Second Sunday of Lent
‘A cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid’ (Luke 9:34).
In today’s Gospel we are invited into the world of Peter, John and James who followed Jesus up the mountain to pray. During this ritual however, the disciples found themselves surrounded by a dark cloud. Can you imagine how they felt? Lost, alone, insecure, petrified into silence... The feelings associated with entering a dark cloud of uncertainty are often reflected today by those who are physically weak and ill from chronic hunger. Not only are they hungry in the body but they are also psychologically hungry, craving the security of knowing where the next meal will come from. These are feelings Pilemina remembers all too well. She struggled to feed her children for five years in a refugee camp in Uganda. When the civil war ended the hunger and despair were too much and she decided she would rather die at home than in the camp. Now she receives help from Trócaire’s partners in the area and can grow enough to feed her family and send her grandchildren to school. “Life is better, we have enough food,” she says. Please support Trócaire’s Lenten campaign this year in whatever way you can.
Mass for Lent
Don’t forget Mass on Monday to Friday in St. Fiacre’s Church at 6:15pm.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why is the glorious story of the transfiguration always read during the penitential season of Lent?
A. Penance is better when it wears a happy face and is inspired by the desire for God’s light and glory. The three apostles who witnessed the glory of Jesus would later witness his fear and agony in Gethsemane. Their memory of the day of light would sustain them in the night of darkness. Treasure your times of light when you feel close to God as you will be able to draw strength from memory in times of darkness.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Joseph Lawlor, 19 Pinewood Avenue. Funeral prayers at Johnston’s Funeral Home at 7.00pm on Saturday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 12.30pm on Sunday followed by interment in St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Tommy McCarthy, 37 Riverview. Funeral prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.00pm on Monday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church. Requiem Mass at 10.30am on Tuesday followed by cremation at Mount St. Jerome’s Crematorium, Dublin. Rosary at 8.00pm on Sunday. Mary Cantwell-Dickerson, late of Danesfort and USA. Memorial Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.30pm on Friday. Margaret Dollard, late of Michael Street and England. William Brennan, Conahy and USA. Cyril Deegan, 8 St. Francis Terrace.
Months Mind: Rory Quinn (Fri 6.15)
Anniversaries: John & Brigid O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Pat Adams (Sat 7.00), Peggy McGrath (Sun 10.00), Thomas & Brigid Casey (Sun 10.30), Brian Griffin (Sun 12.00), Joanne Fanning (Sun 12.30), Mary Fitzpatrick (Mon 6.15), Mikey Holland (Tues 9.30), Gerard Lincoln (Wed 10.30), Billy Wallace (Sat 9.30), Sr. Teresa Landy, Michael McKane, Andrew McCarthy, Peter Kiernan, Patrick Barry, Eamon Muldowney, Deirdre McGuinness, John Bradley, Catherine Beckett, Jack Talbot, Tina O’Driscoll, Billy Maguire.
Intentions for next weekend: Lulu Lynch (Sat 6.15), Vincent Morrissey (Sat 7.00), Brendan Reid (Sun 9.30), Mick Brophy (Sun 10.00), Bobby Brannigan (Sun 12.30).
Bereavement Support
Our parish Bereavement Support Group offers one to one support to bereaved Parishioners. Phone 086 162 9089 to make an appointment to meet members of the group in the Parish Centre, Loughboy. Free and confidential.
Rainbows is a peer support group for bereaved children. The next course begins at St. John’s Day Care Centre at the rear of St. John’s Church, Dublin Road on Tuesday 9th March between 5 and 6.00pm. Contact Margaret on 087 908 7659 for referrals.
Bible Study
Sr. De Lourdes Sheridan will hold a Bible Study on Tuesdays, 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd March in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre at 10pm. For further information phone Kathleen on 087 246 8443. All welcome.
Lunchtime Theology
Lent allows us to follow and reflect on the most significant days in the life of Jesus. Maybe it also offers us an opportune time to reflect on what is significant in our own lives or more specifically in our lives of faith.
This Lent the Ossory Adult Faith Development Group offers an opportunity to explore our faith journey as Christians. Why not join in an informal and relaxed manner, for 45 minutes over a cup of soup and a sandwich, to reflect on some of the stages of our lives of faith? The venue is the “Hole in the Wall”, 17 High Street, Kilkenny. On this Friday, 5th March at 1.00pm Fr. W. Dalton will talk on “An Aid - The Sacramental Life: Can they speak to our reality?”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
The Redemptorist Fathers continue to present the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help at St John’s Church until Tuesday, 2nd March. During the Novena there will be Mass at 7.30am, 10.30am and 7.30pm. Preparation for each session will be 15 minutes before each Mass. There will be a blessing of babies and young children and the distribution of miraculous medals on this Sunday at 3pm.
Westcourt News
The March Mass for the blessings of Edmund Rice on our lives and for his canonisation will be celebrated in Westcourt on Monday, 1st March at 7.30pm. The Bereavement Society is preparing the liturgy for this mass.
