The Cross Section
We face the cross again in today’s Gospel (Mark 8:27-35). ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ (v.34). We’re not allowed to forget the cross for long, are we? I wonder, though, did Jesus actually use the expression ‘take up their cross’. If, as presented, he were talking directly to the crowd would he not have said ‘you’ instead of ‘any’, and ‘yourselves’ instead of ‘themselves’? But maybe that’s a translation issue. Maybe. Was the expression ‘take up your cross’ common coinage then? Is it not more likely to have been a later Christian expression in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection? However, what is important is that Jesus – and consequently us his followers – was not a pain seeker. Suffering for suffering’s sake is sick. Suffering for a purpose is not. Jesus’ death on the cross is not a justification for us to seek pain. We’re not masochists. But neither do we avoid the cross when it blocks the path to follow Jesus.
Jesus links crosses with following him. To follow him is the reason for carrying them. But not just carrying them; using them, in fact, to serve his mission of bringing his good news to those who need to hear it. Part of that good news is that love is greater than fear, that the spirit to serve God’s kingdom is stronger than the urge to preserve vested interests.
We never have to go dial a cross. The true one is always with us.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD.
Questions People Ask
Q. Recently there has been talk about a law against blasphemy. What exactly is blasphemy?
A. Blasphemy means to speak ill of God of sacred beliefs or objects in words of hatred, defiance, mockery or trivialisation. Not only is it seriously disrespectful to God but it is offensive to the religious sensibilities of believers. Profanity, which is close to blasphemy, means taking the sacred name of God or of the Saviour without proper respect. Am I correct in thinking that no other people came near the Irish in the matter of appalling disrespect for the name of Jesus Christ?
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Sr. Mary Kavanagh, St. John of God Community, Ballyvaloo. Jim Kavanagh, England and late of Fatima Place. Liam Mullan, St. Fiacre's Place. Seán O’Keeffe, 71 Larchfield. Rosary at his home Sun 8pm. Funeral prayers Monday 10am at his home followed by removal to St. Patrick’s for mass at 11am. Interment in St. Kieran’s cemetery.
Michele Reynolds, Drumcondra & Glendine Road. Funeral arriving Sunday 6pm St. John’s. Mass Monday at 12 noon, Interment in Foulkstown.
Months Mind: Ray Bolger (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Tom Byrne (Sat 6.15), Sharon McEvoy (Sat 7.00), Betty Furness (Sun 9,30), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Annastasia & Billy Ayres (Sun 10.30), Mary & Joan Bissett (Sun 11.00), Catherine (Kit) Grace (Sun 12.00), Patrick Morris (Fri 9.30). Ciss Holland (Fri 10.30)Rita McCarthy, Betty Furness, Billy & Statia Tallent, Paddy Ryan, Bridget Bateman, Michael & Brigid Slattery, Mary & Billy Brennan, Tom Little, Josephine Neary, Margaret Beehan, The Cassin Family.
Intentions for next weekend: Catherine & John Alley (Sat 6.15), Sr. Patrice Norman (Sat 7.00 Months Mind), Phil O’Neill (Sun 10.00 Months Mind), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Stella O’Rourke (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30).
First Holy Communion 2010
The parents of next year’s First Holy Communion classes are invited to a meeting at the Parish Centre on Monday at 8pm. The Do This in Memory Programme for 2009 - 2010 will be introduced. At least one parent from each family is asked to attend.
Hearing Help and Lip-reading
Classes and support are available at Citizens' Information, The Parade Kilkenny. Classes begin on Monday 24th September from 8pm to 10 pm. All welcome. phone 776 5176 or 776 3508.
Congratulations to Hurlers
Well done on your outstanding performance to all involved with the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers Well done too to the minors and their mentors: while the cup evaded you the team and mentors did us proud. Special congratulations to those from our parish involved with the team.
Best Wishes
We join in wishing the Kilkenny Camogie team and the U-21 hurling team success in this weekend’s All Ireland Finals at Croke Park. We are of course proud of the involvement of a number of people from our parish. Enjoy the games.
In Honour of Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 13th September between 3 and 4pm. All welcome.
Education Centre Courses
Helping Your Child with English
Tuesday 6th October 2009
Parents Communicating with Schools
Tuesday 13th October 2009
The What, Why and How of Children’s Learning in Primary School
Tuesday 20th October 2009
Helping Your Child with Irish
Wednesday 4th November 2009
Bebo: Social Networking. Information Night for Parents on Internet Safety
Thursday 12th November 2009
Venue is Kilkenny Education Centre, Callan Road. Times for all are 7-9pm
To book please contact Kilkenny Education Centre at 056 7760200
King of the Castle
‘King of the Castle’ fundraising events continue locally. Please support Mick Costello in his attempt to become “King of the Castle” by raising funds for your local GAA Club, Senior Citizens and St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.
End of Harvest Party & BBQ
Come to the Car Boot Sale venue on the Callan Road on this Saturday night, 12th September for a great End of Harvest Party and BBQ. Great craic and dancing ‘til late. Full bar. €10.
