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.
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.
