Give-and-Take
To paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli: There are rules, damned rules and commandments. Whatever about the rules, damned or otherwise, the commandments must be observed diligently according to today’s First Reading. Doing so shows wisdom and discernment (v.6). What a pleasant and peaceful way at looking at someone else’s orders to you! Not characteristic of today’s ethos. I wonder what goes wrong to give the impression that God’s commandments are burdens to be borne, better yet ignored, rather than gifts to be cherished. Why do some people worship money, power and sex instead of the one true God? Why can’t they see the tyranny that servitude to these produces? Why can’t they see the freedom that having only the one true God in one’s life endows? And why can’t they see God’s commandments as guiding lights to help them travel life’s convoluted course in safety? There are so many ‘whys’. God created us to live in community. At family level community living calls for give and take: individually, collectively and nationally. God’s commandments wise us up to the need for justice, generosity, and respect for all people. They help us to adapt to life out there in the real world. They prevent us from expecting that life to adapt to us. That’s why many don’t life them. But, if we didn’t have them, would we not have to invent them?
To paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli: There are rules, damned rules and commandments. Whatever about the rules, damned or otherwise, the commandments must be observed diligently according to today’s First Reading. Doing so shows wisdom and discernment (v.6). What a pleasant and peaceful way at looking at someone else’s orders to you! Not characteristic of today’s ethos. I wonder what goes wrong to give the impression that God’s commandments are burdens to be borne, better yet ignored, rather than gifts to be cherished. Why do some people worship money, power and sex instead of the one true God? Why can’t they see the tyranny that servitude to these produces? Why can’t they see the freedom that having only the one true God in one’s life endows? And why can’t they see God’s commandments as guiding lights to help them travel life’s convoluted course in safety? There are so many ‘whys’. God created us to live in community. At family level community living calls for give and take: individually, collectively and nationally. God’s commandments wise us up to the need for justice, generosity, and respect for all people. They help us to adapt to life out there in the real world. They prevent us from expecting that life to adapt to us. That’s why many don’t life them. But, if we didn’t have them, would we not have to invent them?
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
King of the Castle
St. Patrick’s Parish and James Stephens GAA Club have joined forces to ensure one of our own (Michael Costello) is elected King of the Castle. We cannot let a man from “The Continent” become king of our castle! Help put a Village Man on the throne! We need volunteers to assist with forthcoming field days, tractor runs, BBQs, harvest celebrations, flag days, dog nights and ticket selling. Please help by giving your name to one of the priests or sacristans today. This campaign is part of a city wide event and will be a major fundraiser to help our parish and our local GAA club. Your community needs your assistance right now. Please help.
King of the Castle
St. Patrick’s Parish and James Stephens GAA Club have joined forces to ensure one of our own (Michael Costello) is elected King of the Castle. We cannot let a man from “The Continent” become king of our castle! Help put a Village Man on the throne! We need volunteers to assist with forthcoming field days, tractor runs, BBQs, harvest celebrations, flag days, dog nights and ticket selling. Please help by giving your name to one of the priests or sacristans today. This campaign is part of a city wide event and will be a major fundraiser to help our parish and our local GAA club. Your community needs your assistance right now. Please help.
Questions People Ask
Q. I used to have a regular prayer life but it’s a thing of the past. What would you advise me to do to get started again?
A. A humble and thorough confession would be a good start. Since there are so many ways of praying it is hard to give specific direction without knowing more about you. Can you find a wise spiritual director with whom you can talk? In general, make a workable plan regarding place and time. See what works for you – reading, adoration, petition, rosary; time alone or the support of others. One last bit of advice – pray the way you can and don’t worry about the way you can’t.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Michael Ruth, (Sun 11.00); Frank Roche, Blackwater, Wexford, who died in Canada; Tom Byrne, Kilkeely.
Anniversaries: 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), James Bambrick (Sun 12.00), Jacqueline Rainey (Sun 12.30), Annmarie Manogue (Wed 10.30), Ann Power, Paddy & Kathleen Cooke, Joe Dunne, Bridget (Beezie) Slattery, John & Catherine Waldron, Peg & Dom Brennan (Mon 9.30) Christopher Kenny, Therese McDonald, Mary & Patrick Blanchfield, Elizabeth Carroll.
Intentions for next weekend: Brigid Kenny (Sat 6.15), Matthew Dwyer (Sat 7.00), William Lawlor (Sun 12.30).
Congratulations
Congratulations to Sr. Marietta Doran, St. John of God Community on the golden jubilee of her religious profession. From Carlow, Sr. Marietta has worked in Wales, Australia and Ireland. She is currently Assistant Leader of the community at College Road.
Lost and Found
A sum of money was found on the College Road during the week. Please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 for details.
