Summer General Meeting of the Irish Bishops’ Conference - Press Release
The Bishops discussed the failure of Church institutions to protect children and to prevent the extensive level of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect, as documented by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report, by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, published on 20 May last.
The Bishops said, “The Ryan Report represents the most recent disturbing indictment of a culture that was prevalent in the Catholic Church in Ireland for far too long. Heinous crimes were perpetrated against the most innocent and vulnerable, and vile acts with life-lasting effects were carried out under the guise of the mission of Jesus Christ. This abuse represents a serious betrayal of the trust which was placed in the Church. For this we ask forgiveness. We are ashamed, humbled and repentant that our people strayed so far from their Christian ideals.
“At our meeting we devoted a lot of time discussing the Report. While we need time to reflect on the detail of the report, and we offer the following as an initial response as a Conference:
· Our first reaction is a heavy sadness at the suffering of so many for so long.
· We wish to invite survivors to engage with us to see how we can assist those who have been abused.
· We wish to respond as pastors despite the inadequacies at times of our previous pastoral responses.
· We urge the whole Church community to join with us in praying for the well being and peace of mind for all who suffered.”
The Bishops reflected on the visit of Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin to Rome and their meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on Friday. Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin informed the Holy Father, and the heads of the Rome Congregations, on the content and impact of the Ryan report and other issues facing the Irish Church.
The Holy Father once again urged the Bishops and all in the Church to continue to establish the truth of what happened and why; to ensure that justice is done for all; to see that measures put in place to prevent abuse from happening again are fully applied, and, to help to bring healing to the survivors of abuse.
Feast of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is Latin for ‘Body of Christ’. The feast of Corpus Christi celebrates our belief that what we receive in Holy Communion is not bread and wine but the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. To emphasise the centrality of this belief Corpus Christi has been a universal feast of the Church since the 13th Century and in many places is marked with a Eucharistic procession. Indeed, Pope Benedict led such a procession through Rome on last Thursday evening, from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major. Behind him thousands of people joined in prayers and hymns as they walked. Various fraternities and parish groups carried banners as they marched, and buildings along the route were decorated with Eucharistic banners, added to the colourful procession.
“Nourishment that sustains…”
Pope Benedict stressed the importance of the feast in his homily in Rome on Thursday evening, declaring that the Body and Blood of Christ are “the indispensable nourishment that sustains [Christians] as they cross the desert of this world, made barren by ideological and economic systems that fail to promote life . . . a world dominated by the logic of power and possession rather than by the logic of service and of love; a world in which the culture of violence and death often triumph.”
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to four students from St. Patrick’s School, Kells Road who received their First Holy Communion at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday. It was a wonderful day for all. Thanks to parents, teachers and all who helped.
The Bishops discussed the failure of Church institutions to protect children and to prevent the extensive level of sexual, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect, as documented by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report, by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, published on 20 May last.
The Bishops said, “The Ryan Report represents the most recent disturbing indictment of a culture that was prevalent in the Catholic Church in Ireland for far too long. Heinous crimes were perpetrated against the most innocent and vulnerable, and vile acts with life-lasting effects were carried out under the guise of the mission of Jesus Christ. This abuse represents a serious betrayal of the trust which was placed in the Church. For this we ask forgiveness. We are ashamed, humbled and repentant that our people strayed so far from their Christian ideals.
“At our meeting we devoted a lot of time discussing the Report. While we need time to reflect on the detail of the report, and we offer the following as an initial response as a Conference:
· Our first reaction is a heavy sadness at the suffering of so many for so long.
· We wish to invite survivors to engage with us to see how we can assist those who have been abused.
· We wish to respond as pastors despite the inadequacies at times of our previous pastoral responses.
· We urge the whole Church community to join with us in praying for the well being and peace of mind for all who suffered.”
The Bishops reflected on the visit of Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin to Rome and their meeting with Pope Benedict XVI on Friday. Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Martin informed the Holy Father, and the heads of the Rome Congregations, on the content and impact of the Ryan report and other issues facing the Irish Church.
The Holy Father once again urged the Bishops and all in the Church to continue to establish the truth of what happened and why; to ensure that justice is done for all; to see that measures put in place to prevent abuse from happening again are fully applied, and, to help to bring healing to the survivors of abuse.
