative in February raised in excess of €5,000 for the funds. We intend approaching those who gave so generously of their time on that occasion but, without doubt, some of these people will not be available in September. This means we will need more volunteers. 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. In this case it is genuinely a case of Many hands make light work — all help will be gratefully received.
Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland
The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland in Kilkenny is setting up a home care service for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This is where a trained dementia care worker will go into the family home for a designated number of hours a week offering stimulation and activities to the client and allowing the main carer to take a break. For further information contact Marie O’Shea, Home Care Coordinator on 086 609 0421.
National Grandparents Pilgrimage
The National Grandparents’ Pilgrimage takes place in Knock this year on Sunday, 14th September. The Chief Celebrant at this year’s Pilgrimage Mass will be Bishop John Fleming, Bishop of Killala. Fr. Liam Lawton will be guest singer at the event and David Quinn of the Iona Institute will be deliver the keynote address. Additional information is available on nationalgrandparentspilgrimage.com.
Questions People Ask
Q. Was Jesus ever called Christ before St. Peter used that title? For instance, at home with Mary and Joseph, was he known as Christ?
A. Jesus was his personal name, a name meaning Saviour, announced by an angel and given to him at birth. Christ was a title which identified him as the long-awaited messiah. This title means the anointed one sent by God. Jesus told Simon Peter that it was only a special grace which enable him to recognise Jesus as the Christ. I find it impossible to understand how any Christian could be insensitive to the sacred character of these sacred names.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Columnist Bereaved
We offer our sympathy on the death of his mother to Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap who writes our weekly ‘Questions People Ask’ column. Mrs. Kathleen O’Flynn was 103 years of age. May she rest in peace.
Columnist Bereaved
We offer our sympathy on the death of his mother to Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap who writes our weekly ‘Questions People Ask’ column. Mrs. Kathleen O’Flynn was 103 years of age. May she rest in peace.
Kilkenny Gospel Choir
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir will provide the sacred music at the 12 noon Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on next Sunday. All are welcome. The choir will have copies of their latest CD Someone’s Praying available for sale after the Mass.
Medjugorje Visionary to Visit City
The National Medjugorje Council of Ireland with the Kilkenny Youth Prayer Group are pleased to announce the visit of Jakov Colo, Medjugorje visionary, to St. Mary’s Cathedral, on Tuesday the 16th of September at 7.30pm. The evening of Prayer will include Rosary, Mass, Adoration and Prayers for Healing. Confession will be available throughout the evening. All are welcome.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje
From Friday, 19th to Friday 26th September. Spiritual Director: Fr. C. Fox M.H.M. Coach to Dublin Airport. Cost €669 (inclusive). Bookings Ann 056 776 5774 or 086 882 5622.
Eucharistic Adoration
“Could you not watch with me one hour?”
Adorers needed each Friday, in St. Patrick’s Church for Eucharistic Adoration, especially for the hours from 11.00am to 12 noon, and from 12 noon to 1.00pm. If interested please ring 777 0472 or contact any of the priests at 776 4400.
Vincentian Annual Pilgrimage
The annual Vincentian Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine at Knock will take place on Saturday, 13th September 2008. Further details when they come to hand.
