MISSION SUNDAY
Together in Mission - Mission Sunday 2010
The theme for World Mission Sunday in Ireland this year is Together in Mission. This togetherness found a deep resonance during Mission Month last year when we were praying for the safety and speedy release of Fr Michael Sinnott, the Columban Missionary who had been kidnapped in the Philippines. His plight and the response to it was a fitting tribute to how we are truly together in mission - each of us involved according to our circumstances, contributing our gifts of prayer, the offering of our sufferings and whatever financial contribution we can make to bring about the Lord's kingdom of justice and peace.
“The out-pouring of prayers, Masses, vigils, Holy Hours and other religious services offered for me while I was in captivity are an example of what lay people can do to support the missionary work,” wrote Fr Mick.
In his letter for Mission Sunday this year, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, “Please support the Younger Churches by your prayers. In spite of present economic difficulties, please also give them material support. The Mission Sunday collection organised by the Pontifical Mission Societies, to whom I express my gratitude, will go towards the support of priests, seminarians, religious and catechists in distant missionary lands.”
Mission Sunday Collection
Please give generously to the Mission Sunday collection this weekend and the proceeds will be forwarded to the Society for the Propagation. The collection will be taken up after Holy Communion at all Masses.
The Society for the Propagation of the Faith currently supports 1,096 mission dioceses. It works continually to increase public awareness of sharing the good news throughout the world and raise financial aid to assist Catholic missions. At present, more than 1,900 Irish missionaries are serving in 80 countries. Financial aid from this Society supports: formation of laity, building of mission churches, construction and support of pastoral centres, and provision of essential transport and equipment.
The Diocese of Ossory contributed €38,594 last year. Let’s keep up the good work. Thanks for your support and prayers.
Mission Sunday Posters
This year’s posters - see church porches - feature 79 year old Columban Missionary Fr. Michael Sinnott from Clonard in Wexford. Fr. Mick was captured last year and held for 31 long days. Following his release and some recovery time at home Fr. Mick returned to his mission in Pagadian in the Philippians. “It seemed the natural thing to return as I had worked here most of my life,” he said recently.
Ossory Listens
During May 2010 Bishop Freeman attended ten ‘Listening Sessions’ during which the people of the Diocese of Ossory had an opportunity to express their views about the current state of the Church in Ireland. The results were quickly compiled and published on the diocesan website and made available on photocopied pages in most parishes. The complete text has now been professionally printed in booklet form and copies are available in the church porches this weekend. Please ensure each household receives a copy.
Congratulations to our Gardeners
Well done to the dedicated team of volunteer gardeners and grass cutters who helped develop and maintain St. Fiacre’s Gardens surrounding our Parish Centre. While you may not always receive the recognition you deserve your work is not unappreciated. We are delighted with the news that the garden has been awarded 1st Prize in the Environmental Category of the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Awards 2010. Well done to those involved. Keep up the work.
Please Return Chy 2 Certs
We appeal to those with outstanding Chy 2 Certs to complete and return them to the Parish Office immediately as we are about to make a submission to the Revenue Commissioners.
Readers in Church
We are currently recruiting people to proclaim the Word of God at Sunday Mass. Please contact any of the priests or a sacristan if you would consider fulfilling this role. Volunteers will be put on a roster and asked to read every few weeks.
Coffee with the Bishop
Bishop Freeman invites you to a Coffee Morning at his home, Blessed Felix House, Tilbury Place, Kilkenny, on next Friday, 29th October from 10.30am – 12.30pm in aid of the Special Olympics. Please come along for a cuppa and support this very worthy cause. All welcome. (Tilbury Place is just off James Street and a few metres from St. Mary’s Cathedral).
Weekly Envelope Collection
The envelope collection last week amounted to: €1,820. Thank you very much.
Altar Servers
Boys and girls in 4th Class and above who are interested in becoming Altar Servers should return their application forms this week. New rotas will be issued next weekend.
Get to Know Your Bible
‘An introduction to the Bible - The Bible in its Context’ continues at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on this Tuesday, 26th October from 10am to 12.30pm. We are delighted that about 25 people have enrolled to learn more about the Word of God. Costs €5 per session.
October Rosary
Members of the Legion of Mary will recite the rosary at the Seville Lodge Grotto, Callan Road each Sunday during October at 3pm.
Lost & Found
Two sums of money found between Lidl and St. Fiacre’s Church. For further information contact the Sacristan at St. Fiacre’s Church.
There is a lot of ‘found’ property in all our churches - eg. four spectacles in St. Patrick’s Church. Call in if you have mislaid something.
Bank Holiday Weekend
We welcome all who have joined us for the bank holiday weekend. We hope you enjoy your visit and return to your homes refreshed.
The only public Mass in our parish on Bank Holiday Monday will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am. Exposition of Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church from 12.00 noon.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Albert Bolger, Shandon Park. Mamie Shortis, Margaret’s Field..
Months Mind: Chrissie Scott (Sun 9.30)
Anniversaries: Nancy Coyne (Sat 6.15), Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00), Anthona & Neddy Burke (Sun 10.00), John Frawley (Sun 10.30), Paddy Cullen (Sun 11.00), Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00), Bernadette Delaney (Sun 12.30), Ann O’Shaughnessy (Tue 10.30), Bill Cody, John Drennan, Ned Mahon, Alfie Sheehy, John Cantwell, Patrick Cantwell, Anna, Mary, Michael & Patrick Bowe, Maura Crowley, Joe Dowling, Margaret Skehan.
Intentions Next Week: Birute Poskaite Sat 6.15), Ann Shortall (Sat 7.00 Month’s Mind), Madge McIntyre (Sun 9.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Mary Byrne (Sun 10.30 Month’s Mind), Michael Phelan (Sun 11.00), Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.00), John Joe Kealy (Sun 12.30).
