Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st September 2008

Whose Strange Ways?
Biologist JBS Haldane once remarked that the universe is not only queerer than we might suppose, but queerer than we can suppose. Something similar might be said of God – though phrased more elegantly. Perhaps St. Augustine’s comment that ‘God is younger than all else’ fits the bill. Straightaway it puts us on a collision course with logic: how can the one who is ever ancient, be ever new?
Not surprising then that this ‘illogical’ God acts in some rather strange ways. God admits this in today’s First Reading: ‘...my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways...’ But shouldn’t God be the norm, and not us? If so, then it’s our ways that are strange and not God’s. Is it because of our strange ways of doing things that today’s Gospel reading seems unfair, until the denarius drops? When it does, what seems unjust to our narrow way of looking at things turns out to be incredibly generous. All the workers receive a fair wage, some a very generous one. If this story bugs us then we have two issues, at least, to deal with: accepting God’s ‘right’ to do as God pleases – which may not be too easy depending on how close to the bone God operates – accepting God’s challenge to us to live generously. Only in facing these can we begin to see the heights where God’s thoughts are found (v.9). Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Questions People Ask
Q. I am old and tired. My wife and friends have passed away. Is it wrong to ask God to take me soon?
A. Your question is one that Saint Paul wrestles with in the Second Reading at Mass today. Part of him longs to be gone and to be with Christ in heaven but he is willing to continue to serve God on earth for as long as God desires. There is nothing wrong in wanting to be gone from, ‘this valley of tears’. Christian hope makes us look forward eagerly to all that God has in store for those who love him. But, like Saint Paul, let us accept the time God gives us an opportunity to serve God on earth.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Fr. Martin Gillespie, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road. Funeral prayers at Kennedy’s Funeral Home, Freshford at 5.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Lactain’s Church, Freshford. Requiem Mass at 12.00 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Lactain’s Cemetery. Jackie West, 38 Dean Cavanagh Place, Michael Brennan, Dunmore West.
Months Mind: Fintan Wallace (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 9.30), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00), Fr. John Lennon (Thurs 9.30), Maurice Maher (Thurs 10.30), Stella & Edward Gildea, Syd & Elizabeth Bluett, William Hickey, Anna Beale, Mary Kennedy, Ger Kavanagh, Rory O’Connor, Jimmy Morrissey, Paddy Larkin, Jimmy Owens, Pat Owens.
Intentions Next Weekend: Eugene and Paddy Somers (Sat 6.15); Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00); Catherine & John Alley (Sun 9.30); The Byrne Family (Sun 10.30); Dick Furniss (Month’s Mind, Sun 11.00), Phyllis & Laurie Preston (Golden Jubilee of Marriage, Sun 12.00); Julie Foley ( Sun 12.30).

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 put their own names forward for this competition. Names and further information at the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.

Bag Packing
A sincere thank you to all who helped with and supported our recent bag packing venture in aid of our new parish centre. A special word of thanks to Caulfield’s Supervalu. The amount raised was €4,566. Thanks to all.

St. Patrick’s Parish Cookery Book
St. Patrick’s Parish will publish a cookery book at the National Ploughing Association Championships this week. Good Food for Healthy Living contains recipes submitted by the sportspeople of our parish, city and county. For example, Brian Cody presents his recipe for three-in-a-row success - was it Brian’s hearty Beef Stir Fry recipe which underpinned this year’s historic victory for the boys in Black and Amber? It must be good stuff as I see champion jockey Shane Gorey, following a career-threatening injury, favoured Irish Stew to nourish him back to race-winning fitness. Kilkenny Olympians Joanne Cuddihy and Eileen O’Keeffe offer lighter courses of Chilli Beef and Roast Pork respectively. In all there are more than 120 easy-to-follow recipes for starters, soups, main courses, desserts, buns and cakes which should get the taste buds watering and the kitchen utensils ringing.
The book is exceptional good value at €10 and will be available at the St. Patrick’s Parish Stand at the National Ploughing Association Championships this week. Our stand number is F285A - we invite those at the NPA Championships to come along and say ‘hello’ to those staffing our stand.
Good Food for Healthy Living will be available to buy at the Presbytery and at all the sacristies from Wednesday of this week.

