3rs Sunday of Advent, 16th December 2012

Annual Christmas Carol Service

The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Carol Service takes place on this Sunday, 16th December at 4.00pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown.  

For many this has become a must-attend event in the lead up to Christmas and all are welcome.  Seasonal refreshments will be served in the Springhill Court Hotel after the service.  Please come along and join in the carols.

Brass and Reed Band Concert

The St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band Annual Christmas Concert will take place in St. Patrick’s Church on Monday, 17th December at 8.00pm.  Guest artists: St. Andrew’s Church Choir, Bagenalstown, Audrey Larkin, Eugene Dewberry, Rory Broderick, Johann Dewberry. MC for the Evening: Mr. Noel Power.

Diocese of Ossory Newsletter

Copies of the new Ossory Times magazine are available to buy at all our churches and at the Parish Centre.  This 52 page magazine has informative and interesting articles which help to share and celebrate much of what is happening in our diocese.  Cost: €2.

Christmas Penitential Service

Our parish Penitential Service in preparation for Christmas will be held at St. Patrick’s Church at 7.30pm on Thursday evening, 20th December.

St. John the Baptist urges us to make straight the way for Christ to come into our lives.  Confessing our sins and receiving absolution is an excellent ways of preparing our souls for Christmas.  All are welcome.

 

Finding Hope in Advent Time

Fr. Willie Purcell will give a final talk and lead a discussion entitled Finding  Hope in Advent Time at 11.00am on Tuesday morning. All welcome.

Christmas Shop at the Parish Centre

Come and see the large range of Christmas Cribs and other seasonal gifts at the Parish Centre.  

Parish Centre Christmas Times

The Parish Centre will close for the Christmas Holidays on Wednesday, 19th December and will reopen on Monday, 7th January 2013.

Parish Office Christmas Times

The Parish Office will close to the general public on Thursday, 20th December and will reopen to the public on Monday, 7th January 2013.

While the Centre and Office will be closed to the public the priests will be available during the Christmas Season.  Our automated telephone system will enable you to reach the priest on duty, discover Mass times, leave messages or contact any of the priest’s personal telephone lines during the holidays. 

We wish all a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Christina Comerford, 12 Corcoran Terrace, Kells Road.  Rosary at her residence at 8.00pm on Saturday.  Funeral prayers at her residence at 11.45am on Sunday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church for Requiem Mass at 12.30pm.  Burial will follow at Foulkstown Cemetery. Eileen Baker, formerly of 2 Jacob Street. Tom Ryan, Knockreagh, Callan. Martin Maher, Limerick. Des Milner, Oregon USA. Paddy Mahony, 13 Wolf Tone Street.

Months Mind: Billy Walton, Vera O’Connell

Anniversaries: Michael Dollard (Sat 6.15). Dick Lynch (Sat 7.00). Michael Hynes (Sun 9.30). Joe & Nan Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Kathleen Redpath (Sun 10.30). John Carroll, Thomas, Barbara & Eileen Gunn, Brian & John Gavin (Sun 11.00). Padraig ‘Podge’ Butler (Sun 12.00). Martin & Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.30). John Corcoran. Margaret Larkin. John Hayes. Bridget Connick. James Murray. Richard & Maureen Free. John & May Rhatigan. Eugene & Paddy Somers. Seamus, Milo & Ann Fry. Patrick Burke. Brigid, Della, James & Della Maher. Mary Delaney. Bess & Mick Delaney. Mollie O’Neill. Mary Maher. James Dollard.  Tommy & Brigid O’Neill.

 

Society of St. Vincent de Paul

The members of the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul would like to thank sincerely those who supported last weekend’s annual Christmas collection.  Your generosity was phenomenal and the proceeds are being used to help needy families in our community.  Also a sincere ‘thank you’ to all those who left donations for the Society at the Parish Centre.  Your generosity will help families who are struggling this Christmas.

 

Parish Fundraising Bag Pack

Thanks to the many people who helped with our fundraising bag pack at Caulfield’s Supervalu over the past few days.  We appreciate your time and energy given to the parish.   Thanks also to the management and staff at Caulfield’s Supervalu and to the generous shoppers who contributed to the collection.  Well done to Rita Byrne and Mary Parsons for mobilising such a willing team.  Money raised will help defray our parish debt.  The amount raised was over just €3,000.00!

Thank You from Adult Folk Choir 

St. Patrick’s Parish Adult Folk Choir would like to thank all who supported their Carol Singing outside Caulfield's Supervalu on last Thursday evening.  The €733.73 raised has been donated to the St. Patrick’s Conference of the Society of Vincent de Paul.

