Our National Feast
St Patrick’s Day is a special day for Irish people living at home and abroad. In 2010 we celebrate our national saint’s day in the midst of a deep economic recession which has resulted in unemployment and emigration for many individuals and families in Ireland.
The plight of Patrick, himself a migrant, has been faced by many Irish people who have struggled to live and integrate into new cultures. Patrick was called to serve and bring God to a people far from his homeland. Our national Saint was a pioneer in an inhospitable climate. The Church today can learn much from his commitment and zeal in spreading the Good News. In the words of St Patrick: “May it never befall me to be separated by my God from his people whom he has won in this most remote land. I pray God that he gives me perseverance, and that he will deign that I should be a faithful witness for his sake right up to the time of my passing” (The Confession of St Patrick).
At their meeting in Maynooth earlier this week the Irish bishops expressed concern regarding migrant workers who, in common with many Irish people, are losing their employment at this time of recession. They noted that despite difficulties encountered as a result of work shortages, a significant number of migrants are choosing to remain in Ireland... It is essential, even in a time of decreased resources, that the rights of migrants in relation to work, access to services and entitlement to social benefits are fully respected.
Noting the significant decrease in numbers of people coming to seek asylum in this country, the bishops discussed Ireland’s international obligation to examine in a fair, prompt and transparent manner the application of those who come seeking a place of refuge. The bishops raised concern regarding the numbers of people, including many families, who spend years in ‘Direct Provision’ centres around the country awaiting a decision on their asylum application. Not allowed to take up employment and, with increasingly restricted access to social welfare benefits, many parents face serious challenges in raising their children.
From Statement issued by the Irish Catholic Bishops
Patrick’s Day Arrangements
Masses on Tuesday evening at 6.15 (St. Fiacre’s) and 7.00 (St. Patrick’s). Masses on Wednesday at 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm (St. Patrick’s), 10.00am (Foulkstown) and 10.30am and 12 noon (St. Fiacre’s). There will be no evening Mass on Wednesday.
St. Patrick’s Day Readers
6.15pm Mairead Ni Mhuineog, 7.00pm Frank McKenna, 9.30am Michael Lydon, 10.00am Mags McQuillan, 11.00am Eileen Ryan, 12.00noon Marie Magnier, 12.30pm Niamh Daly
Adoration
There will be an hour of Adoration and prayer in the Friary Church on Sunday March 14th from 3 - 4pm.
Many Thanks
The organisers of the recent collection for the School of the Holy Spirit wish to thank those who contributed so generously.
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 we hope to explore our faith journey as Christians. Why not join, this Friday 19th March, 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. Location: The Hole in the Wall, 17 High Street Kilkenny - at 1pm. Topic: An Achievement - The Saintly Life: An ideal beyond our grasp? Speaker: Fr. Dan Bollard.
Choral Concert
Tuesday 16th March at 7.30pm. St. Kieran’s College Chapel, College Road. Featuring Pittsburgh State University College Choir, The Unity Singers, Kilkenny Male Voice Choir, St. Kieran’s College Pupils. Donation to include light refreshments €15. In aid of the restoration of St. Kieran’s College Chapel Pipe Organ.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Liam Anthony Phelan, Dean’s Court, Andy Henderson, Mayfield, Patrick Ryan, Circular Road.
Anniversaries: Eamon O’Toole (Sat 6.15), May & Michael Brannigan (Sat 7.00), Thomas Donnelly (Sun 9.30), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.00), Frank English (Sun 10.30), Dr. W. J. Phelan, Margaret Phelan, Moya Bligh (Sun 11.00), John Dooley (Sun 12.00), Sue Daly (Sun 12.30), Phelim McConville (Tues 6.15), Sr. Genevieve Brennan (Tues 7.00), Brigid Eardly (Wed 10.00), Ellen & Carmel Hayes (Wed 10.30), Gerry Coyne (Wed 12.00), Patrick Morris (Thurs 9.30), Margaret Tyrell (Thurs 10.30), Michael & Christina McGrath (Fri 10.30), Billy Connick, Bridget Slattery, Rose Cantwell, Breda Butler, Brigid Brennan, Adrian Bligh, Lou McCarthy, Patrick Brennan,
Ella Cuddihy.