Vintage Tractor Run
Come and see vintage tractors and machinery at the Car Boot Sale, Callan Road on this Sunday13th. Some vehicles will travel into the city. Please support the bucket collection.
Golf Classic
This will take place at Callan Golf Club on Friday, 2nd October. Teams of four: €200 including meal. Time sheet: 8.30am—2.30pm. Telephone John on 087 217 1934 for tee time.
Field Day
Do you remember the classic Village Field Days of long ago? Relive the experience at the James Stephens’ GAA Grounds, Larchfield on Sunday, 20th September. This will be fun day for all the family. Events include: wheel of fortune, bottle stall, penalty shoot out, horse shoe throw, face painting, bric-a-brac, ‘slap the rat’ and much more. Bring the family and have a fun filled day out.
We are looking for items for our stalls: bric-a-brac, plants and flowers, bottles, cakes, toys, books. Please bring the above items to James Stephens’ Club House between 6.30 and 10pm on Thursday and Friday and between 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.
Volunteers are also needed to prepare the stalls on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Tadhg on 087 980 4783.
Your help is urgently needed. We require volunteers to assist with forthcoming events.
Contact the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.
Two Wolves
One evening an old man told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One wolf is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."The other good is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"The old man simply replied, "The one you feed."
St. Patrick’s Volunteers
So far we have one willing soul to look after the grounds at St. Patrick’s Church and we say a sincere thanks for that. We could do with another so if you’re willing and able to cut a bit of grass and keep the church looking tidy, then please contact Fr. Liam
CBS Open Night
All 6th Class boys and their parents are invited to the annual Open Night at C.B.S. James’s Street on Wednesday next, 16th September. Tours will commence at 7pm with short talks at 8pm. All are welcome!
Volunteers Needed
Kilkenny Citizens’ Information Centre provides a free and confidential information service to anyone who needs it. We are currently seeking Volunteer Information Gives to help with this work. Contact our Development Manager at 056 775 2676 for further details.
Musicians Needed
St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown would like to invite musicians, dancers, and entertainers to share your talents with the residents in your free time. We are a welcome audience. Please contact Mary Hickey on 056 772 4178
Parish Centre Update
At last we are nearing the end of our development at St. Fiacre’s and I’m sure you’ll agree the centre and surrounding grounds are looking magnificent. Thanks to those who volunteer their time to looking after inside and out.
We hope to have details of our outstanding debt as well as the official opening day within the next couple of weeks.
We face the cross again in today’s Gospel (Mark 8:27-35). ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me’ (v.34). We’re not allowed to forget the cross for long, are we? I wonder, though, did Jesus actually use the expression ‘take up their cross’. If, as presented, he were talking directly to the crowd would he not have said ‘you’ instead of ‘any’, and ‘yourselves’ instead of ‘themselves’? But maybe that’s a translation issue. Maybe. Was the expression ‘take up your cross’ common coinage then? Is it not more likely to have been a later Christian expression in the light of Jesus’ death and resurrection? However, what is important is that Jesus – and consequently us his followers – was not a pain seeker. Suffering for suffering’s sake is sick. Suffering for a purpose is not. Jesus’ death on the cross is not a justification for us to seek pain. We’re not masochists. But neither do we avoid the cross when it blocks the path to follow Jesus.
Jesus links crosses with following him. To follow him is the reason for carrying them. But not just carrying them; using them, in fact, to serve his mission of bringing his good news to those who need to hear it. Part of that good news is that love is greater than fear, that the spirit to serve God’s kingdom is stronger than the urge to preserve vested interests.
We never have to go dial a cross. The true one is always with us.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD.
Questions People Ask
Q. Recently there has been talk about a law against blasphemy. What exactly is blasphemy?
A. Blasphemy means to speak ill of God of sacred beliefs or objects in words of hatred, defiance, mockery or trivialisation. Not only is it seriously disrespectful to God but it is offensive to the religious sensibilities of believers. Profanity, which is close to blasphemy, means taking the sacred name of God or of the Saviour without proper respect. Am I correct in thinking that no other people came near the Irish in the matter of appalling disrespect for the name of Jesus Christ?
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Sr. Mary Kavanagh, St. John of God Community, Ballyvaloo. Jim Kavanagh, England and late of Fatima Place. Liam Mullan, St. Fiacre's Place. Seán O’Keeffe, 71 Larchfield. Rosary at his home Sun 8pm. Funeral prayers Monday 10am at his home followed by removal to St. Patrick’s for mass at 11am. Interment in St. Kieran’s cemetery.
Michele Reynolds, Drumcondra & Glendine Road. Funeral arriving Sunday 6pm St. John’s. Mass Monday at 12 noon, Interment in Foulkstown.
Months Mind: Ray Bolger (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Tom Byrne (Sat 6.15), Sharon McEvoy (Sat 7.00), Betty Furness (Sun 9,30), Ernie Harrington (Sun 10.00), Annastasia & Billy Ayres (Sun 10.30), Mary & Joan Bissett (Sun 11.00), Catherine (Kit) Grace (Sun 12.00), Patrick Morris (Fri 9.30). Ciss Holland (Fri 10.30)Rita McCarthy, Betty Furness, Billy & Statia Tallent, Paddy Ryan, Bridget Bateman, Michael & Brigid Slattery, Mary & Billy Brennan, Tom Little, Josephine Neary, Margaret Beehan, The Cassin Family.