 

Home Alone This Christmas?

Don’t be home alone this Christmas! Senior Help Line is a national confidential telephone listening service for older people provided by trained older volunteers. We are open every day over Christmas, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 10.00am to 10.00pm, (closed Christmas evening from 7.00 - 10.00pm). All calls are treated as strictly confidential. We are here to listen. LoCall 1850 440 444 for the price of a local call anywhere in Ireland.

Plan for Your Christmas Mass

Christmas Masses in our parish will be as follows:

Christmas Eve: St. Fiacre’s Church at 9.00pm; St. Patrick’s Church at midnight (the only midnight Mass in the City).

Christmas Day: St. Patrick’s Church at 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm.

St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am (Bishop Seamus will be celebrant at this broadcast Mass) and 12.00noon.

St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown: 10.00am.

 Missa Cantata

There will be a High Mass (Missa Cantata) in St. Patrick’s Church, Kilkenny on this Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, 16th December at 5.00pm.

 

Evening Mass in Kilkenny

There will be 6.00pm evening Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral during Advent - another good way of preparing for Christmas.

Christmas Taize Prayer

There will be a Christmas Taize Prayer on Saturday 22nd December in the Black Abbey Church beginning after the 6.10pm Mass.  All welcome to attend.

 

Weekly Envelope Collection

Last week’s collection: €2,174.31.  Many thanks.

Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bookings can now be made for the 2013 Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes which takes place between 22nd and 27th May 2013. Telephone 051 880 414. Email glenmore@ossory.ie.  Fare €735pps.

Trócaire

Never turn your face from the poor and God will never turn his from you (Tobit 4:7).  The 10^th December was World Human Rights Day and Trócaire asks us to help uphold the human rights and protect the dignity of the most vulnerable people in the developing world with a Christmas ‘Gift of Change’.

 

 

2nd Sunday of Advent, 9th December 2012

Advent Text Message

Prepare to receive Christ this Christmas by receiving a free scripture text message each day for Advent - text your number to 085 831 3100 and Ossory Adult Faith Development will be in touch.

Scripture Booklet and CD

You might also consider using the Ossory Adult Faith Development’s Scripture Booklet and CD.  These can be used individually or in groups.  Booklets cost €3 and the CD costs €5 and both are available at St. Kieran’s College.

Evening Mass in Kilkenny

There will be 6.00pm evening Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral during Advent - another good way of preparing for Christmas.

Children’s Liturgy

We welcome the return of the children’s liturgy and choir to St. Fiacre’s Church for 10.30am Mass on Sundays.  All young people and their parents are welcome to join in. The practice will be held every Thursday in St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.30pm. While we hope many will come to the practice your absence should not stop you from coming forward and joining in the liturgy. 
This initiative needs the support of parents and young people!  Please be part of it.

Finding Hope in Advent Time

Fr. Willie Purcell will give a talk and lead a discussion entitled Finding  Hope in Advent Time at 11.00am on this Wednesday morning. Please note this talk was to have taken place on Tuesday but had to  be postponed  because of Fr. Willie’s unavailability. We apologise for the inconvenience.   The concluding talk will be at 11.00am on Tuesday of next week.  All are welcome.  Tea/coffee provided.

Weekly Envelope Collection

Last week’s envelope collection amounted to €2,025.71.  Many thanks.

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Sr. Conleth Donohoe, St. John of God Convent. Paddy Kelly, 23 Larchfield.  Rena Sheridan, Newpark.  Etta Shine, Old Sion Road.  Veronica Phillips, Middleknock, Dublin Road: Requiem Mass at St. John’s Church at 12.00 noon on Sunday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. 
Anniversaries:  Christina & Thomas Walsh (Sat 6.15). Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sat 7.00). Florrie Cleere (Sun 9.30). Angela Murphy (Sun 10.00). Elaine Kelly (Sun 10.30). Margaret & Michael O’Brien (Sun 11.00). Michael O’Dwyer (Sun 12.00). Eddie Slattery (Sun 12.30). Teresa Howe (Birthday Remembrance Fri 10.30). Eric & Mary McGrath. Annie Wall. Bart Keaney. John & Anne Fogarty. Sean & Kitty Ryan. Patrick & Rose Wixted. Maureen Mullally. Sr. Marie Joseph Fleming. James Hogan. Joe Murphy. James Donnelly Snr. James Donnelly Jnr. Sean Donnelly. Christy Galvin.
Intentions for next weekend:  Michael Dollard (Sat 6.15). Dick Lynch (Sat 7.00). Michael Hynes (Sun 9.30). Joe & Nan Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Kathleen Redpath (Sun 10.30). John Carroll. Thomas. Barbara & Eileen Gunn. Brian & John Gavin (Sun 11.00). Padraig ‘Podge’ Butler (Sun 12.00). Martin & Hugh McCorry (Sun 12.30).
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.  Amen.

