Advent—Time of Preparation
We begin the Season of Advent this weekend. The word Advent is from the Latin adventus for “coming” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and continuing until 24th December. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.
Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year. This does not mean that Advent is the most important time of the year. Easter has always had this honour.
The traditional colour of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit. Religious traditions associated with Advent express all these themes.
We begin the Season of Advent this weekend. The word Advent is from the Latin adventus for “coming” and is associated with the four weeks of preparation for Christmas. Advent always contains four Sundays, beginning on the Sunday nearest the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and continuing until 24th December. It blends together a penitential spirit, very similar to Lent, a liturgical theme of preparation for the Second and Final Coming of the Lord, called the Parousia, and a joyful theme of getting ready for the Bethlehem event.
Since the 900s Advent has been considered the beginning of the Church year. This does not mean that Advent is the most important time of the year. Easter has always had this honour.
The traditional colour of Advent is purple or violet which symbolizes the penitential spirit. Religious traditions associated with Advent express all these themes.
Mayor of the Village
Congratulations to Liz Murray on becoming the Mayor of the Village. The Mayoral election raised €6,005 for the Homes for the Elderly at Loughboy.
Thanks to Liz Murray and Kevin O’Dwyer for allowing their names to go forward and to all who helped with their campaigns. A special word of thanks to the hard-working committee for a job well done.
Mini Marathon
Many thanks to those who participated in the recent Mini Marathon. All monies and cards have been returned and the total raised was €1,034.10 which will go towards the costs of the Homes for the Elderly in Loughboy. Thank you again to all who gave of their time and energy to raise money for this cause.
Trócaire
Trócaire is again running its Christmas gifts appeal, Global Gift. In keeping with the spirit of Christmas Trócaire offers a range of ethical Christmas gifts that people can buy to change the lives of vulnerable families and communities in the developing world. Since this appeal began eight years ago, over 535,000 Christmas gifts have been purchased to help the world’s poorest people. These Christmas gifts have helped parents feed their children, families to build a home and communities to work their way out of poverty. Contact www.trocaire.org/globalgift or 1850 408 408 for information.
Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus refer to when he told people to stay awake?
A. The Lord is reminding us never to forget our final judgement and destiny. How would you live, what would you do if you knew that you had only a short time to live? ‘Stay awake, because you never know when the time will come.’ Staying awake also means being vigilant against temptation by not allowing ourselves to be misled by the subtle lies of the devil. We are also exhorted to be alert and sensitive to the glory and goodness of God manifested in the world in many ways.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Westcourt News
Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 1st December at 7.30pm. The St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society is preparing the liturgy for this Mass. All welcome.
St Patrick's Brass & Reed Band
St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band will play sacred music at the 12 noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Laurence Forristal in Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny on this Sunday, 30th November. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drugs Training Initiative will continue at St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.
Westcourt News
Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 1st December at 7.30pm. The St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society is preparing the liturgy for this Mass. All welcome.
St Patrick's Brass & Reed Band
St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band will play sacred music at the 12 noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Laurence Forristal in Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny on this Sunday, 30th November. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
4-2-1 Parish Drugs Initiative
The 4-2-1 Parish Drugs Training Initiative will continue at St. John of God School on Monday evening between 7.30 and 9.30pm.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Maureen Cleere, Emmet Street. Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11am on Sunday. Mary O’Shea, William Street. Therese Brooke (nee Walsh), Dorset, England and Threecastles.
Anniversaries: Lily Spears (Sat 6.15); Pat Kearney (Sat 7.00); Michael Hickey (Sun 11.00); Thomas Dowling (Sun 12.00); Jeremiah Mullally (Mon 9.30); Elaine Kelly (Thurs 10.30); Ann Fogarty (Fri 10.30); Catherine Bambrick; Ollie Bergin; Eileen Barry; Margaret Guilfoyle; Thomas & Margaret Beehan; James Donnelly Snr; James Donnelly Jr; Sean Donnelly; Dollie & Pearse Butler; Joe McKane.
Intentions of next weekend: 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), John Carroll, (Sun, 11.30am, Church of the Assumption Paulstown); Tom O’Dowd (Sun 6.15), Myra Treacy (Mon 10.00), Margaret Doyle.
Meals on Wheels
Voluntary drivers are urgently needed for our “Meals on Wheels” service. If you are a car owner and could spare one hour per week - we would like to hear from you. Our meals need wheels for this much needed service for those in our care and the elderly who are housebound. Contact Kitty/Kay at 772 1685.
