New Receptionists
We welcome a new volunteer group of helpers who will staff the reception in our Parish Centre on Mondays to Fridays from 10am until 5pm (excluding lunchtime). These people are giving their time voluntarily to make sure there is always a welcoming presence in the centre during the week.
The receptionists will be there to take telephone and other messages and assist people with general queries. Visitors can also purchase Mass cards, baptismal candles and other small items of a religious nature from reception.
We are grateful to these people who are giving of their time freely to the parish, this is spirit we were hoping to see once the centre opened and we haven’t been disappointed.
Contact the Parish Office or the Centre Manager, Ted Byrne, if you think you would like to volunteer and help out.
Presentation of the Lord
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on 2nd February. Also known as Candlemas Day, this feast observes the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of Jesus as well as the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Lk 2:21-40). On this day candles are traditionally blessed for use in the church through the year. If you would like to bring along a candle and have it blessed, then you can do so at our morning Masses in our parish.
St. Brigid of Kildare
Brigid of Kildare is the secondary patron of Ireland. Brigid was one of the first people to spread the light of the faith in Ireland. She was a woman who gave witness to her faith by her welcome, generosity and care for all with whom she came in contact. We give thanks today for the faith and inspiration of St. Brigid and for all the people who are beacons of light and faith in our world today. The feast of St. Brigid is not celebrated formally this year.
We welcome a new volunteer group of helpers who will staff the reception in our Parish Centre on Mondays to Fridays from 10am until 5pm (excluding lunchtime). These people are giving their time voluntarily to make sure there is always a welcoming presence in the centre during the week.
The receptionists will be there to take telephone and other messages and assist people with general queries. Visitors can also purchase Mass cards, baptismal candles and other small items of a religious nature from reception.
We are grateful to these people who are giving of their time freely to the parish, this is spirit we were hoping to see once the centre opened and we haven’t been disappointed.
Contact the Parish Office or the Centre Manager, Ted Byrne, if you think you would like to volunteer and help out.
Presentation of the Lord
The feast of the Presentation of the Lord is celebrated on 2nd February. Also known as Candlemas Day, this feast observes the ritual purification of Mary 40 days after the birth of Jesus as well as the presentation of Jesus in the Temple in Jerusalem (Lk 2:21-40). On this day candles are traditionally blessed for use in the church through the year. If you would like to bring along a candle and have it blessed, then you can do so at our morning Masses in our parish.
St. Brigid of Kildare
Brigid of Kildare is the secondary patron of Ireland. Brigid was one of the first people to spread the light of the faith in Ireland. She was a woman who gave witness to her faith by her welcome, generosity and care for all with whom she came in contact. We give thanks today for the faith and inspiration of St. Brigid and for all the people who are beacons of light and faith in our world today. The feast of St. Brigid is not celebrated formally this year.
St. Brigid's Day Celebration
The annual St. Brigid’s Day celebration with the Kilkenny Gospel Choir will be held at St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy at 8pm on Sunday, 1st February. Red flannel and blessed water from St. Brigid's Well, Kildare will be distributed.
Questions People Ask
Q. When Jesus was casting out an evil spirit, why did the spirit call Jesus the Holy One of God? I would have expected horrible curses rather than this holy title.
A. According to the understanding prevailing at that time, the key to somebody’s power lay in the name of the person. Calling out the true name of any spirit would give access to its power. In the dramatic style of the Gospel of Mark, the devils have been so utterly defeated by Jesus that they are trying the most exalted titles, not in adoration, but attempting to gain his power. These dramatic exorcisms are a feature of Mark but are entirely missing from the Gospel of John.
Support Group
A support group for parents and carers of children with special needs will meet at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on the first Tuesday of every month. Everybody is welcome.
The first meeting will be on Tuesday, 3rd February from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
Contacts: 087 958 1315 or 087 904 0208.
Rosary at James Green
The monthly rosary on the First Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 1st February at 3pm. All are welcome.
Westcourt News
The February Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 2nd February at 7.30pm. The members of Callan Heritage Society are preparing the liturgy for this Mass. All are welcome.
Christian Brothers Leave Kilkenny
To mark the departure of the Irish Christian Brothers from Kilkenny City there will be a Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 8th February at 2.30pm. The brothers invite all past-pupils to join them as they give thanks to God.
Triduum in Honour of Our Lady
The annual triduum in honour of Our Lady of Lourdes will be held in The Black Abbey on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 9th to 11th February. Rosary, Mass with homily each day at 10.15am and 7.15pm. Preacher Fr. Jim Donleavy O.P. Confession available at all ceremonies. Wednesday, 11th in World Day of the Sick: the Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated at all sessions.
Prayer for Vocations
An evening of prayer for vocations will be held on Wednesday, 18th February at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church. It will consist of a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament hosted by Fr. Dan Carroll followed by celebration of the Eucharist. The event is organised by the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society and all are welcome. A cup of tea will be served in the Parish Centre afterwards.
