St. Patrick’s Parish Centre Official Opening
We plan to have the Official Opening of the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre and adjacent Homes for the Elderly at 2.30pm on next Sunday, 17th January. The Centre will be blessed by Bishop Séamus Freeman and will be officially opened by another Freeman: Mr. Brian Cody, Freeman of Kilkenny City. The St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will provide foot-warming marching music and entertainment during the afternoon.
We plan this to be a great parish celebration and all associated with the parish and the development are invited to attend. This is our parish development and all are asked to come along and celebrate our achievement.
Needless to say we are conscious of the present inclement weather conditions yet we hope the event will take place as scheduled. We will endeavour to keep you informed by announcements at Masses.
Cold Weather
While the long cold stretch is difficult for all it is particularly difficult for some of our parishioners, especially our seniors, people with a disability and those living in isolated areas. We appeal to those who are able, to keep a watchful eye on others in the locality. Many would appreciate an offer to fetch groceries, water and fuel from the shops. Some, while self-sufficient, would welcome a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. Please follow your Christian convictions and be neighbourly to all.
A number of parishioners have contacted the Parish Office and offered to help in particular needy situations. We appreciate your generous offers of general help and welcome contact from those who could do with assistance at this time.
Latin Mass
The Latin Mass scheduled for St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on this Sunday has been cancelled because of the inclement weather and dangerous road conditions. The organisers are sorry for the inconvenience.
Renew Not Recycle
According to one recycling agency Ireland’s consumption of alcohol over Christmas would fill ‘29 Olympic-sized swimming pools’. On average, adults drank 16 litres of alcohol or 2.5 times their own blood levels. If that’s hard to swallow try this: the nation gobble 4 million boxes of chocolates; guzzled 54 million cans and 15 million bottles of beer, 20 million bottles of wine, 4 million plastic bottles and 28 million cans of soft drinks. Households disposed of 96,500kg of packaging – equivalent to an adult’s weight in cardboard per household – and 4 million sheets of gift-wrap paper. And that was in 2005! Just imagine what it must have been like every Christmas since then.
As Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth, how could recycling our waste produce seem more pressing a problem than renewing our faith in God and our service of each other? Our feats are always occasions for renewal. Today’s feast, the Baptism of the Lord, shows this. It reminds us of our own baptism and of what we are committed to because of it. We need reminding from time to time that baptism, while it may have come easily, does not come cheaply. It does cost. Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) makes that clear: He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (3:16).
So, as we begin this New Year let us not take our baptism for granted, or forget it. That can so easily happen. When the Spirit’s fire truly burns within us, we’ll know that it’s not for recycling used good s but for renewing God’s gifts.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Evening Mass in Kilkenny City
Mass is celebrated each weekday evening at 6.15pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. We apologise for announcing Masses at the Cathedral for last week - local parishes were not informed that Masses were cancelled.
Adoration and Prayer at the Friary
There will be an hour of Adoration and Prayer in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, January 10th from 3.00-4.00pm. All welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. What do you think of postponing the Baptism of children until they are old enough to make their own decision?
A. Depriving a child of Baptism shows a very poor regard for the treasures of Christian life. Baptism is the first of the sacraments of Christian Initiation; the others begin Confirmation and First Communion. Initiation into Christian beliefs, values, thoughts and behaviour begins in early childhood. A Christian home is the ideal setting. Parents who value their faith and Church membership would desire to pass on this faith to their children as much as they would seek the best schooling and medical care for them.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Denis O’Shea, College Road. Margaret Dunlop, Rothe Terrace. Billy McBride. Sheila Burke, St. John’s Terrace. Larry Tynan, Ardboy. Maurice Ryan, Clara. Liz Dempsey, Wexford. John Noonan, Dublin and late of Kilkenny. Eileen Owens, Assumption Place.
Anniversaries: Anna Campion (Sat 6.15), Teresa Holden (Sat 7.00), Maura Nolan (Sun 10.00), Teresa Walsh (Sun 10.30), Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00), Frank O’Shea (Sun 12.00), Sean Devane (Sun 12.30), Cornelius Carroll (Mon 9.30), Catherine & Joseph Brennan, John O’Gara, Ann Smyth, Christy Bateman, Agnes & Robert Brannigan, John & Mamie Brett, Terry Brett, Lily Power, Lorenzo Mahony, Bernadette Warde, James & Annie O’Grady, William, Tess & Joan Murphy, Pauline Hogan, Bernard Kelly.
