Welcome
We welcome all who have come to our city and parish for the Kilkenny Arts Festival. We hope your visit will be pleasant and memorable.
On the Ball
Scientists can be on the ball just as much as footballers. Take Danish physicist Niels Bohr (d. 1962) for example. He watched westerns. As he did, he noted that something strange happened in them: the gunslinger who went for his gun first, often was the one who was shot first – even though he had the advantage. Bohr was fast enough to draw the correct conclusion from what he saw: reacting is faster than acting. It has not been confirmed that we move faster when we react to something that someone else is doing than when we start to do something ourselves – about 21 milliseconds faster. How fast are we on the draw when responding to God’s word? In today’s Gospel reading (Luke 12:32-48) God says he gives us the kingdom. How do we react to that? Do we change because of it? God doesn’t hesitate to give. We mustn’t hesitate to respond. We can’t claim that we don’t know what to do because it’s spelled out for us: we’ve to sell our possessions, give alms, make purses that don’t wear out because the treasure they contain is in heaven; we’ve to be dressed for action, have our lamps lit and be ready for the Master’s return. In short, we react to the gift of God’s kingdom by living like people who belong to it. So we live with thanks for the precious gift of life. We share that gift graciously with others. We react to life with love, generosity, faith and courage.
That’s really being on the ball!
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
Broadcast Masses
The final broadcast Mass in the present series from our parish will take place today. The 10.00am Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown will be broadcast to the nation by RTE. Fr. Roderick will be the celebrant and the broadcast goes out on Long Wave 252. We wish all involved the very best.
Questions People Ask
Q. What is meant by the Prosperity Gospel?
A. This is a misleading concept of God’s blessing promulgated especially by American television evangelists. They claim that handling your life over to Jesus guarantees the earthly blessings of prosperity, success and health. But what of people who do not experience such so-called blessings? We are told that they are being punished for their sins, perhaps for the sins of ancestors in the family tree. This Prosperity Gospel or Cadillac Christianity is a contradiction of the teaching of Jesus who declared the blessedness of the poor, powerless and persecuted.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
St. Fiacre’s Well Annual Novena
The annual novena prayers begin at St. Fiacre’s Well, Kilfera at 8.00pm on Saturday, 21st August and continue at the same time on each evening of the following week. 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.
Clonmacnois Youth Festival
Youth 2000 invites you to join them for their Summer Festival from 12—15 August 2010 in Clonmacnois, Co. Offaly. The dynamic programme for 16 - 35 year olds includes music, drama, prayer, talks, workshops, reconciliation and healing service, games and chill time.
It is a donation only weekend, all you need to bring is a sleeping bag. There will be free transport available, for pick-up points near you and for more information check out www.youth2000.ie or contact the National Office 01 675 3690.
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. Please contact Kitty or Kay on 772 1685.
Trócaire and Floods in Pakistan
The death toll in northwest Pakistan has reached almost 1,500 with 2 million people homeless and 3 million people affected after the worst flooding in living memory.
Trócaire has been working in Pakistan for over 20 years. We are well placed to respond quickly to the disaster and to give assistance to the people who need it most. Trócaire staff is working with our Pakistani partner organisations to get aid directly to survivors.
Cecil Dunne is Trócaire’s Emergency Officer in Pakistan. He is coordinating the response from Islamabad. He says the situation is really desperate for survivors, “floodwaters have washed away people, homes, bridges, water systems and medical facilities. Survivors have been left with nothing; no home, no food and no livestock as more rain starts to fall”.
Trócaire is providing food, water, water purification tablets, cooking utensils, high energy biscuits for children and sanitary supplies to survivors. In the Nowshera area alone, Trócaire’s partners have been providing pre-cooked meals to over 300 families since the weekend.
South of this, in the area of Peshawar, Trócaire’s partners are providing food, water and sanitary supplies to over 1,500 families in 4 villages.
The people in the north west of Pakistan were already very vulnerable after violence there last year when a military offensive against the Taliban forced entire communities from their homes, destroying their livelihoods. Now people are on the run again, their homes, crops and livestock destroyed for a second time.
