The Heart of Relationships
Through Moses and the Law God had given instructions for how people were to live together, to ensure that God’s people would not begin to oppress on another. In today’s Gospel, as we continue our reading of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew presents Jesus at the new Moses, as Liberator. He presents God’s demands not by dispensing with the Law but by asking for a deeper observance, a more sincere fulfilment. True and loyal service of God begins in the heart. How we are and how we live is a choice. God’s law reveals our human potential and perhaps we should interpret these clauses as ‘verbal beacons’. In striving for that perfection we better ourselves. The entire Sermon on the Mount focuses on right relationships and the right kind of worship? If we offer gifts at the altar on Sunday but fail to be ‘Christian’ to the world on Monday, that is not worship. Action is key. Today’s scripture focuses on God’s view of who we are – in terms of who Jesus says we ought to be in our relationship with God, with family and friends, and with our world.
Jane Mellett
Senior Citizens’ Parish Party
By all accounts everybody had a wonderful evening at last Monday’s party for the senior citizens of St. Patrick’s Parish. Over one hundred and twenty people sat down to a wonderful four course meal followed by an excellent evening’s dancing to Marble City Sound. Well done to everybody involved.
Diocesan Lourdes Collection
The annual Diocesan Lourdes Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. We invite you to contribute a little extra to the second collection and the money will be passed on to the Diocesan Office to help defray the costs of the Diocesan Pilgrimage.
The Irish Catholic
This excellent Catholic newspaper is available at the church doors. Cost €1.30.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2011
The annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place from 22nd to 27th May 2011. Telephone Eleanor on 051 880 414 between 10.30am and 2.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
St. Patrick’s Lourdes Committee
This parish group raises funds to help a number of deserving parishioners travel to Lourdes with the annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage in May. The Committee is currently accepting nominations for travellers with this year’s pilgrimage. Please contact any member of the committee or the Parish Office (776 4400) if you or someone known to you would like to be considered for travel.
Enrolments in Parish Schools
The St. John of God Girls’ School and the St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys’ School are currently dealing with enrolment applications for September 2011. Please contact the schools immediately for further details.
St. John of God School: 056 772 1290
St. Patrick’s De La Salle School: 056 776 1081
Radio Masses
St. Patrick’s Parish has been invited to host three broadcast Masses on RTE Radio. We are honoured to accept the invitation and look forward to sharing our parish celebrations with a wider congregation. For technical and timing reasons the Masses will be broadcast from St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown on Sunday, 27th February and Sunday, 6th March. The third Mass will be broadcast at 7.00pm on Ash Wednesday, 9th March.
St. Patrick’s Day Televised Mass
St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band has accepted an invitation from RTE Television to provide the music for the televised Mass on St. Patrick’s Day. This will be the first time a band has provided the music and the members are currently rehearsing their programme. The band also intends to be back in Kilkenny to take part in the
St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Ursula Maher, 14 St. Fiacre’s Place. Funeral prayers at her home at 6.30pm on Sunday. Removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday. Burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Mark Quigley, Rioch Street. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Sunday at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Catherine Maher, Rathmore, Tennypark. Mark O’Grady, Bishop Birch Place. Mary Jo Tamosiunas (Thur 9.30).
Anniversaries: Nicholas Healy (Sat 6.15), Daphne Phelan (Sat 7.00), Sean O’Grady (Sun 10.00), Matt Gleeson (Sun 10.30), Eileen Cummins (Sun 11.00), Peter Quinn (Sun 12.00), Michael Walsh & Milo Bourke (Sun 12.30), Seamus Kelly (Wed 10.30), Paddy Burke, Eileen Cummins, Catherine Beckett, Jack Talbot, Tina O’Driscoll, Seamus Culleton, John & Bridget Dunne, Michael & Agnes Foley, Ellen Egan, Kieran Healy, Christopher Walsh.
Intentions Next Weekend: Mary Lynch (Sat 6.15), Jenny Clancy (Sat 7.00), Molly Johnstone (Sun 9.30), John Walsh (Sun 10.00), Seamus (Dixie) Brennan (Sun 10.30), Mary Reynolds (Sun 11.00 Months Mind), Peadar Flanagan (Sun 12.00), Rose Walsh (Sun 12.30 Months Mind).