Intentions for next weekend: Paul Prodromou (Sat 6.15), Tom Langton (Sat 7.00), Michael Drennan (Sun 10.30), Maureen O’Shea (Sun 11.00), Beattie Connell (Sun 12.00), Oliver Mannion (Sun 12.30).
May their souls rest in peace. Amen.
Church Gate Collection
The Irish Wheelchair Association will hold their Church Gate Collection outside all Masses this weekend 9th and 10th January 2010. Please support.
All-Ireland Talent Show
Well done to Aidan Byrne, guitarist with the Parish Youth Choir and Pyrotechnix, on the band’s selection to represent the South East on the All-Ireland Talent Show. Aidan is one of our regular musicians at the 12.30pm Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Church. The band has been rehearsing non stop since their selection and hope all will row in behind them and support them in the show. The All Ireland Talent Show airs on RTE 1 at 6.30pm on Sundays. Aidan and his band will appear in the live show on Sunday, 17th January. Let’s give Aidan and the band our fullest support by voting of them next weekend.
Bridge in the Afternoon
Fancy playing a game of bridge in the afternoon? Come along to St Patrick’s Parish Centre on Tuesday, 12th January and every Tuesday thereafter. Time: 3.00pm - 5.00pm. No partner required. All are welcome.
Blood Donation Clinic
Every day, patients in hospitals throughout Ireland require blood transfusions. Sometimes it may be for routine surgical procedure such as a hip operation. Other times it may be for someone recovering from a road traffic accident, major surgery such as a heart bypass or a patient undergoing cancer treatment.
Without your continued generosity the Irish Blood Transfusion Service would not be able to provide the blood and blood products needed in hospitals. We depend on you and others like you to maintain an adequate and safe blood supply to save and improve lives.
Your help is particularly needed during the current cold weather as stocks of blood have diminished. Please consider giving blood this week. Local clinics are as follows:
Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel:
Sunday, 10th January 2010, from 11.30am to 3.30pm.
Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th and Thursday, 14th January 2010 from 4.30pm to 8.00pm.
The Parish Office and Shop
The St. Patrick’s Parish Office and Shop is open each weekday between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Call in or telephone 056 776 4400 for all parish business. The Office is closed for lunch between 1.00 and 2.00pm.
Senior Help Line
Do you need someone to talk to? Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service for older people by older people for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland, LoCall 1850 440 444. Senior Help Line is open every day from 10.00am until 4.00pm and from 7.00pm until 10.00pm, 365 days a year.
Older people call us for many reasons… They may feel lonely, isolated or have family or health worries. A small number may fear or be experiencing elder abuse, or are depressed and feel they don’t have the strength to carry on.
Senior Help Line’s trained older volunteers offer a friendly, listening and non-judgemental ear to all callers. So don’t be alone with your problem. Lifting the phone lessens the loneliness. LoCall 1850 440 444.
Public Meeting on Diabetes
All are welcome to a public meeting at 8.00pm on Wednesday, 13th January at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. Guest speakers include Dr. Mary Ryan, Consultant Physician Endocrinologist, Aut Even and Ms. Irene Stokes, Podiatrist, The Foot Clinic, Kilkenny. Admission is free. Organised by the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, 021 427 4229 or email: sro@diabetes.ie
Integritas
This is a domestic centre of Christian spirituality based at Ennisnag, Stoneyford. Contact Linda Rainsberry or Patrick Treacy on 056 772 8902 for further information. Email: enquiries@integritas.ie. Web site www.integritas.ie.
Contemplative Prayer and Reflection evenings continue on every Wednesday evening at 8.00pm. Until the beginning of Lent, they will concentrate upon the theme of how one can discern the particular calling of Jesus Christ in one’s life and allow one’s life to follow him totally. During the Lenten Season, these evenings will then concentrate upon confirming the path in one’s life based upon following him, in the light of his passion and death, where he showed his love for each one of us to the utmost extent.
The Scripture study group is held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm. The evening on Thursday, 21st January will reflect upon chapters five and six of the Gospel of St. Mark. The evening on Thursday, 18th February will reflect upon chapters seven and eight of the Gospel of St. Mark and the evening on Thursday, 18th March will continue with reflection upon chapters nine and ten of this gospel. Please do not hesitate to attend this group even if you can only do so occasionally.
Foulkstown Cemetery
For health and safety reasons vehicular access to Foulkstown Cemetery has been restricted for the duration of the bad weather. We ask your cooperation in this matter.