Ossory Goes Ploughing
The Diocese of Ossory invites you to visit their stand at the National Ploughing Championship in Cuffesgrange from Tuesday, 23rd to Thursday, 25th September, situated at site L564. Bishop Freeman with priests and people of the diocese will be there to welcome you. There will be a prayer time each day at 12noon and 3pm and you are welcome to visit the dedicated prayer room at any time, for private prayer and to write a petition. An opportunity for one-to-one conversation in our ‘Listening Ear’ space will also be available. See you there.
First Communion Programme
It’s that time of the year again when we begin meetings and think of the year ahead. Worthy of special mention are the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion which will be celebrated by the children of second class in our schools. To help families prepare for these important Sacraments, our parish runs a special monthly programme called ‘Do This in Memory.’ To explain this programme to parents and to encourage family involvement, there will be a meeting next Tuesday, 23rd September at 7.30pm in the St. John of God School, New Street. This meeting is for all parents and guardians of those preparing for these sacraments.

History of St. Mary’s Cathedral
The Story of a Dream, a history of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny 1857 – 2007, by Ray Cleere is now available at the Kilkenny Book Centre; St. Kieran’s College; Rothe House and Watergate Theatre. Cost €10.

C.B.S. Parents’ Council
The AGM of the CBS Kilkenny Parents’ Council of the Parents’ Council will be held on Thursday, 2nd October at 7.30pm in CBS Secondary School, James Street. At 8pm there will be a talk given by Mr. John Leahy former Tipperary Hurler, who will speak on the subject of “Substance Use Awareness”.

Table Quiz for Samaritans
The Samaritans will hold a table quiz on Monday, 29th September in the Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel at 8pm sharp. €10 per person. This quiz is being run nationwide at the same time for the Samaritans and all monies raised will go to the local branch. So bring yourself or your team of 4 and enjoy the challenge.

Grow - Thank You
Grow Community Mental Health Movement says thanks for your generosity to their recent church gate collection. €2,370.60 was collected in Kilkenny City.

Garda Siochana Message
Traffic heading from Kilkenny to Callan on N76, during the Ploughing Championships, will not be allowed travel past the junction at Ballybur, commonly known as the Lime Tree. Motorists travelling on this route, can turn right at any of the four junctions between Kilkenny and Cuffesgrange and travel via Ballykeeffe and Kilmanagah to Callan. Traffic direction signage will be erected on the Callan Road (N56) toshow where motorists may turn off.
Queries to 087 236 7205.

St. Fiacre’s Church
We apologise for the disruption and dust at St. Fiacre’s Church at the moment. This essential work is to facilitate the upgrading of alarms and lighting. The church will be carpeted and repainted when the electrical work is completed. The disruption will be temporary but the advantages will last!

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
Unfortunately essential work at St. Fiacre’s Church necessitates the suspension of adoration on Monday of this week. St. Patrick’s Church will be in use by St. Kieran’s College on Friday morning. Adoration will commence at 4.00pm.

Windgap Parish Mission
Windgap Parish will hold a Parish Mission between 28th September and 4th October. Mission will be conducted by Redemptorist Team: Fr. Tony Flannery and Br. Derek Ryan.

Irish Mission to Chad
We wish God Speed to the Irish troops especially the local men and women who depart for Chad this weekend. We pray that they will use their talents to bring peace to this troubled part of the world. As a community we will pray regularly for their safety.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The monthly collection for the local conference will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please support the local conference which meets at the Presbytery at 8.00pm on Mondays.

Irish Wheelchair Association
The IWA is seeking volunteers to participate in their 23rd International Sponsored Walk from the 8th to 17th April 2009 in Poland, Contact Peadar Doogue 087 282 4556 or 059 863 8969 or any branch of the IWA.

