Turn Off the Knob
If the first sign of maturity is discovering that the volume knob also turns to the left, perhaps the first sign of spiritual maturity is discovering that God knows how to turn the knob. Today’s First Reading says as much when God tells Nathan to say to David: ‘Are you the one to build me a house to live in?’. In other words: ‘Do you think that I need you?’ We can forget that God rules, not us. Our Second Reading shows God at work within human history as it talks of the mystery kept hidden for long ages but now disclosed. God creates the mystery, keeps it a mystery, and in God’s own good time reveals it. Out emptiness may be God’s purpose being fulfilled – though not as we expect it. What seems like inactivity, or indifference, on God’s part in the face of human tribulation may be God’s wisdom at work waiting for the opportune time to act – a time constrained by human freedom and its consequences. We need humility to admit that we don’t know it all and can be wrong in our judgments. And we need trust to accept that God’s judgement is never wrong. God wasn’t wrong in choosing a manger instead of a throne, in choosing faithfulness to the mission over personal safety, in accepting death on a cross rather than public acclaim based on false hopes. God wasn’t wrong because these ended in resurrection and glory. But no one could see it at the time. This Advent, can we?
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Happy Christmas
The priests and non-ordained members of the Parish Team join in wishing one and all a very happy and holy Christmas. May the celebration of the Christ Child’s birth bring peace and joy to you and to your homes.
This has been a wonderful year for our parish community and we sincerely thank all who have contributed in any way to the development of our parish. Well done.
If the first sign of maturity is discovering that the volume knob also turns to the left, perhaps the first sign of spiritual maturity is discovering that God knows how to turn the knob. Today’s First Reading says as much when God tells Nathan to say to David: ‘Are you the one to build me a house to live in?’. In other words: ‘Do you think that I need you?’ We can forget that God rules, not us. Our Second Reading shows God at work within human history as it talks of the mystery kept hidden for long ages but now disclosed. God creates the mystery, keeps it a mystery, and in God’s own good time reveals it. Out emptiness may be God’s purpose being fulfilled – though not as we expect it. What seems like inactivity, or indifference, on God’s part in the face of human tribulation may be God’s wisdom at work waiting for the opportune time to act – a time constrained by human freedom and its consequences. We need humility to admit that we don’t know it all and can be wrong in our judgments. And we need trust to accept that God’s judgement is never wrong. God wasn’t wrong in choosing a manger instead of a throne, in choosing faithfulness to the mission over personal safety, in accepting death on a cross rather than public acclaim based on false hopes. God wasn’t wrong because these ended in resurrection and glory. But no one could see it at the time. This Advent, can we?
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Happy Christmas
The priests and non-ordained members of the Parish Team join in wishing one and all a very happy and holy Christmas. May the celebration of the Christ Child’s birth bring peace and joy to you and to your homes.
This has been a wonderful year for our parish community and we sincerely thank all who have contributed in any way to the development of our parish. Well done.
We Welcome our Visitors
We are delighted to welcome so many people to our parish this Christmas. Some have moved here and are celebrating their first Christmas in St. Patrick’s; others have returned from elsewhere to rejoin their families and friends and some have just dropped in for the festivities. We welcome one and all and hope you enjoy your time among us.
Carol Service
Our annual Christmas Carol Service will be at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 3pm on this Sunday. All our parish choirs join voices in anticipating the celebration of our Saviour’s birth. This is usually a popular event and we suggest you come early to have any hope of getting a seat. Mince pies and teas served afterwards in the Kilkenny Rugby Club. All welcome.
Penitential Service
Our annual Advent Penitential Service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Monday, 22nd December. Visiting priest will assist with the service. All are invited to come and join in our parish preparation for Christmas.
Fundraising Bag Pack
Thanks to all who helped with our very successful bag pack at Caulfield’s Supervalu this weekend. The event was a great success and we appreciate the generosity of those who contributed and those who gave their time.
Eucharistic Adoration
There will be no Eucharistic Adoration in St. Patrick's Church on Friday, 26th December or Friday, 2nd January. Eucharistic Adoration will resume again on Friday, 9th January 2009. New Adorers always welcome.
