Alone Time
Earlier this year I read a selection of entries for a Mother’s Day competition, in which sons and daughters described why their mother deserved the prize. The entries had several themes in common – She never does anything for herself; she’s always thinking of other people; I can’t remember when she last had a break.
In today’s Gospel it is Jesus who needs a break. It is a very human Jesus that we encounter. Having learnt of the death of John the Baptist, Jesus withdraws from the crowds in a boat to a ‘deserted place’. Like any of us, he feels the need to be alone from time to time, and this is a time of particular pressure for him. He has been preaching solidly for some time, Herod is asking questions, and now he hears his cousin John has been killed.
But there is little time for rest. Seeing the crowds that follow him, Jesus feels another very human emotion – pity. The disciples are protective of Jesus and want the people to go away, but Jesus has other ideas. It is a compassionate Jesus who addresses the hunger of his large crowd of followers.
While he needs time to reflect and pray, and we can only imagine how tired and weary he feels, he is happy to postpone his own needs it while he cares for his flock. It’s an example followed by many a parent. But it is interesting to note what follows the story of the feeding of the five thousand. Having dismissed the crowds, Jesus makes another attempt to retreat by himself, this time up a mountain. His alone time is important.
The only public Mass in the Parish on Bank Holiday Monday is at 11am in St. Patrick’s Church. There will not be exposition at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday.
St. Rioch’s Cemetery Mass
The annual Mass for those buried at St. Rioch’s Cemetery, Walkin Street will take place on Thursday, 4th August at 7.30pm. All are welcome.
Questions People Ask
Q. Did St. Peter really walk on water? It defies the laws of science. Or is this a sort of story for the sake of making a point?
A. A miracle is some happening which goes beyond the normal laws of science. As far as I am concerned, it would not bother me if somebody could prove that Peter’s act never actually happened. What appeals to me in the story is the lesson that as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus he could walk through the storm, but once he concentrated on the wild wind and billowing sea, he began to sink. But even then, the Lord stretched out a hand to save him. It is a story giving immense encouragement.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Don Nolan, St. Patrick’s, Kells Road. Sean Kelly, Sion Road. Kieran Phelan, St. Francis Terrace.
Months Mind: Peg McGrath (Sun 11.00), Maureen Walsh (The Capuchin Friary, Sun 12.00).
Anniversaries: Thomas McGuire (Sat 7.00), Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00), Margaret & Larry Langton (Sun 12.00), Teresa Delahanty (Sun 12.30), Jim Devlin, Jimmy Carroll, Billy Bourke, Jimmy Bourke, Nancy Larkin., Martin Doheny, Joseph & Michael Browne, Breda O’Hara.
Intentions for next weekend: Eileen Grace (Sat 6.15), Pat Roche (Months Mind Sat 7.00), Martin Mulhall (Sun 10.00), Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.00), Lily Purcell (Months Mind Sun 12.30).
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed. Amen.
Shrines of France Pilgrimage
Clara Parish and surrounding parishes are organising an October pilgrimage to Lourdes and the Shrines of France. 7th - 14th October. Seats are still available and immediate booking is advised. Pilgrimage will visit Lourdes, Avignon, Ars, Paray-Le-Monial, Nevers, Paris and Lisieux. 7 Nights. Cost €799 including insurance. Contact Fr. Larry O’Keeffe on 056 772 6560 for further details and booking.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Many thanks to the First Holy Communion Class in the KSP and the Confirmation Class in the St. John of God for their recent donations to the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The young people gave some of the gifts they received on the occasion of their Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Well done.
The New Roman Missal
Changes in the people’s parts of the new edition of the Roman Missal include the following:
The Greeting
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And with your spirit
The Confiteor
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Trócaire appeal for Africa
Last week you contributed €9,859.96 in response to the Trócaire appeal for East Africa. The money has been forwarded to the diocesan office for transfer to Trócaire. Thank you very much.
Parish Envelope Collection
In spite of your generosity to Trócaire you continued to support your parish envelope collection. Thanks for €1,265 received last weekend.
Self Help Collection
Thanks to all who supported the church gate collection for Self Help Africa: €1,088.00.
Foulkstown Cemetery
Thanks to all who participated and made the cemetery Mass last Thursday a wonderful success. We are extremely grateful to the cemetery committee who, yet again, pulled out all the stops in having the cemetery looking top shape for this annual gathering in remembrance of loved ones.
Now, down to business. Due to a recent accidental fire in the waste facility in Foulkstown Cemetery we have closed this area in the cemetery and hired a skip to take away the waste. As you can imagine this is enormously expensive as all waste has to be disposed of in the proper manner (which we have been doing thus far). Therefore this skip is only for grave wreaths and flowers from graves. It is NOT for household or other waste. Anyone caught dumping illegally will be reported to the litter warden. We are sorry to be so blunt but when it costs the parish thousands of euro in waste disposal and some people show little regard for this holy resting place, we have to take appropriate action.
We are grateful to all who keep our cemetery well maintained.
Certificate in Theological Studies
The Diocese of Ossory is providing a new course in theology to provide general theological education and formation in the main aspects of faith and to provide the theological background needed for lay involvement and leadership roles at parish and diocesan level. 100 hours part-time over one academic year from September 2011 to May 2012. For an application form and further information please contact: Course Director, St. Kieran’s College Kilkenny, Email declanmurphy@ossory.ie. Telephone 056 772 1086. Closing date for applications: 19th August 2011.
St. Patrick’s Parish may be in a position to offer some financial support to registered parishioners who are accepted on this course. Contact the Parish Office for further details.
Parish Website
Visit us on www.patricksparish.net
Age Friendly County Programme
As part of Kilkenny’s Age Friendly County Programme our volunteer researchers will be in your parish in the coming 2-3 weeks interviewing people over 50 about matters that effect their daily lives. This is a very important project for Kilkenny and it is important that all parishes are included. Please assist our volunteers with the research by part taking in the questioner if asked to do so. All our volunteers have been fully training, and carry Identification cards. Your help and time is really necessary to make this project a success.
Have you arthritis or Fibromyalgia?
The Living Well with Arthritis Programme is for you. Learn how to decrease your pain, reduce your fatigue, introduce exercise and relaxation into your daily life, increase your self-confidence to manage your arthritis, improve your sense of well-being. This award winning course costs just €30 for 6 sessions. St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Thursday 15th September and continuing for 6 weeks. For further information and registration contact Arthritis Ireland 01 647 0206.
Pregnant and Distressed?
CURA office is now located at: No. 7, Priory Square, Dean Street, Kilkenny. Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2.00pm to 4.00 p.m. and Thursday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Call 1850 62 26 26 or 056 772 2739.
The Millionaire’s Testimony
At a church meeting a very wealthy man rose to tell the rest of those present about his Christian faith. “I’m a millionaire,” he said, “and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I remember that turning point in my faith. I had just earned my first dollar and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I only had a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God’s work or nothing at all. So at that moment I decided to give my whole dollar to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today.”
He finished and there was an awed silence at his testimony as he moved toward his seat. As he sat down a little old lady sitting in the same pew leaned over and said to him: “I dare you to do it again!”