Annual Mass at St. Fiacre’s Well
Fiacre was a 7th century Irish saint but better known in France. Following some time spent on the banks of the Nore in our parish he went to Meaux, where the bishop, St. Faro, gave him as much land as he could turn up in a day for a hermitage. Fiacre did so with his staff. This and an earlier reputation of a skill with herbs made him a patron of gardeners. He is also patron of taxi drivers. The first coaches for hire were allowed near Hotel Saint-Fiacre in Paris and, indeed, fiacres is still a word used for taxis. The feast of St. Fiacre is 30th August in our national calendar.
Novena prayers have been recited at St. Fiacre’s Well in our parish each evening since Saturday, 22nd August. The novena will conclude with open-air Mass at the well on this Sunday afternoon: novena prayers at 3.00pm with Mass following immediately. All are welcome to come along and join in this centuries old local devotion. If you are joining us you may be able to offer a lift to someone who would also like to attend.
Toilets in St. Fiacre’s Church
We apologise because the toilets at St. Fiacre’s Church were out of order during the past week. This was due to a water flow problem related to recent building works. The problem has been temporarily rectified and we’re happy to announce that our facilities are now back in use.
St. Patrick’s Church Grounds
Compliments have been coming in from all quarters regarding how well the grounds at our new Parish Centre are looking. But the same can’t be said for St. Patrick’s Church where the grounds are getting into a state of disrepair. Any volunteers willing to help look after these grounds? Contact Fr. Liam if interested.
Ladies Friendship Club
Meetings of Kilkenny Ladies Friendship Club will resume on Wednesday, 9th September at 8pm at the Social Services Centre, Waterford Road. Old and new members will be most welcome.
Parish Website
Some people have complained about being unable to access the parish website while on holiday. This is because they were using the old .com address which no longer belongs to us. The website is now .net and people wishing to log on should use the following: www.patricksparish.net
Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer for the needs of Ireland will take place in the Friary Church on Tuesday, 1st September at 8pm. All welcome.
Back to School
Best wishes to those returning to school this week and to those starting for the first time.
Aware
A confidential Aware Information & Support Group meeting for relatives of those with depression will take place on Wednesday, 2nd September at 8 pm in St. Mary's Centre, Haughney Green, Kilkenny. For more information contact Fran at Aware on 086 820 0938. Aware is looking for volunteers to help with their annual Daisy Day collection on the 10th, 11th and 12th September in the Carlow and Kilkenny area. If you have a few hours to spare on any of these days and would like to be involved you can contact Mick on mick@awaresoutheast.ie or 087 949 8100 or for further details.
Family Communications & Self Esteem
A 10 week parenting course for parents of 9-16 year olds begins soon. Its aim is to support parents in building good relationships with their children. Topics covered include: communication, self esteem, problem solving, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, conflict resolution. The course is free. Venue: Dean Street, Kilkenny. Dates & Times: Every Monday 7.30pm - 9.30pm from 14th Sept to 23rd November 2009. For further information contact Bernie O’Brien, Health Promotion Dept, HSE 056 776 1400.
Tipperary Institute
Information Evenings for part-time and full-time programmes will take place at Clonmel Campus on Tuesday, 8th September from 6-8pm and at Thurles Campus on Wednesday, 9th September from 6-8pm. All welcome. www.tippinst.ie for details.
The Case Against Lisbon
Come and hear a presentation by Jens-Peter Bonde, MEP (retired) in the Club House Hotel on Thursday, 3rd September at 8pm.
Computer Classes
Computer night classes will begin in Castlecomer Community School in September Classes will be laid on for those wishing to pursue the Basic ECDL (using Microsoft Office 2007) and ECDL AutoCAD (both courses cost €350). Those who successfully complete either course will receive internationally recognised certification. Prices include all tests and notes. All classes run for two and a half hours per night, one night per week. Please contact (086) 823 0888 for booking and information.
St. Patrick’s Parish August Draw
Prize Winner Promoter
1st Prize - €1,000 Jimmy Hawe, Kilmoganny Ann Condon
2nd Prize - €200 Cyril Egan, Grovine Michael Costello
3rd Prize - €100 Ann Shortall, 4 Manor Walk Liam Holohan
4th Prize - €100 Brendan & K. Walsh, College Road Denis & Ann O’Shea
5th Prize - €100 Renee Power, 4 Hazel Grove Kathleen Grogan
6th Prize - €50 Mary Tyrell, c/o promoter Michael Costello
7th Prize - €50 Dermot Grogan, 7 Hazel Grove Kathleen Grogan
8th Prize - €50 Pat McEntee, c/o promoter Ena McEntee
9th Prize - €50 Hilda Jacob, 20 Mayfield Michael McLouglin
10th Prize - €50 John Walsh, c/o promoter John Comerford
11th Prize - €50 Phyllis Murphy, 25 Melville Heights Maureen McCormack
12th Prize - €50 Helen Renehan, Waterford Road Frank McKenna
13th prize - €50 Christine Jones, c/o promoter Lucy Ryan
Promoters’ Prizes Patty O’Neill, Grovine, Liam Holohan, Maiden Hill
