Like a Shepherd
My grandfather was a farmer in Malin Head in Co. Donegal. As a child I loved to watch him round up the sheep in the evenings, using a variety of whistling techniques to guide his sheepdog, Jack, to steer the flock safely into the pen for the night. It was always a smooth transition, at a quiet time of the evening, with dog and flock well versed in the ins and outs of the process. It is this experience that I recall when I hear this parable. And it was the local shepherding practices of the time that Jesus turned to in an attempt to explain who he is. The shepherd in Jesus’ parable calls his sheep one by one to lead them into the safely of the sheepfold, as was the practice in Palestine at the time, and the sheep follow their shepherd because they know his voice. Since the Pharisees, to whom Jesus is speaking, don’t get it, he explains the parable; he is the gate of the sheepfold, and anyone who enters through him will be safe and will be sure of finding pasture. Sheep and shepherd imagery is common in both Old and New Testament, and today’s psalm is probably the most recognisable passage. ‘The Lord is my shepherd … fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me to revive my drooping spirit.’ A common practice and a popular image provide the perfect springboard for an examination of who Jesus is and what he offers to those who follow him: safety, pasture and life.
Triona Doherty.
First Holy Communion
Congratulations to all involved with this year’s First Holy Communion Class at St. John of God School. A total of 46 girls received the Eucharist for the first time on Saturday. Congratulations also to the 19 boys and girls from the Kilkenny School Project who receive their First Holy Communion today Sunday.
Well done and thanks to the parents, guardians, Godparents, teachers, programme coordinators and others who were involved in the preparation of the children. Your role was invaluable in handing on the faith to the next generation.
Gaelscoil Confirmation
Comhgáirdeachas do pháistí Ghaelscoil Osraí a chuaigh faoi lámh an Easpaig inné. Congratulations to the 107 children of Rang a 5 and 6 in Gaelscoil Osraí who were confirmed in St. Mary’s Cathedral yesterday by Bishop Seamus Freeman SAC and thanks to their teachers Múinteoir Brian, Sylvia, Cáit and Tanya for all their hard work in the preparations in the last few months.
Questions People Ask
Q. A priest in our parish makes me angry with is sermons. His gospel seems to be the power of positive thinking and nothing else. Worry is bad for you, trust in God! Now I have real worries in my business, staff to pay, bills to meet, and a son who is a real cause for concern. Don’t worry! Can you understand what I am feeling?
A. Positive thinking is helpful but not when it is blind to painful reality. A simplistic solution to a complex problem rarely works. One of the great strengths of Christianity comes from the contemplation of the cross. Jesus did not hide from suffering, nor did he ask his followers to do so. He openly confessed how his soul was troubled when thinking of the hour he was to face. He sweated blood in Gethsemane. Jesus did not remove suffering but he showed that he is with us there in solidarity and compassion.
Fr. Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Vocations in the Local Church
This Sunday, 15th May 2011, is the Fourth Sunday of Easter. It is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations. On this Sunday we are asked to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life, especially for our diocese, that God will raise up good shepherds in our midst.
If you think God is calling you to serve the Church as a priest in the Diocese of Ossory contact: Fr. Willie Purcell at the Diocesan Vocations Office, St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny. Telephone 056 777 0261 or 087 628 6858 or email ossoryvocdir@gmail.com
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Margaret (Peggy) Lawlor, Drakelands Middle. Requiem mass Sunday 2pm St. Mary’s Cathedral. Internment in Foulkstown.
Anniversaries: Anthona Burke (Birthday Remembrance Sat 6.15), Tom & Oliver Kennedy (Sun 9.30), Paddy O’Connell (Sun 10.00), Patricia Murphy (Sun 10.30), Jim Lanigan (Sun 11.00), Mary Deegan (Sun 12.00), John Coppinger (Sun 12.30), Henry, Paddy & Jane Glynn (Tues10.30), Molly Fitzgerald, John Doheny, Joe Kelly, Martin Browne, Catherine Coyne, Moira Bergin, Agnes & Frann Brennan, Liam Meehan, Sally Goulding, Tom & Oliver Kennedy, Robert Kenny, Julia Doheny.
Intentions for next weekend: Michael Maher (Sat 6.15), Joe Davy (Sat 7.00), Ciaran Flood (Sun 9.30), Jack Carroll (Sun 10.00), Roy Barry (Months Mind Sun 10.30), Nelly Garrehy (Sun 11.00), Mary Deegan (Sun 12.00), Jimmy O’Neill (Months Mind, Sun 12.30).
