The Ascension of the Lord, 24th May 2009

Strange Attraction
In his book, Jesus Today, Albert Nolan writes, ‘It seems that systems of various kinds often exist in a state of chaos or, as they say, “on the edge of chaos,” and then suddenly and unpredictably there emerges something called a “strange attractor” that rearranges the chaos into some new order.’ Today, on the feast of the Ascension we celebrate not the arrival but the departure of the strange attractor: the Risen Lord.Change ‘systems’ to ‘individuals’ above and you have many a person’s life story. Confusion and doubt are necessary for intellectual and psychological growth. As Timothy Ferris writes in Coming of Age in the Milky Way, ‘Yet it is turmoil and confusion and not calm assurance that mark the growth of the mind.’ Into our personal confusion steps the ‘strange attractor’. As we flounder, his helping hand pulls us up and out of our confusion – not, however, on to a placid and permanent plateau, but to a higher level of confusion. No sooner are our feet placed firmly on Mother Earth than we are whisked to heights that make us dizzy. If our faith doesn’t s-t-r-e-t-c-h our mind, we’re not people of faith, but people of reason. Belief in the Ascension should make us gasp. Do we realise what we’re saying we actually believe in! First: that someone flatline dead didn’t just revive and return to his former state but resurrected to a higher, super-human, everlasting one. Second: having done so, then ‘ascended’ to a totally new quantum-leap environment we call ‘heaven’.
Wow! Wow! Wow! is all I can say.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Richard Quirke Support Fund
The Committee of the Richard Quirke Support Fund would like to thank you for your generosity in respect of the Musical Feast held recently in St. John's Church, Kilkenny. We had a very successful and enjoyable evening. Thank you to all involved for the wonderful support.

First Holy Communion
We congratulate the boys from St. Patrick’s De La Salle who received their First Holy Communion yesterday and the boys and girls from Kilkenny School Project who will receive theirs today.

Questions people ask
Q. What does the Ascension add to the Resurrection of Jesus? Surely it means something more than his body floating up into the sky?
A. Forty days in the Bible is a block of time when something important is happening. These days from Easter to Ascension were an important transition period for the disciples. Jesus was no longer physically present with them but in various appearances he showed that he had not deserted them, and he prepared them to continue his mission. The Ascension, on the fortieth day, marks the closure of this period of transition. After some days of prayerful preparation they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit to commence their new mission.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Coffee Morning
The Presentation Associates invite you to a Coffee Morning in St. Mary’s Day Care Centre on Friday 29th May 10am to 12 noon all proceeds going to PRESENTATION Sisters Missions in the Philippines. Come along and bring a friend. Lots of raffle prizes. See you there.

Middle Deanery Pastoral Council
The first meeting of the Middle Deanery Pastoral Council of the Forum took place in Peace in Christ on Wednesday, 13th May. This meeting was chaired by Canon Patrick Dalton, Vicar Forane. Bishop Freeman gave a very inspiring address about the reason for the Forum and its role in the Diocese. The next meeting of this DPC will take place on 10th June.

Pray For Our Deceased
Recently Deceased: Stefan Wogdyla (Wed 10.30), Frank Brennan, Thomas’ Square,
Anniversaries: Catherine & Tommy Phelan (Sat 6.15), William Doheny (Sat 7.00), Joe Davy (Sun 9.30), Ciaran Flood (Sun 10.00), Rev. Richard Conway (Sun 10.30), Jim Carew (Sun 11.00), Gertrude & Patrick Tyrrell (Sun 12.30), Francie McKenna (Tues 9.30), Jack Carroll (Thurs 10.30), Joe Hehir (Fri 9.30), Jimmy Hogan (Sat 9.30), Bridget Culleton, Brian Mahon, Nan Dooley, Kit Kelly, Mary Walsh, Agnes Dermody, Nellie Garrehy, Molly Fitzgerald, Annie Bourke, Mollie Owens, Jack Carroll, Margaret Morrissey, Josephine Knox, Noreen McDonald, Michael Smyth, Harry Kelly, Bridget Barry.
Intentions for next weekend
Months Mind: Margaret Leyton (Sun 10.30)
Anniversaries: Tony Martin (Sat 6.15), John Cleere (Sat 7.00), Patrick Banahan (Sun 9.30), Harry Kelly (Sun 10.00), Kathleen O’Carroll (Sun 11.00), Gerald Keys (Sun 11.00), Fran Blanch (Sun 12.30), Richard Ruth (Tues 10.30)

Mass for those doing Exams
A special mass for all those sitting examinations will take place on Tuesday, 2nd June at St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.30pm.

