Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began last weekend and runs until this Sunday, 25th January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an expression of the ecumenical movement – a worldwide movement among Christians to heal the divisions within the Church; to promote dialogues among churches and Christian communities; and to encourage Christians everywhere to better understand and reflect the implications of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Each year from January 18th to the 25th, Christians are encouraged to pray together as a sign of the unity that is already theirs in Christ and that that unity will become complete. To mark this year’s Week of Prayer the Rev. Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland Vicar of the Kilkenny Group of Parishes, will address the congregation at the 6.15 p.m. Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Saturday. The Rev. David Moore of the Kilkenny Presbyterian Church will speak at the 7.00 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on the same day. Please give a very warm welcome to our guests from these neighbouring churches. While none of our parish clergy are involved in this year’s exchanges Bishop Séamus and priests from a number of the City parishes and religious houses will address the congregations in the Protestant churches this weekend.
Questions people ask
Q. Jesus often spoke about the kingdom of God, especially in his parables. Was he referring to the next life or to life here on earth?
A. Sometimes the kingdom means the next life, but, more often in the Gospels, the kingdom or reign of God refers to living accordingly to the rule of God here on earth. It means the end of the reign of sin as the ideals of Christ become the rule of life in society. This is what Jesus proclaimed at the start of his public mission. We pray for this in saying ‘Thy kingdom come.’
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity began last weekend and runs until this Sunday, 25th January. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an expression of the ecumenical movement – a worldwide movement among Christians to heal the divisions within the Church; to promote dialogues among churches and Christian communities; and to encourage Christians everywhere to better understand and reflect the implications of “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Each year from January 18th to the 25th, Christians are encouraged to pray together as a sign of the unity that is already theirs in Christ and that that unity will become complete. To mark this year’s Week of Prayer the Rev. Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland Vicar of the Kilkenny Group of Parishes, will address the congregation at the 6.15 p.m. Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Saturday. The Rev. David Moore of the Kilkenny Presbyterian Church will speak at the 7.00 p.m. Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on the same day. Please give a very warm welcome to our guests from these neighbouring churches. While none of our parish clergy are involved in this year’s exchanges Bishop Séamus and priests from a number of the City parishes and religious houses will address the congregations in the Protestant churches this weekend.
Questions people ask
Q. Jesus often spoke about the kingdom of God, especially in his parables. Was he referring to the next life or to life here on earth?
A. Sometimes the kingdom means the next life, but, more often in the Gospels, the kingdom or reign of God refers to living accordingly to the rule of God here on earth. It means the end of the reign of sin as the ideals of Christ become the rule of life in society. This is what Jesus proclaimed at the start of his public mission. We pray for this in saying ‘Thy kingdom come.’
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Catholic Schools Week 2009
Catholic Schools Week 2009 begins on Monday, 26th January and conclude on Sunday, 1st February. The Pastoral Letter of the Irish Bishops’ Conference Vision 08 – A Vision for Catholic Education is a useful resource for those who wish to focus on the theme of the week. Copies were circulated in our parish last year and it may be downloaded from www.catholicbishops.ie - the website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Catholic Schools Week 2009 will be launched in Dublin and Belfast on Monday with conferences on Education and the Role of Catholic Schools.
All three partners in the Catholic education of our young people – home, school and parish – are encouraged to avail of this week to celebrate the life and work of the school as part of the mission of the Church at the service of society. There will be a number of celebrations and activities to mark the event in our parish schools. It is expected that a number of classes from our schools will join in the celebration of our morning Masses during the week. To mark Catholic Schools Week 2009 RTE will broadcast Mass on RTE 1 on Sunday, 1st February at 11.15 a.m. from St. Mary’s Parish, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Christian Brothers, Kilkenny
The Christian Brothers’ Community in James’ Street, Kilkenny will cease as a religious community on next Saturday, 31st January 2009. The present brothers will be redeployed to other monasteries.
The Irish Christian Brothers have served the people of Kilkenny City and the surrounding area for the past 149 years. They began their ministry here in 1860.
To mark the departure of the 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 and say farewell to Kilkenny City.
Revolutionary
Paul makes more strange statements this week. Take today’s Second Reading, ‘Let those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning’. He is convinced that the age in which he lives is ending. He’s right in one sense, and wrong in another. He’s wrong if he means the end of the world in terms of chronological time. He’s right if he means the end of this world for the Christian in terms of its ways and values. That has a ring to it that needs to be heard every bit as urgently today as it did in Paul’s time in Corinth. In fact, in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 1: 14-20) we have Jesus preaching just that as his first public proclamation in the Gospel of Mark: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ Note the sequence here. Repent first; then believe. Clearly, acceptance of the news that Jesus brings as good is not possible without a change of heart and mind. And what is that news? Well, at this stage it’s the fact that the kingdom of God is at hand. Later, in the light of Jesus’ resurrection it becomes clear that entry into that kingdom brings resurrected life: new, full and everlasting. When, like Paul, we believe that such a destiny can be ours then we’ll look on this present world as passing, and act accordingly. Counter-cultural is what some people call it. Revolutionary is what I’d say it is!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
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.
