On the Run
If you run, take note. Running barefoot is best. Results from a Harvard University study show that people are born to run without shoes. For two million years we ran barefoot, landing untutored, on the sides or balls of our feet thus letting our heels down lightly. However, since the 1970s when running shoes took off we have begun to develop a new gait. Now comfortably shod, we land heavily on our heels with every stride we take – with about three times the impact of barefoot running. This increases the likelihood of suffering stress-related injuries. So if you don’t want to put your foot in it, go au naturel. Today’s First Reading (Deut 30:10-14) and Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) are about doing-a-what-comes-naturally. The First Reading tells us that it’s easy to find God’s word. It’s in our mouth and in our heart. Could anything be more natural than to listen to what’s so close to us? The Gospel describes the coldness of two types of law-observant people: a priest and a Levite. Both served the great symbol of established Judaism: the Temple, one in liturgy, the other in administration. Both feared contamination from a seemingly dead person. Both obeyed the rules – but betrayed their humanity. Both sacrificed the greater good for the lesser. Both put symbol before substance: the symbol of God’s presence in stone before the reality of that presence in flesh. They ran their race wrongly. They ran from, because of law, instead of running to, because of compassion. Well shod, no doubt, they didn’t run barefoot.
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
Parish Centre Opening Hours
Mon to Fri 10am - 1pm. 2pm - 5pm..
Questions people ask
Who was St Swithin and why is his feast day associated with prediction of the weather?
Swithin was Bishop of Winchester, England, in the ninth century. He was a great lover of nature and wished to be buried outdoors where the light of the sun and the sweet rain of heaven might fall on his grave. However, contrary to his wishes, he was buried inside the cathedral. Guess what. It rained cats and dogs for forty days until they decided to transfer his remains outdoors. It may be a nice story but weather records don’t back up the myth.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the deceased
Recently Deceased: Mary Egan, Parkmore, Callan Road, Roisín Fahy, Archers Avenue.
Anniversaries: Joan Cody (Sat 7.00), Dr. Patrick Boyd (Sun 11.00), Gerard Doheny (Sun 12.30), Maurice Nagle (Thurs 10.30), Patrick O’Neill (Fri 10.30). Nuala Bourke, Mary Power, Katie, Dennis, Mary Ann & Thomas Murray.
Intentions for next weekend: James Hackett (Sat 7.00), Patrick Morris (Sun 9.30), Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00), Catherine Dowling (Sun 10.00), Tesa Delahunty (Sun 12.30).
Parish Office Opening Hours
Tuesday & Fri 9am - 12.30pm, 2pm to 4pm, Thursday 9am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 3.30pm.
Loughboy Library
Space Hop-the Summer Reading Challenge for children is now in full swing but there is still ample time to register. Open to all from 6th class down. You can do the ECDL and other online courses FREE through Loughboy Library and FAS. All eligible please book at 7794176. Beautiful art works from the children of the Kilkenny Early Years Project located at the Bishop Birch Institute is on display in the library until this Friday.
Trocaire
This Monday, July 12th, marks six months since Haiti was devastated by a massive earthquake. Immediately after the disaster, parishes across Ireland answered Haiti’s call for help and held collections for Trocaire’s emergency response. As part of Caritas Internationalis, the world's second biggest humanitarian network, we can rapidly access communities in disaster-stricken countries. These close links make sure your donations reach suffering people immediately and that, together, we can save lives.
Parishes like ours helped raised €4,681,168, which is now rebuilding shattered lives across Haiti. Thanks to your generosity, Trocaire has provided:
Shelter to 900,000 people
Life-saving healthcare to one million people
Food to one and a half million people
Help rebuilding schools and hospitals
School-feeding programmes
Safe places for children in five main temporary camps
Trauma counselling and education for affected children
We are now planning a major five-year rebuilding and reconstruction programme. Your support at this crucial time has helped the country take its first steps towards a new future. Thank you from Trócaire and most importantly, the people of Haiti. For more information visit www.trocaire.org.
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Broadcast Masses
Our parish has been asked by RTE to host a number of broadcast Masses during the coming weeks. Details to hand are as follows:
Sunday, 18th July: Televised Mass on RTE 1 featuring the St. Patrick’s Adult Choir. Celebrant: Fr. Dan.
Sunday, 1st August: Televised Mass on RTE 1 featuring the Kilkenny Gospel Choir. Celebrant: Fr. Roderick.
Both these Masses will be broadcast from RTE studios in Dublin.
Sunday, 25th July: Mass on RTE Radio 1 Long Wave 252 at 10.00am. St. John’s Parish Folk Choir. Celebrant: Fr. Richard Scriven.
Sunday, 1st August: Mass on RTE Radio 1 Long Wave 252 at 10.00am. St. Patrick’s Folk Choir. Celebrant: Fr. Dan.
Sunday, 8th August: Mass on RTE Radio 1 Long Wave 252 at 10.00am. St. Fiacre’s Folk Choir. Celebrant: Fr. Roderick.
These three Masses will be broadcast live from St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown.
Parish Shop
On sale in the foyer of the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre is a wide selection of religious goods, anything from rosary beads to prayer books to statues. Come in and have a look. The volunteers at the desk will be happy to help.
Signed Mass cards are also available at reception. Suggested stipend for each Mass is €10 and an individual Mass is guaranteed. Masses are said by priests supported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
Friday Adoration
Every Friday, special prayers are offered at parish masses for the renewal of the Church in Ireland as requested by the Holy Father. The hour after each morning Mass is also dedicated to this renewal. If you would like to join in this Mass and adoration you are welcome.
Parish Website
We continue to update the parish website with new information, pictures and the weekly newsletter. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
Cemetery Mass
The annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will take place on Thursday, 29th July at 7.30pm. Please remind your relatives and friends who may not see this notice.
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.
Notices and Bookings
In order to help us help you, please note that:
At least three months notice is required for those getting married. This minimum three months applies equally to the State.
For baptisms: at least two weeks notice is required so that we can inform the baptism team.
Those wishing to book anniversary/months mind Masses are advised to book well in advance as bookings are on a first come first served basis. From time to time errors do occur so please be patient if we may make an error.
Anyone wishing to book halls or rooms in the parish centre can do so through Mr Ted Byrne on 776 4400.