Lenten Station
The Lenten Station envelope for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop is due about now. Please use the yellow envelope in your current pack of parish envelopes. We are grateful to all who continue to support us priests in these difficult times.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Those wishing to travel on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, 22nd—27th May should now contact Eleanor at Glenmore Parish Office on 051 880 414, weekdays excluding Wednesday 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Concert at St. Fiacre’s Church
Each year at Easter, the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, a registered charity in Ireland, travels on pilgrimage/holiday to Lourdes with young people with special needs. Fr. Dan is chaplain to Group 174 which is based in Kilkenny/Carlow. The helpers pay their own fares but it falls on the groups to provide for the fares and costs of providing the pilgrimage, holiday and respite for the young people.
To help offset this year’s cost Group 174 presents a concert at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Wednesday evening at 8.00pm. Guests include The Kilkenny Gospel Choir, Trish Carroll, Jimmy Byrne, Billy Molloy, Noreen Cooney, Orla Maloney, Nicky McCullagh, Peter Prendergast and others. An excellent evening’s entertainment is guaranteed. Please come along and support this worthy cause.
Oberammergau Passion Play
Gripped by war, poverty and plague, the villagers of Oberammergau, in Bavaria, southern Germany vowed to put on a 'passion play' every ten years… That was back in 1633. They survived, and performed the first Oberammergau Passion Play in 1634. Ever since, their descendants have carried out that pledge. For the past four centuries the tradition has continued, every ten years. Only villagers have been allowed to take part. And that is what will happen yet again in 2010, from 15th May until 3rd October.
A number of parishioners are exploring the possibility of forming a small pilgrimage/holiday around this year’s Play and are seeking expressions of interest. The cost, including tickets to the play, will be in the region of €1,700. Please contact Ted Byrne or Fr. Dan who will consider organising the trip if there is enough local interest.
Church Gate Collection
The School of the Holy Spirit has a Garda permit for a church gate collection next weekend. Please support this school which provides services for those with autism and special needs.
Attention Parents
Do you want to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk?
Koemba Parenting Programme: St Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy Kilkenny commencing on Tuesday, 4th March 7.30pm to 10.00pm. Eight amazing evenings for only €187. www.koemba.com Phone Val 087 760 9355.
Parish Website
Don’t forget to visit www.patricksparish.net
Colaiste Eamann Rís
An assessment morning for boys intending to commence secondary school in Sept 2010 in Callan CBS will take place from 9-30 a.m. to 11-30 a.m. on Saturday March 6th .For further information please contact the school at 056-772 5340.
Our Lady’s Hospital for Children
A concert in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin will take place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle on Friday, 12th of March at 8.00pm. Featured artists on the night will be Quintessenz, a group from the Black Forest area accompanied by our very own St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band. Admission €10. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Tickets from Book Centre.
Second Sunday of Lent – February 28, 2010
This is my beloved Son, hear him. Take some time to hear the beloved Son speaking to you. What does he say? If you think God is calling you, contact the Vocations Director Fr. Willie Purcell 0876286858 or ossoryvocations.blogspot.com.
Booking Anniversary Masses
We take great care in recording and announcing deaths and anniversaries but sometimes due to human error we make mistakes. If you are requesting a weekend Mass, it’s always a good idea to book early. Please check the newsletter the week before to make sure your anniversary is listed correctly. If you notice an error or omission, please contact the parish secretary or any of the priests. Where possible, please don’t leave an anniversary booking on an answering machine, try talk to someone in the office or to one of the priests. Thanks.
Parish Shop
Located in the parish centre, our religious goods shop stocks a wide variety of religious and devotional items. Now on display is a wide variety of items for First Holy Communion. The shop is open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4pm. You are welcome to drop in and have a look.
Collection for Haiti
Rosary’s, Religious Objects, Prayer leaflets/books, prayer cards wanted. Can be brought to the sacristies or the Parish Centre.
Irish Children's Pilgrimage Trust
Grand Fundraising Concert
St. Fiacre's Church, Loughboy
Wednesday 3rd March at 8pm
The Kilkenny Gospel Choir, Trish Carroll, Jimmy Byrne, Billy Molloy, Noreen Cooney, Orla Phelan, Nicky McCullagh, Peter Prendergast plus other guests. Proceeds will be used to help send children with special needs on pilgrimage to Lourdes this Easter.
Admission €5.00
Concert in Castle
A concert in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin will take place in the Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle on Friday 12th of March at 8pm. Featured artists on the night will be Quintessenz a group of musicians from the Black Forest area of Germany accompanied by our very own St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band. Admission 10 euro. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Tickets available from Book Centre High Street, on the door. Any queries to 087 212 0201
Lourdes
Those wishing to travel on the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes, May 22 to May 27th. inc. should now contact Eleanor on 051 880414 weekdays excluding Wednesday 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 pm.
Callan CBS
An assessment morning for boys intending to commence secondary school in Sept 2010 in Callan CBS will take place from 9-30 a.m. to 11-30 a.m. on Saturday March 6th .For further information please contact the school at 056-7725340
New Parish Envelopes
We are now updating the parish system and getting ready to order and distribute new parish contribution envelopes. As you’ll know, these envelopes are our main source of income (after the parish draw which is finishing), and go towards meeting our day to day running costs as well as our debt on the parish centre.
If you haven’t received parish envelopes up to now and would like to support your parish, then please contact us.
Thanks to all who support us. More will follow next week.