Senior Citizens’ Parish Party
The annual party for the senior citizens in our parish will be held at the Parish Centre on Monday, 2nd February. With music by Marble City Sound a great evening is promised in our new centre. Bring your friends and enjoy the evening. Tickets are available at the Parish Office and sacristies in all our churches. Tickets cost €10 and booking is essential to enable the caterers prepare for the correct number.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection for Enable Ireland will take place next weekend.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Moya Bligh, Japan and late of 6 Circular Road. Memorial Service at St. Joseph's Church, Foulkstown at 11.30am on Tuesday, 3rd February. John Collins, College Square. Paddy Delaney, late Sheastown. Peggy Brennan, Jenkinstown. Michael Cody, Dunamase, Dublin Road. Maura Nagle, 31 Newpark. Richie Grace, Shandon Park. Michael Forristal, Dundaryark, Danesfort.
Anniversaries: John Maher (Sat 7.00), Mary Pullan (Sun 10.00), Ann & John Waldron (Sun 10.30), Frances Costello (Sun 11.00), John Hennessy (Sun 12.00), Jimmy McGrath (Sun 12.30), Daniel (Algie) Lanigan (Tues 10.30), Derek DeLoughry (Fri 10.30), Christina Murphy, Arthur Connick, Fr. John Nyhan, Billy Culleton, Billy Burke, Patrick & Brigid O’Hara.
Intentions next weekend: Nicholas Healy (Sat 6.15), Breda Butler (Sat 7.00), Dr. Richard Purcell (Sun 9.30), Billy, Lil & Eamon Costelloe (Sun 10.00), Pat Kearney, Waterford Road (Sun 10.30), Sean O’Grady (Sun 12.00).
Bridge in the Afternoon
Tuesdays, 10th, 17th & 24th February from 3pm to 5pm, in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Contact Reena at 776 2923 after 2.30pm for more information.
Novena in St. John’s Parish
The Redemptorist Fathers will conduct a novena at St John’s Parish, Kilkenny from Monday, 2nd to Tuesday, 10th February. During the week there will be Mass at 7.30am, 10.30am and 7.30pm each weekday with the novena prayers at each session. Friday will be a day for celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated on Saturday at 10.30am. On next Sunday at 3.30pm there will be a special service of blessing for babies and young children. Please tell your friends and encourage them to attend some of the prayers.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual diocesan pilgrimage to our Lady’s Shrine at Lourdes will be from 22nd to the 27th May 2009. Price for ordinary pilgrims is €725 p.p.s. plus €25 for coach to the airport. Bookings are now being taken at Glenmore Parish Office, telephone 051 880 414. Opening Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10.30am - 2.30pm. The office will be closed all day on Wednesdays. Please book early to avoid disappointment.
Mass Cards
Mass cards signed by the priests of the parish are now available at the reception desk in the Parish Centre. Please be sure to give the name of the person/persons for whom you wish the Mass to be offered.
A Mass card signed by a priest is an undertaking by that priest to offer a Mass for the intention requested.
Incidentally, many shops sell cards that are claimed to be signed Mass cards. These are not genuine Mass cards and in many cases the signature is not that of a real priest, or of a person who is no longer a priest, or the priest mentioned receives little or nothing for each card signed. It only takes a small amount of thought to realise that, if even half the shops in the country have these cards, there could be hundreds if not thousands of Masses being attributed to one or two priests, Masses he/they could not possibly have time to offer.
Hearing Help/Lipreading Classes
Hearing Help/Lipreading classes start on Monday, 2nd and Tuesday, 3rd of February at Comhairle, The Parade. Phone 776 5176 or 776 3508 for more information or just come on the night.
Kilkenny Education Centre
“Helping your Chid with Maths: Junior Infants to Second Class” on Wednesday, 4th February from 7pm to 9pm in Kilkenny Education Centre, Seville Lodge. There is no charge. Telephone 056 776 0200 for more information.
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
Last week’s refreshment after Mass on Tuesday was a great success and it has been decided to keep it going on Tuesday mornings for the foreseeable future. You are welcome to our Parish Centre at 11.00am on Tuesdays for a chat with your neighbours and friends. If you are attending 10.30am Mass, you can access the Centre without leaving the church. If not, just come in the main door.
Can our Centre provide a service for you, as an individual or as part of a group?
Parish Draw
Thanks to all who supported the January Draw. The results are available at the back of the church and will be published here next week.
Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist/counsellor has rented a room in the Parish Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Call Robert on 086 878 6353 to arrange an appointment.
The Bits We Miss
Today’s first reading makes me wonder if God still raises up prophets, or even needs to. Isn’t our society literate, our Church organised, our liturgies regular, the Word of God on tap, so to speak? So what do we need a prophet for? Could it be for the bits we miss? When we listen to God’s word what do we hear? Words about love, so general and predictable that they pose no challenge to anybody? Or, words that compel us to put faces on those we must love and see among them some we hate? Perhaps a prophet could help us profile those ones. Words about God that place him way out there; remote, impersonal, and uncaring? Or, words that enable us to reach God way in here within our heart? If that’s too close for comfort perhaps a prophet could tell us why. Words about having died with Christ in baptism, full of imagery but nothing else, and soon forgotten? Or, words of power to radically change our way of life? Perhaps a prophet could supply that power. Words about a new heaven and a new earth on their way, but with luck not today? Or, words that pump our hearts with hope and joy? Perhaps a prophet could provide the pump. Yes, we do need prophets: those who have heard God’s word and taken it to heart. Those who are comfortable with God up close and personal. Those who don’t need to tell others what to do. Those who proclaim truth simply by the way they live.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
