Compassion Through Anger
There are two possible images of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. The obvious one is the compassionate Jesus who pities a leper and cures him. But then, why the ‘stern warning’? It’s not a warning to keep quiet, because that order comes after the stern warning. There’s no information on what Jesus warns him about, hence, the excuse to speculate. The New Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) of the Bible has a footnote to v. 42 stating that ‘other ancient authorities read anger’. That’s anger instead of pity. This makes more sense in terms of the ‘stern warning’. The NRSV also notes that the terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases. Could the lepers’ disease be caused by a particular lifestyle? Jesus recognising this perhaps is angry with him. Yet, he cures him. Curing a leper who through no fault of his own contracts the disease warrants compassion. But Jesus’ compassion could be even greater than that because he shows compassion to someone who possibly contracted a disease through his own fault. This is an even greater challenge for us today for it clearly shows that anger and compassion are not mutually exclusive. And that giving a stern warning about risky lifestyles is not out of order. Could those who fashioned the final form of the Gospel of Mark have opted for the softer Jesus? If they did what criteria did they use for their preference? And if they did, were they correct? Could they have had difficulty with compassion flowing through anger? It’s an issue we too may have to face.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Kilkenny Medjugorje Youth Group
Presents David Parke’s Prayer Through Song in concert. St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, 27th February at 8pm. Raffle for a Trip to Medjugorje. Sponsored by Marian Pilgrimages. Tickets available at the door. €10 / €7 admission. All welcome.
There are two possible images of Jesus in today’s Gospel reading. The obvious one is the compassionate Jesus who pities a leper and cures him. But then, why the ‘stern warning’? It’s not a warning to keep quiet, because that order comes after the stern warning. There’s no information on what Jesus warns him about, hence, the excuse to speculate. The New Revised Standard Version (Catholic Edition) of the Bible has a footnote to v. 42 stating that ‘other ancient authorities read anger’. That’s anger instead of pity. This makes more sense in terms of the ‘stern warning’. The NRSV also notes that the terms leper and leprosy can refer to several diseases. Could the lepers’ disease be caused by a particular lifestyle? Jesus recognising this perhaps is angry with him. Yet, he cures him. Curing a leper who through no fault of his own contracts the disease warrants compassion. But Jesus’ compassion could be even greater than that because he shows compassion to someone who possibly contracted a disease through his own fault. This is an even greater challenge for us today for it clearly shows that anger and compassion are not mutually exclusive. And that giving a stern warning about risky lifestyles is not out of order. Could those who fashioned the final form of the Gospel of Mark have opted for the softer Jesus? If they did what criteria did they use for their preference? And if they did, were they correct? Could they have had difficulty with compassion flowing through anger? It’s an issue we too may have to face.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Kilkenny Medjugorje Youth Group
Presents David Parke’s Prayer Through Song in concert. St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, 27th February at 8pm. Raffle for a Trip to Medjugorje. Sponsored by Marian Pilgrimages. Tickets available at the door. €10 / €7 admission. All welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why did Jesus tell the man he had cured to tell nobody about it? Surely we are called to give public witness to the works of God.
A. This is usually called ‘the messianic secret’. Jesus was well aware that many people at that time expected the Messiah to be a political power inspiring the nation to freedom from Roman domination, but this was not his mission. Secondly, too much excitement about miracles would generate mass hysteria and a celebrity cult which would obscure the teaching he wished to impart; especially his mission to die on our behalf and his message to take up our crosses and follow him.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Patsy Hawe, Kilmoganny. Paddy Casey, Jenkinstown. Dan O’Gorman, Sevenhouses. Tom Mullally, Drakelands.
Months Mind: Teresa Holden, (Sat 7.00)
Anniversaries: John O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), John Walsh (Sun 10.00), Canice & Michael Dunphy (Sun 10.30), Molly Johnston (Sun 11.00), Peter Quinn (Sun 12.00), Michael Walsh & Milo Bourke (Sun 12.30), Jenny Clancy (Tues 10.30), Patrick Morris (Wed 9.30), Ann Kelly (Thurs 10.30), Micheal Daly, Eileen Cooper, Patrick & Elizabeth Fry, John Corcoran, Christopher Walsh, James Leahy, Gerald Leahy, Michael Dargan, Kieran Healy, Brigid Moran, Eileen Cummins, Bridie Dunne, John & Brigid Dunne, Ann Somers, Séamus Culleton.
Intentions For Next Weekend: Months Mind: Tom Langton (Sun 11.00). Michael Drennan (Sun 12.00).
