Pastoral Letter from Pope Benedict XVI to the People of Ireland
Pope Benedict XVI:
says to the victims of abuse and their families: ‘You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry’
expresses deep dismay at ‘sinful and criminal acts and the way the Church authorities in Ireland dealt with them’
calls on Church leaders in Ireland to continue to cooperate with the civil authorities
says that only decisive action carried out with complete honesty and transparency will restore the respect and good will of the Irish people towards the Church
concludes his Letter with a special Prayer for the Church in Ireland, which he composed himself.
Cardinal Sean Brady welcomes the Pope Benedict’s Pastoral Letter
“Today is a very historic day for the Catholics of Ireland.
Pope Benedict has written a pastoral letter to express his closeness to us at this challenging time. He says ‘with words that come from my heart… I wish to speak to each of you individually and to all of you as brothers and sisters in the Lord’. He speaks of the wounds inflicted on Christ’s body by child sexual abuse and of the sometimes painful remedies needed to bind and heal them. He talks of the need for unity, charity and mutual support in the long-term process of restoration and renewal.
I welcome this letter. I am deeply grateful to the Holy Father for his profound kindness and concern…
My dear people, as Pope Benedict said at his General Audience this week on St. Patrick’s Day, I ask you that you read this letter with an open heart and in a spirit of faith.
The Holy Father concludes his Letter with a special Prayer for the Church in Ireland, which he composed himself. He asks us to make use of this prayer in our families, parishes and communities.
Let us pray that the Holy Father’s Pastoral Letter will be the beginning of a great season of rebirth and hope in the Irish Church, under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In a spirit of faith – and in conclusion - let us pray together Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer for the Church in Ireland.”
We have rushed to provide some copies of the Pope’s Pastoral Letter at our parish churches this weekend. Please feel free to take one. The entire Pastoral Letter is available for download at www.ossory,ie, www.patricksparish.com and www.catholicbishops.ie We join with the Pope in encouraging all to obtain a copy and to read it with an open heart and with a spirit of faith.
Lunchtime Theology
Why not join us for a cup of soup and a roll at the Hole in the Wall, 17 High Street, Kilkenny at 1pm this Friday (26th March) for the last session of our lunchtime theology programme?
The subject this week will be: “A Result - The After Life: What can we hope for?” Speaker: Fr. Kieran O’Shea.
Thanks to all who attended the series of talks.
St. Vincent De Paul
The monthly collection for the local conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be taken up during all Masses this weekend. Please give as generously as possible.
Peace in Christ
Thanks to all who supported the recent evening of prayer for St. Patrick’s Parish held at Peace in Christ Retreat House. The evening was well attended and enjoyed by all.
Parish Draw
The final draw in the present series takes place in the Parish Centre on Tuesday evening next at 8.30pm. All are welcome to come along to this event. We would like to say thank you to all our promoters and subscribers.
Parish Website
Encourage all to visit www.patricksparish.net
Pilgrimage to Rome
Why not join the Parish of Mooncoin on a pilgrimage to Rome this summer?
Rome is a wonderful city and as you will see from our itinerary we will have the opportunity to visit all it’s major sights.
July 25th - August 1st 2010. Led by Fr. Eamonn O'Gorman PP, Mooncoin.
All major sights of Rome: Trips to Assisi, Subiaco and Castelgandolfo: Audience/Angelus with the Holy Father. Cost: €1195 (including all taxes). Places are limited so if you are interested in travelling please contact the Mooncoin Parish Office at 051-895123. (Tuesday to Friday 10am-12noon).
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Gerard Dowling, Carrigeen, Mooncoin: Requiem Mass at Carigeen Church at 12 noon on Sunday, (Brother of Gretta Kelly, Parish Team Member). Ailish Meighan, Sligo and Castlecomer Road
Months Mind: Daphne Phelan (Sun 12.30), Joe Lawlor (Fri 6.15)
Anniversaries: Michael O’Sullivan (Sat 6.15), John Walsh (Sun 10.00), Pat Delahunty (Sun 10.30), Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00), Michael McInerney (Sun 12.00), Mary & Cecil Pullan (Mon 6:15), Eamon O’Neill (Tues (10.30), Jane, Henry & Paddy Glynn (Tues 6.15), Des Cullen (Fri 10.30), Ella Cuddihy (Thurs 6:15), Billy Wallace (Sat 9.30), Paddy Larkin, Kathleen Daly, Patrick Rusty Scanlon, May, Bill & Martin Costello, Elizabeth Kavanagh, Mary Hickey, Johanna, Philip & John Larkin, May& William Meehan, Paddy Walsh, John Tynan, Thomas Long, Lou McCarthy, The Stafford Family, The Mulvin Family.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Paddy Tomney (Sat 6:15), Oliver Kelly (Sat 7.00), Chris Kenny (Sun 9.30), Seamus Brennan (Months Mind Sun 11.00), Margaret Dunne (Sun 12.00).