These people desperately need our support. Trócaire is providing immediate support. We will also work with our local partners in the years ahead to rebuild communities.
Up to date information and an opportunity to make a donation are available by visiting www.trocaire.org or by calling 1850 408 408. Donations can be sent by post to Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Michael Walsh, Broguemaker’s Hill.
Anniversaries: Sr. Patrice Norman (Sat 7.00), Phil O’Neill (Sun 10.00), Martin Mulhall (Sun 11.00), Joe Delaney (Mon 9.30), Nuala McConville (Mon 10.30), Ellen McEvoy (Tue 9.30am), Fintan Wallace (Sat 9.30), Peter Keenan, Diane Keenan, Gabriel Warde, John Joe Henebry, John Dinneen, Patricia Dinneen, Clare Mahon, Richie Leahy, Daisy Quinn,.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary Slattery (Months Mind Sat 6.15), Margaret Shanahan & Joe Maher (Sat 7.00), Christina Murphy & Elizabeth Foley (Sun 9.30), James & Mary Brennan (Sun 11.00), Joe McHugh (Sun 12.30). May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Welcome to St. Patrick’s Parish
During the coming week we will welcome Fr. Rahul Phillips to our parish. Fr. Rahul is from India and currently doing post-graduate studies in Rome. He will live and work in St. Patrick’s Parish during the next month. Please give him a big Village welcome.
The Drive for Five
We wish both Kilkenny teams all the best in this weekend’s All Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Finals. In particular we extend our good wishes to those from our parish who are involved with the teams.
Come on the Cats!
Priests’ Reunion
Priests ordained at St. Kieran’s College will gather in Kilkenny for a reunion on Tuesday, 17th August 2010. The day will end with a Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 6.15pm on that evening. The celebrant will be Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC and the homilist will be Cardinal Murphy-O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster.
The people of the diocese are invited to join in this unique celebration which will also mark the official ending of the ‘Year of Priests’ in the Diocese of Ossory.
Prayer and Adoration
There will be an hour of prayer and adoration in honour of Divine Mercy in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, 8th August from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. All are welcome.
Alzheimer's Flag Day
The Kilkenny branch of the Alzheimer’s Association will hold their annual flag day in Kilkenny City on Thursday, 19th August 2010.
Collectors are required. Please contact Sean Leahy on 087 214 6754 if you are willing and able to help on the day.
Kilkenny Medjugorje Pilgrimage
A pilgrimage from Kilkenny to Medjugorje will take place between 10th and 17th September. Day flight. Cost €669 inclusive. Information and bookings from Ann at 776 5840 or 086 882 5622.
From Fear to Freedom
One Day workshop. When little steps can lead to big changes… At Cillin Hill on Thursday, 19th August., 9.30am—5.00pm. Cost €90. Further information and booking Mary Foley 086 151 0057 or foley.mary@gmail.com
Getting Married Soon?
ACCORD pre-marriage courses will be held in Kilkenny on the following dates: 24th & 25th September, 22nd & 23rd October, 26th & 27th November 2010. Couples wishing to get married in Catholic Churches in the Diocese of Ossory are obliged to attend a suitable pre-marriage course. For further details and booking please contact ACCORD at 772 2674 (Monday & Thursday, 2.00pm – 5.00pm; Tuesday & Friday 11.00am to 1.00pm.)
Coupes are also reminded of their civil obligation to give at least three months notice to the Registrar of Marriages of their intention to get married. This is a prerequisite to entering into a valid marriage in Ireland today. Please contact any Marriage Registration Office for further details.
Masses in Appreciation
Often on newspapers after deaths, as the family thank everyone, some wish to offer Mass for the intentions of those who sent cards etc. It is sufficient to offer just one Mass and this can be done through purchasing a Mass card from the parish centre. Note that all cards sold are individual Masses and support priests in poor countries.
Alternatively you can make arrangements for a Mass with any priest.
