The Widow’s Mite
The widow’s mite symbolises generosity. A small gesture bursting with meaning grabs the imagination and immortalises itself. Today’s Gospel reading notes that the widow has two coins. She could give one, keep the other, and still be considered generous. But no! Her generosity is not half measure. Her reverence for God and her respect for the Law and its requirements are total.
The spotlight is on the quality of her giving. We don’t know what happens to her afterwards. But somehow we just know she’s not going to die of starvation. We can’t prove it, of course. But God doesn’t respond to generosity with punishment.
It’s the same for us. When we respond generously to life’s demands we’re not punished for doing so. Here are some more things we can’t prove, but which are true nonetheless: the more we give the more we discover we have to give; and, not only are those who receive enriched, so too are those who give.
When I worked as a missionary occasionally I gave money to people in need, or spent it for medical treatment on their behalf. To my surprise, on several occasions I received money out of the blue from home within weeks of having given help to others. Like the jar of meal and the jug of oil in today’s First Reading my small jar was never empty either. It really does work that way. Try it and see.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Questions People Ask
Q. It is true that some Protestant theologians were involved in writing the texts of the Mass after the Second Vatican Council?
A. This is a twist on what really happened. Several Protestant communities expressed great interest in the studies, papers and debates of the Liturgical Commission. So, six Protestant theologians were invited as observers but they took no part in the writing of the texts. Some Protestant communities have used the Roman Lectionary and Sacramentary as a template for their own revisions. Thank God for ecumenical fellowship.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
The widow’s mite symbolises generosity. A small gesture bursting with meaning grabs the imagination and immortalises itself. Today’s Gospel reading notes that the widow has two coins. She could give one, keep the other, and still be considered generous. But no! Her generosity is not half measure. Her reverence for God and her respect for the Law and its requirements are total.
The spotlight is on the quality of her giving. We don’t know what happens to her afterwards. But somehow we just know she’s not going to die of starvation. We can’t prove it, of course. But God doesn’t respond to generosity with punishment.
It’s the same for us. When we respond generously to life’s demands we’re not punished for doing so. Here are some more things we can’t prove, but which are true nonetheless: the more we give the more we discover we have to give; and, not only are those who receive enriched, so too are those who give.
When I worked as a missionary occasionally I gave money to people in need, or spent it for medical treatment on their behalf. To my surprise, on several occasions I received money out of the blue from home within weeks of having given help to others. Like the jar of meal and the jug of oil in today’s First Reading my small jar was never empty either. It really does work that way. Try it and see.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Questions People Ask
Q. It is true that some Protestant theologians were involved in writing the texts of the Mass after the Second Vatican Council?
A. This is a twist on what really happened. Several Protestant communities expressed great interest in the studies, papers and debates of the Liturgical Commission. So, six Protestant theologians were invited as observers but they took no part in the writing of the texts. Some Protestant communities have used the Roman Lectionary and Sacramentary as a template for their own revisions. Thank God for ecumenical fellowship.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: John Joe Kealy, Parkmore, Margaret Hutchinson, College Green, Martha McWilliams, Coleraine
Months Mind: Sr. Gregory Ryan (Sat 9.30).
Anniversaries: Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sat 6.15), Julia O’Carroll (Sat 7.00), Bill Quinlan (Sun 9.30), James Rafter (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Margaret Moore (Sun 11.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.00), Jim Cantwell (Sun 12.30), Henry Tiernan (Mon 9.30), Dominic Coll (Tue 10.30), Barbara Rhatigan (Wed 9.30), Pat Fahy (Wed 10.30), John Kelly (Thurs 10.30), Mairead & Ger Carmody, Nora & John Mullane (Fri 10.30), James & Margaret Purcell, Richard & Julia Ryan, James Maher, Teresa & Tony Adams, Margaret Shiels, Ellen Hickey, John Kehoe, Margaret Cantwell Jr, Nancy Dunphy, May Byrne, Andy Egan.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sat 6.15), John Glynn (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), May Muldowney (Sun 10.30), Rena Brett (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Henrietta Hyland (Sun 12.30).
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Friday, 13th November in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre after the 10.30am Mass. All welcome.
Eucharistic Adoration
In this year of the Priesthood, 40 hours of Adoration will take place from Friday, 20th to Sunday, 22nd November in St. Mary’s Cathedral to pray for Priests. It will commence with Mass at 7.30pm on Friday, 20th and continue through Friday night, all day Saturday and Saturday night ending with Mass at 11.00am on Sunday, 22nd. All are welcome to drop in and spend some time in prayer.
Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of Prayer and Adoration in honour of Divine Mercy in the Friary Church on Sunday, 8th November from 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
Altar Servers
The new rota is now available in the sacristies for those who serve in St. Patrick’s and St. Fiacre’s churches. Please collect one this weekend. The Foulkstown rota will be available shortly. A sincere word thanks to all our dedicated servers both present and past. Your dedication is much appreciated.
Anyone from fourth class and above, who has made their First Communion and is a regular Mass-goer is welcome to serve.
Our November Remembering
Don’t forget, you can place the names of deceased loved ones before the altar at any time during this month of November. Masses for all our deceased are offered during this month.
