21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 23rd August 2009

Take It or Leave It
There’s very much a take-it-or-leave it approach evident in today’s Gospel (John 6:60-69). There’s no attempt at gentle persuasion. Jesus has just told the Jews that he is the living bread from heaven and that anyone who eats it will live forever. Does he think that the Jews will jump for joy at hearing this? Strangely, instead of laughing him to scorn, or just turning their back on him as a crackpot, as you might expect, they dispute among themselves what he means. Now why would they do that? Why would they take seriously someone who makes so outlandish a claim? Two reasons perhaps. First, there’s something about Jesus that demands he be taken seriously, no matter what. There’s an intensity of presence, charisma and power in him tat tells you he’s not the type to make nonsensical statements. Whatever about his statements being enigmatic, you know they can never be idiotic. Therefore, the Jews take him seriously and try to understand him. Second reason: his works. Jesus has publicly performed works of extraordinary power. Miracles we call them. Because we’ve not experienced directly such works ourselves we cannot fully appreciate their effect. Just imagine it you witnessed someone performing even one of the healings attributed to Jesus would you not be totally gobsmacked? Would you not take seriously every utterance of such a person? Jesus presents his followers with a take-it-or-leave-it claim. Why? Because if what he has done does not convince, then words won’t either. As St. Francis noted, we should preach the gospel at all times, using words when necessary.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

St. Fiacre’s Garden
There have been many complimentary comments about the recently planted gardens around the Parish Centre. We now need to keep it in condition and are dependant on volunteers for this task.
We appeal to those with an interest in gardening and with a little time to spare to attend an initial meeting at the Parish Centre on Monday evening at 7.30pm. All welcome.

Question People Ask
Q. How can anyone today take St. Paul seriously when he says that the husband is the head of his wife and wives should submit to their husbands in everything?
A. To be fair to Paul read the full passage in Ephesians 3:21-32. Paul makes even greater demands on the husband. ‘Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for hoer to make her holy.’ In fact, Paul was a pioneer in advocating the equality of male and female because he recognised how Christ Jesus destroyed the inequalities between Jew and Gentile, between slave and free, between male and female, ‘for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Gal 3:28)
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Costello for King of the Castle!
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 rivals from O’Loughlin’s and Dicksboro. 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 others.
We are currently seeking volunteers to help with Michael’s campaign. Please contact one of the following Tadhg Donohoe 087 980 4783; Pat Millea 086 803 4258 or Fr. Dan 087 907 7769 and help make a Village man King of the Castle.

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Noreen O’Halloran, Grangemocker: Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Grangemocker at 10am on Sunday. Michael Ruth, England. Catherine Brophy (nee Kennedy), James Green who died in Australia,
Anniversaries: Tom & Michael Casserly (Sat 6.15), Moscow Larkin (Sat 7.00), Michael White (Sun 9.30), James Rhatigan (Sun 10.30), Hugh McCorry (Sun 11.00), Della Harney (Sun 12.00), Enda Coady (Sun 12.30), James Delaney, (Tues 9.30), Catherine Marnell (Thurs 10.30), Jack Bolger, Joseph O’Shea, William & Mary Kingston, Ann Dwan, Kitty Mullins, Josephine McKenna, Phelim Arnold, Pat Murray Lavendar, Daisy Quinn, Richard & Anna De Loughry, Christopher & Mary Ryan, Evelyn Costello, Molly Browne, Sheila & George Mastino, Bob, Glenn & Margie Brady, Marie Kealy Carson, Martin Ward.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Mary & Paul Cody, Bill Marnell (Sat 6.15), Patrick Mullen (Sat 7.00), Ben Delahunty (Sun 9.30), Jim Ryan (Sun 10.00), Patty Mulhall (Sun 10.30), Michael Ruth (Sun 11.00); James Bambrick (Sun 12.00), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 12.30).
May they their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.

Parish Draw
The August Draw will be held at the Parish Centre at 8.30pm on Tuesday. All welcome to come along and watch the drawing of prizes - there will be a special draw for those in attendance. Promoters are asked to return tickets and money before the draw.

Parish Finance Committee
Members are asked to attend a short meeting at the Parish Centre on Tuesday evening at 8.00pm.

Photo Exhibition
Currently running in Kilkenny Castle is a photo exhibition entitled: ‘Kilkenny and the Great War.’ It features photos of Kilkenny people who fought in World War One. Well worth a look.

