Let Your Actions Talk
Putting on a special dress for prayer can emphasise the importance of the prayer. But Jesus is reminding people in today’s gospel that if the prayer is not already in their hearts and minds, then you can wear what you like, but it won’t make much difference. Matthew values the importance of leadership in his community but he is reminding them that the source of this authority lies with God. True witnesses to Jesus must put aside any ideas of grandeur and this message is of course not limited to the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time but to all people of faith. Jesus believes in the ‘ordinary’ people and he reassures them in today’s Gospel that they should not let themselves be awed by those in authority who do not practice what they preach.
‘We should also remember that when we are in awe of people because of their education or their jobs or their way of living that Jesus liberates us from this. We eventually come to see that we are all human beings, that comparisons are ridiculous and that those we put on a pedestal are just as flawed and just as wonderful as any other human being.
‘I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.’ (Dorothy Day)
‘I have long since come to believe that people never mean half of what they say, and that it is best to disregard their talk and judge only their actions.’ (Dorothy Day)
Questions People Ask
Q. What is Halloween and why these witches and broomsticks at this time of year? I’m not comfortable with them.
A. Neither am I comfortable with these pagan symbols. Hallow is an old English word for holy. Hallowe’en means the eve of All Saints Day. November is the start of winter, season of darkness and death in nature. Pagans of old believed that evil spirits were extra active in this darkness. Witchcraft attempts to make contact with the world of spirits. The Church in its wisdom sets before us the glory of heaven as the meaning of life after death. Give me saints rather than witches any day! (Fr Silvester O’Flynn OFM Cap)
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Olive Barry, 23 Corcoran Terrace. John O’Connor, Castle Road.
Months Mind: Moira Cantwell (Sun 12.00)
Anniversaries: Birute Poskaite (Sat 6.15). Michael Phelan (Sat 7.00). Tom Shanahan & Mary Russell (Sun 10.00). P.J. Marrinan (Sun 10.30). John Joe Kealy (Sun 11.00). John Delaney (Sun 12.30). Margaret & John Wallace (Fri 9.30), Sr Elizabeth Butler (Month’s Mind, Fri 10.30), Tess O’Neill, Julia & Richard Ryan, Jack Welford, Josie & Dick Walsh, Anastasia Muldowney, Breda Hehir, Margaret Dunlop.
Intentions Next Weekend: Mary Millea (Sat 6.15), John Glynn (Sat 7.00), Margaret Hutchinson (Sun 9.30), Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00), John Cullen (Sun 10.30), Breda Phelan (Sun 11.00), Martin Brett (Sun 12.00), Kathleen Roche (Month’s Mind, Sun 12.30).
Holy Days in November
The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on Tuesday, 1st November. Holy Day Masses in our parish will follow the usual weekend schedule: St. Fiacre’s 6.15pm on Monday, 10.30am and 12.00 noon on Tuesday; St. Patrick’s 7.00pm on Monday, 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm on Tuesday; St. Joseph’s 10.00am on Tuesday.
Staff and Service Users at the S.O.S. will attend the 10.00am Mass on Tuesday.
The Commemoration of the Faithful Departed is celebrated on Wednesday. Masses in St. Patrick’s at 9.30am and St. Fiacre’s at 10.30am.
Good Luck Lads!
The very best of luck to our senior hurlers and their mentors who again take on Ballyhale Shamrocks in the replay of St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Final at Nowlan Park on this Sunday at 2.45pm.
First Saturday Devotion
The usual First Saturday devotion will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy on Saturday, 5th November after the 6.15pm Mass. Prayers and adoration will end at 9.00pm. All are welcome.
Altar Servers
Thanks to numerous young people who volunteered to serve Mass during the coming year. You will have received your rosters during the last few days. Sadly, we still have no servers for 10.00am Mass at Foulkstown, 11.00am Mass at St. Patrick’s and 12.00 noon Mass at St. Fiacre’s. We could do with a little more help at some of the other Masses. Please contact the Sacristan if your child can help.
Parish Pastoral Councils
Ossory Adult Faith Development is offering a series of training evenings for those involved in or setting up Parish Pastoral Councils. Training will be at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Tuesdays, 8th, 15th and 22nd November from 8.00pm to 9.00pm. Members of our Parish Pastoral Council (Team) are asked to attend.
First Friday
The first Friday of November occurs this week. The priests will visit the sick and housebound. Please contact the Parish Office if you want to add a name to the priests’ lists.
Healing Mass
The Prayer for Healing group will meet at St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday evening at 7.30pm. There will be prayer and praise at 7.30pm with Mass at 8.00pm. There will also be an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the evening. All welcome.
Unwanted Books
We are in the process of setting up a small reading room/library at the Parish Centre and we are willing to accept books suitable for our location and purpose. Please contact the Parish Centre if you have books to donate with a spiritual, religious or inspirational theme. We will also accept biographies and reference books. We are sorry but we cannot accept magazines.