Feast of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is Latin for ‘Body of Christ’. The feast of Corpus Christi celebrates our belief that what we receive in Holy Communion is not bread and wine but the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. To emphasise the centrality of this belief Corpus Christi has been a universal feast of the Church since the 13th Century and in many places is marked with a Eucharistic procession. Indeed, Pope Benedict led such a procession through Rome on last Thursday evening, from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major. Behind him thousands of people joined in prayers and hymns as they walked. Various fraternities and parish groups carried banners as they marched, and buildings along the route were decorated with Eucharistic banners, added to the colourful procession.
“Nourishment that sustains…”
Pope Benedict stressed the importance of the feast in his homily in Rome on Thursday evening, declaring that the Body and Blood of Christ are “the indispensable nourishment that sustains [Christians] as they cross the desert of this world, made barren by ideological and economic systems that fail to promote life . . . a world dominated by the logic of power and possession rather than by the logic of service and of love; a world in which the culture of violence and death often triumph.”
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to four students from St. Patrick’s School, Kells Road who received their First Holy Communion at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday. It was a wonderful day for all. Thanks to parents, teachers and all who helped.
Parish Pilgrimage to Knock
The annual St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society pilgrimage to Knock will be held on Saturday, 27th June. Over 5,000 pilgrims from all over Ireland will be in Knock on that day. Our annual parish pilgrimage will also be on this day and accordingly we have joined forces with the local branch of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society to organise a coach. Coach leaves St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.00am, St. Patrick’s Church at 7.15am. Fare is €15. Bookings at the Parish Centre (776 4400) or with Doreen Griffin. Please book this week so that arrangements can be made.
Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus mean by the blood of the new covenant?
A. The Bible is a library of two testaments. The Old Testament is about God’s first covenant with his people, a covenant given through Noah, Abraham and Moses. The New Testament is the documentation of the new covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ, by which we are raised up as children of God. Before the time of Jesus, people regularly renewed their side of the covenant by offering blood sacrifices. The new covenant was ratified once and for all in the blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
St. Patrick’s Cemetery Mass
The annual outdoor Mass at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Patrick’s Street will take place on Tuesday, 16th June at 7.30pm. This is one of our ancient parish cemeteries in which our predecessors are interred. All are welcome to come along and pray for the deceased members of our parish community.
Parish Bereavement Support Group
St. Patrick’s Parish Bereavement Support Group offers one-to-one support to bereaved parishioners. Telephone 086 162 9089 to speak to a member of the group or come to Parish Centre, Loughboy on Monday evenings between 7.30 and 9.00pm. This is a free and confidential service.
St. Vincent De Paul
The St. Patrick’s Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul wishes to acknowledge contributions to our funds from the Confirmation Classes of St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys’ School and the St. John of God Girls’ School. It was greatly appreciated.
Also, the Society wishes to thank James Stephens’ GAA who recently ran a very successful cabaret and donated the funds to us. The Society sincerely appreciates the efforts of the groups and thanks all involved.
The next meeting will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday, 15th June at 8.00pm. The Society will then meet fortnightly until September.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Peg Neary, Fatima Place. Frances Kearney, Kells Road. Séamus Dowling, Fr. Murphy Square. Jim Langton, Fr. Sherrin Place, Kathleen Curran, De La Salle Place.
Anniversaries: Paddy Noonan (Sat 6.15), John Kenny (Sat 7.00), Martin Brennan (Sun 10.00), Dan Maher (Sun 10.30), Joe Murray (Sun 11.00), Mary Deegan (Sun 12.00), Jonathan Barry (Sun 12.30), Patrick Lannigan (Wed 10.30), Patrick Morris (Thur 9.30), Liam Drohan (Thur 10.30), Noreen Llewellyn (Fri 10.30), Martha Grace, Des Manning, Christine & Michael O’Driscoll, Murt Rowe, Michael Barry, John Barry.
Intentions Next Weekend: Catherine Roberts (Sat 6.15), Billy & Mary Butler (Sat 7.00), Brigid O’Farrell (Sun 10.00), Mary & Paddy O’Neill (Sun 11.00), Johnny McEvoy (Sun 12.00).