Golf Classic
The Annual St. Vincent de Paul Golf Classic will take place in Kilkenny Golf Club on Wednesday, 26th August 2009. Teams of three with entry of €25 per person. Bookings on www.kilkennygolf.com or telephone 056 776 5400. A great day assured for a worthy local cause. Please support.

Clothing Appeal
Dochas Nasamu – Our Irish Run orphanage which is situated in Ikumbi, Nairobi, Kenya is holding a used-clothing appeal for the orphans and their extended families. We are appealing for used ladies, gents and kids clothes, shoes, household lines i.e. towels, sheets, blankets etc. For collection on Wednesday, 26th August, at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, before 12 noon. For further information. Please contact Marie at 087 689 0995.

Loughboy Library
1. “Blast Off with Books” - completed cards to be returned by August 31st to be invited to the landing party in mid-September.
2. “Loughboy Library Writers Circle” - meets on Thursdays at 2pm. All welcome.
3. Check out the “Starting School” book display for tips on first day blues!

Exposition of Blessed Sacrament
“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” (John 6: 35)
The Blessed Sacrament is exposed for worship at St. Fiacre’s Church on Mondays from 11am until 10pm and at St. Patrick’s Church on Fridays from 10am until 1pm and 4pm until 9pm.
Many parishioners have generously undertaken to sit and pray before the Blessed Sacrament for specific lengths of time during these hours. More volunteers are welcome: please contact the Parish Office if you could spare a particular hour during these times. Of course if you cannot commit to a particular time each week please feel free to drop in for some quiet prayer at any time.

St. Fiacre’s Well and Annual Novena
St. Fiacre’s Holy Well is situated a few kilometres out the Bennettsbridge Road. Tradition has it that St. Fiacre founded a hermitage in the area and lived there in the 6th century. Since that time people have been going to the site seeking God’s help through the intercession of the saint.
The annual novena prayers begin at the well at 8.00pm on Saturday, 22nd August and continue each evening at the same time.
The novena will conclude with public prayers at the well at 3.00pm on next Sunday followed by the celebration of Mass. All are encouraged to make this a special time of prayer in our parish.

Gluten Intolerance and Communion
People with gluten intolerance (coeliac condition) are invited to approach the altar at the same time as the Ministers of Holy Communion, i.e. before general distribution of Communion. Please stand with the Ministers of Holy Communion. You will then be offered Holy Communion from the chalice.
Otherwise, having approached the altar in the general line for Communion, bypass the priest/minister and receive from the chalice on the altar. We welcome your full participation in our Eucharistic celebrations.

S.O.S. Church Gate Collection
S.O.S. (Kilkenny) Ltd. will hold a church gate collection this weekend. S.O.S. is based in our parish and provides sheltered workshops and accommodation for people with an intellectual disability. Please support.

Prayer for Employment
God, our Father,
I turn to You seeking Your Divine help and
guidance as I look for suitable employment.
I need Your wisdom to guide my footsteps
along the right path, and to lead me to find
the proper things to say and do in this quest.

I wish to use the gifts and talents You have
given me, but I need the opportunity to do
so with gainful employment.

Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this
search, but rather grant me this favour I
seek so that I may return to You with praise
and thanksgiving for your gracious
assistance.

Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Toothy Grin
While helping a social services group that delivers lunches to the elderly, I used to take my four-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs.
One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself
for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, “The tooth fairy will never believe this!”

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 16th August 2009

Cop on or Cop out
The message on the church bulletin board reads: ‘Those who stand for nothing fall for everything.’ Wisdom is knowing what to stand for - and standing up for it. Wisdom is putting knowledge to good use. Today’s First Reading (Prov 9:1-6) urges us to ’lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight’ (v.6). Easier said than done. Someone who is immature is not ripe. Growth in one or more areas of their life slowed down or stopped completely at some stage. It’s scary enough that such a thing can happen, but to make matters worse it can happen without our realising it until it’s late in the day. Today’s reading also tells us to walk in the way of insight. Fine! But how do you do that? You can’t just decide to have an insight as you’d have a cup of tea. You can’t conjure one up, order one over the Internet, or go to a shop and buy one. No! They either come to you or they don’t. However, maybe it’s just one basic insight that the reading refers to. Once you’ve had that one others follow of their own accord as life presents them. But without the basic one you miss the others. And what is more basic to realise than that life has purpose, and consequences that extend beyond death. Once that sinks in we begin to see things differently. Wisdom has built her house, set her pillars, and prepared a meal for those who enter. So let’s put immaturity aside and live. Let’s cop on not cop out.
Fr. Tom Cahill