Fit Walk Programme
The Fit Walk Programme is starting on Friday, 26th of September at 9.30am in the Sports Hall in St. Patrick’s Centre and will run for five weeks. Elements of the programme include posture, resistance, stride walking, power walking and the increasingly popular nordic walking. To book contact KRSP at 056 772 0870 or email krsp@eircom.net

Word Aid
Problems with reading, writing, spelling or sums. Contact: Word Aid on 056 776 3149 or at Butler Court, Patrick Street.
Service is free and confidential to adults and school leavers over the age of 16.

Hearing Help & Lipreading
Hearing Help and Lipreading classes start on Monday, 22nd and Tuesday, 23rd September at Comhairle, The Parade. Phone 776 5176 or 776 3508 for further information.

More On Our Cook Book
This initiative is part of our fundraising for our new parish centre. The cook book is entitled ‘Good Food for Healthy Living’ and features loads of recipes that will bring healthy eating within anyone’s grasp.
What makes this cook book unique is that it features a section where many well known stars give their favourite food dish and the recipe is recreated for you to try. Some famous names you will recognise are: Brian Cody, Eileen O’Keeffe, James (Cha) Fitzpatrick and many others.
The cook book will cost €10 each and all the money raised goes towards our new parish centre at Loughboy.
The book will be launched at our stand at the ploughing match this coming week. We are located at Row F, Stand 285A. A little later on the book will be available to buy in the parish and will make a lovely present for anyone who is interested in cooking.
While we mention the book we say a sincere word of thanks to Mrs Barbara Tehan and Mrs Mary Parsons for have worked so hard to produce this book.

The Triumph of the Cross 14th September 2008

At Cross purposes
If Jesus had been hanged instead of crucified would we be celebrating the Triumph of the Rope? No irreverence is intended here. It is a serious question. The symbolism of hanging from a rope would not be as strong, nor the image as powerful, as that of an outstretched man, naked, pin in agony to a cross. Yet redemption would just as surely have been achieved. The means of death was not important. The fact of death was. While today’s feast focuses on the symbol, the external sign, we cannot be blind to what really counted: Jesus’ love for his Father. Concentrating on, and glorifying, the cross can be dangerous, even unchristian. It can give the impression that the pain is all important, not the love that overcomes the pain. Had Jesus not had to die for what he said and did would he still be Saviour? An unqualified yes to that! If it was his love that brought salvation, then the suffering was tragically unnecessary. But because of our sorry state, it was inevitable. That’s why today’s Gospel reading (John 3:13-17) tells us that the Father sent the Son into this world, not to condemn it but to save it. That mission is what triumphed, not the cross. Without the love in his heart Jesus would not have had his cross to bear. He would not have had to face the enemy to the bitter end – and he would not have been a man to take seriously.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD.

Questions people ask
What is meant by original sin?
An honest look at human behaviour sees that we have inherited a fallen nature, subject to temptation and often inclined to evil. Where did it start? The Bible offers the story of the fall of Adam and Eve from whom all have inherited a wounded nature. The Catholic Catechism admits that the exact way of transmission is mysterious, beyond our understanding. The Good News is that God so loved the world that he sent his Son of save us. The tree associated with the forbidden fruit has been replaced by the glorious tree of the cross of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Catherine (Kit) Grace, Funeral Prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home, Sunday at 6.30 followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church. Funeral mass 10.30 on Monday followed by burial in St. Kieran’s cemetery. Josephine Brennan, 11 Stephen Street. Tommy Grace, Conahy. Rosaleen Bull, Goslingstown. Maureen Campion, Cathedral Square. Maureen Holden, Graignamanagh. Jackie West, 38 Dean Cavanagh Place. Funeral 12noon on Monday in St. Mary’s Cathedral, burial in St. Kieran’s.
Months Mind: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15)
Anniversaries: Sr. Presentation Breen (Sat 7.00), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Mary & Joan Bissett (Sun 11.00), Rita McCarthy (Sun 12.00), Enda Cody (Sun 12.30), Ciss Holland (Tues 10.30), Patrick Morris (Thurs 9.30), Margaret Beehan, Catherine (Kitty) Ralph, P.J. Sweeney, Bridget Curran, Margaret Dollard, Michael & Bridget Slattery, Ernie Harrington, Tom Little, Margie & Bob Brady, Kathleen Murphy, Margaret Morris, Evelyn Costello, Glenn Brady, Josephine Neary,
Intentions for Next Weekend
Months Mind: Fintan Wallace (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Stella O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 9.30), Margaret Brennan (Sun 10.00), Catherine & John Alley (Sun 10.30), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00),