Intentions for next weekend: Catherine & John Alley (Sat 6.15), Sr. Patrice Norman (Sat 7.00 Months Mind), Phil O’Neill (Sun 10.00 Months Mind), Margaret Jones (Sun 11.00), Stella O’Rourke (Sun 12.00), Paddy Johnston (Sun 12.30).
First Holy Communion 2010
The parents of next year’s First Holy Communion classes are invited to a meeting at the Parish Centre on Monday at 8pm. The Do This in Memory Programme for 2009 - 2010 will be introduced. At least one parent from each family is asked to attend.
Hearing Help and Lip-reading
Classes and support are available at Citizens' Information, The Parade Kilkenny. Classes begin on Monday 24th September from 8pm to 10 pm. All welcome. phone 776 5176 or 776 3508.
Congratulations to Hurlers
Well done on your outstanding performance to all involved with the Kilkenny Senior Hurlers Well done too to the minors and their mentors: while the cup evaded you the team and mentors did us proud. Special congratulations to those from our parish involved with the team.
Best Wishes
We join in wishing the Kilkenny Camogie team and the U-21 hurling team success in this weekend’s All Ireland Finals at Croke Park. We are of course proud of the involvement of a number of people from our parish. Enjoy the games.
In Honour of Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday, 13th September between 3 and 4pm. All welcome.
Education Centre Courses
Helping Your Child with English
Tuesday 6th October 2009
Parents Communicating with Schools
Tuesday 13th October 2009
The What, Why and How of Children’s Learning in Primary School
Tuesday 20th October 2009
Helping Your Child with Irish
Wednesday 4th November 2009
Bebo: Social Networking. Information Night for Parents on Internet Safety
Thursday 12th November 2009
Venue is Kilkenny Education Centre, Callan Road. Times for all are 7-9pm
To book please contact Kilkenny Education Centre at 056 7760200
King of the Castle
‘King of the Castle’ fundraising events continue locally. Please support Mick Costello in his attempt to become “King of the Castle” by raising funds for your local GAA Club, Senior Citizens and St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.
End of Harvest Party & BBQ
Come to the Car Boot Sale venue on the Callan Road on this Saturday night, 12th September for a great End of Harvest Party and BBQ. Great craic and dancing ‘til late. Full bar. €10.
Vintage Tractor Run
Come and see vintage tractors and machinery at the Car Boot Sale, Callan Road on this Sunday13th. Some vehicles will travel into the city. Please support the bucket collection.
Golf Classic
This will take place at Callan Golf Club on Friday, 2nd October. Teams of four: €200 including meal. Time sheet: 8.30am—2.30pm. Telephone John on 087 217 1934 for tee time.
Field Day
Do you remember the classic Village Field Days of long ago? Relive the experience at the James Stephens’ GAA Grounds, Larchfield on Sunday, 20th September. This will be fun day for all the family. Events include: wheel of fortune, bottle stall, penalty shoot out, horse shoe throw, face painting, bric-a-brac, ‘slap the rat’ and much more. Bring the family and have a fun filled day out.
We are looking for items for our stalls: bric-a-brac, plants and flowers, bottles, cakes, toys, books. Please bring the above items to James Stephens’ Club House between 6.30 and 10pm on Thursday and Friday and between 3pm and 7.30pm on Saturday.
Volunteers are also needed to prepare the stalls on Saturday and Sunday. Contact Tadhg on 087 980 4783.
Your help is urgently needed. We require volunteers to assist with forthcoming events.
Contact the Parish Office at 056 776 4400.
Two Wolves
One evening an old man told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One wolf is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."The other good is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"The old man simply replied, "The one you feed."
St. Patrick’s Volunteers
So far we have one willing soul to look after the grounds at St. Patrick’s Church and we say a sincere thanks for that. We could do with another so if you’re willing and able to cut a bit of grass and keep the church looking tidy, then please contact Fr. Liam
CBS Open Night
All 6th Class boys and their parents are invited to the annual Open Night at C.B.S. James’s Street on Wednesday next, 16th September. Tours will commence at 7pm with short talks at 8pm. All are welcome!
Volunteers Needed
Kilkenny Citizens’ Information Centre provides a free and confidential information service to anyone who needs it. We are currently seeking Volunteer Information Gives to help with this work. Contact our Development Manager at 056 775 2676 for further details.
Musicians Needed
St. Columba’s Hospital, Thomastown would like to invite musicians, dancers, and entertainers to share your talents with the residents in your free time. We are a welcome audience. Please contact Mary Hickey on 056 772 4178
Parish Centre Update
At last we are nearing the end of our development at St. Fiacre’s and I’m sure you’ll agree the centre and surrounding grounds are looking magnificent. Thanks to those who volunteer their time to looking after inside and out.
We hope to have details of our outstanding debt as well as the official opening day within the next couple of weeks.