Ossory Senior Citizens Awareness
Week 2009
25th May 2009 - 31st May 2009
Ossory Senior Citizens’ Mass on Wednesday, 27th May at 3pm.
Venue: The Mill Hill Missionaries
St. Joseph’s, Freshford House
Waterford Road
Kilkenny
Cup of Tea and Entertainment with Pat Shortis & Friends afterwards at Kilkenny Social Services, Waterford Road
All are welcome
Transport at the usual pick up points around the City.

Young at Heart Club
The Young at Heart Club will celebrate their annual Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Wednesday 3rd June at 2.30pm. Refreshments afterwards is the Parish Centre. Members and non members welcomed. The club will also hold an afternoon tea in the Parish Centre in aid of the Susie Long Foundation on Wednesday 10th June at 2.30pm. All are welcome. Admission €5.00. Bring a cake and buy a cake.

Loughboy Library Bealtaine Festival
Tues. May 26th @ 11am - Complementary Medicine and Positive Thinking by Ms. Breda Gardner.
Wed. May 27th @ 11am - Mobile Phone Training (please book)
Tues. June 2nd @ 11am - Cookery Demonstration with chef Edward Hayden.
All events are free and all are welcome.

Pilgrimage to Knock
Mill Hill Missionaries annual pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday 13th June 2009. Leaving Prague House, Freshford at 8am, pick up at Mill Hill House, Waterford Road, at 8.30am. Main celebrant and preacher is Fr. John Nevin MHM. Fare: Adults €20, children €10. Contact (056) 7721482 to book your seat.

Charity Hill Walk
A Charity hill walk to the top of Slievenamon will depart the community hall Kilcash village on Sunday 24th of May at 2pm. Banna Cluain Mealla will provide entertainment for one hour prior to the ascent. This event is supported by South East Mountain Rescue Association In aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children. All welcome. For further information contact Liam on 087 212 0201

Our Parish Website
Visit us at : www.patricksparish.com

Wanted:
Host families in Kilkenny City for an English Summer school to house teenagers for 2, 3, 4, or 6 weeks in July and August 2009. Payment €25 per day per student. Please contact 087 9395106, mail: host@mackdonald.com.

Melville Heights Mass
The re-scheduled mass for Melville Heights will take place this coming Friday 29th at 7.30pm. We hope that the weather will be kinder for our celebration
We invite all the residents and of Melville to attend and sincere thanks to the committee who have organised this annual event.

Parish Centre Shop
The parish shop which sells cards and various other religious items is proving a popular success with people. At present you can buy various items for First Holy Communion, for baptisms and other special occasions. The shop is open when the parish centre is open and people wishing to purchase an item can do so through the receptionist or parish secretary.

Parish Centre Booking
The parish centre is available for booking. Contact Ted Byrne for an application form and further information. The Centre consists of two large halls, an I.T room, two counselling rooms, and a number of other meeting rooms. Facilities are also available for refreshments.

Parish Team Meeting
The parish team will meet next Thursday at 8:15 in the Parish Centre. Advance notice for the parish team: On the 15th of June, we are bringing together the 4 city parish pastoral councils in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. This is a meeting to meet, get to know each other and make plans for future and better collaboration between parishes.

The Abbey Singers
The Abbey Singers will provide the music at the 12 noon mass in St. Fiacre’s next Sunday, Pentecost Sunday.

Help!
We are urgently in need of people to help plant the new beds at the Parish Centre. Right now, the grounds look like a chopped field and if we are to get it planted and looking like a garden we need help.
If interested and available please leave your name at the Parish Office (776 4400) today!

