Googling is good for you
A google a day keeps the doctor away, researchers have found. Surfing the net boosts the brain. And its effects last long after the surfing stops. One theory holds that surfing stretches the brain by making it perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Fine! But let’s not forget what drives the search in the first place. And I don’t mean the hard drive. I mean curiosity. Were this lacking there would be no activity. Curiosity stimulates the search. It’s what puts Moses in touch with God in our First Reading today. He sees something that arouses his curiosity: a burning bush that’s not consumed. His curiosity gets the better of him and because it does we discover two very important things: about God; he cares for us; about human beings; we’re holy. God tells Moses to come no closer and to take off his sandals because he’s on holy ground – God’s turf. I used to think that he was letting Moses know how unworthy he was to approach him. How wrong I was! God is saying the exact opposite. Not being gods we must maintain some distance from him, yet nothing should come between us, not even a pair of sandals. Only what comes directly from the hand of God is worthy to be near him – hence the naked sole. Moses is a murderer. Yet God calls him. It’s easy to see God through goodness. But can we see him when evil blocks the view? If not, then let’s remember a murderer and a burning bush. (Fr Tom Cahill SVD)
Parish Evening at Peace in Christ
The annual evening of prayer for our parish will be held at Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road on this Tuesday evening. The evening begins at 8.00pm and ends at about 10.00pm. Please come and participate in an evening in preparation for Easter.
First Holy Communion
We welcome First Holy Communion candidates and their families to Masses this weekend. Those from Gaelscoil Osrai and Kilkenny School Project will attend 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s while St. Patrick’s De La Salle and St. John of God pupils will attend 11.00am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ann Lalor, Friary Street (Retired Ossory Diocesan Secretary). Tommy McCarthy, Riverview. Sybil Miller, England. Julia Walsh (nee West), Ossory Park and England.
Anniversaries: Lulu Lynch (Sat 6.15), Vincent Morrissey (Sat 7.00), Brendan Reid (Sun 9.30), Michael (Mick) Brophy (Sun 10.00), Evelyn Herlihy & Christian Maher, (Sun 11.00), Bobby Brannigan (Sun 12.30), Olive Malone (Fri 6.15), Frank O’Brien, Olive, Kathleen & Owen Deegan, William Holland, Kathleen White, Patrick Leahy.
Intentions for next weekend: Eamonn 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).
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the society will take place on Friday, 12th March in the Parish Centre after the 10.30 Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. All are welcome.
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the First Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday, 7th March at 3pm. All are welcome.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from 22nd May to 27th May. If you know of any parishioner who might benefit from making the pilgrimage, but might need financial assistance, please contact any member of St. Patrick’s Lourdes Fund Committee: Martin Brett, 087 265 1272, Bernie Cantwell 086 333 7188, Eamonn Brennan 087 257 7514, Bill Mulally 086 603 0414, Michael O’Dwyer 087 633 0294, Anne Tierney 086 861 7244, Tommy Mullins 776 3427, Mary Gypps 056 776 2721 or email: stpatricksparish@ossory.ie as soon as possible.
Charitable Donations to Parish
We recently sent CHY2 forms to those recorded as contributing €250 or more to the parish during 2009. We appeal to those who received such forms to complete them as indicated and return them to the parish office as soon as possible. This will enable us to make an early submission to the Revenue Commissioners to recover for the benefit of the parish the tax you paid on your contributions.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office (776 4400) if you feel you qualify and did not receive a form.
Healing Service at St Fiacre’s
A healing service takes place at St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday, 11th March at 8.00pm. Please note the change of time as the church will be in use for a First Penance Service from 7.00pm that evening. Healing Mass on 25th March at 7.30pm.
Feast of St. John of God
Monday, 8th March is the Feast of St. John of God, the patron of the congregation of religious of the same name in our parish. The Sisters of St. John of God were founded in Wexford in October 1871 and arrived in Kilkenny in 1886. “We are an international Congregation of women religious, who endeavour to live a life of prayer and commitment to Gospel values. We share a common vision to bring God’s healing love to everyone, wherever we are.
