Pope’s Visit to the UK
Pope Benedict XVI's trip to the United Kingdom has been declared a success by the Vatican, the government and even many critics. Undoubtedly these results point to the amount of prayer that supported the trip. The Pope got an inside look at that prayerful support while he was in England. Graham Hutton of the charity group Aid to the Church in Need presented the Pontiff with a leather-bound book of 7,224 benefactors who had promised prayer in the run-up to the visit. “I was presented to the Holy Father, along with about 20 others, after his private morning Mass at the nunciature and before his visit to St. Mary’s College, Twickenham,” Hutton explained. “I was able to explain briefly what the book contained and to show a few pages of it to the Holy Father who smiled his beautiful smile and expressed his gratitude.” The benefactors - who are supporters of Aid to the Church in Need - promised to say more than 32,000 decades of the rosary and spend the equivalent of 137 days in Eucharistic adoration. More than 11,000 Masses were offered as well. The names of those included in the book were divided into four main sections, England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Also listed in a small section at the end were 71 benefactors from overseas countries, including New Zealand, Japan and the United States.
Pope’s Visit - A Review
A special programme will be broadcast this Sunday evening, 26th September at 7.30 pm on BBC1 television. It will review Pope Benedict's visit to Britain through the eyes of Francis Campbell, Irish born Catholic and British Ambassador to the Holy See. The programme offers a first hand and unique insight into the visit.
Kilkenny Christian Brothers’ School
This weekend we congratulate the Kilkenny Christian Brothers’ School on 150 years of service to the educational needs of young Kilkenny boys. The school opened its doors for the first time on 24th September 1860.
Confirmation Dates
Earlier this week the bishop announced the dates of Confirmation in the Diocese of Ossory during 2011. Our parish celebration will be on Saturday, 9th April 2011 while the celebration for those attending Gaelscoil Osraí will be on Saturday, 14th May 2011.
The dates for Parish First Holy Communions will be finalised during the coming week.
Mass of Thanksgiving
The management, staff, pupils of the St. John of God School invite all to a celebration of Mass to mark the opening of the new school year and to give thanks for the life and work of the late Mrs Nicola Lynas. Mrs Lynas, who died suddenly in June, was a staff member at the school for 17 years. All parents and past pupils are invited to attend. The Mass will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Friday, 8th October.
Pray For Our Deceased FriendsRecently Deceased: Sr. Mary Clifford, St. John of God Community. Anne Shortall, Shellumsrath. Denis Curtis, Wexford. Sheila Bergin, Newpark.
Anniversaries: Kevin Dowling [We also pray for Kevin’s brothers Dan (Coventry) and Ned (New Zealand) who died during the past week] (Sat 6.15). Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00). The Byrne Family (Sun 9.30). Ann Kavanagh (Sun 10.00). Stella O’Rourke (Sun 10.30). Julie Foley (Sun 11.00), Peter Gaule (Sun 12.00). Sandra O’Neill (Sun 12.30). Ann & Michael Doyle (Mon 9.30). Arthur & Gretta Somers, Terry Kelly, Anastasia Buckley, Anastasia Ayres, Michael Doyle, Elizabeth Connick, Rory O’Connor, Stephen O’Connor, Molly Browne, Margaret Morris, Kathleen Murphy, Mark Nugent.
Intentions for next weekend: James Bambrick (Sat 6.15), Sr. Gregory Ryan (Sat 7.00), Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00), Ann Roche (Sun 11.00), John Casey (Sun 12.00), Ellen Reid (Sun 12.30 Months Mind).
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
First Friday Visits
Next Friday is the first Friday of October. The sick and the housebound will be visited at the usual times. Names may be added to the list by calling the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.
First Holy Communion Meeting
There will be a meeting for parents of next year’s First Holy Communion candidates at 7.00pm on Monday in the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. This meeting will outline the Do This In Memory programme. This programme has been prepared by Fr. Martin Delaney (Ossory) and Maeve Mahon (Kildare and Leighlin) and is used extensively throughout Ireland to involve parish, school and home in the preparation for First Holy Communion. A new book has been prepared for this year’s programme which will help young people to learn about the Mass, understand the readings and know the responses.
