Diocesan Listening Sessions
The first two meetings have taken place during this past week. The group work on each night was followed by an open forum. Many people spoke from the heart about their feelings about the Church at this present time.
During this coming week Listening Sessions will take place in Castletown ICA Hall on the 10th May at 8.00pm; Ferrybank Parish Hall on 11th May at 7.30pm; Newpark Hotel on 13th May at 8.00pm and Johnstown Community Centre on 14th May at 8.00pm. The remaining four meetings will be the following week in St Patrick’s Parish Centre on 17th May at 8.00pm; Callan Parish Hall on 18th May at 8.00pm.Canon Malone Hall Ballyragget on May 20th at 8.00pm; Castlecomer Community Hall on the 21st at 8.00pm.
Parishioners are invited to attend the venue for their parish but are welcome to attend one of the other gatherings if the date or venue is more convenient. St Patrick’s Parishioners are invited to join with the people of St. Mary’s Parish and Danesfort Parish at the meeting at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Monday, 17th May at 8.00pm.
These meetings will enable people to reflect upon the situation in the Church at this time, to speak with one another about the past and to reflect upon the present. Bishop Freeman will attend all of these meetings. It will be an opportunity for our bishop to hear the views and opinions from all parishes around the diocese.
An Chéad Chomaoineach Naofa
Comhghairdeas leis na buachaillí agus cailíní ó Rang II, Gaelscoil Osraí, Ranganna Múinteoirí Méabh agus Maria Bríd a ghlac an Chéad Chomaoineach ar an Satharn i Séipéal Naomh Fiacra.
Congratulations to all involved with this year’s First Holy Communion Class at Gaelscoil Osrai. The boys and girls received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday.
We continue our prayers for the boys and girls from our other schools who will receive the sacrament during the coming weeks.
Local Field Day
St. Patrick’s Parish in conjunction with James Stephens GAA Club is holding a field day in Larchfield on this Sunday, 9th May between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. Stands will include: Wheel of Fortune, Cake Stall, Bottle Stall, Bric-a-Brac, Book Stall. Fun events including Baby Show, Dog Show, Penalty Shoot Out, Kill the Rat and many more. All proceeds going to James Stephens GAA Club and St. Patrick’s Parish. Please support your local community.
St. Joseph's Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in the Parish Centre on Friday, 14th May immediately after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. All are welcome to attend.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Billy O’Brien, 22 Hazel Grove. Rosary at his home at 8.00pm on Sunday. Funeral prayers at his home at 11.15pm on Monday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church for Requiem Mass at noon. Burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Sr. Carmel Minnock
Anniversaries: Michael Maher (Sat 6.15), Mary Carroll (Sat 7.00), Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00), William O’Brien Snr, & William O’Brien Jnr & Ann O’Brien (Sun 11.00), Pat Murphy (Sun 12.00), Martin Ryan (Sun 12.30), Patrick O’Neill (Wed 9.30), Michael Deegan (Wed 10.30), Patrick White (Fri 10.30), Moira Bergin, Canice Downes, Liam Meehan, Jim Kelly.
Intentions for next weekend: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15), Charlie Blackmore (Months Mind Sat 7.00), Pat Horan (Sun 9.30), Ciaran Flood (Sun 10.00), William Brennan (Sun 11.00), Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00), John Coppinger (Sun 12.30).
Eucharistic Ministers
A new rota has been compiled for those who serve at the 7.00pm Mass on Saturday evenings and the 9.30am Mass on Sunday mornings. These rotas are available at the Sacristy. Previous rotas for this group are void.
Questions People Ask
What did Jesus mean by speaking of his peace in contrast to the peace that the world can give?
The beautiful Hebrew greeting, Shalom, includes union with God, harmony with all people and the inner strength of tranquillity. Jesus bestows this divine peace through his victory over sin which repairs the damage done by sin and by the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is significant that Jesus spoke of peace on the very eve of his passion. God’s peace resides in the depths of the soul, undisturbed by storms on the surface.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Coláiste Eamann Rís
The Governor of Mountjoy, John Lonergan, has accepted an invitation from the Parent's Council of Coláiste Eamann Rís Callan to speak in the school on Monday, 10th May at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome.
The Parent’s Council of Coláiste Eamann Rís is holding a Buster Draw in Kilkenny Greyhound Track on Friday, 14th May. Tickets are €10 and available from the school or any member of the Parent’s Council . All support is very welcome. If people are available join us at the track as it is a great night’s entertainment.