We plan to have the Official Opening of the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre and adjacent Homes for the Elderly at 2.30pm on next Sunday, 17th January. The Centre will be blessed by Bishop Séamus Freeman and will be officially opened by another Freeman: Mr. Brian Cody, Freeman of Kilkenny City. The St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will provide foot-warming marching music and entertainment during the afternoon.
We plan this to be a great parish celebration and all associated with the parish and the development are invited to attend. This is our parish development and all are asked to come along and celebrate our achievement.
Needless to say we are conscious of the present inclement weather conditions yet we hope the event will take place as scheduled. We will endeavour to keep you informed by announcements at Masses.
Cold Weather
While the long cold stretch is difficult for all it is particularly difficult for some of our parishioners, especially our seniors, people with a disability and those living in isolated areas. We appeal to those who are able, to keep a watchful eye on others in the locality. Many would appreciate an offer to fetch groceries, water and fuel from the shops. Some, while self-sufficient, would welcome a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. Please follow your Christian convictions and be neighbourly to all.
A number of parishioners have contacted the Parish Office and offered to help in particular needy situations. We appreciate your generous offers of general help and welcome contact from those who could do with assistance at this time.
Latin Mass
The Latin Mass scheduled for St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on this Sunday has been cancelled because of the inclement weather and dangerous road conditions. The organisers are sorry for the inconvenience.
Renew Not Recycle
According to one recycling agency Ireland’s consumption of alcohol over Christmas would fill ‘29 Olympic-sized swimming pools’. On average, adults drank 16 litres of alcohol or 2.5 times their own blood levels. If that’s hard to swallow try this: the nation gobble 4 million boxes of chocolates; guzzled 54 million cans and 15 million bottles of beer, 20 million bottles of wine, 4 million plastic bottles and 28 million cans of soft drinks. Households disposed of 96,500kg of packaging – equivalent to an adult’s weight in cardboard per household – and 4 million sheets of gift-wrap paper. And that was in 2005! Just imagine what it must have been like every Christmas since then.
As Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth, how could recycling our waste produce seem more pressing a problem than renewing our faith in God and our service of each other? Our feats are always occasions for renewal. Today’s feast, the Baptism of the Lord, shows this. It reminds us of our own baptism and of what we are committed to because of it. We need reminding from time to time that baptism, while it may have come easily, does not come cheaply. It does cost. Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 3:15-16, 21-22) makes that clear: He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (3:16).
So, as we begin this New Year let us not take our baptism for granted, or forget it. That can so easily happen. When the Spirit’s fire truly burns within us, we’ll know that it’s not for recycling used good s but for renewing God’s gifts.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Evening Mass in Kilkenny City
Mass is celebrated each weekday evening at 6.15pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. We apologise for announcing Masses at the Cathedral for last week - local parishes were not informed that Masses were cancelled.
Adoration and Prayer at the Friary
There will be an hour of Adoration and Prayer in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, January 10th from 3.00-4.00pm. All welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. What do you think of postponing the Baptism of children until they are old enough to make their own decision?
A. Depriving a child of Baptism shows a very poor regard for the treasures of Christian life. Baptism is the first of the sacraments of Christian Initiation; the others begin Confirmation and First Communion. Initiation into Christian beliefs, values, thoughts and behaviour begins in early childhood. A Christian home is the ideal setting. Parents who value their faith and Church membership would desire to pass on this faith to their children as much as they would seek the best schooling and medical care for them.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Denis O’Shea, College Road. Margaret Dunlop, Rothe Terrace. Billy McBride. Sheila Burke, St. John’s Terrace. Larry Tynan, Ardboy. Maurice Ryan, Clara. Liz Dempsey, Wexford. John Noonan, Dublin and late of Kilkenny. Eileen Owens, Assumption Place.
Anniversaries: Anna Campion (Sat 6.15), Teresa Holden (Sat 7.00), Maura Nolan (Sun 10.00), Teresa Walsh (Sun 10.30), Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00), Frank O’Shea (Sun 12.00), Sean Devane (Sun 12.30), Cornelius Carroll (Mon 9.30), Catherine & Joseph Brennan, John O’Gara, Ann Smyth, Christy Bateman, Agnes & Robert Brannigan, John & Mamie Brett, Terry Brett, Lily Power, Lorenzo Mahony, Bernadette Warde, James & Annie O’Grady, William, Tess & Joan Murphy, Pauline Hogan, Bernard Kelly.
Intentions for next weekend: Paul Prodromou (Sat 6.15), Tom Langton (Sat 7.00), Michael Drennan (Sun 10.30), Maureen O’Shea (Sun 11.00), Beattie Connell (Sun 12.00), Oliver Mannion (Sun 12.30).