Knitting Classes
Knitting Classes will continue in the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. All are welcome.
Weekly Envelope Collection
Last week’s parish envelope contribution amounted to €1,180. Many thanks for your continued support. Thanks also to those who contributed to the October Stations.
November Lists of the Dead
During November we remember in a special way those who have died. Pre-printed forms are available in all our churches for those who would like to list the names of deceased relatives and friends. These can be placed in boxes before the altars and the names will be remembered during our November Masses.
Evening Prayer
An evening of prayer to pray for vocations will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday, 10th November 2011. Fr. Dan will lead us in a Holy Hour of Adoration, the Rosary and Holy Mass. A cup of tea will be served in the Parish Centre. All are welcome.
Voices of Hope
During the month of November, St. Canice’s Parish Community invites you again to join us for a series called Voices of Hope - Reflections for November. Against the backdrop of continuing difficulties in our church and in our country we hope that this time of reflection will offer some light and guidance in dark and confusing days. The first three nights of reflection will all follow the same format, a Mass during which an invited speaker will give an input. The fourth night will be a service of healing and reconciliation and will also include an input by the invited speaker.
2nd November at 7.30pm: Mr. John Bruton.
9th November at 7.30pm: Ms. Anne Looney.
16th November at 7.30pm: Fr. Gerry O’Hanlon
23rd November at 7.30pm: Bishop Brendan Comiskey.
Cosmology/Care of the Earth
A workshop is offered on Cosmology / Care of the Earth. The New Story - its implications for faith, life and living. Br. Mark McDonnell will lead this workshop which will offer an opportunity to reflect on the New Universe Story and our relationship with the Earth. Date: 19th November 2011. Venue: Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre, Blackwater, Wexford. Time: 10am - 4.30pm. Cost €15. Please bring packed lunch - (tea & coffee will be provided). Please book before 4th November by contacting Pam or Catherina at 056 772 2870 between 9.00am - 5.00pm. For further information and directions to Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre please see the website www.ballyvaloo.ie
New Translation of the Mass
We are working well at introducing the new translation of the Mass. This will be formally launched in the Diocese of Ossory by Bishop Seamus at a Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 3.00pm on Sunday, 13th November. All are welcome.
Our parish choirs are invited to attend the cathedral from 1.00pm on the day to participate in a workshop on new liturgical music for use with the new translation. Fr. Liam Lawton will conduct the workshop and there will be a break before the Mass at 3.00pm. Choirs present will participate in the Mass.
Novena in Honour of St. Martin
The annual novena in honour of St. Martin De Porres continues at the Black Abbey until Thursday, 3rd November 2011. On this Sunday there will be rosary at 3.15pm followed by Mass with Anointing of the Sick at 3.30pm.
Readers Wanted
We are currently revising the rotas for readers in our parish. This is an opportune time to offer to serve as a regular reader in one of our churches. If you are interested in becoming a Minister of the Word in St. Patrick’s Parish please contact the Parish Office.
Traditional Sung Latin Masses
There will be a Sung Latin Mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on Sunday, 30th October (The feast of Christ the King in the Traditional Calendar).
Low Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on the Feast of All Saints, Tuesday, 1st November.
A traditional Sung Latin Mass will also be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on All Souls’ Day, Wednesday, 2nd November.
Youth 2000 Retreat - Waterford
Youth 2000 will host a retreat in De La Salle College, Waterford, 4th - 6th November. This is a donation only event for people aged 16 - 35 years, with new comers welcome. The weekend will consist of a programme of youth Masses, talks, music etc. Residential - so bring a sleeping bag! For information contact John - 086 330 1766 or check our www.youth2000.ie.
South Kilkenny Historical Society Lecture
Title: Margaret Aylward: a controversial and courageous woman with a mission . Speaker: Dr. Jacinta Prunty chf. Date: Thursday, November 3rd, 2011 Time: 8pm. Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church) Admission: €5 (members free)
Kilkenny Recreational & Sports Partnership
Lets Dance: KRSP is running a 3 day assistant dance leaders workshop over the mid-term. Participants must be over 14 and have some dancing experience. This workshop is free of charge! Tuesday 1st, Wednesday 2nd & Thursday 3rd Nov 2011 Dancewise Studios, Newpark Shopping Centre, Kilkenny 2pm-5pm, FREE
Aqua Aerobics & Swimming Lessons for Older Adults: Aqua aerobics is a low impact form of exercise. It is not essential to be a swimmer to participate in a water exercise class. See table below for starting dates of next available sessions. Cost is €20 for 6 week block.
Child Welfare & Protection in Sport Training: This is a 3 hour basic awareness course, looking at how we can keep adults and young people safe and happy within the club environment. This course is open to sports leaders, coaches, parents, children's officers and other adults involved in the organisation of sport for young people. Attendees must be over 18 years of age. Monday 14th November 2011, St. Patricks Parish Centre, Kilkenny City, 6pm–9pm, €20