Attention All Choirs
Tom Kendzia is a liturgical composer and musician working in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. He writes wonderful music and there is a strong Irish influence in his most recent compositions. Tom has presented his music at many church gatherings in America and in recent years has come to Ireland. Tom will present his music and give input about the place of music in the liturgy at a special workshop at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on this Monday, 10th May at 7.30pm.
All members of our parish choirs and any other individuals or groups interested in quality liturgical music are welcome.
We apologise for the short notice but this not-to-be-missed opportunity only became available during the past few days.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your outstanding family fast boxes as we intend closing the 2010 account this week. All monies contributed to the parish will be sent to the Diocesan Office for forwarding to Trócaire. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.
Feeling like a Human Being
There’s a memorable scene in The Shawshank Redemption. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) plays Duettino-Sull’aria from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ over the prison loudspeaker system. Prisoners stop what they’re doing enthralled by the operatic duet. As you watch their rapt features, ‘Red’ Reddings (Morgan Freeman) background commentary tells you that for a few minutes these prisoners feel like human beings again. The beauty of the music blocks out the ugliness of their surroundings and transports them to another place where refinement, beauty and spirit reign. It’s a powerful, touching scene. Now another scene. This time in Suffolk, England. A 5ft by 7ft dilapidated beach hut. Its window is broken. Its paint is peeling. It lacks a door, gar, electricity and water. A local council regulation forbids overnight use of it. For sale at a whopping £40,000, its estate agent says it’ll be snapped up. Other huts similar in size but in better condition have sold even more ‘whoppingly’ for £100,000. Why? Location, location, location. They command a spectacular view of the sea. Again, a place of beauty – and for people of faith, a sense of Presence therein. Out third and last scene is in today’s Second Reading: the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God (Apoc 21:10) Refinement, beauty and Spirit reign there. No need for gas or electricity – not even for the Sun. The glory of God is its light, God’s presence its air. Like the Shawshank prisoners we too need our moments of rapture whether it be from love, nature, art or faith. For without a peek into eternity human nature just cannot peak.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Blessed Sacrament Adoration
In honour of Divine Mercy, there will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Capuchin Friary Church on this Sunday, 9th May between 3.00 and 4.00pm. All welcome.
Be the Change
Date: 29th May at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
Time: 10am - 3.30pm.
Charge: €10 for waged; €5 for the unwaged.
Who should attend? Anyone who is interested in where we are as a society - how we got here - what to do if we want to be an ecologically sustainable, socially just, spiritually fulfilling, human presence on this planet
To book: Stella 086 391 8793 or Maeve 086 887 4581 before 21st May.
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch - tea, coffee provided.
Give Blood
Local blood donation clinics are as follows:
Sunday, 9th May from 11.45am to 3.15pm. Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th May from 4.30pm to 8pm at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny.
Concert
Carlow Choral Society presents Haydn’s ‘The Seasons’ at 8pm Sunday 16th May in the Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow. Tickets are available at the following locations: Empire Records, Roxy Records and the Carlow Tourist Office.
Healing Prayer Service
There will be a prayer service for healing at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Thursday evening between 7.30 and 10.00pm.
Parish Shop
The Parish Shop located in the Parish Centre is the ideal place to purchase quality religious goods, candles and cards. The shop is currently stocking a range of First Holy Communion and Confirmation goods.
Pilgrimage to Oberammergau
A group from St. Patrick’s Parish has joined together to plan a pilgrimage/holiday around a trip to this year’s Passion Play at Oberammergau. The group will be led by Ted Byrne and Fr. Dan and to date numbers about twelve people. Cost will be €1,675 and travel dates are 20th to 27th August inclusive. There is room for more travellers. Please contact the Parish Office at 056 776 4400, Ted Byrne or Fr. Dan for further details or booking forms.
A Talk Not to be Missed.
Tanguy de Toulgoet will give a talk at Kilkenny Flower Club on next Thursday in Butler House at 8.00pm. It will be interesting and informative as he grows vegetables and flowers organically in his garden in Durrow and will tell us how to keep weeding to a minimum. Tanguy is a gifted teacher and will give a prize of a gardening course to a lucky winner. More details are available on www.dunmorecountryschool.ie
The first two meetings have taken place during this past week. The group work on each night was followed by an open forum. Many people spoke from the heart about their feelings about the Church at this present time.
