Ash Wednesday and Lent
Next Wednesday, 17th February is Ash Wednesday and marks the first day of Lent 2010. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at all public Masses in the parish on Wednesday. Ash is a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice.
Masses During Lent
For your convenience we provide an extra parish Mass during Lent: beginning on Ash Wednesday as well as Masses at 9.30am (St. Patrick’s Church) and 10.30am (St. Fiacre’s Church) we will also have a Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.15 each weekday evening during Lent. Why not make attending daily Mass your objective for Lent?
Ashes at the Shopping Centres
The four city parishes have decided to provide blessed ashes to shoppers at the Market Cross and McDonagh Shopping Centres on this Ash Wednesday. Volunteer Eucharistic Ministers are required to attend at the tables and offer the ashes. Please contact the sacristans if you can offer an hour or two.
Senior Citizens’ Parish Party
By all accounts everybody had a wonderful evening at last Monday’s party for the senior citizens of St. Patrick’s Parish. Over one hundred and thirty people sat down to a wonderful four course meal followed by an excellent evening’s dancing to Marble City Sound. Well done to everybody involved.
Do This in Memory Programme
We welcome those preparing for First Holy Communion to 10.30am and 11.00am Mass on this Sunday. The Do This in Memory Programme encourages family members and parish communities to involve themselves in the children’s preparation for the Sacrament.
Knitting Night
Knitters meet at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Mondays at 7.30pm. ‘Cast on and come along’.
Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
Conscious that so many people volunteer to serve as Readers of the Word and Eucharistic Ministers, the Ossory Adult Faith Development Committee has decided to offer an evening of prayer and reflection for those who work in these areas. It is hoped that these evenings will provide an opportunity for our Readers and Eucharistic Ministers to reflect upon and deepen their understanding of contribution they make to the liturgical life of our parish.
We invite all of our Readers and Eucharistic Ministers to avail of this opportunity. Our parish is invited to attend on Tuesday, 16th March in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
If you are a Reader or Eucharistic Minister why not consider making this part of your Lenten journey? If you are free to attend please give your name to the Sacristan or Parish Office so that we can pass on the approximate numbers to the organisers.
Religious Goods
The religious goods shop in the Parish Centre will be open for a while after 10.30am Mass on Sunday. Come along and view a wide variety of First Holy Communion and Confirmation items among the religious goods on offer.
Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes under the patronage of Bishop Séamus Freeman will take place from 22nd to 27th May inclusive. Price €720 p.p.s. All bookings through Glenmore Parish Office on 051 880 414 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
St. Patrick’s Lourdes Committee
This parish group raises funds to help a number of deserving parishioners travel to Lourdes with the annual diocesan pilgrimage. They are currently accepting nominations for the this year’s pilgrimage. Please contact any member of the committee or one of the priests if you, or someone known to you, would like to be considered for travel.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Daphne Phelan, Ashurst. Reposing at her home from 2.00pm on Sunday. Funeral prayers at 10.45am on Monday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church for Requiem Mass at 11.30am Burial in St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Rory Quinn, London and formerly of Cedarwood Avenue. Funeral prayers at Johnston's Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Thursday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 12.00 noon on Friday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Kathleen O’Connell, late 4 Castlecomer Road: Requiem Mass at St. John’s Church at 10.30am on Monday. Mary Wash, Vicar Street; Requiem at St. Canice’s at 11.30am on Sunday. John Hennessy, Blackacre, Paulstown; Requiem Mass at Paulstown Church at 2.00pm on Sunday. Josephine Fitzgerald, Hebron Park; Requiem Mass at St. Canice’s Church at 12.00 noon on Monday. Paddy Bourke, Archers Crescent. Christina Kelly (nee Nugent), England and formerly of Kells Road.
Anniversaries: John O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Walsh & Milo Bourke (Sat 7.00), David Maher (Sun 10.00), Molly Johnston (Sun 10.30), Eileen Cummins (Sun 11.00), Peter Quinn (Sun 12.00), Ciss Lafferty (Sun 12.30), Patrick Morris (Thurs 9.30), Jenny Clancy (Fri 6.15), John & Bridget Dunne, Eileen Cummins, Pierce Comerford, Seamus Culleton, Michael Daly, John Corcoran.
Intentions for next weekend: Nicholas Healy (Sat 6.15), Mary Lynch (Sat 7.00), Mick & Ellen Doyle (Sun 10.00), Patrick McKenna (Sun 11.00 Months Mind), Canice & Michael Daly (Sun 12.00).
Children's Liturgy
We invite adults interested in helping with the Children’s Liturgy at the 10.30am Sunday Mass to a short meeting at the Parish Centre on Tuesday evening at 8.00pm. The idea is to plan the liturgy for the following Sundays. We appeal to all willing to help to come along.
Young people are invited to come to a practice at St. Fiacre’s Church after the 6.15pm Mass on Thursday evening. Please come along.
A Lenten Invitation
“Come Away and Rest Awhile”
Take time on Tuesday mornings of Lent to reflect and pray in a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.