Questions people ask
How can anyone today take St. Paul seriously when he says that the husband is the head of his wife and wives should submit to their husbands in everything?
To be fair to Paul read the full passage in Ephesians 3:2`-32. Paul makes even greater demands on the husband. ‘Husbands should love their wives just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her to make her holy.’ In fact, Paul was a pioneer in advocating the equality of male and female because he recognised how Christ Jesus destroyed the inequalities between Jew and Gentile, between slave and free, between male and female, ‘for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Gal 3:28).
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM

Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ray Bolger, Johns Quay, requiem mass 12.30 Sunday, Phil O’Neill, Old Callan Road, Sr. Patrice Norman, St. John of God Convent, Sr. Carmel Kelly, Religious Sisters of Charity, Kells Road, Kilkenny
Anniversaries: Patrick McDonald (Sat 6.15), Eddie Kelly (Sat 7.00), Jim Drohan (Sun 10.00), Evelyn Hughes (Sun 10.30), Fintan Wallace (Sun 11.00), Margaret Shanahan & Joe Maher (Sun 12.00), Patrick Morris (Tues 9.30), Peggy Rimmer & Bridget Doherty (Tues 10.30), John, Ellen & Pat Butler (Thurs 10.30), Peadar Blanchfield, Peggy Ryan, Daisy Ryan, Teresa Shortall, Christina Gargan, Dick Walsh.

Leaving Cert Results
Best wishes to all who received their Leaving Certificate results during the week. Well done and congratulations! As a community we pray God’s guidance for you as you make decisions about future courses and careers.

Our Lady’s Island, Wexford
Each day of the pilgrimage season, 15th August to 8th September: Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm. Pilgrims are invited to make their own way around the island reflecting on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. For further information contact: Rev. Brendan Nolan P.P. Pilgrimage Director 053 9131167. Email: info@ourladysisland.ie.
Website: http://www.ourladysisland.ie/

The Sign of Peace
Some people have raised the issue of the sign of peace at Mass in the light of the fears are over the threat of swine flu. The current position of the HSE is that there is no need to suspend the practice. However, the HSE has expressed concerns as to the danger of all in terms of spreading the disease. We ask persons with symptoms of flu not to attend Church services during the illness. We also ask Church ministers to be conscious of the need for increased hygiene at the present time.

St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
The annual St. Fiacre's Well novena begins on Saturday 22nd August at 8pm each evening out at the well in Kilfera. The novena will end with mass on the 30th August at the well with mass at 3.30pm. All are welcome to participate both in the novena and in the mass which is always well attended . Prayer at the well is an ancient tradition for the people of St. Patrick’s and Kilkenny city. More details as the time draws nearer.

New Website
Our new website is up and running with just a few minor changes still to be made. In the coming weeks Fr. Liam will be adding a chat blog to the site. More details next week.
Please update your bookmarks to the new address: www.patricksparish.net (formerly .com). Any suggestions are welcome.

Counselling
Low cost counselling is available at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Contact Kate for further details 087 750 6815.

Our Parish Shop
In the foyer of our new centre St. Patrick’s Parish runs a small shop selling a variety of religious items. If you are looking for rosary beads, medals, religious books, candles etc. then drop in and have a look at what’s on offer. The shop is available on weekdays from 1am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm.

Anniversaries and Newsletter
Please, DO NOT leave anniversary notices or other items into our former house on Ormonde Road. We no longer have access to this premises. Items left at the Parish Office, the Priests’ Houses, St. Patrick’s or St. Fiacre’s Sacristies before Thursday will ensure publication.

Latin Mass
The traditional Latin Mass (permitted by Pope Benedict XVI in his Motu Proprio of July 2007) is celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 5pm on Sundays.

Psychotherapist/Counsellor
Experienced and fully qualified psychotherapist/counsellor available for evening appointments in the Parish Centre. For an appointment please call Robert at 086 878 6353.

Tax Refunds to Registered Charities
Thanks to all who returned their completed forms recently. There are still a few forms outstanding. If you were a tax payer and contributed at least €250 to the St. Patrick’s Parish and/or priests’ collections last year please sign and return the CHY2 Form to the Parish Office without delay. In this way we can recover from the Revenue Commissioners (at no extra cost to you) the tax paid on the money you contributed to the parish last year. Contact the Parish Office for clarification or further information.

St Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the St. Vincent de Paul is taken up this weekend. Your support of this local charity is greatly appreciated and especially in these harsh economic times.
If you are in financial difficulty, the society may be able to help. Leave your name and contact details in a sealed envelope and mark it for the attention of the St. Vincent de Paul. Drop in into the parish centre or to any of the priests houses. Alternatively, you can put it into another envelope and post it to us.
This is a confidential service and funded entirely by the generosity of parishioners.


Bible Questions & Answers
While we are congratulating those who recently sat exams, here’s something that might bring a smile:
The following statements about the Bible were written by children and have not been retouched or corrected (i.e., bad spelling has been left in).
In the first book of the Bible, Guinesses, God got tired of creating the world, so he took the Sabbath off.
Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree. The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple.Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark because Noah built the ark, which the animals came to in pears.
Moses led the Hebrews to the Red Sea, where they made unleavened bread, which is bread without any ingredients. Afterward, Moses went up to Mount Cyanide to find the ten amendments. The seventh commandment is "Thou shalt not admit adultery."
Moses died before he ever reached Canada.
The greatest miracle in the Bible is when Joshua told his son to stand still and he obeyed him.
When Mary heard that she was the mother of Jesus, she sang the Magna Carta.
Then the three Wise Guys from the east arrived and found Jesus in the manager. Jesus was born because Mary had an Immaculate Contraption.
Jesus was baptised when St. John, the blacksmith, dumped water on his head.
Jesus enunciated the Golden Rule, which says do one to others before they do one to you.
It was a miracle when Jesus rose from the dead and managed to get the tombstone off the entrance.The people who followed Jesus were called the 12 decibels.
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
One of the opossums was St. Matthew who was also a taxi man.
St. Paul cavorted to Christianity. He preached the holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.
A Christian should have only one spouse. This is called monotony.

Our New Garden
I’m sure many of you have noticed the extensive landscaping that has been taking place at our new parish centre. This is the long awaited St. Fiacre’s Garden which will, when complete, feature a statue of St. Fiacre and a water feature. Work on the grounds is nearing completion and this is the final phase of our development.

Rota Mix-up
Last weeks newsletter had a slight mistake in that it listed some eucharistic ministers incorrectly. This was an oversight on our behalf so sorry. If in doubt always follow the rota you have been given at the beginning of the year.

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 9th August 2009

Difficult Word
Today we have another strange reading from Paul (Eph 4:30-5:2). He warns the Ephesians not ‘to grieve the Holy Spirit of God’ by bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander and malice. Instead they should be kind, tender-hearted and forgiving. That’s fine. But then he describes Christ’s giving himself up for us, i.e. surrendering to death, as a ‘fragrant offering and sacrifice to God’. I find it difficult to grasp that Paul should consider the Spirit upset by human malice yet the Father pleased by the Son’s death in facing up to that malice. Why does malice aggrieve the Holy Spirit if not because of the damage it does to both victim and perpetrator? Why then does the suffering it inflicts on God’s Son not aggrieve that Spirit too? At least, if it does, Paul doesn’t say so. Reading Paul one way gives the impression that the Father was pleased with both the suffering and the love that enable Jesus to face his suffering and death. Reading him another way gives the impression, intended or not, that the Father wanted his Son to suffer on our behalf – hence the fragrance of the sacrifice. However, this seriously compromises God’s compassionate nature as revealed in the parable of the prodigal son. Then reading Paul a third way gives the impression that the fragrance is in Paul’s nostrils not the Father’s. If true, this simplifies matters. It’s Paul’s view of Jesus’ suffering and death, not God’s. Scripture at times can be really difficult to understand, and the word of God it contains difficult to hear.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Questions people ask
I did a weekend programme called the Enneagram which I found very helpful in understanding myself and others. But now somebody tells me it is against our religion as it comes from a non-Christian source.
I also found the Enneagram very enlightening. The fact that it originated among Sufi (Islamic) mystics does not make it bad or dangerous. The Old testament writers used pagan sources for their stories of creation and the flood. Jewish religious feasts were developed on the foundation of earlier pagan festivals. Similarly, Christians took the pagan celebration of mid-winter as the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Saint Patrick referred the pagan fire of Spring to the rising of Christ. God’s presence in not confined to Christians!
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Eoin McDonagh, (Wed 10.30), Jimmy Reynolds (Tues 7.30pm Foulkstown), Jim Nolan, Joe Purcell, Dunmore
Months Mind: Joan Cody (Sat 7.00)
Anniversaries: Mary Coogan (Sat 6.15), Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00), Catherine Bourke (Sun 10.30), James & Mary Brennan (Sun 11.00), Gabriel Warde (Sun 12.00), Elizabeth Foley (Sun 12.30), Ellen McEvoy (Mon 9.30), Clare Mahon, Joe Delaney, Walter Kavanagh, Catherine Burke, Maurice Maher & Eileen Grace, (Thurs 10.30), Martin Doran,
Intentions for next weekend: Patrick McDonald (Sat 6.15), Eddie Kelly (Sat 7.00), Margaret Shanahan (Sun 12.00), Fintan Wallace (Sun 12.30), Patrick Morris (Tues 9.30), Daisy Quinn

Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of Prayer and Adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday August 9th from 3pm - 4pm.

Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place next weekend the 15th & 16th Aug outside all massed.

Assumption of Our Lady
Next Saturday, 15th August is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into Heaven. This is a holy day of obligation for all able bodied Catholics. Beginning with the Vigil Masses on Friday evening masses in our parish will follow the usual weekend timetable.

Good Luck to the Cats!
We join in wishing the Kilkenny teams and hurlers all the best this weekend. We especially wish every success to those from our parish involved with the teams.

NUI Certificate in Philosophy
Kilkenny Campus has been offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses for adult students from Kilkenny and the south east for twelve years. The annual Conferring in November last year brought the number of awards granted by NUI Maynooth through its Kilkenny Campus to almost 800 since 1997. The Campus, which is situated at St. Kieran’s College, provides a friendly learning environment for the adult student with excellent library facilities, a new IT room, and plenty of support and encouragement from staff and students. This year we are delighted to offer an NUI Certificate in Philosophy under the auspices of the Dept. of Philosophy at NUI Maynooth. This course is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to develop an understanding of philosophy and to introduce the student to critical thinking in a number of foundational subjects in philosophy: logic, ethics and philosophy of religion. The course typically runs one evening per week over one year (September to May) and costs €1,100.
The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday, 1 September 2009.
For further information please contact Kilkenny Campus at:
Telephone: 056 7775910 / 086 2630999.
Email: Kilkenny.Campus@nuim.ie
Or visit or website at: http://kilkenny.nuim.ie

Our Lady’s Island, Wexford
Each day of the pilgrimage season, 15th August to 8th September: Mass at 3.00pm and 8.00pm. Pilgrims are invited to make their own way around the island reflecting on the mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary. For further information contact: Rev. Brendan Nolan P.P. Pilgrimage Director 053 9131167. Email: info@ourladysisland.ie. Website: http://www.ourladysisland.ie/

Mass Cards & ACN
When people purchase a mass card at our parish office, this is an undertaking that an individual mass will be offered for each card signed. This has proven to be a very popular service so much so that we have now enlisted the help of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) . To date, ACN has received many of the mass intentions requested by parishioners and in turn they make sure that each mass is offered in a timely manner and by a priest in a developing or poor country.
ACN is a Papal Charity, founded by Fr. Werenfried van Straaten to support the Church throughout the world where it is in need or suffering persecution. Today ACN has offices in 17 countries and distributes aid to a further 138 countries around the globe. The charity assists in the support of priests and religious, the formation of novices and seminarians as well as building, education and other material needs of the churches poor.
We have left some leaflets about the work of ACN at the back of our churches and if you would like to support their work then the leaflet gives more information. Likewise you can find our more by visiting www.churchinneed.org.

St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
The annual St. Fiacre's Well novena begins on Saturday 22nd August at 8pm each evening out at the well in Kilfera. The novena will end with mass on the 30th August at the well with mass at 3.30pm. All are welcome to participate both in the novena and in the mass which is always well attended . Prayer at the well is an ancient tradition for the people of St. Patrick’s and Kilkenny city. More details as the time draws nearer.

New Website
Our new website is up and running with just a few minor changes to be made. Have you updated your bookmarks to the new address: www.patricksparish.net (formerly .com). Any suggestions are welcome.

Parish Registration Form
Yes, I would like to register as a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Parish

Name(s) :………………………………………………………………………………..
Address: ………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………….
Contact No: ……………………………………………………..
Email (if any): ……………………………………………………...

