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
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.