During this coming week Listening Sessions will take place in Castletown ICA Hall on the 10th May at 8.00pm; Ferrybank Parish Hall on 11th May at 7.30pm; Newpark Hotel on 13th May at 8.00pm and Johnstown Community Centre on 14th May at 8.00pm. The remaining four meetings will be the following week in St Patrick’s Parish Centre on 17th May at 8.00pm; Callan Parish Hall on 18th May at 8.00pm.Canon Malone Hall Ballyragget on May 20th at 8.00pm; Castlecomer Community Hall on the 21st at 8.00pm.
Parishioners are invited to attend the venue for their parish but are welcome to attend one of the other gatherings if the date or venue is more convenient. St Patrick’s Parishioners are invited to join with the people of St. Mary’s Parish and Danesfort Parish at the meeting at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Monday, 17th May at 8.00pm.
These meetings will enable people to reflect upon the situation in the Church at this time, to speak with one another about the past and to reflect upon the present. Bishop Freeman will attend all of these meetings. It will be an opportunity for our bishop to hear the views and opinions from all parishes around the diocese.
An Chéad Chomaoineach Naofa
Comhghairdeas leis na buachaillí agus cailíní ó Rang II, Gaelscoil Osraí, Ranganna Múinteoirí Méabh agus Maria Bríd a ghlac an Chéad Chomaoineach ar an Satharn i Séipéal Naomh Fiacra.
Congratulations to all involved with this year’s First Holy Communion Class at Gaelscoil Osrai. The boys and girls received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday.
We continue our prayers for the boys and girls from our other schools who will receive the sacrament during the coming weeks.
Local Field Day
St. Patrick’s Parish in conjunction with James Stephens GAA Club is holding a field day in Larchfield on this Sunday, 9th May between 1.30pm and 5.30pm. Stands will include: Wheel of Fortune, Cake Stall, Bottle Stall, Bric-a-Brac, Book Stall. Fun events including Baby Show, Dog Show, Penalty Shoot Out, Kill the Rat and many more. All proceeds going to James Stephens GAA Club and St. Patrick’s Parish. Please support your local community.
St. Joseph's Young Priests Society
The monthly meeting of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place in the Parish Centre on Friday, 14th May immediately after the 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church. All are welcome to attend.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Billy O’Brien, 22 Hazel Grove. Rosary at his home at 8.00pm on Sunday. Funeral prayers at his home at 11.15pm on Monday followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church for Requiem Mass at noon. Burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Sr. Carmel Minnock
Anniversaries: Michael Maher (Sat 6.15), Mary Carroll (Sat 7.00), Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00), William O’Brien Snr, & William O’Brien Jnr & Ann O’Brien (Sun 11.00), Pat Murphy (Sun 12.00), Martin Ryan (Sun 12.30), Patrick O’Neill (Wed 9.30), Michael Deegan (Wed 10.30), Patrick White (Fri 10.30), Moira Bergin, Canice Downes, Liam Meehan, Jim Kelly.
Intentions for next weekend: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15), Charlie Blackmore (Months Mind Sat 7.00), Pat Horan (Sun 9.30), Ciaran Flood (Sun 10.00), William Brennan (Sun 11.00), Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00), John Coppinger (Sun 12.30).
Eucharistic Ministers
A new rota has been compiled for those who serve at the 7.00pm Mass on Saturday evenings and the 9.30am Mass on Sunday mornings. These rotas are available at the Sacristy. Previous rotas for this group are void.
Questions People Ask
What did Jesus mean by speaking of his peace in contrast to the peace that the world can give?
The beautiful Hebrew greeting, Shalom, includes union with God, harmony with all people and the inner strength of tranquillity. Jesus bestows this divine peace through his victory over sin which repairs the damage done by sin and by the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is significant that Jesus spoke of peace on the very eve of his passion. God’s peace resides in the depths of the soul, undisturbed by storms on the surface.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Coláiste Eamann Rís
The Governor of Mountjoy, John Lonergan, has accepted an invitation from the Parent's Council of Coláiste Eamann Rís Callan to speak in the school on Monday, 10th May at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome.
The Parent’s Council of Coláiste Eamann Rís is holding a Buster Draw in Kilkenny Greyhound Track on Friday, 14th May. Tickets are €10 and available from the school or any member of the Parent’s Council . All support is very welcome. If people are available join us at the track as it is a great night’s entertainment.
