Welcome to St. Patrick’s Parish
We join in giving a warm welcome to Fr. Rahul Phillips S.A.C. who will be living and working in our parish for the next five weeks. Fr. Rahul is from Raipur in Central India and is currently studying in Rome. He is a member of the Society of Catholic Apostolate (The Pallottines) and was ordained to the priesthood in 2006.
We know you will make him feel at home among us.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This feast really is a test of faith. Today’s First and Second Readings don’t make things any easier. I suppose for many it’s just a feast and that’s it. Just something we commemorate because the Church teaches infallibly that it happened. Interestingly, she says nothing about how it happened but asserts that it did. I think this feast should not be seen as an isolated event. If today’s readings are telling us anything it’s that the event we commemorate is part of a grand plan unfolding. The First Reading from the Apocalypse, using what for us at this distance is very strange imagery, tells of the conflict between good and evil. We can all identify with that to some degree as we experience this tug-of-war on a daily basis in our own lives. The purpose of this reading and its weird symbols is not to tell us that such conflict occurs – we know that already – but that the outcome is assured: victory for the good. That is not something we may know already, or always experience. We may be duped at times into thinking that evil is more powerful than good. How wrong we would be should we think that way. Today’s feast should help to convince us of that. So too should our Second Reading from Paul (1 Cor 15: 20-26): ‘The last enemy to be destroyed is death.’ Mary did not undergo death as we know it, according to Church teaching. She did not undergo bodily corruption. In Jesus’ resurrection, the perceived finality of death has been shattered.
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 next 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.
Priests’ Reunion
Priests ordained at St. Kieran’s College will gather in Kilkenny for a reunion on this Tuesday, 17th August 2010. The priests will have a number of workshops and lectures at the college during the day. The event will end with a public Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 6.15pm on that evening. The celebrant will be Bishop Séamus Freeman 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.
Attention Choir Members
Choir members from our parish are invited to participate in this diocesan celebration. There will be a practice in St Mary's Cathedral on this Sunday, 15th August at 7.00pm for approximately one hour. The range of music will include many well-known pieces and also some new pieces that will enhance the work of the choir in the parish.
Due to an unfortunate communications error this invitation to our choir members was misdirected. For this we apologise and appeal to any available choristers to join in the rehearsal and/or Mass of Thanksgiving.
St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. Please give as generously as possible to this local charity.
Questions People Ask
Q. Since the Assumption of Mary is not mentioned in the Bible, why does the Church celebrate the Feast of the Assumption?
A. Surely you are not suggesting that the Mother of Jesus is not in heaven! The privileges bestowed on Mary are an advanced indication of what God has in store for all who belong to the family of her Son. It is expressed beautifully in the Preface of the Feast: ‘The virgin Mother of God was taken up to heaven to be the beginning and pattern of the Church in its perfection, and a sign of hope and comfort for your people on their pilgrim way.’ It is also a celebration of the sacred dignity of the human body.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Bobby Brennan, Ossory Park. Maura Quinlan, Kilmacow. Bridin Twist, Ennis. Kevin Kealy, Mothel, Ballyfoyle.
Months Mind: Mary Slattery (Sat 6.15).
Anniversaries: Margaret Shanahan & Joe Maher (Sat 7.00), Christina Murphy & Elizabeth Foley (Sun 9.30), Jim Drohan (Sun 10.00), Mass for the Holy Souls (Sun 10.30), James & Mary Brennan (Sun 11.00), Mary Coogan (Sun 12.00), Joe McHugh (Sun 12.30), Christina Gargan (Mon 9.30), Patrick Morris (Wed 9.30), John, Ellen & Pat Butler (Fri 10.30), Michael Burke (Sat 9.30), Ray Bolger, Walter Kavanagh, Josie Mackey, Peter Keenan, Christopher & Mary Ryan, Richard Kenny, Malachy O’Connor, Peader Blanchfield, Edward O’Shaughnessy, Peggy Ryan, Eileen Tynan.
Anniversaries Next Weekend: Tom Casserly (Sat 6.15), Eddie Kelly (Sat 7.00), Paddy Mullan (Sun 10.00), Hugh McCorry (Sun 11.00), Della Harney (Sun 12.00), Christopher Lawlor (Sun 12.30).
Bereavement Notices
Please send bereavement and anniversary notices to the Parish Office in good time for inclusion. Telephone: 776 4400.
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.
In financial trouble?
The contact phone number for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is 087 681 0589. The conference meets at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on every second Monday evening at 8.00pm Next meeting will be on Monday, 23rd August.
Kilkenny Medjugorje Pilgrimage
Friday 10th Sept - 17th Sept, day flight, Cost €669 inclusive. For information and booking contact Ann 056 776 5840 or 086 882 5622.
Loughboy Library
Computer Courses - including the ECDL are available through the library service and FAS. All are eligible — application forms are available at Loughboy library.
The Space Hop Summer Reading Challenge finishes next Friday, 20th August. All completed cards are to be returned to the library and invitations will be issued for a celebratory party in September.
Lost and Found
Pair of spectacles were found on Fr. Hayden Road and handed into the Parish Office. The spectacles can be collected from the sacristy in St. Fiacre’s Church.
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.
What is Celibacy?
Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances. While attending a Marriage Renewal Weekend, Bill and his wife Ann listened to the instructor declare, "It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other..." He then addressed the men, 'Can you name and describe your wife's favourite flower?' Bill leaned over, touched Ann's arm gently, and whispered, 'It’s Tesco’s self-raising, isn't it?' And thus began Bill's life of celibacy…
Service of Healing
Prayers for healing will be held at St. Fiacre’s Church on next Thursday evening at 7.30pm. All are invited to come along and join in prayer and praise asking God’s healing in their lives.
Historical Harps
The Kilkenny School of Music will hold an ancient harps concert at St. Patrick’s Church on next Saturday, 21st August at 8.30pm. All welcome.
Church Appeal for Pakistan Aid
As recommended by the Irish Episcopal Conference Bishop Freeman has asked that we have a special collection to aid the victims of the floods in Pakistan. This will be taken up at all Masses on next weekend and the money forwarded to Trocaire.
Welcome to our Parish
We here in St. Patrick’s Parish extend a cead mile fáilte to all who are visiting our parish at the moment. We hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing time. If you plan on remaining a little longer and would like to register as a parish member please contact the Parish Office for a registration form.
Readers
Readers are asked to call to the sacristy before Mass. This lets the celebrant know you are present.
