Fathers’ Day
We join in wishing all the fathers in our parish a very happy and blessed day. Thanks for all you have done for us.
What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it ... Dad
Author Unknown
Questions People Ask
Q. What did Jesus mean in saying ‘Anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will save it’?
A. Here is a very important message for the people of our time. One of the fundamental errors of our age is the exaggerated focus on self-seeking as a disastrous programme for life. But self-denial in the service of love is the sure way to develop our human potential and reach deep fulfilment in life. It is in giving that we receive.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Cemetery Mass
The annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will take place on Thursday, 29th July at 7.30pm. St Kieran’s Cemetery Mass will take place on Friday, 25th June at 7.30pm. Please remind your relatives and friends who may not see this notice.
Crying Shame
It’s official: women cry more than men do. Researchers in Germany have discovered that while men shed tears six to 17 times a year women do so 30 to 64 times. And, whereas men go with the flow for two to four minutes, women’s tear ducts, once activated, stay in hyperdrive for up to six minutes. Furthermore, if a woman starts weeping she accelerates to full-blown sobbing in 65 percent of cases. For men, it’s six percent. Now to end this mini-deluge of drippy data: women cry when they feel inadequate, face dicey situations, or when remembering past events; men cry from empathy, or because of a failed relationship. That last bit makes me wonder how Peter feels in today’s Gospel reading (Luke 9: 18-24) when Jesus practically rebukes him for giving an honest answer to his question: ‘Who do people say I am?’ He doesn’t react when his disciples say John the Baptist, or Elijah, or a prophet, but he comes down heavily on them when Peter nails him as the Messiah. This is too close to the bone, Jesus’ hour for self-acceptance has not yet come. But it will. He journeys to self-knowledge and self-acceptance as we do: gradually. On that same journey our personal question is not about what others think of me but about what I think of myself. Has my ‘hour’ come for my discovery and acceptance of self as God’s son or daughter? If not, what a crying shame!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Parish Pilgrimage to Knock
The annual parish pilgrimage to Knock takes place on next Thursday, 24th June. Coach departs 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. There are still a number of places on this pilgrimage. In order to finalize the necessary arrangements, tickets will only be available until Tuesday, 22nd June. This pilgrimage is open to anyone who is interested.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Fr. Michael Brennan SPS, Kiltegan. David Finnane, Talbot’s Inch. Danny White, Inistioge. Gerard Kelly, Aberdeen. David Murphy, 58 Old Newpark. Funeral after 12 noon Mass on Sunday to St. Kieran’s Cemetery.
Anniversaries: John Costigan (Sat 6.15), Joe Ayers (Month’s Mind, Sat 7.00 ), Catherine Roberts (Sun 9.30), Bill O’Neill (Sun 10.00), Johnny McEvoy (Sun 12.00), William Costelloe (Sun 12.30), Tom Sinnott (Wed 9.30), Johanna Leahy, Michael Larkin, Johanna O’Dwyer, Annie Murphy, John McMyler, Phil Kavanagh, Margaret McCarthy, Michael & Christina O’Driscoll, Anastasia Quirk, Bridie O’Neill, Kathy Purcell, Nicky Dullard.
Intentions for next weekend: Dick Martin (Sat 6.15), Anastasia Quirk (Sun 10.00), Ann Comerford (Sun 10.30), May & Paddy O’Neill (Sun 11.00), Mary Deegan (Months Mind Sun 12.00), Lilian Beatty (Sun 12.30).
Senior Citizens’ Collection
Many thanks to all who contributed to the recent St. Patrick’s Parish Senior Citizens’ Collection. The total raised was €1,219.43.
St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please contribute generously.
Cemetery Committee
And while mentioning the upcoming cemetery Mass, we take this opportunity to say thanks to the cemetery committee who are doing Trojan work in maintaining the cemetery. This is an entirely voluntary group and each Monday they dedicate their time to looking after the grounds and graves. The latest work carried out is the upgrading of the centre walkway in the old cemetery and thanks to all involved.