Christian Meditation
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46
Christian Meditation will resume in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4pm from 17th September 2008. New members welcome.
Paralympics
Well done to Gabriel Shelley from St. Patrick’s Parish has won a bronze medal so far. We wish him and all the athletes well.

St. Vincent de Paul Shop, Butts Green (Fred’s Fashions)
MASSIVE SALE!!!!!

13th to 20th Sept.
Fill a bag for €5, men's, women’s, children’s clothing and footwear.

Bag provided by shop.

AHFI
The Alliance of the Holy Family International is a movement dedicated to the worldwide promotion of the sanctification of the family through the Alliance of the Two Hearts, Jesus and Mary, approved by Pope Benedict XVI.

Two Hearts Weekend Retreat
September 27th/28th, in Maynooth College with World Renowned Fr Edgardo Arellano known as Fr Ring (EWTN). Spiritual Director of the AHFI and Fr. John Santos.
To experience a wonderful weekend of spiritual healing contact:
Joan 01 8255438, Attracta 01 8214435
Jim 021 4385184 (evenings).

Camphill Community Open Day
The annual Open Day at the Camphill Community in Ballytobin, near Callan, takes place on Sunday, 21st September from 2pm to 5pm. This is an important fund-raising occasion for the Camphill Community which, as you know, cares for children and adults with mental disability. Please support.

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in honour of Divine Mercy in St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday September 14th 3pm—4pm. All are welcome.

National Ploughing Match
The Diocese of Ossory invites you to visit their stand at the National Ploughing Championship in Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny, from 23rd to 25th September, situated at site L564. Bishop Freeman with priests and people of the diocese will be there to welcome you. There will be a prayer time each day at 12noon and 3pm and you are welcome to visit the dedicated prayer room at any time, for private prayer and write a petition. An opportunity for one to one conversation in our ‘Listening Ear’ space will also be available. See you there.

Kilkenny Contact
Kilkenny Contact is a voluntary organization, bringing friendship to older people by visiting them in their own homes. We only visit at the request of the older person. Could you volunteer one hour a week to have a friendly chat with someone? If so Kilkenny Contact might be the group for you. We are a voluntary organisation that aims to help older people who may feel lonely and isolated through the onset of illness or of living alone. We do this by organising weekly visits and we are currently looking for volunteers throughout the City of Kilkenny. The befriending service we offer, works by linking up people in the community to form friendships. Volunteers commit themselves to visiting an older person for one hour per week and Kilkenny Contact links them with the most suitable person. Each volunteer is interviewed and Garda clearance is sought. Volunteers are made aware of the need for confidentiality and commitment of their visit.

Person of the Year Awards ‘08
The Kilkenny Person of the Year Award scheme is being organised to give public recognition to the people in Kilkenny and City for their contribution to society. A gala banquet will take place in the New Park Hotel in Friday 31st October 08 at 8pm sharp with Ronan Collins of RTE as MC and music by The Showband Show. Tickets available from Declan McCann, First Active, 79 High St. Kilkenny.

First Aid
A basic First Aid course will take place inKilkenny City VEC school for four Thursday nights, from 6pm to 10pm, starting on the 16th of October. For further information or to book your place,contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 056 7720870

Code of Ethics
A code of Ethics course will take place in Kilkenny City VEC school on Thursday, the 9th of October, from 6pm to 10pm. For further information or to book your place, contact Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership at 056 7720870

Confirmation Dates 2009
Our confirmation dates for next year have been announced. St. John of God, St. Patrick’s De La Salle, KSP - Saturday, May 16th, Gaelscoil Osrai - Saturday, March 14th.