L’Arche Christmas Fair
The Fair takes place Sunday, 7th December in L’Arche Workshop Callan from 11.30 - 5pm. Christmas Shop will also be opened from Tuesday 9th December till Friday, 19th December 9am - 4pm.
Village Crafts
Christmas Exhibition and Sale at Ormonde College on Saturday and Sunday, 6th and 7th December. Featuring: Mick Morrissey, Canice Ryan and Ciaran Walsh (Woodturners) and Pat Holland (Artist)
Weekday Evening Mass in the City
Because of declining numbers and with great regret the Capuchin Order has ended its provision of weekday evening Mass in Kilkenny City. In its place Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 6.15pm on Monday to Friday evenings with the exception of bank holidays and eves of holydays. This Mass will be celebrated in turn by the secular clergy.
Youth Celebration
We welcome the young people who gather at St. Patrick’s Church for 12.30pm Mass on this Sunday. The liturgy has been prepared by some youth and, in as far as possible, the young people will get involved in readings, prayer, singing, mime and witnessing. Thanks to all those involved.
Rosary Procession
The Annual Candlelight Rosary Procession will leave the Parade at 8pm on Monday, 8th December and proceed to the Black Abbey for Benediction.
Ossory Vocations Team
“Father, we are the work of Your hands.”
Is God’s work in you to be of service to Him as a priest, deacon or in the consecrated life? Talk to your priest or a member of the Ossory Vocations Team.
Christmas Youth 2000 Retreat
A national Youth 2000 Christmas retreat for young people aged 16-35 takes place at Newbridge College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare from Friday, 19th to Sunday, 21st December. An opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends! Contact Youth 2000 office 01 675 3690 or Mark 086 855 0417. No charge: donation only. www.youth2000.ie
First Friday
The priests will visit the housebound at the usual times on this Friday. Contact the Parish Office if you would like to be included.
James Stephens GAA News
Hard luck to the senior footballers on last Sunday’s defeat in the Leinster Football Championship's Semi-final. Well done on a great campaign.
A special celebration night will be held at the club on Tuesday, 4th December to honour club members who featured on winning county senior, intermediate, U-21 and camogie teams this season.
We have moved...
The Parish Office is now at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Botharnatounish Road, Loughboy. Telephone numbers and email address remain the same.
Christmas Craft Fair
In Butler House, Patrick Street on 6th and 7th December. 10am—6pm. In aid of Save the African Slum Children Charity.
Knock Marriage Introductions Bureau
For information contact the Bureau at Knock, Co. Mayo. Phone 094 937 5960 or www.knockmarriagebureau.com
Present Perfect
We need Advent to teach us patience. It can teach us more than that, of course. However, with our busy lifestyles we need to relearn how to be patient with, rather than how to put up with, rather than how to put up with, something or someone. That busyness results in us wishing our life away. We become edgy and tense with the present and slide easily into the future – be it only into the hour ahead of us. We develop the ‘when I...’ mentality: when-I-get-home, when the weekend arrives, when the summer is here when I get my new car, when I...when I ... when I. The future seems to hold the carrot; the present the stick. And as we lose touch with the present, we lose touch with ourselves.
And how easy that is. During the summer I saw a pub advertising a fancy dress Christmas bash for the middle of July. For many years now venues for Christmas parties have to be booked months in advance. And it’s no surprise anymore to hear and see promotions for summer holiday deals the day after Christmas. We are being programmed to live in the future as if the present doesn’t count. More and more life’s rhythms are set by the world of nature.
Advent slows us down. It alerts us to prepare for Christmas, not to start celebrating it. Our Gospel today (Mark 13: 33-37) alerts to something else: the Lord’s return. That alertness is for now, for we can meet the Lord at any tome.
Fr. Tom Cahill
Lectio Divina
Free! Beautifully produced Lectio Divina bookmarks from Youth 2000 - offered free at the back of the Church. Choice of 6 designs each with Sunday Gospel ref for 2009, synopsis of Lectio Divina and special Church dates. For more information on the work of Youth 2000 see www.youth2000.ie or contact national office on 07 6753690.
Lectio Divina
Free! Beautifully produced Lectio Divina bookmarks from Youth 2000 - offered free at the back of the Church. Choice of 6 designs each with Sunday Gospel ref for 2009, synopsis of Lectio Divina and special Church dates. For more information on the work of Youth 2000 see www.youth2000.ie or contact national office on 07 6753690.