Items for Newsletter
Please leave items for the newsletter into the parish office by Thursday if possible. Anniversaries can be left into the sacristies at St. Patrick or St. Fiacre’s. Thanks for your cooperation.

Sixth Sunday in Easter, 17th May 2009

Congratulations on Confirmation
This weekend we congratulate 110 young people from schools in our parish who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday. Well done to the young people, their parents, guardians and families. Thanks to the sponsors and to all involved in the ceremony.
A special word of thanks to our dedicated teachers who worked to prepare our young people, not just for today, but for the rest of their lives.

Appeasing God
Today’s First Reading is a tricky one. Having just told us the wonderful news that ‘God is love’ (v8), John now seems to undo it all by saying that God ‘sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins’ (v10). Here we have that seemingly awful image of God, as the one who demands appeasement for the sins of humanity by the death of his beloved Son. So which is it? It can’t be both, can it? How can a God who is love possibly want the one he loves to be slaughtered to appease him? To put it bluntly: is there some way of honouring the text without dishonouring God? Now you can try to resolve the dilemma by saying it is God’s love for us that compels him to send his son to be killed. But, the possibility that God could love human beings more than his ‘beloved’ son stretches the mind that little bit too far, don’t you think? If God, indeed, is love, and totally independent in how he expresses it, then why on earth would he demand sacrificial appeasement? Does that not smack of hardness of heart, even vindictiveness? You may introduce justice into the equation and claim that divine justice demands it. But is that not making love subservient to justice? And love is greater. Indeed, as Paul says in 1Cor 13:13 ‘the greatest of all is love’. Once God forgives, justice goes out the door. So, are love and demands for appeasement mutually exclusive? If you find out, let me know.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Questions People Ask
Q. How can I answer somebody who claims that May devotion to Mary is the ancient cult of a goddess of fertility and that Queen of Heaven was the title of a pagan goddess in Egypt?
A. The Bible shows how good elements of pagan festivals were adopted as the framework for the great Jewish feasts of the events of salvation. The Christian Church retained this biblical practice in giving a new meaning to the Passover and Pentecost, as well as replacing the pagan feast of mid-winter with Christmas. If May’s beautiful blossoms are the promise of a fertile harvest, what’s wrong in using them to remind us of Mary’s fertile womb in which the Word was made flesh?
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Martin Ryan, Callan Road. Stephen Wogdwla, London & Wallslough. Seamus Costello, Lacken. Richard Hughes, Drumcondra, Christy Coday, Knocktopher.
Anniversaries: John Coppinger (Sat 6.15), Patrick Dorney (Sat 7.00), Tom & Oliver Kennedy (Sun 9.30), Kieran & Eileen Hickey, Kevin, Nancy & John Grogan (Sun 10.00), Henry & Paddy Glynn (12.00), Marie (Patricia) O’Shea (Sun 12.30), Patrick Morris (Mon 9.30), Mai Deegan (Tues 10.30), Daithi & David De Loughry (Thur 10.30), Mary Fitzpatrick (Fri 10.30), Canice Hogan, Dick Beehan, John Doheny.
Intentions for next weekend: Catherine & Tommy Phelan (Sat 6.15), William Doheny (Sat 7.00), Joe Davy (Sun 9.30), Ciaran Flood (Sun 10.00), Jim Carew (Sun 11.00), Gertrude & Patrick Tyrell (Sun 12.30). Harry Kelly.

First Holy Communion
The young boys of St. Patrick’s De La Salle School will receive their First Holy Communion at St. Patrick’s Church on next Saturday morning. The ceremony starts at 11am and we wish the boys a wonderful day.

Special Offer in the Parish Shop
There is a selection of First Communion cards on sale in the Parish Shop for the unbeatable price of €1 each. Hurry, get yours while stocks last. Also on offer is a selection of rosary beads and prayer books, suitable mementos of First Holy Communion day.

The Great Famine
The Bishops of Ireland have welcomed the first National Commemoration Day for the Great Famine which will take place this Sunday, 17th May. In addition to issuing a statement remembering the past and reflecting on hunger and famine, bishops and priests will bless famine graves and lead the faithful in special prayers for the victims and generations of Irish emigrants who were displaced due to this national tragedy. These blessings and special prayers for the victims of the Famine will take place across the country on this Sunday, 17th May.