Medjugorje Prayer Evening
It had been planned that Medjugorje visionary, Jakov Colo, would visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, on Tuesday the 16th of September at 7.30pm. Unfortunately Jakov has taken ill and is unable to attend.
The evening of Prayer will still go ahead with another guest speaker. The evening will include Rosary, Mass, Adoration and Prayers for Healing. Confession will be available throughout the evening. All are welcome.

Our Building Progress
It’s been a while since we reported any progress on the building of our new parish centre.
The building work is virtually complete and the final touches are being put in place. Our biggest delay continues to be the ESB connection which, we are informed will take place towards the end of the month. Once the electricity is installed and the heating is turned on, there will be a delay in drying out the floors in the main halls before fitting the wooden floor.
The rest of the centre however should begin to open and the parish office will move to the new centre. All going well, we are on target for a late October , early November start up.
Progress continues behind the scenes however in setting up the company and hall committee that will run the centre. We are grateful to the numbers of people who have already volunteered their time and energy to the centre.
Our fundraising also continues with our successful monthly parish draw and recent bag pack. We have a lot of fundraising to do to pay for our new centre but we are confident that our fundraising efforts will be generously supported by the people of St. Patrick’s and surrounding parishes as you have in the past.
More on the centre later and as always, comments or observations are welcome.

Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 7th September 2008

I am my Brother’s Keeper
The word of God can be confusing. And thank God for that! Otherwise, we might become intolerable, especially when it comes to doing what today’s First Reading tells us to do: to warn the wicked when God instructs us to. The confusing bit here is how to know that we have been so instructed. As Thomas Merton once wrote in Contemplation in a World of Action: ‘The prophetic charism is a gift of God, not a duty of man.’ Becoming the moral mouthpiece for God is a tricky path to tread. That said, however, someone has to do it. For those so called, a question to ask before giving the warning: why does God warn the wicked? No confusion here. God wants them to change for their good, not God’s. Concerned, God meets them half way through a ‘sentinel’ (v.7). That concern should set the tone of our warning. It should be positive not condemnatory.
When approaching the wicked to convince them of the folly of their ways it’s good to recall that one of the most important trips we can make is to meet someone halfway.
Perhaps Charles Davis should have the last word: ‘Human pride has led to a notion of freedom and equality as meaning, “you’re on your own”. But we cannot be human on our own.’ (A Spirituality For the Vulnerable, p.66)
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Rosary.
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the Statue of our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 7th September at 3pm. All are welcome.

Christian Meditation
Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46
Christian Meditation will resume in Peace in Christ Retreat House every Wednesday at 4pm from 17th September 2008. New members welcome.

Questions people ask
Q. What did Jesus mean when he spoke of binding and loosing on earth and in heaven?
A. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the mission of Jesus became the mission of the Church, the community of his disciples. Binding and loosing express two aspects of this mission. Binding refers to the Church’s responsibility to speak with heaven’s authority in declaring that sinful behaviour binds a person in guilt before God. The image of loosing expresses God’s forgiveness when the sinner repents and confesses. It is important to have a Church not afraid to tell us when we are wrong.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The annual general meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Friday, 12th September, after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. New members especially welcome.

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.

Camphill Community Open Day
The annual Open Day at the Camphill Community in Ballytobin, near Callan, takes place on Sunday, 21st September from 2pm to 5pm. This is an important fund-raising occasion for the Camphill Community which, as you know, cares for children and adults with mental disability. Please support.

Kilkenny Contact
Kilkenny Contact is a voluntary organization, bringing friendship to older people by visiting them in their own homes. We only visit at the request of the older person. Could you volunteer one hour a week to have a friendly chat with someone? If so Kilkenny Contact might be the group for you. We are a voluntary organisation that aims to help older people who may feel lonely and isolated through the onset of illness or of living alone. We do this by organising weekly visits and we are currently looking for volunteers throughout the City of Kilkenny. The befriending service we offer, works by linking up people in the community to form friendships. Volunteers commit themselves to visiting an older person for one hour per week and Kilkenny Contact links them with the most suitable person. Each volunteer is interviewed and Garda clearance is sought. Volunteers are made aware of the need for confidentiality and commitment of their visit.