Would you like a priest to visit? Yes…….. No:……...
Please fill in the details above and drop it back to us.

New Parishioners
If you are new to our parish then you are welcome among us and we hope that you find St. Patrick’s Parish a happy place to be. If you would like to register with us as a parishioner then fill out the form above, and send it back to us.

Our Parish Shop
In the foyer of our new centre St. Patrick’s parish runs a small shop selling a variety of religious items. If you are looking for rosary beads, medals, religious books, candles etc. then drop in and have a look at what’s on offer. The shop is available on weekdays from 1am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

Getting Married Soon?
Please remember you must give at least three month’s notice to the Civil Registrar.

Anniversaries and Newsletter
Please, DO NOT leave anniversary notices or other items into our former house on Ormonde Road. We no longer have access to this premises
Items left at the Parish Office, the Priests’ Houses, St. Patrick’s or St. Fiacre’s Sacristies before Thursday will ensure publication. Thanks.

Latin Mass
The traditional Latin Mass (permitted by Pope Benedict XVI in his Motu Proprio of July 2007) is celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 5pm on Sundays.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2nd August 2009

The New Self
Thomas Merton wrote in Contemplation in a World of Action: ‘The new man is not just the old man in possession of a legal certificate entitling him to a reward.’ That’s not the ‘new self’ Paul refers to in today’s Second Reading (Eph 4:17, 20-24). So, what is it? First, what it isn’t. It isn’t living as the Gentiles live ‘in the futility of their minds’. In other words, it’s not living as if you only had your own mind to depend on. Using only that to comprehend life is futile. It’s a dead end trip. Removed from the light of God’s word the human mind becomes dark, the human heart becomes hard, and human behaviour degenerates into debauchery. Paul wasn’t warning about what might happen, he was describing what already had happened. Were we to think that reason reigns supreme – pristine and pure – and confine ourselves to its limits deprived of the light of God’s word, and the power of his Spirit, would our understanding and behaviour not deteriorate too? Could we even speak of deterioration of behaviour at all? For it nothing greater than a mind, not yours, sets my standards. As Hamlet says, ‘There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so’ – my thinking, that is. The new self, however, recognises that God sets the standards and it lives by them ‘in true righteousness and holiness’. The new man, the new self, is the one who is righteous and holy before God. Fr. Tom Cahill SVD

Question people ask
What was the manna from heaven?
It was the good provided by God for the Israelites during the Exodus. The name means ‘What is this?’ It was described as white, powdery stuff, like hoarfrost. There were three important points about it. It was a gift from God: it demanded trusting God’s promise because people were instructed to gather only sufficient for each day: and it satisfied every taste as ‘it transformed itself into whatever each eater wished’ (Wis 16: 21). The Gospel of John regards the manna as foreshadowing the Bread of Life offered by Jesus – a wonderful gift of God, taken on trust in Jesus’ words, and responding to every need.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap

Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: John Brophy, Rathmore House, Goslingstown, Michael McPhilomy, Fr. Delehaunty Terrace, Mary Ramsbottom, 3 Connolly St, Martin Doheny, 1 Parnell St.
Months Mind: Ann Comerford (Sat 7.00),
Anniversaries: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15), Martin Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Mary Millea (Sun 10.30), Jim Devlin (Sun 12.00), Margaret & Larry Langton (Sun 12.30), Mick Coonan, Paddy Hickey, Annie Campion, Michael Lawlor, Peter Wiltshire, Joseph Browne, Michael Browne, Joe Delahunty, Breda O’Hara, Chrissie Drennan, Mary Tynan, David, Jim & Peggy Gaffney.
Intentions next weekend: Mary Coogan (Sat 6:15), Joan Cody (Months Mind Sat 7.00pm), Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00), James & Mary Brennan (Sun 11.00), Gabriel Warde (Sun 12.00), Elizabeth Foley (Sun 12.30)

Cemetery Mass
Mass will be said in St. Rioch’s Cemetery on Thursday 6th August at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the Statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday 2nd August at 3pm.

Baptism Training Workshop
Ms. Julie Kavanagh, Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin Pastoral Team, will conduct a Baptismal Training Workshop on Saturday, 5th September 2009 from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and a follow up on Tuesday, 8th September 2009 in St Kieran’s College. Further information will follow.