Retiring Altar Servers
A word of thanks to those altar servers who have recently retired. You have served your parish well during the past number of years and we appreciate your commitment and hard work.
Christmas Run
Fancy working up an appetite for the Christmas Lunch? Why not join the annual Kilkenny City Harriers Christmas Run on Christmas morning? The run begins at 11am at the Kilkenny Design Workshop on the Parade and all proceeds go to the Kilkenny St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Patrick Cleere, Foulkstown and Vicar Street. Funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11am on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Reginald John Nolan, late of “Richview”, Castlecomer Road and Dari Salem, Tanzania. Funeral expected to arrive at St. Patrick's Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon on Tuesday. Burial afterwards to Foulkstown Cemetery. Frances O’Connor, Riverview. Marian Tennison, Millennium Court. Margaret Dunne, Tullamore. Paddy Flynn, Blackrock & James Green.
Months Mind: John Glynn (Sun 12.00)
Anniversaries: Elizabeth Comerford (Sat 6.15), Tommie Tyrell (Sat 7.00), Florrie Cleere (Sun 9.30), John & Jeff Power (Sun 10.00), Christopher & Mary Coogan (Sun 10.30), George Byrne (Sun 11.00), Mary Blanchfield (Sun 12.30), Tommy Clooney (Mon 9.30), Mary & Felix Campbell (Mon 10.30), Margaret & Patrick Cantwell (Tue 10.30), Christie Bateman, Nora Bartholomew, Patrick Wixted, Rose Wixted, Mary Dowling, Richard Gaule, Jim Dollard, Eric & Mary McGrath, Ned & Kitty Everard, John & Mary Rhatigan, Denis Lahart, Ted Carroll, Peggy Blanchfield.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Michael Kenny (Sat 6.15), Eddie Taylor (Sat 7.00), Betty Furniss (Sun 9.30), Josephine & Paddy McGrath (Sun 11.00), Geraldine Cody (Sun 12.30).
Church Gate Collection
The Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind will hold a church gate collection this weekend outside all churches.
St. Vincent De Paul
A sincere thank you to all who contributed to last weekend’s collection. Even in this time of recession our church-goers were very generous to those less well off. Thank you. The money raised will be used locally.
Parish Draw
Thanks to all who continue to support our monthly draw. The results of the December Draw are as follows:-
€1,000: Angela O’Hara, Thomastown (Helen Reade). €200: Séamus Kennedy (Mick Costello). €100: Ursula O’Neill, St. Patrick’s Close (May Larkin); P.J. Farrell, Melville Heights (Michael McLoughlin); Lilah O’Connor, Elm Green (Madeleine O’Neill). €50: John O’Neill, Archers Crescent (Brigid Armstrong); Teresa Denieffe, Gowran (Catherine Kinsella); Denis & Ann O’Shea, College Road (Denis O’Shea); Sadie McCain, Cedarwood Crescent (Des McGrath); Pauline Purcell, Parade House (Pauline Purcell); Mary Moynihan, Melville Heights (Mary Carew); Kathleen Casserly (Denis Treacy); Jim McCarthy, St. Fiacre’s Place (Lena McCarthy). Promoters’ Prizes: Catherine Kinsella, Marble Crest and Elsie Cody, Sheastown. Congratulations.
Questions People Ask
Q. How do we know that Jesus was born on the 25th December?
A. We have no idea of the date of his birth. This date was chosen as it was mid-winter’s day in the Julian calendar used in Rome in the 4th century. In our calendar the winter solstice occurs on 21st December. In an ancient Egyptian calendar it fell on 6th January, a date still followed by some Eastern Churches for Jesus’ birthday, and in our Church for celebrating the Epiphany. As pagans celebrated the winter solstice as the return of the unconquered sun, Christians celebrated the coming of Christ, the light of the world.
New Organ
We hope the newly acquired pipe organ at St. Patrick’s Church will be played for the first time during 11am Mass on Christmas Day.
