The Best is Yet to Come
The church sign reads: Man’s way leads to a hopeless end – God’s way leads to an endless hope. How true, both long term and short term! Long term, because science tells us that ultimately the fate of our ever-expanding universe seemingly is to become frozen and lifeless. Short term, because life tells us that fate without faith has nothing lasting to offer. If everything ends for us at the moment of death then that’s it – we’ve had it, all of it. And depending on one’s circumstances during life, you could ask justifiably if the experience of living was really worth it. Not everybody enjoys more contentment than misery, more pleasure than pain. If what you see is what you get – and only that – then the ‘accident’ of birth might not be a blessing. Today, the Feast of All Souls, we publicly profess our belief that life is a precious gift because it places us at the entry to eternity. We go on record that there is more to life than meets the eye. We believe and proclaim that our family and friends are precious beyond life; and that they survive beyond this earthly life to experience that the best wine is indeed served last. And served, as our First Reading tells us, ‘in a feast of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear’. No frozen wastes for us. Our jubilant cry of hope today can only be: The best is yet to come!
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, 2nd November at 3pm. All are welcome.
James Stephens GAA Club
Requiem Mass for the deceased members of the James Stephens GAA Club will take place at St. Patrick's Church on Thursday, 6th November at 8pm. Club members are asked to make a special effort to attend. All parishioners welcome.
The church sign reads: Man’s way leads to a hopeless end – God’s way leads to an endless hope. How true, both long term and short term! Long term, because science tells us that ultimately the fate of our ever-expanding universe seemingly is to become frozen and lifeless. Short term, because life tells us that fate without faith has nothing lasting to offer. If everything ends for us at the moment of death then that’s it – we’ve had it, all of it. And depending on one’s circumstances during life, you could ask justifiably if the experience of living was really worth it. Not everybody enjoys more contentment than misery, more pleasure than pain. If what you see is what you get – and only that – then the ‘accident’ of birth might not be a blessing. Today, the Feast of All Souls, we publicly profess our belief that life is a precious gift because it places us at the entry to eternity. We go on record that there is more to life than meets the eye. We believe and proclaim that our family and friends are precious beyond life; and that they survive beyond this earthly life to experience that the best wine is indeed served last. And served, as our First Reading tells us, ‘in a feast of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear’. No frozen wastes for us. Our jubilant cry of hope today can only be: The best is yet to come!
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, 2nd November at 3pm. All are welcome.
James Stephens GAA Club
Requiem Mass for the deceased members of the James Stephens GAA Club will take place at St. Patrick's Church on Thursday, 6th November at 8pm. Club members are asked to make a special effort to attend. All parishioners welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why should we pray for the dead? If they are in heaven they don’t need our prayers, and if they are in hell, then prayer can’t help them either since out of hell there is no redemption.
A. You are missing the consoling doctrine of purgatory, the purifying transition from earthly imperfections to divine glory. The mercy of God grants this process of purification to all who die in God’s grace but are not yet reflecting the holiness and glory of God. As members of the one Body of Christ, we assist one another by prayers, personal sacrifices and acts of charity.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Christmas Spending
The St. Vincent de Paul Society in Kilkenny in conjunction with St. Canice's Kilkenny credit Union are launching the campaign “Keep the Wolf from the Door this Christmas” and are appealing to people and families who feel that they are vulnerable to spending excessively and in danger of borrowing money at hugely inflated interest rates from unscrupulous money lenders (bookmen) to contact them. Assistance in preparing a budget and some very sensible financial advice will be afforded to them in order to prevent over-borrowing and over-spending this Christmas. Leaflets available at the rear of the Church.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of Peace of Christ Diocesan Retreat House takes place next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th November. Please support our diocesan retreat house.
Massive Toy Sale!
Not to be missed: a massive toy sale. All new toys to clear at reduced prices. Come to the St. Vincent de Paul Shop (Fred’s Fashions), Butts Green. Sale starts on Tuesday, 4th November.