St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. We thank you for your generous support to this local charity in these difficult times.
The St. Patrick’s Conference meets at the Parish Centre, Loughboy between 8pm and 9pm on Mondays (except Bank Holidays).

Garden Fair and Coffee Afternoon
S.O.S. Callan Road, Kilkenny will hold a Garden Fair and Coffee Afternoon on this Sunday, 17th May from 2.00pm to 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free.

Brainwave: Irish Epilepsy Association
Do you have epilepsy or do you have a family member with the condition and are interested in meeting others living with the condition? Annette Russell, Community Resource Officer, will be facilitating a monthly Epilepsy Support Group at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre from 7.30pm to 9pm commencing on Tuesday, 26th May. All welcome.

Ossory Senior Citizens Awareness
Week 2009
25th May 2009 - 31st May 2009
Ossory Senior Citizens’ Mass on Wednesday, 27th May at 3pm.
Venue: The Mill Hill Missionaries
St. Joseph’s, Freshford House
Waterford Road
Kilkenny
Cup of Tea and Entertainment with Pat Shortis & Friends afterwards at Kilkenny Social Services, Waterford Road
All are welcome
Transport at the usual pick up points around the City.

Women’s Health & Wellbeing Evening
Wednesday, 20th May at 7pm in the Newpark Hotel. In aid of 2010 Building of Hope Project to build a training and feeding centre in Mombassa, Kenya. Twenty plus stands on areas relating to general health, beauty, health food, alternative health etc. Screening also included for cholesterol, glaucoma, blood pressure etc along with some talks on diet, stress management and fashion. Admission €10. All support greatly appreciated. For further information contact Caroline at 087 293 6403.

Loughboy Library News
Join us in celebrating the Bealtaine Festival during May…
May 19th - 29th: Kilkenny Active Retirement Association - Exhibition of paintings and crafts.
Thursday, 21st May: Cross Stitch Demonstration at 11am.
Tuesday, 26th May: Complementary medicine and positive thinking at 11am.
Wednesday, 27th May: Mobile phone training at am (bring your phone!)
African Storytelling for children—Tues 19th and Thurs 21st.
Kilkenny City Library Service “Business Resource Guide” is now available free at Loughboy and John’s Quay branches.

SERVE
SERVE is an initiative committed to tackling world poverty. Emerging from a tripartite partnership between young Irish adults, Irish Redemptorists and marginalised communities in the developing world, SERVE works to empower vulnerable and excluded groups and communities to become the agents of their own transformation.
Every year SERVE sends over 80 volunteers to work in partnership with local communities in South Africa, Mozambique, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Brazil.This summer, Stephanie Burke and Robbie Shortall will travel to the Philippines to spent 6 weeks volunteering with SERVE, working on projects such as the Sarinelli Street Children’s project, providing education, training and building self-esteem in vulnerable youth.
At our masses in St. Fiacre’s Church next weekend, Stephanie will speak about the work both Robbie and herself hope to do. There will be a special collection after Mass, the proceeds of which will go entirely to the project on which they will be working.
If you can, please support this wonderful project with prayers and donations. All proceeds will go directly to the vulnerable poor. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
The Centre is open every day between 10am and 5pm (Lunch 1pm to 2pm). Drop in, say hello and view our facilities.

Kilkenny Parks Tennis
“Let your kids make a racket this summer!”
Again for the summer 2009, Parks Tennis Ireland is offering their low-cost subsidized tennis coaching programme for boys and girls aged 6-17 (beginners and improvers) giving an opportunity to discover hidden talents, make new friends and have lots of active fun. All equipment and T-shirts are provided. Venues in Kilkenny commencing 6th July for 4 weeks are:
Presentation Secondary School
Cost: 10 x 1 hour lessons for 6-9 year old children €15. 10 x 2 hour lessons for 10+ year old children €20. Registration is at venue on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 from 2-4pm. Log on to website for details and download form or contact Margaret on 056 772 2306 or Christina on 056 779 0590.

