Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 5th July 2009

Beyond Reasonable Doubt
There’s some strange stuff in today’s Gospel. Jesus, an unmarried 30-year-old, unlettered carpenter very forwardly starts to teach in his local synagogue. From his listeners’ stunned reaction it must have been his first time to do so. You’d expect them to be indignant at his self-promoting posturing in the synagogue, as they’d see it, and to sneer at what he says. But no! They’re impressed, amazed even, at his wisdom. In fact, so impressed are they that they just can’t believe it. They can’t get their head around the fact that someone like him – an ordinary Joe Soap of a carpenter – could have so much more than they have. Jealousy rears its ugly head, and instead of opening their minds to his wisdom they close their hearts to his person. That’s not all. He could do no deed of power there except to cure some people who were sick. They distance themselves from him and would not allow him to work the miracle: personal transformation.
What this episode shows is that knowing about Jesus is not enough. We have to know him for the wonder to work. The miracle of transformation is a two way thing. God and man at work together. We see Jesus in his humanity, but acknowledge him in his divinity too. As with those from his hometown, familiarity with the home-grown Jesus can breed contempt. We need to delve deeply, to go boldly where reason cannot take us. Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Summer Outdoor Adventure
Ossory Youth is currently recruiting young people for the annual summer outdoor adventure programme for 12-14 year olds. The programme comprises six days of land and water based outdoor activities running from Monday, 10th August to Tuesday, 25th August and including an overnight trip to Carlingford Adventure Centre, Co. Louth. The programme cost is €120.00. For booking or more information contact Patrick Bookle, Ossory Youth at 056 776 1200 or 087 212 9006 or pbookle@ossoryyouth.com.

Questions People Ask
Q. Why do people call Mary ‘ever virgin’ since the gospel clearly speaks of the brothers and sisters of Jesus?
A. The gospel identifies Mary as the mother of Jesus but the evangelists never refer to her as the mother of brothers and sisters of Jesus. They may have been stepbrothers and sisters, as children of Joseph from a previous marriage. Or, more likely, they were close cousins. In the local language of Jesus’ time, because of the close bonds of the wider family, cousins were regularly called brothers and sisters. For instance, in the Old Testament, Tobias refers to his cousin Sarah as his sister.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ann Comerford, 41 Marble Crest. Frances Brennan, Dublin and formerly St. Fiacre’s Place.
Anniversaries: Sharon Galvin (Sat 6.15), Jim Nugent (Sat 7.00), Josephine Phelan (Sun 10.00), Martin Crotty (Sun 11.00), Maurice Nagle (Sun 12.00), Dr. Patrick Boyd (Sun 12.30), Paddy Bergin & Sr. Margaret Mary Bergin (Fri 10.30), Sean Hennessy, Denis Molloy, Annie Cody, Tony Coyne, Mary Ann Murray, Thomas Murray, Denis Murray, Katie Murray, Mary Fry, Mary Hayes, Tommy Hayes, Rosanna Hayden, Michael McGrath, Sean Hennessy, Gretta Kiernan, Gerrard McCarthy, Annie Murphy, Elizabeth Manogue.
Intentions Next Weekend: Sr. Vianney Hickey (Sat 7.00), Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00), Owen McDonagh (10.30), Jeremiah Doheny (Sun 11.00), Catherine Dowling (Sun 12.00), Teresa Delahunty (Sun 12.30).

In Memory of our Children
Compassionate Friends is holding a service for families in which a child has died. The service will take place in the Parish Church, New Ross on Sunday, 19th July at 3pm. Refreshments in the Pastoral Centre next door. All welcome.

Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday July 5th at 3pm.

Foulkstown Cemetery
By now the development of the new section of the graveyard is complete. The last task to be completed was the laying of tarmac to make the new section more accessible and to stop the culmination of water around graves. So far the work carried out has consisted of the following: a drainage system to get rid of excess water; a new section of available plots and new tarmac.
This latest development has cost the parish close to €35,000, money well spent I’m sure you will agree. If anyone would like to make a donation towards this incurred expense, you can do so by contacting any of the priests or Cemetery Committee members.
Of course this is an opportunity to say a big ‘thank you’ to the hard working Cemetery Committee in Foulkstown who work all year round to make the cemetery look so well. Without their help and expertise the running of our cemetery would be a lot more expensive on the parish.
Don’t forget the cemetery Mass in Foulkstown is on the last Thursday of this month (30th) at 7.30pm. Please tell your friends and help those who may be struggling to maintain graves.

