The Mother of all Churches
This church is prayer-conditioned, the sign outside it read. Clearly, it was purpose built. So too are we, as temples of God’s Holy Spirit. We, too, are dedicated as God’s dwelling – at our baptism. But how aware of it are we? In Jesus’ time, Temple commerce seemed more important than Temple ‘Presence’, God’s presence among God’s people. Today’s Gospel tells us as much. In the Temple, people sold cattle, sheep and doves; and moneychangers thrived. With a vengeance Jesus drives out the lot of them, animals and humans alike, dumps the moneychangers’ money unceremoniously in the dirt, and upends their tables. This is not the Jesus – gentle, meek and mild – that we fancy at times. Yet, this is still Immanuel, he who is God-with-us – and with us in ways we least expect or even want. It’s shock therapy to bring us to our senses. How could we focus more on animal sacrifice than on God, more on profit than on prayer?
The Lateran Basilica may seem a long way from this, but its symbolism isn’t. In commemorating the dedication of this church at a distance in terms of time and place, we acknowledge the importance of suitable places to worship God. Though each of us is an Immanuel, we still need places to worship. We are not isolated units in which God dwells. We are a community in which God dwells. A community compelled to worship that inner Presence through a practice of religion that’s both public and prayerful.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Vocations Discernment Group
An opportunity to share time in prayer,
reflection, sharing,
chat and refreshments.
In St. Mary’s Cathedral Centre
James Street, Kilkenny
On the first Saturday of each month
10.30am – 12.30pm
All welcome.
Further details from Fr. Willie Purcell
Tel: 087 628 6858 wpurcell@eircom.net
This church is prayer-conditioned, the sign outside it read. Clearly, it was purpose built. So too are we, as temples of God’s Holy Spirit. We, too, are dedicated as God’s dwelling – at our baptism. But how aware of it are we? In Jesus’ time, Temple commerce seemed more important than Temple ‘Presence’, God’s presence among God’s people. Today’s Gospel tells us as much. In the Temple, people sold cattle, sheep and doves; and moneychangers thrived. With a vengeance Jesus drives out the lot of them, animals and humans alike, dumps the moneychangers’ money unceremoniously in the dirt, and upends their tables. This is not the Jesus – gentle, meek and mild – that we fancy at times. Yet, this is still Immanuel, he who is God-with-us – and with us in ways we least expect or even want. It’s shock therapy to bring us to our senses. How could we focus more on animal sacrifice than on God, more on profit than on prayer?
The Lateran Basilica may seem a long way from this, but its symbolism isn’t. In commemorating the dedication of this church at a distance in terms of time and place, we acknowledge the importance of suitable places to worship God. Though each of us is an Immanuel, we still need places to worship. We are not isolated units in which God dwells. We are a community in which God dwells. A community compelled to worship that inner Presence through a practice of religion that’s both public and prayerful.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Vocations Discernment Group
An opportunity to share time in prayer,
reflection, sharing,
chat and refreshments.
In St. Mary’s Cathedral Centre
James Street, Kilkenny
On the first Saturday of each month
10.30am – 12.30pm
All welcome.
Further details from Fr. Willie Purcell
Tel: 087 628 6858 wpurcell@eircom.net
Questions People Ask
Q. What is so special about the Lateran Basilica that it should get a special feast which replaces the normal Sunday readings?
A. The Basilica of St John on the Lateran Hill in Rome is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome. In celebrating this church, we emphasise two important points: the residing role of the Bishop of Rome in the universal church; and the function of sacred buildings consecrated for sacred worship. While God can be worshipped in any place, we are greatly helped by having sacred buildings consecrated for divine worship, and suitable for quiet reflection and prayer, away from the busy streets of life.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Patrick’s Branch of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on next Friday, 14th November after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. New members welcome.
40 Hours of Adoration
The Ossory St. Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society is collaborating with the Ossory Vocations Team in holding 40 hours of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Adoration will begin at 7.30pm on Friday, 21st November and finish with solemn benediction following 11am on Sunday, 23rd November. St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society members will be present at all times. This is part of the Year of Vocations programme in the diocese. We encourage parishioners to attend at any time during the 40 hours and please continue to pray for vocations every day.
Our parish has agreed to provide cover from 8.30pm on Friday, 21st to 12.30am on Saturday, 22nd and from 9.00pm to 12.00pm on Saturday, 22nd November. Please contact any member of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society or the Presbytery if you are willing to commit to cover any of these hours.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Brigid Bergin, late of 2 Hazel Grove. Prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Monday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11am on Tuesday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Denis Philpott, Riverside Drive. Prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church. Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. House private please. Donal Johnson, Shandon Park (Fri 10.30). Joe Mahony, London & Kells Road.
