Taxi Driver
This story tells what Pentecost is about. A taxi driver arrives at an address. He honks his horn. No response. He honks again. Still no response. Out he gets and knocks on the door. A stressed voice cries out, ‘Just a minute, please.’ After a long pause he hears something being dragged to the door. A frail old woman in her 80s opens the door pulling a suitcase after her. ‘Would you carry my case to the car, please?’ she asks. ‘Sure,’ he says, and as he moves off she links his free arm and walks slowly with him to the taxi. She gives him an address and asks him to go through the city centre. ‘It’s not the shortest way, Ma’am,’ he says to her. ‘I don’t mind,’ she replies, ‘I’m going to a hospice. There’s no hurry.’ He looks in the rear-view mirror, and sees tears in her eyes as she reveals, ‘I’ve no family left. The doctor says I haven’t long to go.’ As she says that the driver leans over and quietly switches off the metre. They drive around the city centre. She points out where she had worked in an insurance office, where she and her husband had lived after their wedding, and a building that once was a ballroom where she had first met him. At one or two places they stop in silence – her mind elsewhere. Much later they reach the hospice. The taxi driver goes home lost in thought, convinced and content that he has just had one of the most important days of his life. Pentecost means using the language of love.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Bank Holiday Arrangements
There will be no 9.30am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and no 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday. Mass will be celebrated at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 11am.
Mass for Those Sitting Exams
There will be a special Mass for those sitting examinations at St. Fiacre’s Church on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Those sitting examinations, family members and those willing to pray for the candidates are invited to come along.
This story tells what Pentecost is about. A taxi driver arrives at an address. He honks his horn. No response. He honks again. Still no response. Out he gets and knocks on the door. A stressed voice cries out, ‘Just a minute, please.’ After a long pause he hears something being dragged to the door. A frail old woman in her 80s opens the door pulling a suitcase after her. ‘Would you carry my case to the car, please?’ she asks. ‘Sure,’ he says, and as he moves off she links his free arm and walks slowly with him to the taxi. She gives him an address and asks him to go through the city centre. ‘It’s not the shortest way, Ma’am,’ he says to her. ‘I don’t mind,’ she replies, ‘I’m going to a hospice. There’s no hurry.’ He looks in the rear-view mirror, and sees tears in her eyes as she reveals, ‘I’ve no family left. The doctor says I haven’t long to go.’ As she says that the driver leans over and quietly switches off the metre. They drive around the city centre. She points out where she had worked in an insurance office, where she and her husband had lived after their wedding, and a building that once was a ballroom where she had first met him. At one or two places they stop in silence – her mind elsewhere. Much later they reach the hospice. The taxi driver goes home lost in thought, convinced and content that he has just had one of the most important days of his life. Pentecost means using the language of love.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Bank Holiday Arrangements
There will be no 9.30am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church and no 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday. Mass will be celebrated at 11am at St. Patrick’s Church. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 11am.
Mass for Those Sitting Exams
There will be a special Mass for those sitting examinations at St. Fiacre’s Church on Tuesday at 7.30pm. Those sitting examinations, family members and those willing to pray for the candidates are invited to come along.
Questions People Ask
Q. When my daughter was baptised the priest explained the importance of her Christian name. Now that she is preparing for Confirmation will she have to take on another name?
A. Taking a new name at Confirmation is still an option but it is no longer required. As you rightly assert, taking a name with some Christian association at Baptism is very significant. We associate naming with christening. One may choose to add a new name at Confirmation but many prefer to use the baptismal name as it shows the unity of the two sacraments.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
First Holy Communion
The girls from the St. John of God National School will receive their First Holy Communion at 11am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church on next Saturday, 6th June. Students from St. Patrick’s Special School will celebrate the sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church at 11am on Saturday, 13th June.
We pray God’s blessing on all our young people at this time.
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.
Melville Heights Mass
Thanks to all involved in organising and running the annual Mass at Melville Heights. It was good to see so many turning up for this local celebration of faith. The weather was kind, the company was good and we look forward to next year already.
Pray For Our Deceased
Recently Deceased: Blánaid Cleere (nee Heaphy) Manning, Oakwood, Kilfera. Funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown. Requiem Mass at 11am on Monday followed by burial in Foulkstown. Nancy Cummins, 13 O’Loughlin Road. Sean Geoghegan, Robertshill.
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 12.00), Fran Blanch (Sun 12.30), Joe Curry (Tues 9.30), Richard Ruth (Tues 10.30), Margaret Maher & Patrick & Nora Bambrick (Wed 10.30), Jimmy Hogan (Thurs 9.30), Mary Lanigan, Bridget Leahy, Pat Smyth, John Scott, Mary Drennan, James & Mary O’Brien, Brigid Leahy, Jimmy Maguire.
Next Weekend’s Intentions: Martin Ryan (Sat 7.00 - Month’s Mind). Jim O’Brien (Sun 10.30). Susan Delaney, Mary O’Meara, Ann Conway and Denis Gerrehy (Sun 12.00). May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Mill Hill Pilgrimage to Knock
The Mill Hill Missionaries annual pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday, 13th June 2009. Leaving Prague House, Freshford at 8am with a pick up at Mill Hill House, Waterford Road, Kilkenny at 8.30am. Main celebrant and preacher is Fr. John Nevin MHM. Fare: Adults €20, children €10. Contact (056) 7721482 to book.
Thank You!
Stephanie and Robbie, the two young adults travelling to the Philippines to do voluntary work this summer, want to extend a heartfelt thanks to the people of St. Patrick’s Parish for your support and generosity last weekend. A staggering €1,944 was collected for SERVE's development and street children projects! This will go far to combat poverty, protect children, and share God's love. Thank you very much!
Westcourt News
The June Mass for the canonisation of Blessed Edmund Rice will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, June 1st at 8pm. The members of Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann are preparing the liturgy. All are cordially invited to this special celebration.
Sacred Heart Novena
The annual novena to the Sacred Heart runs from 11th to 19th June. The Messenger office has produced a CD version of the novena with hymns specially chosen to complement the text. This can be used at home or in the car. Call Vera on 01 676 7491 or log on to www.messenger.ie to order a copy.
National Rosary Rally
The National Rosary Rally celebrating the centenary of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s birth takes place at Knock Shrine on Saturday next, 6th June commencing at 2pm.
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 Sunday, 14th June this year. Please support this national collection.
Loughboy Library Bealtaine Festival
Tuesday, 2nd June @ 11am - Cookery Demonstration with chef Edward Hayden. All events are free and all are welcome.
Accommodation 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 087 939 5106 or host@mackdonald.com.
First Friday
The priests will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times next Friday. Please contact any of the priests if you or someone you know would like to be added to the list.
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 for further details.
The priests will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times next Friday. Please contact any of the priests if you or someone you know would like to be added to the list.
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 for further details.
Aware
A confidential Aware Information & Support group meeting for relatives of those with depression will take place on Wednesday, 3rd June at 8 pm in St. Mary's Centre, Haughney Green, Kilkenny. For more information contact Fran at Aware on 086 820 0938
Church Gate Collection
The Irish Red Cross annual church gate collection will take place on Saturday, 6th and Sunday, 7th of June at all Masses.
