The Feast of Pentecost - Birthday of the Church
This weekend we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. The Feast of Pentecost, originally the Jewish Feast of Weeks commemorating the gift of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus, was the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out in the Upper Room upon the apostles and other disciples in the form of tongues of fire and a strong wind. Pentecost occurred fifty days after Easter Sunday, the day marking the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Pentecost is seen as the birthday of the Church.
Sadly, we celebrate this feast every year but lots of us miss its powerful message. If we were to realise the full meaning of Pentecost we would be bold instead of timid, energetic instead of anaemic, fascinated instead of bored. Compare the apostles before and after Pentecost and you’ll see the difference the Spirit makes.
The gospel is Good News not just because we’re going to heaven, but because we’ve been empowered to become new people, here and now. The Second Vatican Council insisted that each of us is called to the heights of holiness. Not by will-power, mind you. But by Holy Spirit power. Holiness consists in faith, hope, and especially divine love. These are “virtues,” literally “powers,” given by the Spirit. To top it off, the Spirit gives us seven further gifts which perfect faith, hope, and love, making it possible for us to live a supernatural, charismatic life. Some think this is only for the chosen few, “the mystics.” St. Thomas Aquinas taught to the contrary that the gifts listed in Isaiah (wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord) are standard equipment given in baptism, that all are called to be “mystics.”
Vatican II also taught that every Christian has a vocation to serve. We need power for this too. And so the Spirit distributes other gifts, called “charisms.” These, teaches St. Thomas, are not so much for our own sanctification as for service to others. There is no exhaustive list of charisms, though St. Paul mentions a few ranging from tongues to Christian marriage (I Corinthians 12:7-10, Romans 12:6-8). Charisms are not doled out by the priests or bishops; but are given directly by the Spirit through baptism and confirmation, even sometimes outside of the sacraments.
We actually did get the Spirit and his gifts. The problem is we don’t recognise them at times and we don’t use them often enough.
Ossory Listens
Over 180 people attended last Monday's listening session which was for the parishes of St. Patrick’s, St. Mary’s and Danesfort. Thanks to all who attended and to those who were kind enough to help with logistics on the evening. In all about 850 people gathered in the different venues throughout the diocese and shared their opinions with the bishop. People’s opinions were listened to, concerns were aired and information gathered and all this will go forward to plan for the future of the Diocese of Ossory. As soon as the information gathered is collated we will make this available to parishioners.
Bishop Séamus is grateful to all who took time out to meet with him and promises the information gathered will not be allowed to gather dust.
A Note about Child Protection.
As part of our diocesan and parochial response to child protection all adults who are working with children in our parish have been put forward for vetting by the statutory authorities (An Garda Siochana). It is also considered best practice that all priests should be vetted by the same statutory authorities. This is currently taking place. If anyone has any concerns regarding child protection in the church/parish contact details of the relevant authorities are posted in all of our churches.
Parish Envelopes
Due to an error some people may have received the wrong envelope number. Could the person/family who have envelope numbers 12 & 236 please contact the Parish Office next week.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Jim Lanigan, St. Fiacre’s Place. Mary Deegan, Archers Court. Maureen Bourke, Vicar Street.
Anniversaries: John & Catherine Alley (Sat 6.15), Joe Davy (Sat 7.00), Tony Martin (Sun 9.30), Eileen Hickey, Kieran Hickey & Kevin & Nancy Grogan (Sun 10.00), Bridget Barry (Sun 10.30), Doreen McCabe (Sun 11.00), Nellie Garrehy (Sun 12.00), Tom & Oliver Kennedy (Sun 12.30), Rev Richard Conway (Mon 9.30), Kathleen King (Wed 10.30) Jack Carroll, Harry Kelly, Annie Bourke, Molly Owens, Kathleen O’Carroll, Mary Drennan, Michael Smyth, Tom & Sean Brett, Tommy Jordan, Noreen McDonald, Maurice Nolan, Sean Monahan, Jimmy Hogan, Mary Walsh.
Intentions for next weekend: Tommy & Kitty Phelan (Sat 6.15); John Cleere (Sat 7.00); Patrick Banahan (Sun 9.30); Blanaid Cleere Manning (Sun 10.00); John Edward Kirwan Malone (Months Mind Sun 10.30); William Doheny (Sun 12.30).
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to all involved with this year’s First Holy Communion Class at St. Patrick’s De La Salle School. The boys received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday. We also congratulate all the teachers from all of our schools who were involved in any way with this year’s First Holy Communion classes.