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Dick Furniss, Upper Patrick Street and Australia (Sun 12.30). Ned O’Gorman, Kilcreene Road.
Month’s Mind: Joe Woodlock (Sat 7.00)
Anniversaries: Sharon McEvoy (Sat 6.15), Anastatia Ayres, Tom Byrne, Joe Dunne, Bridget Kenny, Richard DeLoughry, The Cassin Family, Rita McCarthy.
Intentions for next weekend: Eileen Grace (Month’s Mind Sat 6.15). Sr. Presentation Breen (Sat 7.00), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Rita McCarthy (Sun 12.00), Enda Cody (Sun 12.30).

Platinum Celebration
This weekend we join in congratulating Sr. Marie Joseph Fleming of the St. John of God Community on the platinum anniversary of her profession. Sr. Marie Joseph, who comes from Springhill, Waterford Road, was professed in September 1938. Congratulations. Ad multos annos!

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.

Come on the Cats!!!
We would like to wish the Kilkenny Senior and Minor Hurling Teams the best of luck in this weekend’s All Ireland Hurling Finals. In particular we wish Brian Cody, Richard Mulrooney and the panel members from our parish every luck in the big games.

Medjugorje Pilgrimages
The Medjugorje Irish Centre, located beside St. James Church and owned and managed by the Mullan Family from Omagh, is the meeting place for all of Medjugorje’s Irish Pilgrims. The Centre provides information, aid collection point, restaurant, laundry, phone, internet & foot massage. Apartment accommodation from as little as €20 per night. We can arrange apartments, flights, airport transfers to and from Split or Dubrovnik. If we can be of help please contact us. www.medjugorje-properties.com. Email: darren@medjugorje-properties.com Telephone Noelle on 048 8224 1888

Kilkenny FIT4LIFE Club
It is that time of year again when Kilkenny City Harriers provides a fitness programme for the “perhaps not so athletically inclined”. The Kilkenny FIT4LIFE Club starts back on 9th September and will meet and train twice weekly: Tuesdays in James’s Park at 7.00pm and Saturdays in Upper Field, Castle Park at 9.00am. All welcome.

L.A.R.C Autumn Activities
‘New U’: Single Parents Group, Mondays 10.30 - 12.30. Activities: Taster Workshops, Cookery, Nutrition, Child Behaviour, Arts and Craft, D.I.Y Drama and lots more.
LARC Women’s Group: Activates: Taster Workshops, Art and Craft, Cookery, Stress Management, Holistic Therapy and more.
Parents In Touch: Tuesdays 10.30 - 12.00.
Activities: Time out for you. An opportunity to meet and chat with other parents while your child is in Pre School.
Hop Scotch: Wednesdays 10.30 - 12.30.
An opportunity for parents and toddlers to meet to play and socialise together, while creating opportunities for toddlers to develop their skills and personalities.
Yoga & Well Being: Thursday 10.30 - 12.30
A yoga class especially designed for mature people with health conditions, restricted mobility those who want a gentle yoga class.
Art and Creativity Group and Digital Photography. If you are interested in any of the above programmes contact Connie in LARC at 776 4700. See posters on notice boards

Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club will resume monthly meetings at the new venue Butler House on next Thursday at 8 p.m. Demonstration is by Angela Behan-O'Carroll from Carlow Flower Club. We look forward to seeing members and especially some new faces. Refreshments will be served.
Thanks for you Help
Thanks to almost 60 parishioners and friends who helped with our fundraising bag pack at Caulfield’s Supervalu this weekend.