Anniversaries: Mary Millea (Sat 6.15), Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30), James Rafter (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Jim Cantwell (Sun 11.00), Patrick Fahy (Sun 12.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.30), Paddy Carroll (Mon 9.30), John Kelly (Tues 10.30), Barbara Rhatigan (Wed 9.30), Ellen Hickey (Wed 10.30), Sr. Maria Kissane (Thurs 9.30), Statia Grace (Thurs 10.30am), Bill Quinlan, James Maher, Andy Egan, Henry Tiernan, Margaret Cantwell, Margaret Shiels, Jack Wellford, Ellen Hickey, May Muldowney, Kathleen & Ann Conway.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary & Anne O’Shea (Sat 6.15), James & Mary Mulrooney (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Paddy Moore (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), Kitty & John McMyler (Sun 10.30), Deceased members of St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Rena Brett (Sun 12.30).
Remembrance Service
There will be a Remembrance Service for our deceased parishioners at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. Prayers will be included for those who died in our parish during the past year.
In Honour of Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral, James Street, Kilkenny on this Sunday, 9th November from 3 to 4pm. All are welcome.
Celebration of Faith for Youth
St. Patrick’s Parish has been chosen to host a Celebration of Faith for Young People from neighbouring parishes on Sunday, 30th November. The event will take place during the 12.30pm Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on that day.
The celebration, instigated by the Diocesan Forum, is in response to the stated needs of young people in a recent diocesan survey. It is expected that young people from all over the diocese will gather on that weekend in one of 13 host venues to celebrate and rejoice in their faith.
It is hoped this event will be planned and hosted by young people for young people. Please offer your talents and abilities to help make this a memorable occasion. Contact Michelle at the Presbytery.
Prayer Group
Back after a short break the Prayer Group will meet again at St. Fiacre's Church at 7.30pm on Thursday next and continue to do so every second Thursday. This week’s assembly will begin with the celebration of Mass at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Mayor of the Village
With the US Presidential elections out of the way the campaign to become Mayor of the Village is now in full swing. Two candidates are going all out to win the coveted title: Liz Murray (nee O’Rourke) and Kevin O’Dwyer are canvassing hard for your votes at the moment. While the Electoral Commission might not want to hear this, both candidates are taking brown envelopes (and other colours as well). Each €1 collected by the candidates is worth one non-transferable vote. The money goes to the St. Patrick’s Voluntary Housing Project for Elderly adjacent to St. Fiacre’s Church.
The election count will take place and the Mayor will be enrobed during a celebration cabaret and dance at a Larchfield venue on Monday, 24th November at 9pm. Adm €5.
Peace in Christ
The annual church collection for Peace in Christ will be taken up this weekend. Please support this excellent diocesan resource.
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.
Widows’ Association
The Kilkenny Branch of the Widows’ Association meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 2.30pm in the Club House Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny. New members welcome.
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.
Church Gate Collection
The Young at Heart Club will hold their church gate collection on 15th and 16th of November.
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 unclaimed items are donated to local charity shops.
Christmas Spending
The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, in conjunction with St. Canice's Kilkenny Credit Union, is launching the “Keep the Wolf from the Door this Christmas” campaign and is 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 churches.
James Stephens GAA Club
Juvenile Draw Results:- 1st: (Golf for 2 at Mount Juliet): Helen Lanigan, Paulstown. 2nd: (Dinner for 2 at Lautrec’s): Paddy Fry, O’Loughlin Road. 3rd: (Kilkenny Jersey Signed by Jackie Tyrrell): Brandon O’Leary, McAuley Place. 4th: (Eoin Larkin’s 2008 Hurley): John Dermody Paulstown. 5th (JJ Delaney’s Signed Hurley): Eíthne Keoghan, Tullaroan. 6th (3 In a Row Kilkenny Team Photograph):Tommy O’Keeffe, Springfields.
Good luck to the Senior Football Team as they bid to make history on Sunday when they play Cashel (Longford) in the quarter-finals of the Leinster Club Football Championships in Nowlan Park at 2.30pm on Sunday. Come on the Village!
Manager Jim Mulvin and his Senior team as they bid to make history Sunday when they play Cashel {Longford} in the quarter Finals of the Leinster Club football championship in Nowlan Park at 2.30p.m.
