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
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
