The Midas Touch
When you were at school or college, was there that one person who was good at everything, who got As in every subject, was a skilled sportsperson, a gifted musician, and was involved in every activity going? We all know people who seem to be good at anything they turn their hand to. Everything they touch turns to gold.
In the parable in today’s Gospel, the skills of the servants really do result in gold! The ‘talents’ which the servants are given are units of currency – the first two servants double their money, while the third, afraid to take a risk, buries his in the ground. But the point is not the amount of talents given to each. What pleases the master is how the talents are used. The greatest crime is to ‘hide your talent in the ground’, to fail to use the gift you have been given.
This parable is often seen as an exhortation to use our God-given talents and to take risks for his sake. God gives talents to every person, and they vary from person to person. However, we eventually have to give an account of these gifts and what we did with them. The poet John Milton reflected on this parable in his sonnet ‘On His Blindness’:
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent, which is death to hide,
Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest He, returning, chide.
Forty Hours Adoration
Forty Hours Adoration for the Feast of Christ the King will commence after the 7.30pm Mass at St. John’s Church on Friday 18th November. The exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will conclude with 12.00pm Mass on the Feast of Christ the King, Sunday 20th November. Anyone willing to volunteer to spend even half an hour before the Blessed Sacrament should call to the Sacristy after Mass and enter their name on the rota.
Pray for the Deceased
Recently Deceased: Joan Bollard, Kieran Street. Funeral prayers at her son Kieran’s residence on the Dunningstown Road at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Mary’s Cathedral. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Paul Maloney, Laurel Grove. Paddy Mullins, Loreto Avenue. Kathleen Cantwell, Meadow Way.
Anniversaries: Una Heffernan (Sat 6.15), Sr. Sheila Lynch (Sat 7.00), Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30), John Brennan (Sun 10.00), May Muldowney (Sun 10.30), James & Mary Mulrooney (Sun 11.00), Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sun 12.00), Margaret & Annastatia Moore (Sun 12.30), Eugene & Nora Curley (Tues 10.30), Retired & Deceased Nurses (Wed 10.30), Peggy Costigan (Thur 7.30, Foulkstown), Henry Tiernan, Michael Kennedy, Peter Blanchfield, Dymphna Condon, Sean O’Keeffe, Christy McLoughlin, Barbara Rhatigan, Patrick Cantwell, John Doyle.
Intentions for next weekend: Maura Leahy (Sat 6.15), James Fox (Sat 7.00), James Rafter (Sun 9.30), Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00), Margaret (Madge) O’Brien (Sun 10.30), Rena Brett (Sun 11.00), John Byrne (Sun 12.00), Henrietta Hyland (Sun 12.30).
Questions People Ask
Q. Are the souls in Purgatory in suffering?
A. The Catechism is very consoling on this point. “All who die in God’s grace and friendship but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven’ (CCC, 1030).
These blessed people know they are saved. They are very close to God. So they must be very happy, yet suffering the pain of recognising how poorly they had appreciated God’s love and used their God-given talents. I think it is like the child who has been bold but now cuddles up in the parent’s loving arms, crying in the recognition of how wrong he/she had been. The suffering of purgatory is the result of knowing how much we have been loved and how poor was our response to that love.
Bishop’s Invitation
Bishop Seamus invites all of us to a special Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral to launch formally the new translation of the Roman Missal. Please join Bishop Seamus at St. Mary’s on this Sunday at 3.00pm.
Choir Workshop
In conjunction with the above Fr Liam Lawton will work with choirs and singers before the Mass introducing his recently composed Glendalough Mass. Choir members are invited to be in the cathedral at 1.00pm for a workshop with Fr Liam - there will be a break before the celebration of Mass at 3.00pm.
Youth; Faith and our Future
Would you like to engage with questions about our faith as we face a future together? Who better to have this conversation with than the younger members of our communities? Why not join us, then, on this Thursday 17th November when Senior Cycle Students from our diocese will publically discuss and engage in questions on the topic… "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith and in purity" (1 Tim 12:4).