Get to Know Your Bible
A course titled ‘An introduction to the Bible - The Bible in its context’ will be given at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre by Sr. De Lourdes Sheridan starting on Tuesday 12th October for 6 weeks. The course will run from 10am to 12.30 pm and costs €5 per session.
1st Saturday Devotion
This devotion will take place at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday, 2nd October after 6.15pm Mass and will continue until 9pm.
Meditation in Peace in Christ
Christian Meditation has now resumed in Peace in Christ Retreat House, Sion Road, every Wednesday at 4pm. New members welcome.
Weekly Envelope Collection
Last weekend’s envelope collection amounted to €1,465.00. Many thanks.
Church Gate Collection
The Good Shepherd Centre would like to sincerely thank all who contributed to their recent collection which raised €3,199.
Enable Ireland. O’Neill Centre
Enable Ireland/O’Neill Centre has had a number of calls from parents/friends of the centre advising that they have received calls from a man asking for a donation/selling raffle tickets. These calls are bogus. Please do not give any money to anyone who rings. All fundraising events that benefit us here in the O’Neill Centre take place with our knowledge and consent and for which we are most dependent and grateful.
Understanding and Protecting your Mental Health
Presenter: Dr. Fergus Heffernan
Venue: Village Business Centre Patrick Street
A once-off 2 hour education programme
Time: 10am to 12 noon & 8pm to 10pm on Wednesday 29th September. 10am to 12 noon & 8pm to 10pm on Thursday 30th September. Cost €10. Numbers are limited, booking essential. For booking and further information contact Fergus at 087 927 7479.
Loreto School Enrolment
Applications for enrolment in Loreto Secondary School for 1st Year Class for 2011/20112 should be made between 4th Oct 2010 and 18th October 2010. Application forms may be obtained from the secondary school office or www.lotetokk.ie
Health Care Courses
FETAC Level 5 Health Care Courses: Care Support; Care Skills and Occupational First Aid commencing shortly. Funding may be available if you are in receipt of a Social Welfare Payment. To register your interest e-mail info@visiontraining.ie or call 086 170 4157.
Patsy Cline Tribute Night
Great evening promised in The Set Theatre on Sunday, 26th at 8.00pm. Proceeds to St. John’s Parish.
Bridge Lessons
Starting in the Kilkenny Bridge Centre on Wednesday, 29th and Thursday, 20th September at 8.45pm. All are welcome.
The Kilkenny Carnegie Library
Three local history talks that may be of interest are included in the programme of events planned to celebrate the centenary of the Carnegie Library at John's Quay, Kilkenny. Mr Brendan Grimes, author of Irish Carnegie Libraries: a catalogue & architectural history will speak on the History of Carnegie Libraries with special emphasis on Kilkenny - Tuesday 28 September at 7pm, John's Quay. Dr Kevin Whelan, will speak on the History of Hurling in Kilkenny before the GAA - Tuesday 12 October at 7pm, John's Quay. Professor Thomas Kilroy, playwright and novelist, will be reading from his memoirs about growing up in Co. Kilkenny - Wednesday 27 October at 7pm, John's Quay.
School of Contemplative Prayer
You are invited to a monastic school of contemplative prayer for laity through the story and Little Way of St. Thérèse. First meeting on Sunday, 3rd October at 3.00pm at Carmelite Monastery, Tallow, Co. Waterford. Email: carmeltallow@eircom.net for further information.
Questions People Ask
Q. At the time when the Church is struggling, I often wonder why doesn’t God perform some great miracles to bring people back.
A. While we are struggling in Western Europe, remember that the Church is youthful and vibrant in many parts of the world. As for miraculous signs, critics will always find reasons to reject or doubt them. When Jesus performed miracles those who did not believe remained unconvinced. Some said his power came from the devil! Jesus put it like this: ‘If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Volunteers Needed
Help Young People Avoid Drug Abuse: St. Patrick's Parish has been involved in an initiative to try and show those preparing for Confirmation in the parish that their faith and the gifts of the Holy Spirit received in Confirmation can be a reality in helping them to avoid drug use. Please contact Mel Bay of Ossory Youth on 087 984 5019 if you are interested in helping with this year’s programme.