We continue our prayers for the boys and girls from our other schools within our pairhs who will receive the sacrament during the coming weeks.
Parish Pilgrimage to Knock
The popular annual parish pilgrimage to Knock takes place on Thursday, 24th June. Coach leaves St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.15am and St. Patrick’s Church at 7.20am. Fare €15 and tickets are only available at the reception desk at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Tickets must be purchased in advance. In order to finalize the necessary arrangements, tickets will only be available until 22nd June.
Mill Hill Missionaries Pilgrimage
This year’s annual Mill Hill Missionaries Pilgrimage to Knock will take place on Saturday, 14th June. Fr. Donal Harney MHM will lead the pilgrimage. Coach will leave Prague House, Freshford at 8.00am with a pick up at Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny at 8.30am.
Main Celebrant and preacher Rev. Fr. Anthony Murphy. Fare: Adults €20, children €10. Contact 056 772 1482 to book your seat.
M.S. Society
The M.S. Society of Ireland cordially invites you to the official launch of the new S.E. Directory of Services for people with M.S. and a celebration of world M.S. Day by Kilkenny Hurling Manager Brian Cody. Date 28th May 2010, Time 8.00pm. Venue The Set Theatre, Langtons, John's Street, Kilkenny. Speakers include Mayor Malcolm Noonan and Ian Coulter CIB. All welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. What is the divine indwelling?
A. Many people have favourite places of pilgrimage where they feel close to God. Perhaps the most important pilgrimage is the journey inwards to recognise the presence of God with us and within us.
St. Paul told the Romans, ‘the Spirit of God has made his home in you’. He added that when we do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays within us in ways beyond the scope of words. The indwelling of God is like a secret room. Jesus said that when we pray we should go into that secret room, close the door and be attentive to God within us.
Loughboy Library
The Library will host its final celebration of Bealtaine 2010 this Friday, 28th May at 11am with a writing workshop. The recently formed Writers Circle will facilitate and they are encouraging new and more established writers to attend this free event. So book your place on 779 4176 and explore the possibilities of this new hobby...
Pentecost Sunday - Latin Mass
A traditional High Mass (1962 rite) will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on this Sunday, 23rd May at 5.00pm.
Coffee Morning
You are invited to a coffee morning in St. Mary’s Day Care Centre on Friday, 28th May 10.30am to 12 noon hosted by the Presentation Associates. All proceeds will go to The Presentation Sisters in Pakistan. Lots of prizes, all are welcome, see you there.
Charity Walk
A Family Fun Charity Walk led by the Liam McCarthy Cup to the top of Slievenamon in aid of Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children
Crumlin will take place on Sunday 30th of May departing the village of Kilcash at 1pm. All Welcome. Contact Liam on 087 212 0201.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
On Saturday over 400 people from the Diocese of Ossory departed for Lourdes on the annual pilgrimage. We wish them well on their journey and pray for them while they are in France.
Adoration and Prayer
A vigil of adoration and prayer for the suffering Church in Ireland will be held at St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy on Friday/Saturday, 4th/5th June between 7.00pm and 4.00am. Mass will be celebrated at 7.00pm and midnight. All are welcome to this night of prayer and you may come and go as you please.
Melville Heights Mass
Outdoor Mass will be celebrated at Melville Heights on Friday, 28th May at 7.30pm. All are welcome to come along.
Senior Citizens’ Mass
The annual Ossory Senior Citizens’ Mass will be held at St. Joseph’s Church, Mill Hill Missionaries House, Waterford Road on Wednesday, 26th May at 3.00pm. All welcome.
Light that Shines in the Darkness
Are you interested in priesthood in the Diocese of Ossory? For information on priesthood in the diocese please contact Bishop Séamus Freeman on 056 776 2448 or Fr. Willie Purcell on 087 628 6858.
Tidy Towns
Judging in the national tidy towns competition will take place very soon. Kilkenny missed out on a national title by only a couple of points last year. Even a little effort from you and your family could help this year. Please keep our city and environs clean and tidy and help bring another national title to the banks of the Nore.
Dance Classes
The Loughboy Area Resource Centre is commencing a 6 week dance class. The classes will consist of various dances from samba to waltz. The classes commence on Wednesday, 26th May at the Loughboy Area Resource Centre. The fee for the 6 week session is €50. For further information contact 056 776 4700.
Parish Centre Shop
Come and browse our Confirmation and First Communion range at the Parish Centre Shop. Open during office hours.