Career Day
Meet employers from your community and have an opportunity to ask questions about different types of work at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on next Friday, 29th October from 10.45am. All are welcome.
Federation for Victim Assistance
Interested in helping Victims of Crime? The Federation for Victim Assistance is setting up a branch in Kilkenny. This will provide a free and confidential service to all victims of crime and traumatic incidents.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to know more you are invited to an information night at: Hotel Kilkenny on Wednesday, 27th October at 8pm. Contact the National Office on 066 7119830 or email to fedva@eircom.net for further information.
Interesting Local Courses
‘Child Welfare and Protection in Sport’ is a 4 hour basic awareness course looking at how we can keep adults and young people safe and happy within the club environment. Open to sports leaders, children's officers and other adults involved in the organization of sport for young people. St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Wednesday, 10th November from 6.00pm. €20 per person - limited to 16 people per night.
‘Basic First Aid’ will take place in Desart Hall, New Street for four Monday nights, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm starting on 8th November. €80 per person to complete the course – limited to 16 people.
Provided by Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership, Desart Hall, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 772 0870 for more information.
Kilkenny City Macra
Kilkenny City Macra will hold its next meeting on Monday, 8th of November in Glendine Inn, Kilkenny at 9.30pm. Macra na Feirme is a voluntary organisation for young people between the ages of 17 and 35. New members welcome. Please contact Mary at 085 283 9023 for further details.
Just for Fun
The Parish Priest was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Just before Mass, he asked the organist to think of something to play after he made the announcement about the finances.
During the service, the priest paused and said, “Brothers and sisters, we are in great difficulty; the church repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need €20,000 more. Any of you who can donate €100 or more, please stand up.” At that moment, the organist started to play “Amhrán na bhFiann.”
Loughboy Library
Nintendo Wii Training for over 55s continues on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am and 11.45am. This is a wonderful fun way of getting some light exercise and meeting new like-minded friends. Tel 779 4176.
GAA Monthly Newsletter
James Stephen’s GAA Club is launching a monthly e-newsletter. To be included send an email to villageEnewsletter@gmail.com.
Trócaire - Pakistan Appeal
It is now three months since devastating floods hit Pakistan and Trócaire has expressed sincere thanks to everyone that supported its emergency appeal. Over the past few months people have generously donated over €5.5 million to help survivors of the disaster. Almost half of this, €2.5 million was raised as a result of the church collections that were held around the country in August. This figure is expected to increase to €4 million in the coming weeks. Thanks to the generosity of clergy and parishioners Trócaire was able to rescue over 20,000 people from the floodwaters in the first weeks of the disaster and provide more than 100,000 people with food, water, hygiene kits and other essentials. Trócaire is now providing seeds, tools and other essentials so that families can begin to recover and rebuild their livelihoods. Trócaire would like to thank dioceses and parishes for their extraordinary response to the Pakistan crisis. For more information about how your support has changed lives log onto www.trocaire.org or call 1850 408 408.
Questions People Ask
Every year I have this problem on Mission Sunday. Who gave Christians or any other religion the right to impose their beliefs on other people?
It was Jesus Christ who sent out his followers to proclaim his message by lifestyles and word to people of every nation and time. If your concern is about people’s rights, then remember that people have the right to know the truth about Jesus Christ who came to teach and save all people. Anybody who appreciates God’s love and mercy as revealed in Jesus Christ would want all people to share his belief and hope.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM
U9 Tourney
Well done to the Village U9 panel who played outstanding hurling in the Kilmacud Crokes Cup hurling tournament. This group has made great strides under the guidance of Village coaches Liam Trant and Bryan Phelan. A big thank you must go to the players and coaches for your super effort in 2010. This panel will move onto the U10 grade in the new season.
Floodlight Tourney
The Village U12 A squad will be taking part in the annual Carrigeen floodlight hurling tournament throughout the next few weeks. The games will be played under flood lights in the fantastic astro-turf pitch in Carrigeen GAA. Best of luck to the players and mentors.
Irish Conker Championship Festival
The 11th Irish Conker Championship Festival takes place in the Village Square, Freshford this weekend; 22nd - 24th October. Art, Craft and Book Stalls, a range of Halloween games and activities, Story telling, Pumpkin Carving and Penalty Soccer Shoot Out's - all in addition to the Irish Conker Championships which takes place today, Sunday, from 12 noon onwards. Art in the Annex Viewing of Championships is absolutely free, so come and join the fun!
The Race
The legendary Greek, Pheidippides, ran the first ‘marathon’ in 490 BC. Running 40 km from Marathon to Athens, he brought the good news of Persian defeat. Unfortunately he overdid it and dropped dead. Besides his good-news message, he brought another too – albeit unintended: if you run a marathon, prepare for it. You have to train a lot. You have to sacrifice time and comfort. And you must be able to cope with physical stress and endure pain. Yet each year more than 800 marathons are held worldwide. That means that several hundreds of thousands of people run 42.195 km in what is considered to be recreational running. In today’s Second Reading (2 Tim 4:6-8) Paul says that he has fought the good fight and finished the race. Neither is recreational. The distance he covers is not measured in kilometres, miles or any such units. It’s measured in terms of spiritual maturity. The ‘units’ used to measure this ‘distance’ are: faith, witness and proclamation. His, as ours, is not a race that covers distance. It covers time, and life’s experiences both good and bad. It covers advances and retreats, ups and downs, and the about turns we make in life. It covers the ‘walls’ we face that block our progress to God. It has its highs too: the exhilaration of insight, the thrill of hope’s promises, the calm of a clear conscience, the peace of mind from goodness shown and the security of God’s love. This good news is worth dying for. Paul did so. This is not Greek legend.
Fr. Tom Cahill SVD