Venue: St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
Time: 11am to 12 noon
Dates: 23rd February, 2nd, 9th, 16th 23rd and 30th March.
Facilitator: Eileen Ross, Qualified Spiritual Guide
Divine Mercy Prayer
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in the Friary Church on Sunday, 14th February from 3.00 to 4.00pm. Please come.
Angels and Demons: the True Story
This series of lectures by Fr. Joe Delaney continues from 8.00pm - 9.30pm each Wednesday evening at St. John’s Day Centre, beside St. John’s RC Church.
17th February: The Ministry of Angels (8.30pm)
3rd March: Demonic Entry Points: The Occult & Alternative Therapies
10th March: The Effects of Generational Sin
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena
The Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help will take place in St. John’s Church, Kilkenny from Monday, 22nd February to Tuesday, 2nd March. The novena will be directed by Redemptorists: Fr John Hanna, Fr Kieran Brady and Fr Tony Rice. 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. Thursday will be devoted to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. All welcome.
Young Singers Wanted
The Youth Choir is growing. About 10 people attend guitar lessons in the Parish Centre on Mondays. We are in need of some singers to accompany them. If you have an hour to spare please come along to the Parish Centre at 7.00pm on Mondays.
Second Hand Books
Wanted: second hand books in aid of K.A.S.M.H.A. Please phone or text 086 732 4554. We will collect.
Art Classes for Beginners
Art classes to introduce you to various classical painting and drawing will take place in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre staring on Monday, 22nd February at 7.30 pm. The classes will run for 8 weeks from 7.30 - 9.30pm and the fee is €80 which includes most materials. To book your place or for further information please contact Sonjaon 083 394 1220 or 056 770 8155.
Dochas na Samu Clothing Appeal
An Irish Run Orphanage is holding a used clothing appeal. Children’s, ladies and gents clothing required. The collection will take place on Wednesday, 17th February before 12 noon at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy. For information call Marie on 087 689 0995.
Loughboy Library News
Deaf Culture Books - Kilkenny Library Service and DeafHear have assembled a collection of materials relating to deaf culture at Loughboy Library. This collection is suitable for adults and children and includes the ABC of Sign Language on DVD, books and CD ROMs.
The First World War - Kilkenny Photographic Society has compiled a collection of photographs of Kilkenny personnel from WWI—this is on display until 19th February.
Questions People Ask
Q. After the recent news about sinful priests, how can I be sure that I was properly baptised, confirmed or absolved? Is that priest at the altar on Sunday a sinner?
A. The validity of the sacraments does not depend on the spiritual state of the priest or bishop as the grace of any sacrament comes from the compassion and power of Jesus Christ, who is the Head of his Body, the Church. The fact is that no priest is totally free from sin. That was the unique privilege of Mary, ‘our tainted nature’s solitary boast’ (Tennyson).
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Divine Mercy Prayer
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Friary Church on Sunday, 14th February from 3.00 to 4.00pm. Please come.
Alzheimer's Society Kilkenny
Table Quiz will be held at the Home Rule Club at 8.30pm on 19th February. Table of 4: €20.
Danesfort Bingo
The Danesfort Community and Parish Centre (at the rear of St. Michael’s Church) hosts bingo on every Wednesday at 8.30pm.
Hard of Hearing?
Hearing Help and lipreading classes start on Monday, 8th February. Morning classes will be held at Deafhear Offices, Friary Street from 10.30am - 12.30pm and Evening classes at The Citizens’ Information Centre, The Parade.
Grande Finale
The Hubble Space Telescope has shown the universe in such incredible detail that it has transformed the way scientists view it. For example, Hubble has honed down the estimate of the universe’s age to between 13 and 14 billion years. It was instrumental in discovering dark energy – that mysterious force that accelerates the expansion of the universe. And, it has revealed galaxies at all stages of their evolution: from wobbly toddlers to the end-time collapse of their massive stars. Among the world’s most important observatories ever, Hubble will degrade until it can’t function. Its life expectancy is perhaps five more years. However, the rejuvenation it got in May 2009 from the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis will enable it to go out in a blaze of glory. Hubble’s last years will be its best.
The same often holds true for people. Senior ones, when they’ve lived good lives, have so much to offer. We should never be tempted to think that we’re past it of have become useless. The doing may be less urgent, varied or demanding, but the being becomes more important than ever. The older we are privileged to get, when open to God’s Spirit, the more we give witness to the truth of what Paul writes about in today’s Second Reading (1 Cor 15:12, 16-20) We are called to resurrection – a resurrection that begins today, or for the fortunate ones, yesterday.
As Hubble has revolutionized scientists’ view of the universe, so too can every person whose resurrection has begun revolutionise the outlook and behaviour of those still awaiting theirs.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Good Grief - Bald Statements
This is an exhibition of alabaster sculptures illustrating feelings of grief and loss from sculptor Jean Parker. The exhibition was born as a reflection of Jean’s own experience of cancer and relate not only to loss of health but to significant loss of any kind. The exhibition is open to the public from 10.00am until 4.00pm each day until Thursday, 18th February at St. John’s Church of Ireland, John Street, Kilkenny.