Petitions to Lourdes
A number of young people from our parish are travelling to Lourdes as volunteers with the Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage. One of the young people has volunteered to take our parishioners’ petitions to Our Lady’s Shrine. Please place your petition in the box provided in the sanctuary area of St. Patrick’s Church. These will be taken to Lourdes and placed at the grotto on 22nd May.
The Irish Catholic
The Irish Catholic is available to buy at the sacristies in all our churches. This is a weekly Catholic newspaper bringing us up-to-date news and information about our Church. Cost €1.30.
The Servant at the Supper
On Wednesday of this week St. Fiacre’s Church hosts The Servant at the Supper - a play by retired Canadian Catholic School Principal, Eleanor Glenn. Costumed as the ‘servant girl’ who baked the bread and served the wine at the Last Supper, Eleanor takes her audience with her as she moves on to witness the crucifixion, the women returning to tell Peter of Christ’s resurrection, the coming of the Holy Spirit and a visit of St. Paul.
This is a 40 minute creative, innovative experience of evangelization. It is a Catholic, scripture-based, one woman performance. Using over 20 direct Bible quotations and inspired by the Holy Spirit, Eleanor Glenn takes her audience into the very heart of the Upper Room to experience first-hand the final days of Christ and our call in this 21st century to be His modern day messengers.
Venue: Wednesday, 18th May at St. Fiacre’s Church, Kilkenny at 8.00pm. Admission: Donation of €5 requested. Contact Fr. Martin Tobin on 086 240 1278 for further information.
The play is on a nation-wide tour in preparation for next year’s International Eucharistic Congress. It will be presented at Borris-in-Ossory on 17th May.
Cake & Bric-a-brac Sale
Loreto Mega Cake Sale and Bric-a-brac Sale will be held on Saturday, 21st May from 12.00 noon to 3.00pm at the Loreto Secondary School. You can hire a table for €20 to sell your own bric-a-brac and keep the profits!
Loughboy Library
Celebrating Older Age - as part of the Bealtaine Festival Loughboy Library will host a Scrabble afternoon for over 55s on Wednesday, 25th May at 2.00pm. Please ring 779 4176 to book your board.
Free Computer classes are available through Loughboy Library - please call in for more information. We open at 10.00am, Tuesday - Friday.
Fundraising Concert
The Kilkenny Medjugorje Youth Group is holding a Fundraising Concert in The Watergate Theatre on Thursday, 19th May at 8.00pm. The concert will feature Na Fianna, Kilkenny Musical Society, Alan Hayes and many local artistes. Admission €10.00. Raffle on the evening.
Invest in Future Stars
Get your party suit ready because James Stephen’s juvenile committee is organising a fund raising event in the club for ALL members, players, parents and supporters of the club. Come along to a 70s/80s themed night in the clubrooms on Friday, 17th June 2011. This event will help raise much needed funds to invest in our juvenile/youth structures to continue to grow and strengthen the club. Tickets cost €5.00 each. Disco by DJ: Benny. Finger food, spot prizes galore. Contact any juvenile coach or club selector/officer to purchase a ticket. (Tony Scanlon @ 087 262 2321)
Social Networking
Connect to the James Stephen’s Facebook page which gives daily updates on all fixtures, results, social events and club development by logging onto www.facebook.com/villagegaa. You can also connect to the Club’s Twitter page by logging onto www.twitter.com/VillageGAA
Loughboy Women’s Group
Cook it Programme: This 6 week programme aims to teach people how to cook and eat healthily and on budget. You will learn how to cook healthy and filling meals for you and all the family. Classes commence on Monday, 16th May at 10.00am in Archer Street Centre, Loughboy. Contact Connie on 086 771 8040 (Mon - Wed) for more information or if you are interested in joining the class
Foroige
The regional youth officer with Foroige in Kilkenny City is trying to set up one or two volunteer Foroige youth clubs. There is a lot of interest among young people but they need volunteers to run them. If you are interested please contact mailyn.venn@foroige.ie
Finally
A mother and her young son arrived at church for mass one evening. The little lad, spying the curate kneeling before the altar enquired of his mother what was the priest doing. ‘He’s kneeling there before mass to ask God to help him preach his sermon,’ explained his mother. ‘Why doesn’t he then?’ asked the young boy.