Anniversaries: Mary Lynch (Sat 6.15), Sr. Eucharisti Madden (Sat 7.00), Mick & Ellen Doyle (Sun 10.00).
Please help in the preparation of the newsletter by ensuring that anniversary notices are in the Parish Office (by hand, mail, telephone or email) before Thursday evening before publication.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by most Rev. Séamus Freeman SAC, will take place from 22nd to 27th May 2009. Apply now at 051 880414 (Weekdays 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. except Wednesdays). Cost is €725 pps.
St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. As usual we ask you to support this local charity.
Lenten Invitation
“Come away and rest awhile”
These words of Jesus to his disciples are also addressed as an invitation to each one of us to come and rest for a short time this Lent in the company of Jesus.
Guided Prayer Time - Tuesday morning after cup of tea. Tuesdays, March 3rd, 10th 24th 31st, April 7th. Prayer will be guided by Eileen Ross, who is a spiritual guide and counsellor. She works with individuals and is also involved in retreat work. She facilitates, Spirituality, Personal Development and Bereavement Courses with groups.
Volunteers Needed
We are currently looking for a few volunteers to help in the sacristy in St. Patrick’s Church. We need someone to cover morning Mass on one or two days a week. Contact Fr. Dan if you think you might be able to help.
Vocations
Are you concerned about the lack of vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese? You could help turn things around by joining in an Evening of Prayer for Vocations on this Wednesday, 18th February. The event begins at 7.30 p.m. with a traditional Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. This will be followed by the Rosary at 8.30 p.m. and Mass for Vocations at about 9.00 p.m.
This is an initiative of the local conference of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society to mark the Year of Vocation. Members of the Society from the nineteen branches in the diocese have been invited to attend. Please come along and join with people from all over the diocese of Ossory in praying for vocations. Refreshments will be served in the Parish Centre after Mass.
Foster Carers Needed
Fostering is caring for someone else’s child in one’s own home - providing family life for a child who, for one reason or another, cannot live with his/her own parents, on a short or long term basis.
Infants, children and young people require foster care. There is a particular need for children and young people between the ages of 10 years and 17 years who require care outside the family home.
Foster Carer applicants undergo an assessment and training programme which is provided by the Health Service Executive. See notices on notice board for information.
Computer Classes
Whether you are a beginner or want to update your existing skills. Courses will be starting soon in the Parish Centre. Application forms and price lists are available from the Parish Centre
Alzheimer's Kilkenny Table Quiz
Friday, 20th February at The Home Rule Club at 9pm. Table of 4 costs €20.00. Plenty of Spot Prizes, Auction, Raffle. Contact Pauline Parker 776 4198.
Schizophrenia Ireland
From the first of February we will be known as Shine - Supporting People Affected by Mental Ill Health. We continue to work to support all people affected by mental health issues, be it through personal experience or someone close. For one to one support or a social outlet, contact Shine. We offer information, advocacy, counselling, listening, education and support groups. Contact 056 770 3652.
In the Footsteps of St. Patrick
The Castlecomer Church of Ireland Group of Parishes in conjunction with the Catholic Parishes of Clogh, Muckalee and Castlecomer has organised an Ecumenical Pilgrimage in the footsteps of St. Patrick. Further details from Castlecomer Parish Office 444 1262, Maire Downey, 086 341 3022 or Canon Tom Sherlock 444 1677.
Walk for the Rehab Foundation
The Rehab Foundation is organising a number of walks during 2009 and we would like to hear from any person interested in taking part. Edinburgh Walk: 13th to 16th May. Walk in Italy: October 2009. For further details, please contact: Hugh Maddock on e-mail: hugh.maddock@rehab.ie or 087 826 1925. Walk in West Clare: 21st – 24th May 2009. For further details, please contact Aidan Roche on 086 200 0700 or Hugh Maddock on the above number.
Under-Age Hurling
James Stephens are returning to action at Juvenile - the grassroots level: Under 6/7/8 grades will return on Sunday, 1st March in Cootes Lane at 11.30 a.m. All boys aged 6/7/8 are asked to come along and sign up for what is sure to be a FUN-tastic year. Our Under 9/10 and 11/12 groups have already kicked back with coaching going ahead every Friday evening in the Wallslough Sports’ Arena from 6.25p.m. to 7.30p.m. All players aged from Under 9/10/11/12 who live in St. Patrick’s Parish are asked to come along and try out the wonderful game of hurling. Any enquiries please contact Juvenile Chairman Mark Tyrrell at 086 258 9760.
Time for a Cuppa?
There’s a cuppa available after 10.30am Mass on Tuesday mornings. All welcome.