Attention All Choirs
Tom Kendzia is a liturgical composer and musician working in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. He writes wonderful music and there is a strong Irish influence in his most recent compositions. Tom has presented his music at many church gatherings in America and in recent years has come to Ireland. Tom will present his music and give input about the place of music in the liturgy at a special workshop at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on this Monday, 10th May at 7.30pm.
All members of our parish choirs and any other individuals or groups interested in quality liturgical music are welcome.
We apologise for the short notice but this not-to-be-missed opportunity only became available during the past few days.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your outstanding family fast boxes as we intend closing the 2010 account this week. All monies contributed to the parish will be sent to the Diocesan Office for forwarding to Trócaire. Thank you for your generous contributions to date.
Feeling like a Human Being
There’s a memorable scene in The Shawshank Redemption. Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) plays Duettino-Sull’aria from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ over the prison loudspeaker system. Prisoners stop what they’re doing enthralled by the operatic duet. As you watch their rapt features, ‘Red’ Reddings (Morgan Freeman) background commentary tells you that for a few minutes these prisoners feel like human beings again. The beauty of the music blocks out the ugliness of their surroundings and transports them to another place where refinement, beauty and spirit reign. It’s a powerful, touching scene. Now another scene. This time in Suffolk, England. A 5ft by 7ft dilapidated beach hut. Its window is broken. Its paint is peeling. It lacks a door, gar, electricity and water. A local council regulation forbids overnight use of it. For sale at a whopping £40,000, its estate agent says it’ll be snapped up. Other huts similar in size but in better condition have sold even more ‘whoppingly’ for £100,000. Why? Location, location, location. They command a spectacular view of the sea. Again, a place of beauty – and for people of faith, a sense of Presence therein. Out third and last scene is in today’s Second Reading: the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God (Apoc 21:10) Refinement, beauty and Spirit reign there. No need for gas or electricity – not even for the Sun. The glory of God is its light, God’s presence its air. Like the Shawshank prisoners we too need our moments of rapture whether it be from love, nature, art or faith. For without a peek into eternity human nature just cannot peak.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Blessed Sacrament Adoration
In honour of Divine Mercy, there will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Capuchin Friary Church on this Sunday, 9th May between 3.00 and 4.00pm. All welcome.
Be the Change
Date: 29th May at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
Time: 10am - 3.30pm.
Charge: €10 for waged; €5 for the unwaged.
Who should attend? Anyone who is interested in where we are as a society - how we got here - what to do if we want to be an ecologically sustainable, socially just, spiritually fulfilling, human presence on this planet
To book: Stella 086 391 8793 or Maeve 086 887 4581 before 21st May.
Lunch: Bring a packed lunch - tea, coffee provided.
Give Blood
Local blood donation clinics are as follows:
Sunday, 9th May from 11.45am to 3.15pm. Monday 10th, Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th May from 4.30pm to 8pm at Rivercourt Hotel, Kilkenny.
Concert
Carlow Choral Society presents Haydn’s ‘The Seasons’ at 8pm Sunday 16th May in the Cathedral of the Assumption Carlow. Tickets are available at the following locations: Empire Records, Roxy Records and the Carlow Tourist Office.
Healing Prayer Service
There will be a prayer service for healing at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Thursday evening between 7.30 and 10.00pm.
Parish Shop
The Parish Shop located in the Parish Centre is the ideal place to purchase quality religious goods, candles and cards. The shop is currently stocking a range of First Holy Communion and Confirmation goods.
Pilgrimage to Oberammergau
A group from St. Patrick’s Parish has joined together to plan a pilgrimage/holiday around a trip to this year’s Passion Play at Oberammergau. The group will be led by Ted Byrne and Fr. Dan and to date numbers about twelve people. Cost will be €1,675 and travel dates are 20th to 27th August inclusive. There is room for more travellers. Please contact the Parish Office at 056 776 4400, Ted Byrne or Fr. Dan for further details or booking forms.
A Talk Not to be Missed.
Tanguy de Toulgoet will give a talk at Kilkenny Flower Club on next Thursday in Butler House at 8.00pm. It will be interesting and informative as he grows vegetables and flowers organically in his garden in Durrow and will tell us how to keep weeding to a minimum. Tanguy is a gifted teacher and will give a prize of a gardening course to a lucky winner. More details are available on www.dunmorecountryschool.ie