Groundhogs
We are urgently in need of people to help plant the new beds at the Parish Centre. If interested and available please leave your name at the Parish Office (776 4400) today!

Camphill Communities
The annual Coffee Morning and Plant Sale at the Camphill Community in Ballytobin, near Callan, takes place on Wednesday, 20th May from 10.00am to 12 noon.

Online Retreats
Busy lifestyle? Want some time for prayer? Savvy with a computer? If so then this website may be for you. Visit:
http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html

Fifth Sunday of Easter, 10th May 2009

Comhghairdeas
Ghlac 66 buachaillí agus cailíní ó Ghaelscoil Osraí a gCéad Chomaoineach ar an Satharn 9ú Bealtaine i Séipéal Naomh Fiachra. Bhí an-chuid oibre curtha isteach acu ó Meán Fómhair. Bhaineadar an-chuid as an ócáid speisialta sin. Go n-éirí go geal leo!
We congratulate the 66 boys and girls from Gaelscoil Osraí who received the Eucharist for the first time at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday, 9th May. Well done and congratulations to parents, guardians, teachers, priests and all involved in their preparation.

The Sacrament of Confirmation
Our attention now turns to the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation for 110 young adults who attend schools in our parish. Pupils from St. John of God NS, St. Patrick’s De La Salle NS, St. Patrick’s Special School and Kilkenny School Project along with two students from Presentation Secondary School will receive the sacrament at St. Mary’s Cathedral on next Saturday morning, 16th May. We join in prayer for the young people this weekend and during the week ahead.
Bishop Séamus Freeman will be the principal celebrant on the occasion and Mass will begin at 11.00am.

Questions people ask
Q. What did Jesus mean when he said, ‘You are pruned already by the word I have spoken to you’?
A. The vine needs a springtime pruning to lop off the wild, fruitless branches and a later pruning which favours the final development of the richest clusters of grapes. Applied to the followers of Jesus, the first pruning refers to those who cut themselves off when they did not accept the word of Jesus that he would give us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. Peter expressed the faith of the true disciples: ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the message of eternal life’
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Comfort in the Spirit
In his book Things Hidden Richard Rohr writes: ‘Isn’t it ironic that most of the gospel has probably been preached and taught by people who are very comfortable? That’s almost an assurance that these preachers will largely miss the point, that they will not preach the true or full message’ (p.104). This comes to mind on hearing today’s First Reading (Acts 9:26-31). Referring to the early Church Luke writes: ‘Living in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers’. According to Rohr, it seems, comfort and blindness to truth go hand-in-hand. Are we then to hold discomfort, insecurity, and borderline poverty as kingdom values – ones we need to live by to be members of the kingdom of God? That would be a tall order for many, if so. While Jesus doesn’t appear in the Gospels as ‘very comfortable,’ neither does he appear destitute. Jesus’ ‘discomfort’ comes from opposing hypocrisy wherever he finds it. Taking a stance against hypocrisy threatens his safety, and forces him to the margins of society – even to the most extreme of margins: Golgotha. There may be a time for that, although we pray, lead us not into temptation – do not put us to the test. But there is a time for enjoying the ‘comfort of the Holy Spirit’, for enjoying the warm and healthy glow that goodness, sincere service and holiness of life can produce. Indeed, we are called to be comfortable people; but comfortable with God’s Spirit, not with the hypocrisy around or within us.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Kilkenny Flower Club
Kilkenny Flower Club is holding a teaching demonstration on next Thursday, 14th May in Butler House at 8 p.m. The teacher is Marie O'Leary from Rathvilly. This will be of special interest to people beginning flower arranging. All are welcome, it will be an interesting night followed by tea and a chance to mingle.

Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Patrick Lawlor, Oakwood Court, Parcnagowan & Urlingford, Ellen Murtagh, 6 New Street & Dublin.
Anniversaries: Milo Maher (Sat 6.15), Patrick O’Neill (Sat 7.00), Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00), John & Catherine Alley (Sun 10.30), William O’Brien Snr, William O’Brien Jnr & Ann O’Brien (Sun 11.00), Patrick O'Connell (Sun 12.00), Kathleen Coyne, Tom Brett, Sean Brett, Eileen Culleton, Liam Meehan.
Intentions for next weekend: John Coppinger (Sat 6.15), Patrick Dorney (Sat 7.00), Kieran Hickey, Kevin, Nancy & John Grogan (Sun 10.00), Henry & Paddy Glynn (Sun 12.00), Marie (Patricia) O’Shea (Sun 12.30).