Recent Bag Pack
Thanks to over 100 people who helped with last weekend’s bag pack at Supervalu, Loughboy. Your efforts and the generosity of shoppers raised €4,068 for our parish funds. Well done.

Hurling Finals
All join in wishing our parish representatives on the Kilkenny Senior and Minor Teams all the best in this weekend’s Leinster Finals.

Knock Summer Youth Festival 2009
The weekend is jam packed with talks, workshops, music, drama, mime, Masses, concerts, dancing, and, don't worry, absolutely loads of time to chill out and meet new people.
If you have any questions give us a shout on 094 938 8100 or 087 692 7850 or visit our website: www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival for lots more information.

Costello for King!
James Stephen’s GAA Club and St Patrick’s Parish have joined forces and are gearing up for a major fund raiser in the months of September and October.
The three city GAA clubs, James Stephen’s, O’Loughlin Gaels and Dicksboro, have agreed on a novel ‘King of the Castle’ fund-raising drive, from which all money generated will be split 50:50 between the clubs and their nominated charities.
Each club must nominate a candidate: Michael Costello of Wallslough will represent ‘The Village’, in this first ever King of the Castle competition.
To be crowned King Mr Costello must raise the most money, beating off his rivals from ‘The Locks’ and ‘The Boro’, but the charities will be the big winners overall.
Michael (‘Mickie’ or ‘Coss’) is a well known, hugely respected and loved parishioner. He has worked tirelessly for over 50 years on numerous parish causes. He has always been first to put himself forward for hard work and has given many long hours with great drive and more importantly his roguish personality brings out the very best in everyone involved.
Michael has nominated St Patrick's Parish Centre and the Senior Citizens of St Patrick's Parish as the beneficiaries of his efforts.
A committee of hardworking ladies and gentlemen have been meeting together over the last few weeks to group together some fund-raising events in September and October. They would sincerely welcome anyone who would like to get involved or even anyone with an unique fund raising idea to contact one of the following: Tadhg Donohoe 087 980 4783; Pat Millea 086 803 4258 or Fr Dan Carroll 087 907 7769. All ideas and offers of help appreciated.

Latin Mass
Beginning this weekend the traditional Latin Mass (permitted by Pope Benedict XVI in his Motu Proprio of July 2007) will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 5pm on Sundays. Bishop Freeman has appointed Fr. Tom O’Toole, Kilmacow as celebrant.

Lecture at Rothe House
Brian Siggins will give a lecture about The Great Exhibition which was held in Dublin in 1907. The Chairman of the Organising Committee was the Marquess of Ormonde, so there is an interesting Kilkenny connection. This lecture will take place in the Phelan Room, Rothe House on Wednesday, 15th July at 8.00pm. Entry €5.

Parish Draw
Thanks for your support. Results below.

1st Prize - €1,000 Mary Power, Bamford Cross,

Promoter, Mary Parsons
2nd Prize - €200 Mrs McGrath, St. Fiacre’s Place,

Promoter, Lena McCarthy
3rd Prize - €100 Jim & Kathleen O’Neill, Sheestown,

Promoter, Mary White
4th Prize - €100 Mary McInerney, Archers Ave,

Promoter, Sean Manogue
5th Prize - €100 Val Reynolds, c/o Promoter,

Promoter, Nancy Power
6th Prize - €50 Helen Lacey, 7 Parnell Street,

Promoter, Catherine Kinsella
7th Prize - €50 Una Roche, Elm Green,

Promoter, Joan Cody
8th Prize - €50 Breda Kelly, c/o promoter,

Promoter, Rita O’Leary
9th Prize - €50 Ann Condon, Castleinch,

Promoter, Ann Condon
10th Prize - €50 Sr. Conleth, St. John of God Convent,

Promoter, Sr. Joanne Holohan
11th Prize - €50 Leo McAdams, c/o promoter,

Promoter, Sean Leahy
12th Prize - €50 Eilish Lanigan, c/o promoter,

Promoter, Barbara Teehan
13th prize - €50 Birdie Brannigan, 12 Fr. Hayden Road,

Promoter, May Larkin

Promoters’ Prizes
Fr. Dan Carroll, St. Patrick’s, Ann Condon, Castleinch

Flag Day

Vita (formerly Refugee Trust International) is an Irish Charity working in Africa with families affected by hunger and climate change. Vita will be holding a Flag Day in Kilkenny City on Thursday 9th July 2009.

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
Don’t forget the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for worship from 11am - 10pm at St. Fiacre's on each Monday. Feel free to drop in at any time.