Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The annual cemetery Mass takes place this coming Thursday 29th at 7.30pm. Those travelling by car please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get parking. Please also obey the instructions of the stewards regarding parking as safety is paramount.
The main celebrant of the Mass will be Fr. Liam.
As with every year, there will be a gate collection which goes entirely to the running and upkeep of the cemetery so your support is greatly appreciated.
We are hoping the weather will be fine but do bring an umbrella with you just in case. For the elderly consider bringing some seating.
Thanks to all who are involved in preparing the cemetery for this Mass. The large congregation that has attended in the past is a testament to how popular this annual event is.
Relic of St. Oliver Plunkett
A first class relic of St. Oliver Plunkett has been brought to St. Patrick’s Church for public veneration. There will be solemn high Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in honour of St. Oliver at 5.00pm on this Sunday during which the relic will be exposed for public veneration.
St. Oliver Plunkett was executed at Tyburn on 1st July 1681. This year marks the 90th anniversary of his beatification.
Further information is available at www.societyofstoliverplunkett.blogspot.com
Questions People Ask
Q. Years ago a priest told me I was scrupulous and gave me a general formula for confession. But this never leaves me satisfied. Should I drop it and tell every sin in detail?
A. If you suffer from scrupulosity which is an obsessive-compulsive condition, even the most detailed confession would not satisfy you. Stay with the general formula. God already knows every detail and wants you to experience the sacrament, not as a torture, but as a celebration of his mercy.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Hardwired for God
I don’t know if our genes are, but according to scientists our brains are: hardwired to God. They’re programmed to discover supernatural reasons for life’s mysteries. Our brain organises the information, our senses send it to discover cause and effect. Since babies only 12-months old can do this, it seems to be innate rather than acquired. So, the findings of or researchers at Bristol University studying the development and workings of children’s brains are not surprising. They indicate that belief systems offer a possible evolutionary benefit to people. An itch to ask the question ‘why’ is not the only thing that’s innate to us. There’s the universal hope, expectation even, that good will conquer evil. Just read your novels, watch your films. Don’t you feel more satisfied when the good guy wins? Even books and films with ambiguous endings aren’t as emotionally satisfying as those with a clear-cut victory where the one who is good wins out against all the odds. That feel-good factor when good conquers all comes with the job, so to speak, of being human. It’s this faith in goodness, more specifically in God, that’s the basis for what today’s Gospel reading (Luke 11:1-30 tells us: Ask, and it will be given you; search and you will find… Scripture is telling us that God doesn’t take us for a ride. He’s not a messer, if you’ll pardon the slang. He’s consistent and we can trust him. That’s the God we’re hardwired to believe in, the one who gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Meals on Wheels Volunteers
Voluntary drivers are urgently needed for Kilkenny Social Services “Meals on Wheels” service. If you are a car owner and could spare one hour per week - we would like to hear from you. Our meals need wheels for this much needed service for those in our care and the elderly who are house bound. Please contact Kitty or Kay at social services 056 772 1685.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: John Joe Dowling, St. John’s Terrace. Requiem Mass in St. John’s at 10.30am on Monday. Liam Butler, Newpark. Eamonn Reidy, Newpark. Billy Conway, 23 Dominic Street. Kevin O’Beirne, Roscommon.
Anniversaries: Vera Brannigan (Sat 7.00), Davina Crosby (Sun 10.00), Joe Cody (Sun 12.30), Jimmy Bourke & Billy Bourke (Tues 9.30), Thomas McGuire (Thurs 9.30), Geoff Brennan (Thurs 10.30), Tony Henderson (Fri 10.30), Nancy Larkin, Delia O’Hara, Bridget Ward, Bridie Walsh, Jimmy Carroll, Doreen Tallent, Gordon Duffy, Angela Tiernan.
Intentions for next weekend: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15), Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00).
Mrs Nichola Lynas
A memorial service will be held in St Canice’s Cathedral at 3.30pm on Sunday, 1st August for the late Mrs Nichola Lynas. Nichola worked as a speech and drama teacher at the St. John of God Girls’ School in our parish and is fondly remembered by all associated with the school during the past 17 years. Last November she moved to Bermuda with her husband Norman who was the former Church of Ireland Dean of Ossory. The St. John of God School will hold a service when class resumes in September. May she rest in peace.
Broadcast Masses
RTÉ Radio 1 will broadcast the 10.00am Mass from St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown on Sundays, 25th July and 1st and 8th August. We are delighted to be associated with the broadcasts and hope our parish community will be heard in good fettle as we join in prayer and praise on these Sundays. The broadcasts will be on RTÉ Radio 1 Long Wave 252 and online on the Radio 1 Extra Stream.
We welcome Fr. Richard Scriven, St. John’s Parish as celebrant this weekend. He will be joined by a folk choir from St. John’s Church.
In the meantime Fr. Roderick is preparing for Mass on RTÉ television at 11.15am on next Sunday. He will be joined by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir which has strong associations with our parish.
Knock Shrine
There will be a pilgrimage to Knock shrine on Thursday, 29th July leaving EBS, Patrick Street, Kilkenny at 7.30am sharp. Fare on Booking is €20. See poster in church.
Cleaners and Collectors
According to St. Paul, there are many gifts given to us and we are urged to use our talents in whatever ways we can. We currently need the talents of cleaners and collectors, particularly in St. Patrick’s Church. Think you can help? Contact the parish office for details.
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.
This May Bring a Tear
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Kentucky back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man. And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full. As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, “I never seen nothin’ like that before and I’ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years.”
Apparently I’m still lost…
August at The Drum Youth Centre
The Drum Youth Centre provides a space where young people can be involved in groups, access relevant information, attend the Youth Café and for music lovers there is an acoustic room where you can get some practise time in. During August The Drum will be running a number for activities for young people aged 12 to 18 years e.g. Three Day Film Making Programme, Jogging Group, “Chill Out”, “Brunch”, “Write & Record” Song Group, Baking and there will be Drop In Café on Wednesdays from 5 – 6.30pm for 12 – 14 year olds and on Thursdays from 5 – 7pm for 14 – 18 year olds. There will also be a fun/sports afternoon in the Castle Park on Friday 20th August. More information from Kate Carroll on 086 773 6975 or check out www.facebook.ie/drumyouthcentre All are welcome!!!
Parish Website
We have now included a page where we link to YouTube and show videos of various charities in action. So far we include the charities, Trócaire, Facing the World and Aid to the Church in Need. See www.patricksparish.net
Moving On Overcoming Depression
A group for relatives of those experiencing depression meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 8.00pm in St Mary’s Centre, Haughney Green, Kilkenny. Next meetings: 4th August and 1st September. The meetings are confidential and offer an opportunity for relatives/friends to get information and support.
MOOD is a voluntary organisation that receives no funding for its operation in the southeast region so if you would like to sponsor a group, make a donation, become a volunteer or get more information contact Michael on 087 949 8100 or email mickosborne1@gmail.com
Group Meetings for those suffering with depression are held at:- St Marys Centre, Haughney Green, Kilkenny; Mondays 8.00pm (except Bank Holidays). Cathedral Parish Centre, Carlow; Tuesdays 8.00pm and Resource Centre, Kickham Street, Clonmel; Mondays 8.00pm.