Mass at Melville Heights
The annual open-air Mass at Melville Heights will be celebrated on this Friday evening at 7.30pm. Well done to the residents of this estate who arrange the annual Mass. All are welcome to come along and join in the evening’s activities.

Ministry Enhancement Courses
All Ministers of the Eucharist and Ministers of the Word in St. Patrick’s Parish are invited to participate in a number of Enhancement courses which will take place in the Capuchin Friary on the following Wednesday evenings: 13th, 20th and 27th May and the 3rd June. Each session begins at 8.00pm and will run for an hour. The presentations will be made by Fr. Jim Murphy, St. Canice’s Parish and Fr. Louis Hughes, The Black Abbey.

New Envelopes
By now you should have received your new contribution envelopes for the coming year. Please dispose of any old envelopes from the last few years. If these are used to contribute to the Parish, you will not receive the credit for that contribution as the numbers on the envelopes are no longer relevant. Please call the Parish Office (776 4400) if you still require envelopes.

Unemployed?
Have you, a family member or a friend become unemployed recently? Please visit the Parish Centre on any Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) between 8 and 9pm.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your outstanding family fast boxes as we intend closing the 2009 account this week. All monies contributed to the parish will be sent to the Diocesan Office for forwarding to Trócaire. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.

Thank For Your Help
A number of new Eucharistic Ministers were commissioned at Easter. We welcome you and thank you for attending the diocesan training courses.
We also thank those who have retired from this ministry having served the parish for up to nine years. Thank you for your prayerful dedication and commitment.

Kilkenny Archaeological Society
The KAS has arranged a visit to Jerpoint & Kilfane on Sunday, 24th May. Please meet at Jerpoint Abbey at 3.00pm. Speakers include: Maureen Hegarty, K.A.S and Dr. Breda Lynch, O.P.W. at Jerpoint Abbey. Meet at Kilfane at 4.30pm where the speaker will be Dr. Walter Walsh. All are most welcome!

Groundhogs
We are urgently in need of people to help plant the new beds at the Parish Centre. If interested and available please leave your name at the Parish Office (776 4400) today!

Bereavement Support Group
The Parish Bereavement Support Group offers bereavement support to our parishioners who have experienced bereavement. Anyone who wishes to meet one of the group may phone 086 162 9089 or come to the Parish Centre on Mondays between 7.30 - 9pm.

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society meets at the Parish Centre every Monday evening between 8 and 9.00pm.

Tuesday Morning Hospitality
Don’t forget the offer of hospitality in the Parish Centre following 10.30am Mass on Tuesday mornings. All are welcome to come in for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat with neighbours and friends.

Prayer Before the Blessed Sacrament
All are welcome to spend some time in quiet prayer before Jesus present in the Most Holy Eucharist. The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for prayer at St. Fiacre’s Church each Monday from 11.00am until 10.00pm and at St. Patrick’s Church each Friday from 10.00am until 1.00pm and again from 4.00pm until 9.00pm. Volunteers have signed up to be present in the church at specific times during these hours. More people are needed to provide extra cover. Please contact the Parish Office (776 4400) if you feel you could spend a particular hour before the Blessed Sacrament each week. Parishioners are welcome and encouraged to drop in and spend any time in quiet reflective prayer during the hours listed above.

Newsletter Deadline
Notices should be handed in to the Parish Office as early as possible to ensure inclusion.

Mass for Those Who Are Sick
The 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church each Monday is offered for those of our friends and relatives who are sick. Please feel free to come along and join in this special time of prayer. The names of relatives and friends who are ill at the moment may be entered in a special register which is placed on the altar during the Mass.

Getting Married Soon?
We draw the attention of those who plan to get married in the state the obligation to give the Civil Registrar of Marriages three clear month’s notice of intention to get married. This is an important civil requirement.

