Feast of Christ the King
The feast of Christ the King, which we keep this weekend, is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time. The feast celebrates Christ as King and Lord of the cosmos.
Pope Pius XI instituted the feast in 1925. Pope Pius connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At the time secularism was on the rise and many Christians were doubting Christ's authority, as well as the Church’s, and even doubting Christ's existence. Pope Pius witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. The Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed.
Truth Reigns
Someone remarked that there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. In today’s Gospel Jesus links the reign of his kingdom very closely with testifying to truth. Celebrating Jesus as universal king, means celebrating truth’s triumph over falsehood, the victory of good over evil. However, lest triumphalism makes us cocky, we need to remember the cost of this triumph – nothing less than the torture and murder of God’s Son on earth. Sounds a bit strange put that way, doesn’t it? We’re more used to hearing about the passion and death of Jesus. Passion has become a sanitised word sounding less harsh than torture, even more terrible reality, still sounds that bit more distant then murder does. Jesus was murdered because he spoke the truth. Anyone who speaks as Jesus did risks the same fate ultimately. Yet, in spite of threats from those with vested interests who don’t want the truth to be told, truth will out and does prevail. That’s what we celebrate the victory of truth, we also celebrate the fact that people are prepared to die for it. We have examples of that throughout history. We have martyrs for truth among us today. We will have them into the future too. Today we celebrate the three sides to this story: I testify to truth, you testify to truth and truth triumphs, for all three become one.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
The feast of Christ the King, which we keep this weekend, is celebrated on the final Sunday of Ordinary Time. The feast celebrates Christ as King and Lord of the cosmos.
Pope Pius XI instituted the feast in 1925. Pope Pius connected the denial of Christ as king to the rise of secularism. At the time secularism was on the rise and many Christians were doubting Christ's authority, as well as the Church’s, and even doubting Christ's existence. Pope Pius witnessed the rise of dictatorships in Europe and saw Catholics being taken in by these earthly leaders. The Feast of Christ the King was instituted during a time when respect for Christ and the Church was waning, when the feast was most needed.
Truth Reigns
Someone remarked that there are three sides to every story: your side, my side and the truth. In today’s Gospel Jesus links the reign of his kingdom very closely with testifying to truth. Celebrating Jesus as universal king, means celebrating truth’s triumph over falsehood, the victory of good over evil. However, lest triumphalism makes us cocky, we need to remember the cost of this triumph – nothing less than the torture and murder of God’s Son on earth. Sounds a bit strange put that way, doesn’t it? We’re more used to hearing about the passion and death of Jesus. Passion has become a sanitised word sounding less harsh than torture, even more terrible reality, still sounds that bit more distant then murder does. Jesus was murdered because he spoke the truth. Anyone who speaks as Jesus did risks the same fate ultimately. Yet, in spite of threats from those with vested interests who don’t want the truth to be told, truth will out and does prevail. That’s what we celebrate the victory of truth, we also celebrate the fact that people are prepared to die for it. We have examples of that throughout history. We have martyrs for truth among us today. We will have them into the future too. Today we celebrate the three sides to this story: I testify to truth, you testify to truth and truth triumphs, for all three become one.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
40 Hours of Adoration
In honour of the Feast of Christ the King and to pray for Priests in the Year for Priesthood a 40 Hours of Adoration is being held in St. Mary’s Cathedral this weekend. Following 7.30pm Mass on Friday adoration commenced in St. Mary’s Cathedral and will conclude with Mass at 11.00am on Sunday. All are invited to drop in and join in the prayers during the remaining hours. Thank you.
The Importance of Silence
Our modern world is starved of silence – there is hardly a moment when our senses are not being bombarded with noise of one kind or another. Our churches – especially before, during and after the celebration of Mass – should be privileged places where we can go to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Silence has a very important role to play in the celebration of the Eucharist, prayer and reflection. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.” To this I would add that silence should also be observed after Mass until one is outside the church building, both out of respect toward the Blessed Sacrament and toward those members of the congregation who wish to prolong their thanksgiving after the Eucharist.
To help achieve this in our parish I ask all – priests, sacristans, ministers, musicians, servers and worshippers – to maintain a spirit of reverence and respectful silence in our churches. Let us help each other and refrain from importing the world’s clamour and clatter into our places of worship.
CD Launch
St. Fiacre’s Folk Choir and friends present a night of joy and inspiration to launch their new CD on Thursday, 3rd December at 8pm in St. Fiacre’s Church. All are welcome.
Our November Remembering
Our annual Remembrance Service will be held at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Thursday, 26th November at 7.30pm. During the service we will remember in thanksgiving all of our relatives and friends who have passed away. We will call to mind in a special roll call those of our parishioners who died during the past year. We especially appeal to bereaved family members and friends to join us for the service - prayers will be included for God’s healing for you. The service will be followed by refreshments at the Parish Centre. All are welcome.
Don’t forget, you can place the names of deceased loved ones before the altar at any time before Thursday afternoon.
Monthly Parish Draw
The November Draw will take place at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre at 8.30pm on Tuesday next. Promoters are asked to have their cards returned to Ted Byrne before the deadline on Tuesday evening.