Silver Jubilee of FAI Cup Win
Members the Kilkenny and District Youths Soccer Team of 1983/1984 will attend 7.00 Mass on Saturday evening to mark the silver jubilee of their FAI Cup win. This is the only underage Kilkenny Soccer Team to have won a cup at national level. The team gather in thanksgiving and to pray for those members who have died. We welcome them..
Calling All Young People
St. Patrick’s Parish is anxious to provide for the needs of our young people but we are not sure what you want. Young people between 14 and 16 are invited to a short meeting at the Parish Centre on next Wednesday, 17th June at 4.00pm. St. Patrick’s Parish, with the assistance of Ossory Youth, hopes to carry out a Needs Analysis to explore ways in which the parish can respond to the needs of young people. Don’t just hang about - come along and give us a shout!
The Drugs/HIV Helpline
Freephone 1800 459 459 for HSE sponsored confidential support and information service.
Rally for Life 04.07.09
This summer the most important date on the pro-life calendar is 4th July. That’s when we hope you join with thousands of others to speak up for the right to life. Rally for life at 2pm. Meet at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1. Bring your family and friends for a great day out - and help to send a powerful message. Coaches will run from Kilkenny. Details in subsequent newsletters. Contact 01 873 0463 for more information.
Alcohol Free Summer Ball
Hosted by Voice 4 Youth at Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny on 22nd June. Tickets €20 available only from Ossory Youth, New Street. Black Tie, Alcohol Free, 14 -19 year olds. Contact Jane on 056 776 1200.
50th Eucharistic Congress
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in 2012. To help defray the costs of the event and to provide a programme of evangelisation, catechesis, solidarity and celebration in the two year period running up to the congress the Irish Episcopal Conference has agreed to the holding of a special collection in every church in Ireland on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which falls on this Sunday, 14th June. Please contribute some extra to the second collection this weekend and we will pass the money on to national office.
Almost Finished
We offer our prayers and best wishes to all those who are continuing to sit exams. Keep cool - its nearly over!
Lost and Found
A leather wallet containing a sum of money was found about two weeks ago. For details please contact the St. Patrick’s Parish Office.
Loughboy Library
Mobile Phone Training for over 55s will re-commence on Tuesday, 30th June at 11.00am and continue for three consecutive weeks. This is a free service provided by Age Action Ireland. Please telephone 056 779 4176 to book.
An information morning called “Ability Matters - Supporting Your Active Life” takes place on Monday, 22nd June at 11.00am. All welcome. Telephone Lorna on 086 891 2873 or the Library on 056 779 4176 for information.
You will have an opportunity to meet one to one with an occupational therapist and physiotherapist to discuss independent living and improved quality of life. Free event. All welcome.
Weight Watchers
Classes in the Club House Hotel have changed to Thursdays. Times as follows: 9.00am, 10.15am and 12.50pm.
Classes in Kilkenny Educational Centre: Tuesdays at 5.30pm, 7.00pm and 8.20pm (men only).
Classes in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre: Wednesdays at 9.45am, 5.30pm and 6.45pm.
Not à la Carte
Johnny got the message early in life. When asked by his religion teacher what he thought of God he replied with a gravity beyond his young years, ‘I bet it’s very hard for him to love all of everybody in the whole world. There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.’ Out of the mouth of babes! In today’s First Reading from the Book of Exodus (24:3-8) the word ‘all’ is used repeatedly. In brief: all the people promise obedience to all the words of the Lord. There’s no half measure, no à la carte approach to God’s commands. There wasn’t then, and there isn’t now. Today we celebrate the feast of The Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi as it’s more popularly known. The Eucharist that Christ gave us is a meal open to all people who have committed themselves in faith to Jesus as Saviour. The Eucharist, while it needs to be celebrated in a manner that expresses life, joy and community, is not an entertainment event. It’s joyful yet serious, lively yet dignified and, in a sense, ‘ordinary’ yet holy. What we need to realise too, however, is that it also requires effort on our part to prepare for it and further effort to celebrate it well. That’s where the ‘all’ comes in again. We can’t prepare for the Eucharist with only part of our life. Following Jesus is a total life-long commitment. How could anyone celebrate Mass on a Sunday, having lived like a pagan on Saturday?
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
