Pulling a Fast One
Today’s Second Reading reminds me of the tale of Ted. Ted thought he’d pull a fast one on God. So he prayed: ‘Heavenly Father, for you a million years is but a minute and a million Euro but one cent. Please hear me as I ask you for just one cent.’ God heard, and said: ‘Sure, Ted. Just a minute!’ The moral of the story is that we should know what to expect from God. Our First Reading tells us what that is: tenderness. Let that sink in. God gives us affection. Since it’s not possible for us to be on a par with God, God puts himself on a par with us: God becomes man. That’s the God who comes at Christmas. But do we want to meet God? Can we tolerate a tender God? If we stamp others as our ‘enemy’, can we hear God’s tender voice – especially when it’s directed at those ‘enemies’? If my enemy’s enemy is indeed my friend, is his friend then my enemy? How can we call God ‘friend’ while calling God’s friend ‘enemy’? Advent is a time for thinking things through, for seeing the implications of Jesus’ birth. He came to give life in all its fullness to humanity in all its numbers regardless of who they are or where they come from. That’s a message you won’t see posted in shop windows in the run-up to Christmas. You won’t hear it shouted from housetops. You won’t hear it anywhere except in God’s subversive, yet creative, word.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Advent Reflection
Discover God in the nitty gritty of everyday life. Drop-in scripture reflection facilitated by Eileen Ross after Mass, 11.00am to 12 noon, at the Parish Centre, Loughboy on 10th & 17th December. All welcome.
Evening Mass
As and from Monday, 1st December 2008 there will be an Evening Mass at 6.15p.m. in St. Mary’s Cathedral from Monday to Friday. This will be the only public Evening Mass in Kilkenny City.
Today’s Second Reading reminds me of the tale of Ted. Ted thought he’d pull a fast one on God. So he prayed: ‘Heavenly Father, for you a million years is but a minute and a million Euro but one cent. Please hear me as I ask you for just one cent.’ God heard, and said: ‘Sure, Ted. Just a minute!’ The moral of the story is that we should know what to expect from God. Our First Reading tells us what that is: tenderness. Let that sink in. God gives us affection. Since it’s not possible for us to be on a par with God, God puts himself on a par with us: God becomes man. That’s the God who comes at Christmas. But do we want to meet God? Can we tolerate a tender God? If we stamp others as our ‘enemy’, can we hear God’s tender voice – especially when it’s directed at those ‘enemies’? If my enemy’s enemy is indeed my friend, is his friend then my enemy? How can we call God ‘friend’ while calling God’s friend ‘enemy’? Advent is a time for thinking things through, for seeing the implications of Jesus’ birth. He came to give life in all its fullness to humanity in all its numbers regardless of who they are or where they come from. That’s a message you won’t see posted in shop windows in the run-up to Christmas. You won’t hear it shouted from housetops. You won’t hear it anywhere except in God’s subversive, yet creative, word.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Advent Reflection
Discover God in the nitty gritty of everyday life. Drop-in scripture reflection facilitated by Eileen Ross after Mass, 11.00am to 12 noon, at the Parish Centre, Loughboy on 10th & 17th December. All welcome.
Evening Mass
As and from Monday, 1st December 2008 there will be an Evening Mass at 6.15p.m. in St. Mary’s Cathedral from Monday to Friday. This will be the only public Evening Mass in Kilkenny City.
Questions People Ask
Q. What is the Jesse tree and its relationship to Advent?
A. Jesse was the father of King David. The Jesse tree refers to the line of Jesus’ human ancestors. ‘A shoot shall spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of its shoots’ (Isaiah 11:1). In Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Jesus, a tree, or a banner representing a tree, may be erected. Each day, or once a week, something is attached to recall a person or event from the time before Christ. In the Middle Ages it was a popular way of teaching Old Testament history. It is much closer to the real meaning of Christmas than the popular Christmas tree.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Mary Shelly, 11 Lower Newpark. Funeral prayers in Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. John’s Church. Requiem Mass at 12 noon Mass on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Teresa Fogarty, late of Archer’s Court & Castlecomer. Peg Wemyss, 20 Fr. Murphy Square. Mary Jacob (nee O’Toole), Dean Street, Larchfield & New Ross. Alice Langton, Lavistown.
Anniversaries: Michael Fitzmaurice (Sat 6.15), Phyllis Doran (Sat 7.00), Kathleen Browne (Sun 10.00), Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sun 10.30), Eddie Slattery (Sun 11.00), Michael Dwyer (Sun 12.00), Margaret O’Brien (Sun 12.30), Tom O’Dowd (Sun 6.15), Myra Treacy (Mon 10.00), Joe Emery, Syl Gaffney, Hugh Tiernan, John Egan, Sean Ryan, Kitty Ryan, Annie Wall, Christy Galvin, Johanna Malone, Bertie Murray, Moll Ryan, Peg Ryan, Nancy Jones, Kit Jones, Bridget Morrissey, Margaret Doyle, Philip O’Dwyer.