Please note in your diary that our annual remembrance service will be held on the last Thursday of the month and note the change in venue. This year the service will be held St. Fiacre’s Church which will allow for ease of access to the parish centre for a cuppa afterwards. Our thanks to the sisters of St. John of God who gave us access to their premises for refreshments in the past.
Retired Nurses’ Association of Ireland
On Wednesday morning the 18th November Mass for retired nurses and relatives of deceased nurses will be celebrated in St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am. Afterwards in the adjoining Parish Centre a coffee/tea morning will be held and the proceeds of this will go to the Carlow/Kilkenny Home Care Team.
Gala Demonstration
Kilkenny Flower Club will hold it's Gala Demonstration in Springhill Court Hotel next Thursday, 12th November at 8.00pm. The demonstrator is the renowned floral artist Alan Beatty N.A.F.A.S. All his flower arrangements will be raffled and there will be a sales table. Admission is €20 and the proceeds are in aid of The Alzheimer Association of Ireland. A most enjoyable night is guaranteed.
Church Gate Collection
The annual Church Gate Collection for the ‘Young at Heart’ Club takes place next weekend 14th and 15th November. Please support.
Irish Wheelchair Association
An Angel Day in aid of the Irish Wheelchair Association will take place on 13th November.
Book Launch Postponed
The launch of Fr. Martin Ryan’s Book which was to take place on the 8th November will now take place on the 22nd November at 4pm in Muckalee Community Centre.
Presentation Secondary School
Presentation Secondary School, will hold an Open Evening for all fifth and sixth class prospective students on Wednesday, 11th November between 6.00pm and 9.00pm. There will be an opportunity to meet with management and staff and to look around the school. We look forward to meeting you and your daughter on the night.
The Presentation School Choir has reached the final of the All-Island Schools Choir Competition and will compete against some of the most prestigious fee paying schools in Ireland. The live final will be broadcast on RTE One, at 6.30pm on 15th November from the Ulster Hall in Belfast. There are schools from Belfast, Derry, Dublin and Kilkenny in the final. We wish Ms. Veronica McCarron, the choir mistress, and all the girls the very best of luck.
Mass of Remembrance
A Mass to remember people who have died at St. Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, will be held on Wednesday, 11th November 2009 at 7.30pm in St. Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen, Carlow. All welcome. The Mass is being organised by the Care of the Dying Person and Their Family Team in the hospital.
Cura Cares
Pregnant and distressed? Like to talk to someone in confidence. Tel: 1850 622 626 or 772 2739.
November Offering
The November offering for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due this month. Your generosity is appreciated.
Finance Committee
The Parish Finance Committee will meet at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday evening at 8.00pm.
Loreto Concert and CD Launch
On Wednesday next 11th November the music department in Loreto Secondary School will launch its first ever CD entitled “A Celebration of our Gifts and Talents”. It will feature school choirs, orchestra and soloists. All proceeds will go to a Loreto charity: “Rainbow Project” aiding street children in India.
To mark this launch there will be a concert in the school sports hall on the night, starting at 8.30pm. Tickets at the door - €5 single and €10 per family. Choirs, orchestra and soloists will perform along with local Baritone Derek Ryan.
400 Celebration Concert
The Mayor’s Kilkenny 400 Celebration Concert in St Canice’s Cathedral Friday, 20th November at 8.00pm. Appearing will be: St Patrick's Brass & Reed Band (Conductor Norman Cree), Loreto Secondary School Choir (Conductor Jacinta Cantwell, Caladh (Trad), Paddy Hanrahan, MC for the night Gerry Moran, Tickets €10.00 available from Rollercoaster Records, Kieran Street, Eamon Cleere: 087 958 2127. Proceeds to Enable Ireland, O’Neill Centre, Kilkenny.
Hope and Healing
St. Canice’s Parish is hosting a series of weekly talks under the title “Hope and Healing - a November Journey”. On Tuesday, 10th November well known writer, journalist and playwright John Waters will address the subject of hope and how we might recover it in our lives and in our community. Mr. Waters will speak during the Mass which begins at 7.30pm.
Loughboy Library
Surviving the Recession @ your library
Are you unemployed or affected by the current economic downturn? Kilkenny County Library Service will host a series of Information/Advice Sessions at Loughboy Library during November. These are free and open to all. Tel 779 4176.
Monday, 9th November at 7pm: Life coach Nikki O’Neill will give you tips and advice to get you through these difficult times. MABS (Kilkenny Money Advice and Budgeting Service) will give advice on money management, budgeting and dealing with debt.
FETAC Level 5 Care Skills Course.
Commences November 26th. Limited places. This course opens up a Career in Care. Full details from Vision Training. 086 170 4157.
Westcourt News
The November Mass for the blessings of Edmund Rice on our lives and for his canonisation will be celebrated in Westcourt, Callan on Monday, 9th November at 7.00pm.
Learn the Guitar for Christmas
Members of the Sunday 12.30pm Choir invite anyone of any age who would like to learn guitar to come along to the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Monday from 7pm to 8pm. You will learn some Christmas songs and also have a chance to put your new skills together when the choir will provide the music at our Christmas Masses. No need to book, just bring yourself and your guitar if you have one.