Paul makes more strange statements this week. Take today’s Second Reading, ‘Let those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning’. He is convinced that the age in which he lives is ending. He’s right in one sense, and wrong in another. He’s wrong if he means the end of the world in terms of chronological time. He’s right if he means the end of this world for the Christian in terms of its ways and values. That has a ring to it that needs to be heard every bit as urgently today as it did in Paul’s time in Corinth. In fact, in today’s Gospel reading (Mark 1: 14-20) we have Jesus preaching just that as his first public proclamation in the Gospel of Mark: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’ Note the sequence here. Repent first; then believe. Clearly, acceptance of the news that Jesus brings as good is not possible without a change of heart and mind. And what is that news? Well, at this stage it’s the fact that the kingdom of God is at hand. Later, in the light of Jesus’ resurrection it becomes clear that entry into that kingdom brings resurrected life: new, full and everlasting. When, like Paul, we believe that such a destiny can be ours then we’ll look on this present world as passing, and act accordingly. Counter-cultural is what some people call it. Revolutionary is what I’d say it is!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
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.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Christy McLoughlin, 73 Larchfield. Funeral Prayers at his home at 10.15am on Monday followed by removal to St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown for Requiem Mass at 11.00am. Burial in adjoining cemetery. Rosary at his residence on Sunday at 8pm. Tom Langton, 9 Pinewood Avenue.
Months Mind: Thomas Drohan (Sun 10.00), Sr. Theophane Duggan (Fri 9.30)
Anniversaries: Pauline English (Sat 6.15), Kitty Hickey (Sat 7.00), Nora Foley (Sun 9.30), Jack, Peg & Breda Molloy (Sun 10.30), Kathleen O’Neill (Sun 11.00), John Comerford & Christy Comerford (Recently Deceased) (Sun 12.00), Michael Moore (Sun 12.30) Michael McDonald (Tue 10.30), Ellen, John & Pat Butler (Thurs 10.30), Jim Loughlin (Sat 9.30), Margaret Muldowney, Michael Muldowney, Margaret Fanning, Brigid Casey, Brendan McKenna, May Morris Allen, Paddy Morris, Peter Browne, Jimmy Browne, Nell Grant .
Intentions for next weekend: 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).
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
Like something different to do on Tuesday morning next? Then come into our Parish Centre and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee at 11.00am and have 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? Please let us know.
Parish Draw
The next draw in the present series will take place on Tuesday at 8.30pm in the Parish Centre. All welcome to come along.
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 10.30am - 2.30pm and Thursday & Friday 10.30am - 2.30pm. Closed Wednesdays.
A Personal Invitation
When Jesus called the apostles to follow him he did not pin a notice on a board down at the local fishing port and ask for volunteers. No, the gospels tell us that he looked people in the eye and called them by name. His invitation was straightforward and open-ended.
In his name we take this opportunity to invite you to consider following Jesus as a priest or religious in the Diocese of Ossory. This is a radical life but an amazing and rewarding one. It is a journey in faith and an adventure in hope. Telephone, email or write to the Ossory Vocations Team or ask any priest or religious for further information. Fr. Willie Purcell, Ossory Vocations Team, The Presbytery, Callan Co. Kilkenny. Tel: 056 772 5858, Mobile 087 628 6858 or Email ossoryvocdir@gmail.com.
The Diocese of Ossory has a new blog! Why not pay it a visit at : www.ossoryvocations.blogspot.com
Parish Folk Choir
The Folk Choir (7 p.m. Mass on Saturdays) practice at the Parish Centre on Thursday evenings from 8 p.m. New members are always welcome. Just drop in and sing!
Music Workshop
A music workshop will take place in Carlow Cathedral on Sunday, 1st February with American composers Marty Haugen and Tony Alonso. The workshop begins at 2.30 p.m. and concludes at 6.00 p.m. Individual Registration & Collection of workshop packs will take place from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. in the Parish Centre, Carlow. Further details on www.kandle.ie - the Kildare and Leighlin diocesan website.
St. Patrick’s Parish choir members interested in attending on behalf of the parish should contact the Parish Office on Tuesday of this week.
Al-Anon
Are you troubled by someone’s drinking? Contact Al-Anon Family Groups Information Centre www.al-anonuk.org.uk or 01 873 2699.
Irish
A beginners course in Irish for parents in the Kilkenny Education Centre, Seville Lodge starts on Monday, 26th January running for three Mondays from 6pm to 9pm. There is no charge. To book telephone 056 776 0200.
Kieran Goss in Concert
The well-known performer Kieran Goss has agreed to give some of the proceeds of his forthcoming Kilkenny concert to St. Patrick’s Parish Funds. We will benefit from all tickets sold by the Parish Office for the concert which takes place at the Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny on Friday, 20th February. Tickets cost €25 at the Parish Office and the sacristies of our parish churches.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection for Enable Ireland will take place on the weekend of 7th & 8th February 2009.