Intentions for next weekend: Dick Lynch (Sat 6.15), Julia O’Carroll (Sat 7.00), Michael Hynes (Sun 9.30), Angela Murphy (Sun 10.00), Laurence Healy (Sun 10.30), Joe & Nan Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Padraig “Podge” Butler (Sun 12.00), Kathleen Redpath (Sun 12.30).
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
The annual Christmas collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will be taken up at the church doors at all parish Masses next weekend. In this time of recession we ask that you be as generous as possible to this parish charity. The local conference is made up of volunteers who endeavour to help parishioners in time of need. Needless to say, for many people Christmas is a time of major drain on limited resources and every cent contributed to the society will be used to help people in need in our locality. Please plan to bring a little extra cash with you to Mass next weekend and help those in need.
The St. Patrick’s conference meets at the Parish Centre in Loughboy at 8pm on Mondays. Members may be contacted through the Parish Office at other times.
The Parish Office
The Parish Office has moved to the new Parish Centre in Loughboy. Access to the centre is through the main entrance adjacent to the Botharnatounish Road. With the re-location of the office we ask people not to leave anniversary announcements, envelopes or notices of any kind into the former presbytery on Ormonde Road.
The Parish Office is open from 9am until 12.30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and from 2pm to 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays. All sacramental records, bookings for weddings, baptisms etc can be made through the Parish Office.
Our parish telephone numbers remain the same and we now have an itemised menu for more efficient access.
We are grateful for your co-operation and patience in our transition to new premises.
Ossory Vocation Team
“He will feed his flock like a shepherd.”
If God may be calling you to nourish His people as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life, talk to your priest or the diocesan vocations team.
Kieran Goss in Concert
As part of his “I’ll Be Seeing You Tour” Kieran Goss will play the Watergate Theatre, on Friday, 20th February. Part-proceeds of the ticket sales is being donated to St. Patrick’s Parish Homes for the Elderly. Please purchase your tickets from the Parish Office (776 4400) and support our parish. Tickets for the concert cost €25 each and would make welcome Christmas presents.
S.O.S. Craft Sale
S.O.S., Callan Road, Kilkenny will hold a Craft Fair and Coffee Afternoon on this Sunday, 7th December from 2pm to 5pm. Everyone is welcome. Come and visit Santa Clause and have your photograph taken. (S.O.S. - Special Occupational Scheme provides accommodation and employment for people with special needs in our community.)
Village Crafts
Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Ormonde College on Sunday, 7th December. Featuring: Mick Morrissey, Canice Ryan and Ciaran Walsh (Woodturners) and Pat Holland (Artist)
Bumper Christmas Craft Fair
A Christmas Craft Fair in aid of the Street Children of Nairobi Hospital Fund will take place in Butler House, Patrick Street, on this Sunday from 10am to 6pm. Local craft makers are taking part.
Irish Wheelchair Association
Bishop Séamus Freeman will be the principal celebrant at the annual IWA Christmas Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 3pm on Sunday, 14th December. All are welcome.
Cead Mile Failte
We look forward to warmly welcoming the staff and service users of the S.O.S., Callan Road to our 10am feast day Mass at Foulkstown on Monday. All welcome.
Children’s Liturgy
The children’s liturgy starts once again next Sunday at the 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church. Those Children who would like to participate are invited to a practice in St. Fiacre’s Church on Wednesday evening from 6 to 7pm.
The Immaculate Conception
Monday is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We celebrate Mary who from the first instant of her existence in the womb of her mother Anne was preserved free from all stain of original sin.” Parish Masses follow the usual weekend pattern.
Monthly Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady continues this Sunday 7th December at 3pm.
Candlelight Rosary Procession
The Annual Rosary Procession leaves the Parade at 8pm on Monday, 8th December going to the Black Abbey for Benediction.
Pat’s Cabaret
In aid of a worthy charity takes place at Delaney’s Bar, Patrick Street on Monday, 8th December at 9pm. Music by Johnny Hillman and Sean Shortis & Guest Artists. Door Prizes & Spots.
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in the Parish Centre on Friday, 12th December after the 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church. Access through the church or through the main parish centre entrance.
Annual Christmas Carol Service
The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Carol Service takes place on Sunday, 21st December at 3pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown.
Practices are as follows: Sunday, 14th December 3.15pm; Tuesday, 16th December at 7pm; Thursday, 17th December at 7pm in Foulkstown Church. All parish choirs and the St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will take part in the Carol Service.
Parent and Toddler Groups
Fr. McGrath Family Resource Centre (Mondays); O’Loughlin Court Community Centre (Wednesdays); Newpark Close Family Resource Centre (Thursdays). From 10.30am - 12.30pm. Please contact Mailyn, Parent and Toddler Facilitator, with Newpark Family Resource Centre on 087 753 8484 or 056 772 3309.
Cookery Book
Good Food for Healthy Living - our parish cookery book - is available for sale at the Parish Office and sacristies. €10.
Parish Website
www.patricksparish.com