Concert
The Kildavin/Clonegal G.A.A. Club presents Anthony Kearns, Ireland's Finest Tenor in Concert with accompanist Patrick Healy and featuring Kilkenny Gospel Choir in the Dolmen Hotel, Carlow on Friday, 19th September at 8.00pm. Subscription is €25. Tickets: The Dolmen Hotel, Carlow, 914 2002 or by contacting 087 662 8095 or 087 790 5344.

Escorted Tours and Pilgrimages
Fully escorted, half board, includes entry fees and tips. Full itinerary on request.
Magical Switzerland: Saturday, 27th September to Saturday, 4th October 2008.
Holy Land, Jordan: Saturday, 25th October to Sunday, 2nd November 2008.
Details from Deirdre at 056 775 5151 or 086 3853989 or Sr. Teresa 086 8312537.

Proclaim the Good News
The Waterford/South East Charismatic Conference will be held at the Rhu Glenn Hotel, Slieverue next weekend. Speakers: Fr. Tom Forrest CSsR and Frances Hogan. Experience the joy of the Lord and the anointing of the Holy Spirit in two days of prayer, praise, worship, music, scripture, teaching, healing and testimony. Adm: €15. Information from 087 270 1311. All welcome.

Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 31st August 2008

Annual Mass at St. Fiacre’s Well
Bishop Séamus Freeman will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Annual Mass at St. Fiacre’s Well on this Sunday. The final novena prayers will be recited at 3.15pm with Mass following at 3.30pm. All are welcome.
The ancient well of St. Fiacre is situated at Kilfera, about four kilometres out the Bennettsbridge Road. Access is via the avenue to Sheastown House (with thanks to the owners.) Local people have been coming here since the seventh century to implore the saint’s intercession. Please come and help maintain our ancient heritage.

St. Fiacre’s Novena Poster
For your interest we have reproduced opposite the text of a poster for the 1931 pilgrimage. The original is a typed A4 page and contains a number of typographical and formatting errors.

The Annual Pilgrimage
To
St Fiacre’s Holy Well and Hermitage,
Sheestown, Kilkenny,
Sunday, 30th August, 1931.
Devotions begin at 3.30, (New Time)


The “Pilgrims’ Walk” to the Holy Well by the lovely banks of the River Nore, a
distance of two miles, by which many devout people have gone to the Holy Well every year, will start, weather permitting, from the Canal Walk at 2 o’clock. This is the route followed by the pilgrims in ancient times, centuries before the road was made. The Saint’s Hermitage is about 100 yards from the Well.


Buses will ply from the Parade from 2 o’clock till 8.
Fare each way, 3d.


A Kilkenny’s Ladies’ committee will supply teas on the grounds at 6d. Teas seated in enclosed, 8d.


Cars parked and minded and bicycles stored past the turn
at the end of avenue.


The usual Novena to St. Fiacre after the feast will be made every afternoon at 4 o’clock, and every evening at 9 o’clock. (New Time), till Tuesday, Sept. 8th. Rosary and Hymns. Teas at 6d.


TO PILGRIMS AND VISITORS: Please give a small contribution to cover the great expenses incurred.


Prayer to St. Fiacre
Prayer: Give ear O Lord, to the supplications which we offer Thee on the Festival of Blessed Fiacre, Thy Confessor; that as we trust not in our own merits, we may be by the prayers of him who was so pleasing to Thee, through Christ our Lord. Amen.


After an interval for tea, a spectacular performance of the Mortality Play and Tragedy, “The King” by Padraig Pearse, accompanied by
St. Patrick’s Band, will be given in the upper field by the Sheestown Players. Tickets for seating accommodation in the enclosure, 4d.

N.B. There will be no dancing, sports, games, and
no other amusements whatever.


