Gno your Genome
If you had $70,000 to spare you might want to buy the latest status symbol: a USB drive on a black velvet tray. But it’s not any old finger file. It contains a digital version of your genome; sequenced, decoded and ready for use. So far, fewer than one hundred of the world’s wealthiest individuals have succeeded in getting one. There were only three personalised genomes on the planet in 2007. Since then the waiting list has increased steadily, world recession not withstanding. The urge to splurge springs not from scientific interest but from self-interest. The file’s information may soon be able to tell its owner what he or she will die of. Consequently, they may be able to do something about it; thus thwarting the Grim Reaper’s unwelcome embrace – at least for a time.
That’s not the sort of healing we hear about, however, in today’s First Reading. (Acts 5:12-16) It’s completely unscientific and Spirit driven. Significantly, it’s more a case of seeking health than of thwarting death. As resurrection people we don’t fear death, whatever about the business of dying. At least, we shouldn’t. There is such a thing as a healthy acceptance of death as there is an unhealthy fear of it. Let’s go further. For people of faith death is never followed by a full stop. In our thoughts, however, sometimes it is. That’s why we need the Easter season – to remind us that death is not an ending of life but a beginning of resurrection. After all, we were born not for death but for eternal life.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Computer Classes
We will soon restart computer classes in the parish centre.
The dates are: Monday 19th April, Friday 23rd April. If you are interested then contact Debbie on 087 9685901. Beginners and more advanced are welcome.
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre maintains a dedicated computer room for use in training and other computer related work.
Questions people ask
In the Gospel of John the Holy Spirit came on the Apostles on Easter Sunday whereas Luke, in Acts, says it was on Pentecost, fifty days later. Which date is correct?
First day of fiftieth? Both days are correct because the Holy Spirit comes every day. John highlights Easter Day as the beginning of a new age and mission. The mission of Jesus, sent by the Father, was completed on Good Friday. Now the mission of the Church begins….’so I am sending you’. The Holy Spirit is bestowed on the Apostles. As Luke emphasises the world-wide dimension of the mission, he selects Pentecost, a harvest festival, when people of far flung lands and different languages were gathered in Jerusalem.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for Our Deceased
Recently Deceased: William Morris, Fr. Albert Place. Charles Blackmore, Rathleek, Rosemary Harrington, Edenvale Close. Matthew Keyes, England
Months Mind: Paddy Burke (Sat 7.00), Andy Henderson (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Martin Hoyne (Sat 6.15), Sheila Keaney (Sun 10.30), Paddy McGrath (Sun 11.00), Denis Kavanagh (Sun 12.00), Michael O’Reilly (Mon 9.30), Eileen Mullins (Tues 10.30), Nancy Webster & Charlotte Lee (Wed 10.30), Michael & Mary Conway, Kate & Mary Mullally, Patrick Cahill, Kathleen Esmonde, William Nugent, Johnny Cullen, Patrick & Tom Delaney, Christina Walsh, Martin O’Driscoll, Peggy Beckett, Hannah Delaney, Michael Malone.
Intentions for next weekend
Anniversaries: Michael & Mary Burke (Sat 6.15, Margaret Banahan (Sat 7.00), Patrick Morris (Sun 9.30), Eileen Byrne (Sun 10.00), Dick Keating (Sun 12.30),
Get Out Your Knitting Needles
Knitting classes take place in the parish centre on Monday nights starting at 7.30pm. All are welcome to ‘Cast’ on.
Afternoon Bridge
Afternoon Bridge takes place in the Parish Centre every Tuesday from 3pm to 5pm. Everyone is welcome. No partner required and no competition, just come and play!
Parish Confirmation
Our Parish Confirmation will be held on the 24th April in St. Mary’s Cathedral. We keep in our prayers all who are about to receive this important sacrament.
Young at Heart
The Young at Heart Club will hold their usual meeting in the Parish Centre on Wednesday 14th of April. New members welcome.
St. Patrick’s Adult Folk Choir
The adult folk choir is celebrating its 20th year. To mark the occasion the choir will sing at a celebratory mass on Saturday, 24th April at 7pm in St. Patrick’s Church. They would love all former members to come and join them on this special evening. All are welcome. There will be a ‘get together’ after mass in Delaney’s, Patrick Street.
