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.
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.
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.