Intentions for next weekend: Daphne Phelan (Sun 12.30, Months Mind) 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)
Prayer and Reflection
An Evening of Prayer and Reflection for Readers and Eucharistic Ministers: Conscious that so many people volunteer to work as Readers and Eucharistic ministers throughout the diocese, the Ossory Adult Faith Development Committee have 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, their contribution to our parish community. We would like to invite, where possible, 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 let us know so that we may pass on approximate numbers. Thank you.
United Christian Concert for Haiti
The four main Christian Churches in Kilkenny have joined together in a fund raising project for Concern’s appeal for the earthquake victims in Haiti. A United Christian Concert will take place in St. Canice’s Cathedral on Sunday 21st March at 7.30 p.m. Participants include the joint choirs of St Canice’s and St Mary’s Cathedrals; Kilkenny College Choir; Presentation Kilkenny Choir; Gaelscoil Osrai; St. Canice’s Primary School and Malcolm Proud. There will also be reflections and readings from the four main Christian Churches in Kilkenny. Admission: Free. A collection will be taken up, with all proceeds going to the KCCH/ Concern Haiti Appeal. A representative of Concern will be present to give a short talk on the situation in Haiti and the plans for the future. The KCCH account will remain open at St. Canice’s Credit Union until Easter. Any person or group wishing to contribute to the fund may wish to call to the Credit Union or call the contact person for the project who is Paul McKiernan, telephone 087 9043071.
English Literature
A 10 week course. Exploring drama and short fiction. Kilkenny Campus, NUI Maynooth. Tuesdays 7pm—9pm. 13th April 2010 - 15th June 2010. Cost €150. Closing date for applications: 26th March 2010. For further information contact: Lisa Condon at 056 777 5910 / 087 2630 999.
Email: kilkenny.campus@nuim.ie. Website thttp://.kilkenny.nuim.ie
Computer Course
Computer classes will resume again in the Parish Centre. Anyone interested should contact the Parish Office.
St. Patrick’s on the Web
Tell your relatives and friends living abroad
www.patricksparish.com
We wish all mothers a Happy Mother’s Day
“No matter how old a mother is, she watches her middle-aged children for signs of improvement.”
Florida Scott-Maxwell
“Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever.”
Unknown
Energy Awareness Week
March 22nd - 26th: Loughboy library is hosting a free drop-in energy workshop on Wednesday March 24th from 2-5pm. Bernadette Moloney, Environmental Awareness Office with Kilkenny County Council will give information on SEI grants and general tips on energy awareness and conservation. No need to book - just drop in and share your queries.
The All Ireland Talent Show
Don’t forget to tune in to the All Ireland Talent Show on RTE1 on this Sunday evening at 6.30pm and vote for parishioner Ross Hennessy and his group, Na Fianna.
St. Patrick’s Parish Draw
The final draw in the present series will take place on Tuesday 23rd March, in our Parish Centre at 8.30pm. The draw is held in public and everyone is invited to attend.
The draw has been a significant source of funding for our Parish Centre and, since 2004, has raised €560,000 towards its cost. In the same period, €118,000 has been returned to the local community in prize money. Following this month’s draw a further €2000 in prize money will be added to this figure and the balance will go to the Centre.
This is an opportune time to thank all our promoters and subscribers for their loyalty, hard work and generosity over the lifetime of this draw and indeed previous series of draws going back to the late 1980’s. During this period St. Fiacre’s Church was built (1992), St. Joseph’s Church in Foulkstown was rebuilt (1999) and now, St. Patrick’s Parish Centre and homes for the elderly have been completed in Loughboy. Our Parish draw has been a significant fund raiser for each of these projects and , to a large extent, the same people have continued to support the draw as promoters and subscribers. We thank all of you for your support over such an extended period of time and we remember with sadness the promoters and subscribers who are gone to their eternal reward.
The breakdown for the last five draws is as follows:
2004 2005/06 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 (to date)
€127,000 €95,000 €115,000 €119,000 €104,000
In addition we paid out €24,000 prize money in each draw.
There is still an outstanding debt on our Parish Centre but in these times of economic hardship for many families we feel it is right to suspend the draw for the present. We will keep the situation under review and, as always, we depend on your continued support for our Parish through the envelope collection, tax back scheme, bag pack and some other events during the year.