Thanks to all our promoters and subscribers the draw is a very successful fundraiser for the parish and has greatly helped with the debt on the Parish Centre. Well done.
Questions People Ask
Q. I have seen several television programmes claiming that there were other gospels which were suppressed by the Catholic Church. Is this true?
Yes, there are several works which are called gospels but they differ from the authentic gospels on some important matters. These writings came from heretical sects. Obviously the Church did not favour the use of these misleading writings.
Even the whiff of suppressing any writing is enough to excite the imagination of certain writers and television producers who love to attack the Catholic Church as being up to its neck in conspiracies. Conspiracy theories and accounts of unhappy childhood are the most lucrative sellers in the popular market today. Bad news holds a strange fascination.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Una Heffernan, late of Vicar Street and John Street. Reposing at the home of her son, Fergus, 8 Cedarwood Avenue, Loughboy. Funeral prayers at 11.15am on Sunday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church for 12 noon Mass. Rosary at 9.00pm on Saturday. Mark Butler, Nuncio Road. Reposing at Hehir’s Funeral Home. Funeral prayers at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Rosary at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 8.00pm on Saturday. Monica Cullen, 1 Cypress Avenue, Loughboy. Requiem Mass in Holy Cross Church, Tramore at 10.00am on Tuesday followed by burial in the adjacent cemetery. Very Rev. Canon Patrick J. Fitzsimons, Dublin; Nancy Wallace, Castlecomer; Dr Dan Devilly, Friary Street; Tom O’Brien, Kells; Ellen Flynn, Jenkinstown.
Months Mind: Nicola Conway (Sun 11.00).
Anniversaries: Maura Leahy (Sat 6.15), James Fox (Sat 7.00), Paddy Cullen (Sun 9.30), Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00), John Hand (Sun 10.30), Joan Taggart (Sun 12.00), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 12.30), Statia Grace (Tues 10.30), Fr. John Phelan (Wed 10.30), Kitty McMyler, Rory McPhillips, John Fogarty, Gertrude Donnelly, Thomas Beehan, Owen Beehan, Michael Gibbons, Paddy Murphy, John McCarthy, Michael Beale, Margaret Guilfoyle, Joan Meehan, Eva Renehan.
Intentions for next weekend: Thomas & Nora McBride (Sat 6.15), Pat Kearney (Sat 7.00), Michael Kennedy (Sun 9.30), Charles Carroll (Sun 10.00), Mary & James Mulrooney (Sun 10.30), Deceased Members of St. Patrick's Brass & Reed Band (Sun 11.00), Thomas Dowling (Sun 12.00), Jimmy Bateman (Sun 12.30 Months Mind).
Morriston Orpheus Choir
The Welsh Morriston Orpheus Choir will perform in St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunday, 22nd November at 8.00pm. in aid of Building of Hope Project - Fr Martin Keane. Tickets €20 available at Kilkenny Bookshop. Further information from Margaret at 087 908 7659.
Sharing Fair Crafts Display & Sale
Supporting the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters, Asia, Africa & Latin America.
Coffee Morning, Langton’s John’s Street on Saturday, 28th November 10am - 12 noon. Quality Gifts for Christmas and all occasions. Wide range of household items, toys, bags, purses, etc made by women in self help projects associated with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, providing local communities with hope, dignity and sustainability. Please support this Sharing Fair Event and bring your friends.
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 linens i.e. towels, sheets, blankets etc. For collection on Wednesday, 25th November, at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, behind St. Fiacre’s Church, before 12 noon. For further information. Please contact Marie at 087 689 0995.
Book Launch
The launch of Fr. Martin Ryan’s Book takes place on Sunday, 22nd November at 4pm in Muckalee Community Centre.
Tuesday Teas
Don’t forget to drop into the Parish Centre for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat after 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Tuesdays.
Bible Study Course
In preparation for Christmas a bible study course on St. John’s Gospel, given by Sr. De Lourdes will take place on this Tuesday, 24th November and Tuesdays 1st, 15th & 22nd December in the Parish Centre from 10am - 12.30pm approx. Cup of tea included. Cost €25. Booking necessary - contact Kathleen @ 087 246 8443. Enjoy this course in preparation for Christmas.
Advent Journey towards Christmas
Peace in Christ presents an Advent Journey towards Christmas on Sunday, 29th November from 10.30am to 5.00pm. Contact Lena McCarthy 777 9012 or Adeline Kelly 772 1665.
Hope and Healing
St. Canice’s Parish is hosting a series of weekly talks under the title “Hope and Healing - a November Journey”. On Wednesday, 25th November Sr. Elaine McDonald IBVM will speak during a service of healing and reconciliation which begins at 7.30pm. Sr. Elaine, a Loreto Sister, is a native of Kilkenny City. Her talk will be a reflection on healing and reconciliation culminating in an invitation to celebrate these sacraments as a fitting conclusion to the November series. All welcome.
School of the Holy Spirit
The School of the Holy Spirit, now located in our parish, is holding a Coffee Morning at the school on the Callan Road on Saturday, 28th November between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