Questions People Ask
Q. I was abused physically and emotionally be a very violent father during childhood. How can I be expected to regard God by the title of father?
A. You might use some other name such as Lord, or Maker or simply God. Since it was Jesus who instructed us to call God our Father, pray to Jesus to heal that unhappy association which inhibits you. Jesus never meant the Father to be understood in an authoritarian sense, much less in an abusive way, but as the loving source of life, the giver of talents, the merciful one who forgives the prodigal son with a celebratory banquet. Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Weekly Envelope Collection
The envelope collection last week amounted to €1,989 and the monthly standing orders came to €4,751.20. Sincere thanks to all.
St. John’s Parish Novena
The annual Parish Novena at St. John’s Parish begins on Monday, 21st February and runs until Tuesday, 1st March. Services each weekday at 7.30am, 10.30am and 7.30pm. Services on Sunday at 8.00am, 10.30am, 12.00 noon and 7.30pm. Sacrament of Reconciliation (without Mass) on Friday, 25th February at 7.30pm. Mass with Anointing of the Sick on Saturday, 26th February at 10.30am. Special Service of Blessing of Babies and Small Children on Sunday, 27th February at 3.30pm. Preparation for each service begins 15 minutes before the published times. All welcome.
Divine Mercy Prayer/Conference
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, 13th February from 3.00 - 4.00pm. All welcome.
The annual conference will take place in the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin on Saturday, 19th February at 4.00pm. A bus will leave Butts Green, Kilkenny at 7.30am. For more details contact Peggy Kealy on 776 7857.
Medjugorje Prayer
An evening of prayer will take place on Monday, 14th February at the Mill Hill Church, Waterford Road, Kilkenny beginning at 8.00pm. Prayers include Rosary, Mass, Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome for prayer and later for a cup of tea.
Parish Shop
As well as the usual offerings of religious goods the Parish Shop now includes a selection of Confirmation items. The shop is located in the Parish Centre and is open during office hours each weekday.
LARC Parent and Toddler Group
The group has moved premises to the LARC Childcare Centre. It now takes place on Friday mornings from 10.00 to 11.30am in 54/55 Hollybank Lawn, Clongowan. If anyone would like to join please come along on Friday or contact Connie on 056 776 4700 for more information or directions.
Cake Sale and Coffee Morning
Group 174 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust (of which Fr. Dan is chaplain) takes 11 young people with special needs to Lourdes each Easter. In Lourdes Group 174 becomes part of a great international pilgrimage with visitors from other parts of Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, Croatia, West Indies and the United States. Each adult helper pays his or her own fare and commits to help raise €13,500 to pay for the young people’s travel and accommodation. Group 174 plans a Cake Sale and Coffee Morning at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre after 10.30am and 12.00 noon Masses on Sunday, 6th March. We appeal for your support on the day and with baking produce etc. beforehand. Please give Ena a call on 056 776 4400 if you feel you can help. For further information visit www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com.
Parenting Course
“Parenting from the inside out” is the title of a presentation to be made at the Village Business Centre, Patrick Street on next Tuesday evening at 8.00pm. The programme is intended for the parents of children aged 4 to 11 years. Booking at 087 927 7479.
Special Olympics Club
The AGM of the Kilkenny Kats Special Olympics Club (Junior Club 6yrs to 16yrs ), will take place at 8.00pm on Tuesday, 15th February in St Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy. New athletes and new volunteers are welcome. The club takes place every Thursday between 5.45pm and 6.45pm in the Loreto P.E. Hall and we have lots of fun. Contact Therese Buckley 087 904 0208 for further information.
Loughboy Library
Creative Writing - A six week free course on playwriting will commence at Loughboy Library on Monday, 7th March at 5.30pm. Please forward names to The Arts Office, County Hall, John Street, Kilkenny.
Exhibition - Ms Paula Holohan, is exhibiting a series of wildflowers called “Along the Hedgerow” at the library until 4th March.
Towards Healing
Earlier this week Towards Healing a new counselling and support service for survivors of clerical and religious abuse commenced providing services. Freephone 1 800 303 416 and email info@towardshealing.ie