May their souls rest in peace. Amen.
Church Gate Collection
The Irish Wheelchair Association will hold their Church Gate Collection outside all Masses this weekend 9th and 10th January 2010. Please support.
All-Ireland Talent Show
Well done to Aidan Byrne, guitarist with the Parish Youth Choir and Pyrotechnix, on the band’s selection to represent the South East on the All-Ireland Talent Show. Aidan is one of our regular musicians at the 12.30pm Sunday Mass at St. Patrick’s Church. The band has been rehearsing non stop since their selection and hope all will row in behind them and support them in the show. The All Ireland Talent Show airs on RTE 1 at 6.30pm on Sundays. Aidan and his band will appear in the live show on Sunday, 17th January. Let’s give Aidan and the band our fullest support by voting of them next weekend.
Bridge in the Afternoon
Fancy playing a game of bridge in the afternoon? Come along to St Patrick’s Parish Centre on Tuesday, 12th January and every Tuesday thereafter. Time: 3.00pm - 5.00pm. No partner required. All are welcome.
Blood Donation Clinic
Every day, patients in hospitals throughout Ireland require blood transfusions. Sometimes it may be for routine surgical procedure such as a hip operation. Other times it may be for someone recovering from a road traffic accident, major surgery such as a heart bypass or a patient undergoing cancer treatment.
Without your continued generosity the Irish Blood Transfusion Service would not be able to provide the blood and blood products needed in hospitals. We depend on you and others like you to maintain an adequate and safe blood supply to save and improve lives.
Your help is particularly needed during the current cold weather as stocks of blood have diminished. Please consider giving blood this week. Local clinics are as follows:
Kilkenny Rivercourt Hotel:
Sunday, 10th January 2010, from 11.30am to 3.30pm.
Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, Wednesday 13th and Thursday, 14th January 2010 from 4.30pm to 8.00pm.
The Parish Office and Shop
The St. Patrick’s Parish Office and Shop is open each weekday between 10.00am and 5.00pm. Call in or telephone 056 776 4400 for all parish business. The Office is closed for lunch between 1.00 and 2.00pm.
Senior Help Line
Do you need someone to talk to? Senior Help Line is a confidential listening service for older people by older people for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland, LoCall 1850 440 444. Senior Help Line is open every day from 10.00am until 4.00pm and from 7.00pm until 10.00pm, 365 days a year.
Older people call us for many reasons… They may feel lonely, isolated or have family or health worries. A small number may fear or be experiencing elder abuse, or are depressed and feel they don’t have the strength to carry on.
Senior Help Line’s trained older volunteers offer a friendly, listening and non-judgemental ear to all callers. So don’t be alone with your problem. Lifting the phone lessens the loneliness. LoCall 1850 440 444.
Public Meeting on Diabetes
All are welcome to a public meeting at 8.00pm on Wednesday, 13th January at the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny. Guest speakers include Dr. Mary Ryan, Consultant Physician Endocrinologist, Aut Even and Ms. Irene Stokes, Podiatrist, The Foot Clinic, Kilkenny. Admission is free. Organised by the Diabetes Federation of Ireland, 021 427 4229 or email: sro@diabetes.ie
Integritas
This is a domestic centre of Christian spirituality based at Ennisnag, Stoneyford. Contact Linda Rainsberry or Patrick Treacy on 056 772 8902 for further information. Email: enquiries@integritas.ie. Web site www.integritas.ie.
Contemplative Prayer and Reflection evenings continue on every Wednesday evening at 8.00pm. Until the beginning of Lent, they will concentrate upon the theme of how one can discern the particular calling of Jesus Christ in one’s life and allow one’s life to follow him totally. During the Lenten Season, these evenings will then concentrate upon confirming the path in one’s life based upon following him, in the light of his passion and death, where he showed his love for each one of us to the utmost extent.
The Scripture study group is held on the third Thursday of each month at 7.30pm. The evening on Thursday, 21st January will reflect upon chapters five and six of the Gospel of St. Mark. The evening on Thursday, 18th February will reflect upon chapters seven and eight of the Gospel of St. Mark and the evening on Thursday, 18th March will continue with reflection upon chapters nine and ten of this gospel. Please do not hesitate to attend this group even if you can only do so occasionally.
Foulkstown Cemetery
For health and safety reasons vehicular access to Foulkstown Cemetery has been restricted for the duration of the bad weather. We ask your cooperation in this matter.