Questions People Ask
Q. In making my will I want to leave a large sum of money for Masses to be offered over the years for my eternal salvation but my local priest is not in favour of taking it on. Where can I turn to?
A. Isn’t it a bit selfish to be thinking only of yourself when other people have very urgent requests such as impending operations? I’m sure that it would please God far more to give your money to help the poor. Jesus never said to give money for Masses but he did say to give to the poor. Charity covers a multitude and is the surest way to heaven.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Richard Furniss, Upper Patrick Street & Australia. Tom Costello, Graiguenamanagh. Jim Bolger, England & Grovine; burial of ashes at Foulkstown at 12 noon on Monday, 1st September.
Months Mind: Sr. Vianney Hickey (Sat 7.00), Joe Cody (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Mary & Paul Cody, Bill Marnell (Sat 6.15), Patrick McDonald (Sun 9.30), Jim Ryan (Sun 10.00), Jim Bambrick (Sun 10.30), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 11.00), Ann Marie Manogue (Sun 12.00), Patty Mulhall, Bridget (Beezie) Slattery, Patrick Culleton, Peg Brennan, Elizabeth Carroll.
Intentions Next Weekend: Sharon McEvoy (Sat 6.15); Richard Furniss (Sun 12.30).
Foulkstown Stations of the Cross
We have managed to acquire a set of Stations of the Cross from the Sisters of Mercy in Westport (the same community which kindly donated the organ to St. Patrick's Church). We propose to use these stations in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown. We would like your opinion. We have placed one of the stations in the Church to parishioners to see them. If people approve we will fit the rest of them in due course.

Parish Schools Reopen
The St. John of God Girls’ School and the St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys’ School will reopen for Senior Infants to Sixth Class at 9.20am on Monday, 1st September and for Junior Infants at 9.20am on Tuesday 2nd September. We wish all involved with our schools the best of luck for the year ahead.

Bag Pack
Thank you to all those who have volunteered their time for our fundraising bag pack on next Thursday, Friday & Saturday. We acknowledge the great response we have received so far but needless to say there is room for a few more. Please contact the Presbytery on 056 776 4400 if would like to give an hour or two on any of the three days.

St. Vincent de Paul Golf Classic
A golf classic in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be held at Kilkenny Golf Club on Wednesday, 3rd of September. Teams of three: €75. Please call 776 5400 to book your team.
Westcourt News
Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 8th September at 7.30pm. The members of Camphill Community are preparing the liturgy for this Mass. All welcome.

Lost and Found
These is an amount of lost/found property in the sacristies in all of our churches. We will shortly pass the cache to a local charity shop.

Computer Classes
Computer classes will begin in Castlecomer Community School in September. Classes will be laid on for those wishing to pursue the Basic ECDL and ECDL AutoCAD (both courses cost €350). Those who successfully complete either course will receive internationally recognised certification. Prices include tests and notes. Classes run for two to two and half-hours per night, one night per week. Please contact 086 823 0888.

Become a qualified Life Coach
This Diploma is the highest accredited Coaching Course in Ireland. On Completion of course you will be an expert in Human behaviour, Coaching and Facilitations of groups, please see below for FETAC Awards. Help coach people through personal blocks and challenges. Sept 13th, 14th, then one weekend every month for 10 months. Empower Training, Newtown Manor, New Orchard Road, Kilkenny.

St. Patrick’s Parish July Draw
1st Prize - €1000
Veronica Duffy, 3 Smithlands Court
2nd Prize - €200
John English, 14 Loughboy Park
3rd Prize - €100
Owen Kiely, 50 Melville Heights
4th Prize - €100
Phil Walsh, 4 Cashel Downs
5th Prize - €100
John Walsh, c/o Promoter
6th Prize - €50
Lil Dunne, Riverview
7th Prize - €50
Mary Doran, c/o Promoter
8th Prize - €50
Michael Hanrahan, 12 Oak Road
9th Prize - €50
Jean Condon, c/o Promoter
10th Prize - €50
Kevin Moloney, 12 Laurel Grove
11th Prize - €50
Frank Murphy, 73 Marble Crest
12th Prize - €50
Mrs. A. Daly, Archers Avenue
13th prize - €50
Caroline Walsh, 47 The Paddocks
Promoters’ Prizes
Helen Devlin, 30 Cedarwood Drive, Sean Leahy, Ashley Court
All Ireland Tickets
Brigid Armstrong, 21 Archers Crescent