Clutter
Laptops are turning lecture halls into private cinemas and even online casinos. Once considered valuable aides to learning, they’re no longer the apple of a teacher’s eye. An increasing number of lecturers just don’t want them in the classroom anymore. The reason? Students use them less for learning and more for entertaining. Themselves, that is. Not only are those who use them distracted, but so too are those nearby them. Not surprising when laptop use in class becomes networking in Facebook, watching movies, waging World War III virtually and playing poker actually, online. Instead of focusing on teacher talking, students focus on their laptop calling. So, the teacher strikes back, banning them from the classroom. This is a clear example of how something good: the amazing laptop, can get in the way of something better: the desired education.
Today’s Gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42) gives another example of the same thing. Jesus visits Martha and Mary. The good here – Martha’s attention to guests – gets in the way of something better: her attention to God’s word. Mary, on the other hand, just sits absorbed by what Jesus is saying. She’s free of clutter in her life and so can focus on what’s important. Activity is fine, but it shouldn’t push contemplation from our lives. A Buddhist monk once told Thomas Merton, a famous American Trappist, that you can’t contemplate properly until you can close doors quietly. Closing doors quietly on clutter – mental, emotional, and social – is what today’s Gospel is about. You may lap that up, but you won’t top it!
Fr Tom Cahill SVD
St. Fiacre’s Well Annual Novena
The annual novena prayers begin at St. Fiacre’s Well, Kilfera 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.
Questions People Ask
Q. I talk to God and regularly apologise for my sins. I believe God forgives me. Why should I have to go to confession?
A. Your private chat with God is very important. However, since we are not isolated individuals but members of the one body, every sin is an offence against the Church. The sacrament celebrates reconciliation with the body of the Church. If there has been serious sin, the Sacrament of Reconciliation is necessary before receiving the Eucharist. The father of the prodigal might have accepted his son’s apology privately but he preferred to make it a family celebration. Since God already knows your sins, regard the sacrament as a celebration of God’s forgiveness within the family of the Church
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Broadcast Masses
St. Patrick’s Parish is delighted to be associated with a number of Masses to be broadcast by RTE Radio and Television during the next few weeks. On this Sunday, 18th July the televised Mass on RTE 1 will be celebrated by Fr. Dan and will feature the St. Patrick’s Adult Choir. The broadcast will be at 11.15am.
On Sunday, 1st August Fr. Roderick will be the celebrant of the televised Mass and, at RTE’s request, the music and hymns will be provided by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir.
Fr. Richard Scriven, St. John’s Parish and Director of Sacred Music for the Diocese of Ossory, was invited by RTE to arrange three Masses at St. John’s Church to be broadcast on radio. To facilitate the broadcast time, and at Richard’s suggestion, we made St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown available. As it turns out St. John’s Parish is providing the music and celebrant for only one of the Masses. It fell to St. Patrick’s Parish to provide music and celebrants for the other Masses. We are happy to do this and we hope all will support the broadcasts during the next few weeks.
The Masses will be broadcast on RTE Radio One (MW and 252 Long Wave) at 10.00am on Sunday, 25th July and Sundays, 1st and 8th August. Anyone who wishes may attend.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Mary Slattery (nee Brennan), Willow Close. Funeral Prayers at her home at 11.00am on Sunday 11am followed by removal to St. Fiacre’s Church for 12 noon Mass. Interment in St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Rosary at her home on Saturday at 9.00pm. Very Rev. Edward Rhatigan, Castletown.
Anniversaries: James Hackett (Sat 7.00), Patrick Morris (Sun 9.30), Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00), Mary Norris (Sun 10.30), Catherine Dowling (Sun 12.00), Tesa Delahunty (Sun 12.30), Mick Coonan (Tues 10.30), Jim
Bolger (Fri 10.30), John Grogan, Tony Henderson, Danny Galvin, Jimmy Fahy, Christy & Bridget Murray, John Leahy
Intentions for next weekend: Vera Brannigan (Sat 7.00), Davina Crosby (Sun 10.00), Joe Cody (Sun 12.30).
Notices and Bookings
In order to help us help you, please note:
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. Bookings are taken on the understanding that funerals always take precedence. 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 should do so through Mr Ted Byrne on 776 4400.
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.
Kilkenny - Age Friendly County
Invitation to the Public Consultation Active Listening Workshop. A chance to have your say in shaping Kilkenny as an Age Friendly County. Tuesday 20th July, The Ormonde Hotel, 11-2pm. A light lunch provided. MC for the day is Nicky Brennan. Presentation by Dr. Emer Ahern Community Consultant, Geriatrician, St. Luke's Hospital.
You are also invited to attend: 2pm - 3.30pm. Hotel Kilkenny. The Garda Band will play.
St. Oliver Plunkett
To celebrate the 90th Anniversary of his Beatification a first class relic of St. Oliver Plunkett will be arriving at St. Patrick's Church, Kilkenny on next Saturday, 24th July. Vespers and Benediction will follow at 3.30 pm with public veneration of the relic.
There will be a Solemn High Mass (in Latin) in honour of St. Oliver at St. Patrick's Church on Sunday, 25th July at 5.00 pm. All welcome.
Knock Shrine
There will be a pilgrimage to Knock shrine on Thursday, 9th July leaving EBS (Patrick Street) at 7.30am sharp. Fare on Booking €20. See poster in church.
Fundraising for Bóthar.
Fr. Gerard Byrne from Corby in England will cycle through the 32 counties of Ireland in support of the development aid agency, Bóthar. Fr. Gerard will cover the route around Ireland in a counter clockwise direction starting in Wicklow on 16th July. He will clock up 1,100 miles over the following 10 day period before crossing his finish line in Dublin.
Bóthar use livestock to help poor families to reach and maintain better living conditions. You can support Fr. Gerard’s efforts by donating to the following bank account; Ulster Bank Limerick. Sort Code 98-60-20. A/c Number 28225049. Mark donation ‘32 County Cycle’. Alternatively, donations can be mailed to Bóthar, Fundraising Projects Office, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo.
A Cook’s Prayer
I’m sure this prayer was inspired by this Sunday’s Gospel story of Martha and Mary:
‘Lord of all pots and pans, since I've no time to be
A saint by doing lovely things, or watching late with Thee
Or dreaming in the dawning light, or storming heaven's gates
Make me a saint by getting meals and washing up the plates.’ (Br. Laurence)
More on Foulkstown Cemetery
Sincere thanks to the hard working cemetery committee who are working flat out to make sure the cemetery is in top shape for the upcoming cemetery Mass. We ask you to assist their work by making sure any waste such as wreaths, dead flowers etc. are properly disposed of in the area provided. Please note, this waste facility is only for waste items from graves. It is NOT a dumping facility for household rubbish and is closely monitored to ensure there is no such illegal dumping. Thanks for your cooperation.
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
By now, the phones are starting to hop with people asking the following question, ‘When’s the Foulkstown Cemetery Mass?’ The answer is: Thursday, 29th July at 7.30pm. Tell your friends and save them a phone call.
Resource Offered on Abuse Crisis
VATICAN CITY, JULY 16, 2010. (Zenit.org). The Vatican has gathered all the pertinent documents on the Church’s response to the sexual abuse crisis and posted them together on it’s web site.
The revisions are an update to the 2001 apostolic letter “Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela,” which outlined the norms for addressing cases of serious offenses.
Called “Abuse of Minors. The Church's Response”, the page offers the revisions published on last Thursday, addresses given by Benedict XVI and John Paul II on the topic, as well as other related documents. This interesting and official site is available at the following address:
www.vatican.va/resources/index_en.htm