Give Blood...
and join Ireland’s most extraordinary club!
The Blood Donation Clinic will be at the Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny on Sunday 10th May from 11.30am to 3.30pm; Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th May from 4.30pm to 8.30pm.
Blood donors are always needed. If you are not a blood donor already, please think about coming along to our clinic. If you are already a donor or have given before, thank you, and if you can, come again. Bring a friend, we welcome all donors, new and old.

Parish Website
Catch up on what is happening in St. Patrick’s Parish at www.patricksparish.com

Ossory Diocesan Guide
The 2009 Ossory Diocesan Guide listing details of all the parishes, religious orders organisations and personnel in the Diocese of Ossory is still available at the Parish Office. Priests and religious and their contact details are also included. Cost €5.

SERVE Initiative
SERVE is an initiative committed to tackling world poverty. Emerging from a tripartite partnership between young Irish adults, Irish Redemptorists, and marginalised communities in the developing world, SERVE works to empower vulnerable and excluded groups and communities to become the agents of their own transformation.
Every year SERVE sends over 80 volunteers to work in partnership with local communities in South Africa, Mozambique, Thailand, the Philippines, India and Brazil. This summer, Stephanie Burke and Robbie Shortall will travel to the Philippines to spent 6 weeks volunteering with SERVE, working on projects such as the Sarinelli Street Children’s Project, providing education, training and building self-esteem in vulnerable youth.
There will be a special collection held at Masses on Sunday, 24th May at St. Fiacre’s Church. Please support this wonderful project with prayers and donations. All proceeds will go directly to the vulnerable poor. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

Vocations Sunday, 3rd May 2009

All-Enfolding

Today’s Gospel reading has Jesus saying something rather intriguing: ‘I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.’ Two things here are surprising. First, Jesus claims ownership over other ‘sheep’ without saying who they are, or whether they know they are his. Are these Jews or Gentiles? Is this claim valid today? If it is, whom does it include: those of other religions, those of none? Second, the sequence of events is surprising: ‘I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice’ (when I do so?). You would expect that they listen first, and then follow. But no! Jesus leads; the listening follows. How should we view the Church’s mission in the light of this understanding of what Jesus says? Well, it means that wherever mission goes God is there already. There is no such thing as a ‘God-less’ people, or a ‘God-forsaken’ place. We have to acknowledge that in God’s sight, if not in ours, ‘others’ are in the fold. They may not know this, but we should. Consequently, basic to mission is the task of making people aware of Jesus bringing them into the fold. Then follows mission’s second task: enabling those in the fold, newcomers and those of long-standing alike, to listen to Jesus’ voice through hearing his word. Consequently, familiarity with his word on the part of those on mission is essential. Otherwise, whose voice will they be listening to?
Fr Tom Cahill SVD

Westcourt News
Masses for the Canonisation of Blessed Edmund will be held in Westcourt, from Monday, 4th May to Friday, 8th May at 8pm. These Masses will be hosted by the Callan and neighbouring parishes. Bishop Séamus Freeman will celebrate the Mass on the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund on Tuesday, 5th May. Westcourt is the ancestral dwelling of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice and is just off the Callan bypass.

Unemployed?
Have you, a family member or a friend become unemployed recently? Please contact the Parish Centre any Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) between 8 and 9pm.

Questions People Ask
Q. Every now and then I think I have a vocation from God to be a priest. What should I do about it?
A. Talk about it to a priest, preferably one who knows you, and pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance. Every diocese and religious order organises Vocation Days to help people to discern their calling. A vocation to priesthood is a grace given to an individual for the service of the church-community. Basic requirements of a genuine vocation to priesthood would include a desire to commit one’s life to God and the service of people, a sound faith, regular Mass attendance and prayer, the ability to co-operate with others and being willing to obey authority.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Bank Holiday Arrangements
Monday is a bank holiday. The only public Mass in St. Patrick’s Parish will be at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will continue at St. Fiacre’s Church from 11am until 10.00pm. All welcome to come along and spend some time in prayer.