Each of us responded in faith to a call to join this particular Congregation and to be faithful to the dream that inspired our Founders. Through our various ministries in many parts of the world, we aim to give concrete expression to God’s compassionate care for all people and the whole of creation.” (www.ssjg.org)
Priests and people of the parish join in congratulating the sisters and their collaborators and wish them well on their feast day.
St. Joseph’s Novena
The annual novena to St. Joseph begins at St. Joseph’s, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road on Thursday, 11th March. Mass and prayers each evening at 8.00pm. All welcome.
Volunteer Help Needed
Our parish will shortly need some help with the distribution of the parish envelope packs. Please contact the parish office if you are willing to help drop the boxes into a few dozen homes in your area. Some areas are well covered; however, we could do with help in many areas - especially the newer estates and where former distributors have retired or died.
Concert in the Castle
On Friday, 12th of March at 8pm the Brass Quintet "Quintessenz" from the Black Forest will play a concert in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle. On the night they will be preceded by St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Concert Band. Your support will be greatly appreciated and a great night’s entertainment is assured. Tickets at €10 are available from The Book Centre, High Street or on the door. For further information contact 087 212 0201.
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.
Thomastown Lenten Programme
There will be an Evening of Prayer through Song with David Parkes, international singer, in association with Marian Pilgrimages at the Parish Church, Thomastown on Thursday 11th March beginning at 7.30pm.
Thank You from IHCPT
Sincere thanks to all who supported the IHCPT concert at St. Fiacre’s Church on last Wednesday evening. Thanks especially to the artistes who gave their talents and time so freely. Almost €1,400 was raised to help send young people with special needs to Lourdes this Easter. We will remember you at the grotto.
Trocaire
Trócaire would like to thank everyone for their huge generosity to the Haiti appeal. Donations from the Irish public have surpassed all expectations: €3,486,815 (NI: Stg £979,643). Thanks to this support Trócaire will help thousands of survivors to rebuild their lives in Haiti.
However, this Lent Trócaire reminds us that, while earthquakes and natural disasters attract global attention, there are millions of people around the world who will go to bed hungry tonight. During Lent over 600,000 children will die from hunger and diseases caused by hunger. The total number of people that were killed by the recent earthquake in Haiti, is less than half that number. This hunger crisis is taking place away from the TV cameras in small, rural villages all over the developing world. Please support Trócaire’s Lenten campaign in whatever way you can, to help families overcome hunger.
Kilkenny City Harriers
Our Junior Ladies team has been selected to represent Ireland at the European Junior Club Champions Cup in Portugal in September. The cost involved in kitting out and bringing 20 plus members to Portugal is quite significant. As part of our fund raising programme we have organised a Fun Run “St. Patrick’s Day Dash” 5K for adults, 2K for juveniles with registration at The Watershed from 10am on St Patrick’s morning. "The Dash" starts at 11.00am. Please support this cause.
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 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.
Kilkenny Flower Club
The next meeting of Kilkenny Flower Club in Butler House on Thursday, 11th March at 8.00pm is a work night. That means we will participate in making either an arrangement called “Spring Contrast” or “Parallel Texture” For details of requirements please go to www.kilkennyflowerclub.wordpress.com or telephone 086 807 2040. All welcome.
Judo for Haiti
A judo demonstration to raise funds for Haiti will take place in McDonagh Junction on Saturday, 13th March beginning at 12.30pm and ending at 3pm. All monies raised will go to the Haven Fund who are working in Haiti.
Loughboy Library
Interested in trying out the Nintendo Wii? Loughboy Library will be holding a series of training classes for the over 55’s. Classes are free and you don’t need to own a Wii to take part. For more details contact 056 7794176.
Book Club: meets on Thursday April 1st at 10.30am. Book for this month is ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’. Copies available at the library. All welcome.
