Parish Christmas Programme
Next Saturday is Christmas Day. The following parish Mass schedule will apply.
St. Fiacre’s Church:
Christmas Eve: Vigil Mass at 9.00pm
Christmas Day: Mass of Midnight (Latin) 10.30am, 12.00 noon
St. Patrick’s Church:
Christmas Day: Midnight Mass
9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm
St. Joseph’s Church:
Christmas Day: 10.00am
Please note there will not be evening Vigil Masses on Saturday, 25th December (Christmas Day).
Masses on Sunday, 26th December will follow the usual Sunday Mass schedule.
During the week after Christmas the only public Mass in our parish will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day.
Come and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Christmas Penitential Service
The St. Patrick’s Parish Christmas Penitential Service will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Monday, 20th December. Visiting priests will attend. Please use this opportunity to prepare for Christmas.
Midnight Mass Choirs
Practice for all choirs involved in Midnight Mass will take place on Wednesday 22nd December at 7.30pm in St. Patrick’s Church.
Parish Centre
The St. Patrick’s Parish Centre will be closed for the Christmas Holidays from Thursday, 23rd December and will reopen on Tuesday, 4th January.
St. Patrick’s Brass & Reed Band
Don’t forget the Annual Christmas Concert in St. Patrick’s Church on Tuesday, 21st December at 8pm. A great evening’s entertainment is promised. Guests include: Audrey Larkin, Kevin O’Dwyer, Rory Broderick, Billy Carrigan & Friends, Jimmy Larkin, Eugene Dewberry. MC: Noel Power.
Emmanuel
In both the First Reading and the Gospel we hear the name of the son to be born of a virgin – Emmanuel, which means ‘God-is-with-us’. Throughout the history of Judaism the people of Israel felt a special relationship with the Lord. They were unique among ancient civilisations in having on God who created the heavens and the earth and most importantly freed the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt before leading them to the Promised Land. The relationship between the Lord and his people was sealed in the Sinai covenant , also known as the Ten Commandments. Such was the link between people and God that the divine presence was held to reside in the Ark of the Covenant and later in the Holy of Holies in the Temple at Jerusalem. The birth of Jesus takes things a step further. Jesus is the very incarnation of God, having taken on human form and lived as one of us. This divine presence does not end with the death of Jesus. Rather in the last verse of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, ‘ I am with us always, to the end of time’ (Matt 28:20). This is the God we are preparing to welcome this Christmas, the one who remains with us no matter what.
Francis Cousins
SVP Annual Appeal
Thanks to all who contributed to last weekend’s annual Christmas collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Thanks also to those businesses, groups and individuals who made private contributions. SVP continues to help individuals and families in the area who are struggling to cope, often to ensure that there is light in the home and food on the table.
The members of the Society meet at the Parish Centre on Monday evenings from 8.00pm. In urgent cases the member on duty may be contacted on 087 681 0589.
Fundraising Bag Pack
Thanks to all who helped with bag pack at Caulfield’s Supervalu over the past few days. We appreciate your time given to the parish. Money raised will help defray the parish debt.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Sean Hennessey, Castlecomer Road,
Months Mind: John Seaver (Wed 10.30)Anniversaries: Elizabeth Comerford (Sat 6.15), Christopher & Mary Coogan (Sat 7.00), John Carroll (Sun 9.30), Joe & Nan Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sun 10.30), George Byrne (Sun 11.00), Dick Lynch (Sun 12.00), Mary Blanchfield (Sun 12.30), Susan Daly, Anthony Gorski and Michael Kenny (Mon 9.30), Thomas Saunders (Tues 10.30), Tommy Clooney, Kitty Clooney & Margaret Fox (Wed 9.30), May & Felix Campbell (Thurs 9.30), Margaret & Paddy Cantwell (Thurs 10.30), Paddy & Lar Carroll (Fri 10.30), Phyllis Doran, Jimmy Bergin, Eric & Mary McGrath., Peggy Quinlan, Richard & Maureen Free, Mick & Bess Delaney, Jim Dollard, Mary O’Neill, Ann Holohan, Richard Gaule.
Intentions Next Weekend: Betty Furniss (9.30), Thomas Doran (10.00), Josephine McGrath (10.30), Vale Vaikutiene (11.00), Geraldine Cody (12.00), Eddie Taylor & Delia Taylor (12.30).
Christmas Concert
Each Easter the Irish Pilgrimage Trust brings young people with special needs to Lourdes. Fr. Dan is chaplain to Group 174 which is Kilkenny based. The helpers pay their own fares but it falls on the groups to provide for the fares and costs of providing the pilgrimage, holiday and respite for the young people. To help offset the cost Group 174 presents a concert at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on this Sunday, 19th December at 3.30pm. Artistes include: D-force, Nicky McCullagh, Tom Bolger, Noel Power, Trish Carroll, Jimmy Byrne, Peter Prendergast and the St. Fiacre’s Church Choir. A wonderful afternoon of Christmas and contemporary music is promised. Get in the mood for Christmas while helping to send a young person with special needs to Lourdes next Easter. Tickets: €5 at the door.
Weekly Envelope Collection
The envelope collection last week amounted to €1,510.00. Sincere thanks to all who continue to support our parish and its priests.
Eucharistic Adoration
There will be no adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, 24th December (Christmas Eve). Thank you to the many parishioners who regularly spend time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Christmas Midnight Mass in Latin
The members of the Society of St. Oliver Plunkett who organise the Mass in the ‘Usus Antiquior’ in St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on Sunday afternoons, has organised Christmas Midnight Mass in Latin at St. Fiacre’s Church at midnight on Christmas Eve. Further information: http:societyofstoliverplunkett.blogspot.com/
Questions People Ask
Q. I’ve struggled for years with an addiction. I keep on falling. Is there any hope for me?
A. There is always hope for the simple reason that God’s love for you never ceases, no matter how often you fall. God’s help comes in many ways such as medical help, addiction counselling, prayer, pilgrimage to a holy place and especially through the understanding and support of fellow strugglers in an addiction fellowship. Advent is the season of hope. Come, Lord Jesus, into our desert areas and places of darkness.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Toastmasters
Do butterflies attack your stomach whenever you’re asked to speak before a group? Have you a wedding coming up? Are you the father of the bride, the bestman or the groom? If so, Toastmasters can help. Visit your local Toastmasters Club and begin improving your communication skills today. For information: 085 810 8790 or kilkennytoastmasters@gmail.com.
Keep Christ in Christmas
There is still time to visit our parish shop before Christmas. There you will find a range of Advent calendars, candles, cribs, Christmas candles, children’s Christmas books and religious gifts. Come in a browse during the next few days and select items with a Christian theme for Christmas. Shop closes for the holidays on Thursday.
Why Not Study Theology
The Dominicans are offering a programme of theology, leading up to a degree (BTh) in the distance learning format. People are enabled to study from home, with occasional study days, and with the on-line support of tutors. Already hundreds have completed the programme to some level, and in November 2010, there were 37 who received their full degree. Maybe you’d like to know more? Contact us at: The Priory Institute, Tallaght Village, Dublin 24 Tel: 01 404 8124 or 01 404 8127. Send an email to: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com
Parish Office
The Parish Office will close for the Christmas Holidays on Wednesday, 22nd December and reopen on Tuesday, 4th January. Happy Christmas to all!
Loughboy Library
The Loughboy Library will close at 2pm on Thursday, 23rd December and will re-open at 1.00pm on Thursday, 30th December. Also closing at 5pm on Friday, 31st December (New Year’s Eve).