Welcome
We welcome all who have come to the parish for the bank holiday weekend. We hope you enjoy your stay among us and that you will come back again soon.

Rosary
The monthly rosary on the 1st Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues on this Sunday, 3rd May at 3pm. All welcome to come along and pray the Rosary on this first Sunday of May.

Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Paul Healy, Ballyragget.
Months Mind: Neil Cooke (Sat 6.15)
Anniversaries: Fintan Brennan (Sat 7.00), Michael Lawlor (Sun 9.30), Mary Barry (Sun 10.00), Patrick Foley Snr & Patrick Foley Jnr (Sun 11.00), Mary Anne Hyland (Mon 11.00), Martin O’Carroll (Tues 9.30), Mary Carroll (Fri 10.30), Jim Hickey, Patrick Skehan, Catherine (Kit) Grace, Katie & Mary Mullally, Joan Marnell, Delia Roche, Michael Rice, Bridget Maher.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Milo Maher (Sat 6.15), Patrick O’Neill (Sat 7.00), Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00), William O’Brien Snr, William O’Brien Jnr & Ann O’Brien (Sun 11.00), Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00). May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Website for Teens
Do you have questions about God, the Church, our Faith? Then this website can help: www.everystudent.com

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your outstanding family fast boxes as we want to close this account for this year. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.

You’re Invited to a Big Brew
Alzheimer’s Tea Day is a lifeline for people with dementia and their families. All are welcome to the Alzheimer’s Tea Morning on Thursday, 7th May between 10.30am and 12.30pm at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Please telephone 087 204 5848 if you could contribute a cake or some other treats. Visit www.alzheimer.ie for further information.

Irish Board of Drama
Classes will continue as usual on Tuesday, 15th September 2009. Time: 4pm. Venue: St. Patrick's Parish Centre. Contact Margaret 086 249 9329 (Tue class). Contact Nessa 086 809 4148 to book a place in Monday’s class at 4pm on 14th September 2009.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on next Friday, 8th May after the 10.30am Mass, in the Parish Centre. All are welcome.
The Society's Annual Pilgrimage to Knock this year on Saturday, 27th June coincides with St. Patrick's Parish Annual Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine. We hope to travel in the same bus with St. Patrick’s Parishioners. Bus will leave the Parish Centre at 7.00am and arrive home approx 10pm. (Fare approx €15). Keep the date free!

Day of Prayer for Vocations
This Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations and marks the end of the Year of Vocations which the Irish Church has kept since May of last year. Today we are asked to encourage and pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
Further information be obtained from Fr. Willie Purcell on ossoryvocdir@gmail.com

St. Vincent De Paul Society
The St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the St. Vincent De Paul Society meets at the Parish Centre every Monday evening between 8 and 9.00pm.

First Holy Communion
We welcome the children from Gaelscoil Osrai who will receive Holy Communion for the first time at 11am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on next Saturday. We invite all in the parish to join in prayer for these and other young people preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation. Our parish Confirmation is on Saturday week, 16th May at St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Retreat at Peace in Christ
The Kilkenny Conference of the Knights of St. Columbanus is holding a retreat at Peace in Christ, Sion Road on next Sunday, 10th May. The day will help those who attend to have a better appreciation of the Mass. 10am to 6pm. Tel: Louis 772 2595.

Loughboy Library Events
May 5th - 15th: Drakelands Nursing Home Art Exhibition - one of the residents will be painting on site in Loughboy Library on May 6th, 8th, 12th and 14th - come in, have a look and gain inspiration for your own masterpieces!
7th May: Alzheimer’s Tea Day - a cuppa, a chat and great books available on Thursday, 7th May.
May 18th - 29th: KARA Exhibition of Art, Needlework and Craft.
Book Club for Adults on Thurs May 7th at 11am - “The Reluctant Fundamentalist” by Mohsin Hamid is this month’s choice.
Creative Writing: a 4 week course commencing on Wed May 6th at 7pm - experience is preferable. Book with Grace Wells @ 086 390 6330 or Arts Office @ 779 4183.
Rhyme Rag 2009: for young adults age 12 - 21 years. Look through our literature section for inspiration for your poetry entry. Closing date is May 29th.