Venue: St Patrick’s Parish Centre – 8.00pm.
Parish Pastoral Councils
The Ossory Adult Faith Development has arranged a series of training evenings for those who are involved in, or hoping to establish, Parish Pastoral Councils here in the diocese.
· Mullinavat: Monday 14th, 21st November
· St. Patrick’s Centre, Kilkenny: Tuesday 15th, 22nd November
· Canon Malone Hall, Ballyragget: Wednesday 16th, 23rd November
Each night will run from 8pm to 9pm.
Westcourt News
The monthly Mass to pray for the intercession and blessings of Blessed Edmund Rice in our lives and for his canonisation will take place on Monday, 14th November in Westcourt at 7.30pm.
Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday Nov 13th from 3pm - 4pm. All welcome.
Mass for Nurses
There will be a special Mass for deceased and retired nurses on Wednesday, 16th November at 10.30am in St. Fiacre’s Church. This will be followed by Coffee/Tea Morning in the Parish Centre with a fundraiser for the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare Team. All are welcome.
Parish Envelope Collection
The total contributed in last weekend’s envelopes amounted to €1,725. Many thanks for your ongoing support.
Clothing Appeal
Dochas Nasamu, which is an Irish built and Irish run orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, is looking for used clothing for ladies, gents and children for the orphans and their extended families. Also, shoes, household linens i.e. towels, sheets, blankets, etc. Also, soft toys. This appeal will take place on Monday 14th November, before 11 o'clock, at St. Patricks Parish Centre. For further information, please contact Marie on 087 689 0995.
Fashion Show
Patents’ Association at Loreto Secondary School is holding a fashion show in Langton's on Wednesday 16th November. Tickets cost €15. Spot prizes, goodie bags on the night. All are welcome.
Liam Lawton in Concert
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Castlecomer hosts Fr. Liam Lawton in concert on Tuesday, 13th December. Special Guests: Castlecomer Male Voice Choir. Tickets are €20 at Castlecomer Parish Centre (444 1262), The Book Centre, High Street, Kilkenny and www.ticketsireland.ie and at the door. Doors open 7.30pm. Concert 8.00pm. Patrons with tickets will be admitted first.
Eucharistic Congress 2012
The Congress is now recruiting volunteers for a wide range of roles and if you would like to get involved please visit the IEC2012 website www.iec2012.ie/volunteer and fill out an online application or request an application form from the Congress office
Public Speaking Course
A free course in public speaking confidence will be held in St John’s Day Centre, beginning Saturday evening November 27th. This course will suit students, Mass readers, wedding speakers and anyone wishing to develop public speaking confidence in small group settings. For full details and to book a place please call or text 086 151 0158.
Loughboy Library
Toddler Hour: with storyline and crafts, every Thursday at 11.30am. Library membership is free for children.
Scrabble for over 50s: starting on Wednesday 23rd November at 2.00pm. There will be a prize for the highest score each week.
Book Clubs - order your monthly title today.
Senior Help Line
Senior Help Line is a national service providing a confidential listening service to older people who are lonely, worried or just need someone to talk to. The Kilkenny service will link to the National Network of over 11 centres who provide telephone support for older people who call for a variety of reasons. This support is primarily provided by listening and responding empathically.
Would you like to support Senior Help Line for three hours per month? Kilkenny Age Friendly County Programme Ltd and Third Age invite applications for the Senior Help Line Training Course. Applicants should have good listening skills and be available to commit to 3 hours per month on Saturday afternoons from 4.00 - 7.00pm as part of the call answering team.
Further information and an application form are available from Kilkenny’s Age Friendly County Office, 42 Parliament Street, Kilkenny. Phone 056 777 2787 or email agefreindlycounty@gmail.com or visit our website. Applicants should be available for training on 24/25/26th January in Kilkenny for the service which will commence in early February.
