The Moral of the Story
What’s the moral of the story? There is a certain pleasure in hearing a story whose meaning is easy to identify. Many of us grew up with Aesop’s Fables such as The Boy Who Cried Wolf, a cautionary tale about telling the truth, or The Hare and the Tortoise which teaches that ‘slow and steady wins the race’. The message is clear, isn’t it?
The parables of Jesus seldom fall into the category of a story with a simple moral. They are more ambiguous than we first imagine. While it may be tempting to neatly package the parable of the sower into a story with a straightforward message – it is not too difficult, after all, to unravel what is meant by the different types of soil – Jesus’ mysterious comments remind us there is a bit more going on beneath the surface of this story.
‘The reason I talk to them in parables is that they look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding,’ says Jesus. And even more ambiguously: ‘For anyone who has will be given more...but from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away.’ Jesus is concerned with how his audience perceives what he has to say. His parables are not simple allegories, but stories with many layers of meaning. And a warning from Jesus – if our hearts are open, we will gain so much more understanding. But a closed heart will diminish our perception even further. Have we shut our eyes? Are our ears dull of hearing? Are we absolutely sure we understand?
Tríona Doherty
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will take place on the last Thursday in July (28th) as always. It will begin at 7.30pm Please tell your family and friends especially those who live some distance away and attend every year.
Envelope Collection
The total contributed to the envelope collection on the weekend of 25th/26th June was €2,190. Last weekend your contribution was €2,825. Thank you most sincerely.
Questions People Ask
Q. Why should I have to go to Mass which I feel totally boring? I find my spirituality walking on the beach or in the woods.
A. Mass is not about me but about God. It is not about what I think or how I feel but about adoring and praising God in a way that is worthy of God. Our own prayers may be great but nothing equals the privilege of joining with Jesus in the perfect response to God’s glory. Glory to the Father is through Jesus as our priest, with him who became our brother in human flesh and in him as members of his mystical body. ‘Do this in memory of me,’ said Jesus and he wasn’t talking about walking on the beach.
Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Donal O’Neill, ‘Hillcrest’, College Gardens. Funeral prayers at his home at 6.00pm on Sunday evening followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Lily Purcell, ‘Parade House’, The Parade. Pat Roche, Wallslough. Katie O’Brien, England. Fr. Lar Fleming, Ballyadams.
Months Mind: Ann Coyne (Sun 11.00)
Anniversaries: Joan Cody, (Sat 6.15), Ger Doheny (Sat 7.00), Gretta & William Delaney (Sun 9.30), Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00), Tony Coyne (Sun 11.00), Catherine Dowling (Sun 12.00), Dr. Paddy Boyd (Sun 12.30), Sean Hennessy, Denis & Katie Murray, Mary Ann & Thomas Murray, Bridget Ward, Bridie Walshe, Felix Campbell, Brigid O’Neill, Margaret (Peg) Horrigan.
Intentions for next weekend: Mary Slattery (Sat 6.15), Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00), Tony Henderson (Sun 11.00)
Vacancy at College Green
A vacancy has occurred at the parish houses at College Green, College Road. Interested parties should be over 55 years of age and registered with Kilkenny Local Authorities' Housing List. Contact the Parish Office for an application form.
Divine Mercy
In honour of Divine Mercy, there will be an hour of adoration and prayer in the Friary Church on Sunday July 10th from 3 –4 pm. All are welcome.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
There will be a Triduum in Honour of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at the Carmelite Friary, Knocktopher from Thursday, 14th July to Saturday, 16th July. Events as follows:
Thursday 14th July: Eucharistic Procession to Shrine (weather permitting) at 7.30pm.
Friday, 15th July: Mass of the Sick and Anointing at 7.30 p.m.
Saturday, 16th July: Feast Day. Knocktopher Cemetery Mass at 7.30pm.
All are welcome.
Certificate in Theological Studies
To provide general theological education and formation in the main aspects of faith. 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.
Website Twitter
Our website now includes a live feed from Rome. Check it out on our website at: www.patricksparish.net
CURA
The local CURA office is now located at the following address: No. 7, Priory Square, Dean Street, Kilkenny. Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2.00 to 4.00pm and Thursday from 7.00 to 9.00pm. If you are pregnant and distressed and would like to talk to someone in confidence phone CURA at 056 772 2739 or locall number 1850 622 626.
The New Missal
Why the response, ‘And with your spirit’?
This response ‘And with your spirit’ is one of the very obvious changes as we use the new edition of the Missal. When the priest proclaims ‘The Lord with be with you’, the new response from the congregation, ‘and with your spirit’, will replace the wording of the previous response which occurs before the Gospel, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer and at the Blessing at the end of Mass.
‘and with your spirit’ is the literal translation of what we find in the Latin text, ‘et cum spiritu tuo’. This translation is already found in other languages, for example, German, Italian, French and Spanish.
Scripture is very much the source for his dialogue between priest and people. In four letters of St Paul he uses the following greetings: Galatians 6:18 – ‘May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit’; Philippians 4:23 – ‘the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit’; 2Timothy 4:22 – ‘the Lord be with your spirit’; Philemon 25 – ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit’. Similar greetings can be found in the Old Testament.
Knock Shrine
Bus to Knock Shrine, Thursday 21st July 2011
Leaving from the Cinema (Jail Road) 7.30am sharp! Fare: (on booking) €20.
Contact: Pauline 776 5540, Eileen 776 3259 or Marian 776 2247.
Pope Celebrates 60 Years a Priest
“We congratulate the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as he celebrates the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on 29th June, the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Since his election as Bishop of Rome on 19th April 2005, Pope Benedict has led the Church with faith and humility and has reached out to many people. In his pilgrimages he has spoken the truth with love and presented the gospel of Christ and the teaching of the Church in an engaging way to audiences of all ages.” (Irish Bishops)
Foulkstown Cemetery
Sincere thanks to the hard working cemetery committee who are working flat out to make sure the cemetery is in top shape for the upcoming cemetery Mass. We ask you to assist their work by making sure any waste such as wreaths, dead flowers etc. are properly disposed of in the area provided. Please note, this waste facility is only for waste items from graves. It is NOT a dumping facility for household or garden rubbish and is closely monitored to ensure there is no such illegal dumping. Thanks for your cooperation.
Good Shepherd Centre
The Good Shepherd Centre would like to convey their gratitude to the collectors and all who generously supported their recent church gate collection which raised €3,538.
Church Parking
We would remind all who park in the vicinity of our churches that the rules of the road and traffic bylaws should be observed at all times. Please be attentive to road markings and signage as you park your vehicles for church services. Thank you.
Summer Festival
Youth 2000 Summer festival, Clonmacnoise, Co. Offaly. Thursday, 4th to Sunday, 7thAugust 2011. For young people aged 16-35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new friends. Donation only. Free buses available from around the country. For more information contact 085 828 9231or 01 675 3690 or book online on www.youth2000.ie
Concern Thanks
Thanks to Mass-goers of St. Patrick’s Parish who contributed €1,174 to Concern last weekend. Your generosity is much appreciated and especially at this time of humanitarian crisis in Africa.
Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre, Kilmanagh
Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on Thursday, 14th July at 7.30pm. This play is suitable for all the family and is the first event to take place under the new canopy. Tickets on sale at Kilkenny Book Centre, O'Connor's Kilmanagh and Ballykeeffe Amphitheatre. Admission Adults €12, Children €9 Family €38. www.ballykeeffe.com
Parish Liturgy Group
We intend re-starting the Parish Liturgy Group come the Autumn. The liturgy group helps plan and organise our Masses and special liturgical events in the parish. Interested? Watch this space.