Westcourt News
The November Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 3rd November at 7.30pm. The members of Callan Co-Op and Macra Na Feirme are preparing the liturgy. All are invited to this celebration.
Mayor of the Village
Gala Cabaret in aid of St. Patrick’s Parish Homes for the elderly on Monday, 24th November at 9pm at Larchfield Venue. Music: O’Dwyer/Dorney Band. Admission €5.
Ecumenical Service
Families of those who have died in St. Luke’s General Hospital are invited to an Ecumenical Service on 14th November in St. Canice’s Cathedral at 8pm. This service is being organised by the hospital’s Care of the Dying Person and Their Family Committee.
4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drug Training Initiative will continue at the St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.
Diabetes Public Meeting
A meeting will take place in Hotel Kilkenny on Wednesday 5th November 2008 at 8pm. All welcome. Admission free.
First Friday Home Visits
The priests will visit the sick at the usual times on Friday. Contact the Presbytery if you or someone known to you would like to receive Holy Communion at home.
Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club's Gala Demonstration will take place next Wednesday, 5th November in Springhill Court Hotel at 8pm. Admission is €20. We look forward to international florist, tutor and demonstrator Richard Haslam. His stunning arrangements are seen on "Brides of Franc" All arrangements will be raffled and Christmas items will be on sale.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Joe Dowling, 15 Larchfield; Sr. Joan Reilly (Tues 9.30); John Cunningham, 26 Newpark; Wendy Curley, Stephen Street; John Maher, Freshford.
Months Mind: Ann Roche (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: P.J. Marrinan (Sat 6.15), Michael Phelan (Sat 7.00), Madge McIntyre (Sun 9.30), Jack Garrehy (Sun 10.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.00), Anastatia Muldowney (Mon 9.30), Anthony Colleton (Tues 10.30), Henrietta Hyland (Thur 10.30), Dominic Coll (Fri 10.30), Margaret Wallace (Sat 9.30), Patrick & Josie Cantwell, Michael Mullins, Tess O’Neill, Anna Bowe, Michael Bowe, Mary Bowe, Paddy Bowe, May Byrne, Margaret Dunlop, Tom Maher.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary Millea (Sat 6.15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7.00), Margaret Moore (Sun 9.30), Jim Rafter (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11.00), Patrick Fahy (Sun 12.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.30).
Parish Draw
Fr. Dan apologises that last week’s draw could not be held in the new parish centre as planned. While the building is practically complete we are awaiting the connection of electricity and the formal signing over of the premises to the parish. Following advice from the parish’s insurance advisors Fr. Dan had little option but to change the venue on last Tuesday evening.
Our Lady’s Apparitions
An afternoon of videos and a talk on Our Blessed Mother’s apparitions, along with her important and urgent messages for us today, will be presented by Mr. Tony Murnane at the St. John of God School, New Street on Sunday, 2nd November at 2pm. Open to the public. All welcome.
Parish Remembrance Service
The annual Parish Remembrance Service will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. More later.
Hard luck to the senior hurlers in last weekend’s St. Canice’s SHF against Ballyhale Shamrocks. You did the parish proud. The newly designed Club Website is up and running at the moment This is proving to be a great communication tool for players, coaches, officers and members to log onto to keep up to date with all games and club events. Log onto www.james-stephens.com and see for yourself.
There is wide selection of James Stephens Juvenile jersey's for sale from the club. We also have a stock of the newly designed Village red & green helmets from Mycro. These items would make great Christmas presents. Contact Mark Tyrrell @ 086 258 9760.
The Juvenile Season has come to a close. Well done to the dedicated coaches who have worked with the teams since last February making it such a successful year. Enjoy the break!
Lost/Found Property
There is an accumulation of lost/found property in each of our sacristies. Feel free to drop in and see if we have your keys, glasses, hats, toys, rosary beads etc. etc. All items unclaimed after a reasonable time are donated to local charity shop.
Camphill Community
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported us on our open day, 21st September 2008.s.