Latin Rite Mass
Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation 5.00pm Thursday, 25th March.
St. Patrick’s Church at 4.00pm on Palm Sunday.
World Water Day
World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd March 2010. As water becomes scarcer and more precious we wonder how many more will we have.
The human right to water is one of the most widely denied. We must oppose the privatisation of water. Our wastage can affect the global water table. The UN millennium goal is to bring clean water to 300,000 people every day by 2015. The €7.5 billon required is less than that spent on bottled water in Western Europe in 2007. Let us participate.
Pandemic Flu
The Irish Church has received the following advice from the HSE:
“The rates of pandemic flu infection are now very low. All of our health locations are advised to take down leaflets relating to pandemic flu. Religious settings and churches should do this also please. The HSE website on swine flu and flu information telephone help- line will cease operation on April 7th. While infection precautions can be reduced (no need for alternative to sign-of-peace; chalice usage resumed etc.) we continue to recommend good hand hygiene is observed as this is best practice.”
Kilkenny Christian Churches for Haiti
Concert this Sunday 21st March
The four main Christian Churches in Kilkenny have joined in a project to raise funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti - Kilkenny Christian Churches for Haiti (KCCH). The KCCH Account is open at St. Canice’s Credit Union until Easter (account No. 60741K).
The highlight of the project is a Concert for Haiti to be held on this Sunday, 21st March, at 7.30 p.m. in St. Canice’s Cathedral. Admission to the concert is free. Those attending will be treated to music of the highest quality from local choirs and musicians, and are asked simply to contribute whatever they can to a collection that will be taken up during the concert in aid of the Concern Haiti Appeal.
Lourdes Invalid Fund
The St. Patrick’s Parish Lourdes Committee still have remaining two free places on this years Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. If you have a relative, friend or acquaintance who is or has been ill or is going through a difficult time please submit their name to any of the following committee members: Martin Brett, 087 265 1272; Bernie Cantwell 086 333 7188; Eamonn Brennan 087 257 7514; Bill Mullally 086 603 0414; Michael O’Dwyer 087 633 0294; Anne Tierney 086 861 7244; Tommy Mullins 056 776 3427; Mary Gypps 056 776 2721 or leave their name into the Parish Office 056 776 4400. Deadline is 31st March 2010.
Loughboy Library News
Count down to earth hour - takes place at 8.30pm on 27th March this year. To coincide with this event the library is hosting a free “energy drop-in” workshop with Bernadette Moloney, Environment Awareness Officer with Kilkenny County Council on Wednesday, 24th March from 2.00 - 5.00pm. Bernadette will give information and advice on matters ranging from the use of CFL bulbs, reducing your bills, building energy ratings and renewable technologies suitable for a home.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of Rehab Kilkenny takes place on Saturday and Sunday 27th & 28th March 2010.
Healing Service at St Fiacre’s
A healing service within Mass will take place at St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday, 25th March at 7.30pm.
SOS Parish Appeal
The SOS house to house appeal takes place in St Patrick’s Parish during the months of March and April. Leaflets will be dropped through your door during the next while and those involved ask you to be as generous as possible. SOS, Callan Road, Kilkenny provides work and accommodation for adults with special needs.
Family Liturgy
Don’t forget our weekly Family Liturgy at St. Fiacre’s Church. Young people with their parents gather to celebrate the liturgy at 10.30am Mass each Sunday. Practice is after the 6.45pm Mass on Thursdays. All welcome.
Extra Mass for Lent
We have introduced an extra Mass for Lent. You are invited to join with us at St. Fiacre’s Church every weekday evening at 6.15pm.
The All Ireland Talent Show
Well done to parishioner Ross Hennessy and his group Na Fianna on their performance in the RTE 1 All Ireland Talent Show last weekend. A truly wonderful performance.
Read the Pope’s Pastoral Letter on our website.