James Stephens GAA Club
The club will launch their development draw next Thursday 15th April at 8.30 pm in their club rooms in Larchfield. All are welcome to attend.
A Field Day will be held in Larchfield grounds on May 9th—Lá na gClub—details to follow.
Life in the Spirit Novena
The Novena takes place in Castlecomer Church every Tuesday starting at 7:45pm. Dates are: April 13th, 20th , 27th, May 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th. Mass of Thanksgiving on Monday May 30th at 7:45pm.
Speakers are Eddie Stones, Fr. Cathal Price, Fr. Thady Doyle, Bishop Freeman, Fr. Damien Ryan, Mgr. Pat Lynch, Miriam McGee and Don Devaney. All are welcome to attend and take part.
Springtime
A meeting of the voluntary gardeners for the Parish Centre Gardens will take place on Wednesday 14th April at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Current volunteers and those who would like to be involved in maintaining the gardens are very welcome to attend.
Horticultural Society
The society is holding a lecture on ‘Planting Roses, Garden and Herbivorous Plant Maintenance’ Lecture by Patrick Comerford. Raffle and plant sale. Venue is Club House Hotel and admission is €5.
Divine Mercy Sunday
This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. A celebration in honour of the Divine Mercy will place in the Friary Church this Sunday 11th from 2pm to 5pm. All are welcome.
St. Patrick’s Church recently received a lovely picture of the Divine Mercy from two parishioners and we are grateful to them. It is placed next to our Lady at the sacristy door.
Loughboy Library News
Read Yourself Well—A Bibliotherapy Collection for the family.
A stock of self-help books to assist with a variety of mental health issues that may affect families has been introduced to Loughboy Library.
These books have been recommended by psychologists, counsellors and psychotherapists working in Ireland. Titles available can be accessed online at www.kilkennylibrary.ie under the Family Reading List or by calling into the library and asking for the Bibliotherapy Collection.
Remember, library membership is free if you are unwaged.
Well done to the library for their excellent service to the public.
Parish Website
Suggestions? Comments? Please let us know: www.patricksparish.com
The Popes Pastoral Letter
Following the recent publication of Pope Benedict's Pastoral Letter to the Catholics of Ireland which was positively received by most people, it is now time to implement some of the requests our Holy Father has made of us.
‘I now invite all of you to devote your Friday penances, for a period of one year, between now and Easter 2011, to this intention. I ask you to offer up your fasting, your prayer, your reading of Scripture and your works of mercy in order to obtain the grace of healing and renewal for the Church in Ireland. I encourage you to discover anew the sacrament of Reconciliation and to avail yourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its grace.
Particular attention should also be given to Eucharistic adoration, and in every diocese there should be churches or chapels specifically devoted to this purpose.’
(Section 14 of Pastoral Letter).
Starting next Friday, we plan to hold an hour’s exposition in St. Patrick’s and St. Fiacre’s Church. At the masses on Friday, the Pope’s prayer will be read and then after mass, exposition will take place.
There is already exposition taking place in St. Patrick’s Church every Friday.
In addition we will begin an hour’s exposition every Friday in St. Fiacre’s Church from 11am to 12noon for the grace of healing and renewal in our Church in Ireland. We invite all who would like to be part of this special prayer to attend either Church on the Friday and offer this holy hour.
If this is not possible due to other commitments, we can still offer up our fasting, scripture reading and works of mercy for this intention. Keep in mind that fasting doesn’t have to be food, it could be giving up some special treat or something you enjoy on Friday’s instead.
This is the beginning of our pastoral response to healing the hurt which scandals and cover-ups have caused. It’s a small but important beginning. Do join us if you can.
For those who haven’t yet read the Pope’s letter there are copies available in the porches of all our church’s and the letter is available on our website.
Parish Centre Shop
Our parish shop is proving to be a great success with a wide variety of religious goods on sale.
There are many items available for Confirmations and First Communions. Feel free to have a look and see.
Parish Envelopes
Virtually all the new parish envelopes have been distributed by now and we’re grateful to all who took the time to distribute these. Thanks also to everyone who contributes using these envelopes and by standing order. We greatly appreciate your support. Didn’t receive any? Contact the parish office.