St. Patrick’s Parish is committed to looking after our cemeteries and this can only be done with the generous goodwill of our parishioners. Please do all in your power to keep our cemeteries clean and tidy.
Child Protection
The training date for all volunteers (including priests) in St. Patrick’s Parish who work with children is 1st July 2010 at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre from 7pm - 10pm. This is a compulsory course for all who work with children as sacristans, choirs, and children's liturgy group members. All relevant people will be contacted by post.
We are grateful to those who volunteer and have agreed to help further our child protection policy in St. Patrick’s Parish.
Mass and the Witness of Charity
Speaking on the Eucharist and charity on Wednesday last, Pope Benedict XVI said “When we receive Christ the love of God expands inside us, radically modifying our hearts and making us capable of gestures which, by the contagious power of goodness, can transform the lives of people around us”. “For the disciples of Jesus”, he went on, “witness of charity is not some passing sentiment; quite the contrary, it shapes their lives in all circumstances”… The Eucharist “requires us to become, and at the same time makes us capable of becoming, the bread broken for our brothers and sisters, meeting their needs and giving of ourselves. For this reason, a Eucharist celebration that does not lead us towards men and women where they live, work and suffer, to bring them the love of God, fails to express the truth it contains”…
“In the present economic and social crisis, let us show solidarity with those who live in poverty, offering everyone the hope of a better tomorrow worthy of mankind”, the Holy Father concluded.
Concert for Haiti
Please support this week’s Gospel Choir concert to help build houses for the homeless in Haiti. The concert will feature Kilkenny Gospel Choir and the Dei Laudes Choir Tennessee, North Carolina at St. Fiacre's Church, Loughboy, Co. Kilkenny on Monday, 21st June 2010 at 8.00 pm. Admission by donation.
Adoration
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Fiacre’s Church will conclude at 6pm on this Monday, 21st due to the concert for Haiti.
Clonmacnoise Youth Festival
The annual Clonmacnoise Youth Festival will be held from 12th - 15th August. The festival includes inspiring talks, live music and workshops. Those who attended in the past were greatly impressed. No cost - donation only. Bring a sleeping bag. This is a Catholic youth event for 16—35 year olds. The festival is organised by Youth 2000 event. See www.youth2000.ie for further information
St. Fiacre’s Well Annual Novena
The annual novena prayers begin at the well at 8.00pm on Sunday, 22nd August and continue each evening at the same time. The novena will conclude with public prayers at the well at 3.00pm on Sunday, 29th August followed by the celebration of Mass. All are encouraged to make this a special time of prayer in our parish.
Loughboy Library
From Tuesday the library will open at the earlier time of 10.00am. The summer reading challenge for children is called ‘Space Hop’ and commences on 1st July. Details from staff on 779 4176. The Writers Circle continues to meet each Thursday at 2.00pm and is growing in number. All writers are welcome. The Summer edition of “What’s on at Loughboy Library” is now available.
Knock Summer Youth Festival
This festival for youth takes place next weekend, 25th—27th June. Those who attend will have an opportunity to take part in workshops like dance, music, clay & pottery and drumming. For more information on the festival check out www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival or call (094) 938 8100 or 087692 7850.
Let’s Clean Up our City
We appeal to all to help in our city’s campaign to become the tidiest town in Ireland. Please dispose of your litter properly and, where necessary, pick up litter and bin it. As part of the national competition judges will visit our area in the very near future and every little effort helps. Please lend a hand and keep your area litter free. We will all benefit from a cleaner, tidier city.
Health Rally
A public rally will be held on Friday, 25th June at 2.00pm gathering at the Old Mart Site in protest against the 20 bed closure at Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital (reduction of surgeries by more than half) and downgrading of services in St. Luke’s Hospital and in other hospitals around the Carlow/Kilkenny area. Public support is needed as this will have a major impact on services required in an already over-stretched situation.
Gospel Choir
Advance notice, the Kilkenny Gospel Choir will provide music at St. Fiacre’s Church next Sunday at 12 noon Mass.