Aware
A confidential Aware Information & Support group meeting for relatives of those with depression will take place on Wednesday August 5th, at 8 pm in St. Mary's Centre, Haughney Green, Kilkenny. For more information contact Fran at Aware on 086 8200938.

St. Dominic’s Day
Bishop Seamus Freeman will be the Principal Celebrant at the 10.30am Mass in the Black Abbey on Saturday next, August 8th, the Solemnity of St. Dominic. The Dominican Community invites you to celebrate this special feast day with them. The Dominicans came to the Black Abbey in 1225 - seven hundred and eighty four years age.

First Friday of July
The sick and housebound will be visited by the priests during the coming week. Please note Fr. Dan is away at the moment and will be unable to visit. Please contact any of the priests or the parish office if you or somebody known to you would like to be included on the list.

St. Patrick's Parish Bereavement Support Group
We offer one-to-one support to bereaved parishioners. Phone: 086-1629089 to make an appointment to meet members of the group. This is a free and confidential service.

International Youth Festival
On Wednesday morning last 18 young parishioners departed from St. Fiacre’s Church for the 20th International Youth Festival – Mladifest 20 – at Medjugorje. They will be joined for the duration of the pilgrimage by 29 other young people and 14 adult leaders from Kilkenny city and county. For many of the youth – all in their late teens and early twenties – it will be their second trip to the Annual Youth Festival at Medjugorje while a small number of them will be making the trip for the third time. The theme of this year’s festival, which will be attended by more than 50,000 young people and up to 500 priests, is “Do whatever he tells you!”

Psychotherapist/Counsellor
Experienced and fully qualified psychotherapist/counsellor available for evening appointments in the Parish Centre. For an appointment please call Robert at 086 878 6353.

Our Parish Website
St. Patrick’s Parish website is now up and running once again. It has a new look and will be undergoing some minor changes and additions in the coming weeks.
The website has new name: www.patricksparish.net (formerly .com). Please update your bookmarks and inform family and friends of the change in address.

Congratulations
Bishop Seamus Freeman has appointed Fr. Dermot Ryan, Curate, in the parish of Mooncoin, as and from 1st September 2009. Dermot has also agreed to serve the diocese in the area of Adult Faith Formation. Also, further congratulations are due to Fr. Dermot. He received the degree summa cum laude in defending his Thesis at the Pontifical Gregorian University on 25th June 2009, (Method to Mission: The ecclesial vocation of a theologian as exemplified in the works of Francis A. Sullivan SJ in the context of method at the Gregorian University). We congratulate Dermot on his achievement and wish him all the best in his new appointment.

Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The weather didn’t dampen the faith of thousands of people who travelled to attend last Thursday’s annual cemetery mass. The occasion was a prayerful experience of gathering to remember our deceased loved ones.
Thanks to all who participated in the ceremony. Thanks to the gardaí for their help with traffic management and to the cemetery committee for their organisation of this event. Much appreciated.

Anniversaries and Newsletter
Please, DO NOT leave anniversary notices or other items into our former house on Ormonde Road. We no longer have access to this house and notices may not be delivered on time.
Items left at the Parish Office, the Priests’ Houses, St. Patrick’s or St. Fiacre’s Sacristies before Thursday will ensure publication. Thanks.

Prize Winner Promoter
1st Prize - €1,000 John O’Neill, 13 Archers Crescent Brigid Armstrong
2nd Prize - €200 Mary Neary, Derdimus Mary Parsons
3rd Prize - €100 Lil Dunne, Riverview Brigid Armstrong
4th Prize - €100 Rita McMyler, Sheestown Sean Manogue
5th Prize - €100 Catherine Kenny, 24 Loughboy Park Catherine Kinsella
6th Prize - €50 Patricia O’Connor, 16 Mayfield Catherine Kinsella
7th Prize - €50 Roy Barry, 38 Larchfield Kitty Byrne
8th Prize - €50 Bridie Hardiman, 39 Marble Crest Catherine Kinsella
9th Prize - €50 Ally Coughlan, Callan Road Kathleen Grogan
10th Prize - €50 Marie Coyne, 50 Larchfield Kitty Byrne
11th Prize - €50 Ann Healy, Maidenhill Liam Holohan
12th Prize - €50 Phyllis Murphy, 25 Melville Heights Maureen McCormack
13th prize - €50 Lorna McCormack, 77 Marble Crest Catherine Kinsella
Promoters’ Prizes
Paddy Ward, Castlegardens, Gretta Kelly, Ardnore