Annual Christmas Carol Service

The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Carol Service takes place on next Sunday, 16th December at 4.00pm in St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown.   For many this has become a must-attend event in the lead up to Christmas and all are welcome.  Seasonal refreshments will be served in the Springhill Court Hotel after the service.  Please come along and join in the carols.

Christmas Mass Cards

Cards offering the recipient a share in the Christmas Masses celebrated by the priests of our parish are available at the Parish Centre.  Cost €3.00 per card.

St. Vincent de Paul Annual Appeal

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is collecting outside all City churches this weekend.  This is the society’s Annual Christmas Appeal and we ask that you support our parish conference as generously as possible. 
As we face into Christmas the members are doing their best to help those hardest hit as a result of the current economic downturn. Each week the members of the society in our parish face growing challenges from the new and already existent poor within our community.  An ever increasing number of calls for help are being received from parishioners in financial trouble and the parish conference is dependant on your gifts to help those in greatest need.  Please help make life better for a neighbour this Christmas by giving what you can to this local charity.  Every little helps.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society

The monthly meeting of St. Joseph’s Priests Society will take place on Fri Dec 14th immediately after the 10.30am Mass in the Parish Centre.

Fundraising Bag Pack

A fundraising bag pack for the parish will take place in Supervalu, Loughboy on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.  Some of our parishioners will pack your shopping to raise money for the parish.  Please support our volunteers.
If you have a couple of hours to spare on any of the days and would like to help out, please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.  Many hands make light work!

Christmas Concert

St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band Annual Christmas Concert will take place in St. Patrick’s Church on Monday, 17th December at 8.00pm.  Guest artists: St. Andrew’s Church Choir, Bagenalstown, Audrey Larkin, Eugene Dewberry, Rory Broderick, Johann Dewberry.  MC: Noel Power.

Divine Mercy

An hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy will take place in the Capuchin Friary on Sunday 9th December from 3.00pm - 4.00pm.  All are welcome.

Kilkenny Art Exhibition

6^th – 16^th December (beside Tynan’s Bridge House). Fifty per cent of sales will go to  Cois Nore Cancer Support Services.

Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre

A Day of Light & Hope: 12-12-’12
Join us on Wednesday,  12th December 2012  at 11.00am for a Coffee Morning at The Ormonde Hotel.  At 12.00 noon join us on The Parade for Ringing in Noon with the Universal Call of the Bell followed by Poetry Reading and Reflection to remember and encourage everyone affected by cancer.  At 7.30pm that evening at St. Mary’s Cathedral there will be a Service of Light and Hope with Kilkenny Gospel Choir.   Following the service at 8.30pm there will be time for refreshments and chat at the Chapter House Tea Rooms, in the Cathedral Grounds.  All welcome.

Christmas Shop at the Parish Centre

Come and see the large range of Christmas Cribs and other seasonal gifts at the Parish Centre. 

Kilkenny Flower Club

Kilkenny Flower Club will meet in Butler House on Thursday, 13th December at 8.00pm.  Club members will demonstrate Christmas Arrangements.  All welcome.

Used Clothing Collection

Dochas Nasamu Orphanage, Nairobi, Kenya is holding a used clothing appeal on this Wednesday, 12th December at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre Car Park. Van will be present until 11.00am.  For further information, please contact Marie on 087 689 0995.

1st Sunday of Advent, 2nd December 2012

First Sunday of Advent

The season of Advent, the time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas and the start of the Church’s  liturgical year, begins on this Sunday.  Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, “to come to,” and refers to the coming of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas; but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time. 

Our preparations, therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need to prepare our souls to receive Christ worthily.

Advent Text Message

Prepare to receive Christ this Christmas by receiving a free scripture text message each day for Advent - text your number to 085 831 3100 and Ossory Adult Faith Development will be in touch.

Scripture Booklet and CD

You might also consider ordering the Ossory Adult Faith Development’s Scripture Booklet and CD.  These can be used individually or in groups.  Booklets cost €3 and the CD costs €5 and both are available at St. Kieran’s College.

Evening Mass in Kilkenny

Beginning on Monday of this week there will be 6.00pm evening Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral - another good way of preparing for Christmas.

Rosary in St. Fiacre’s Church

As an initiative for the Year of Faith we are introducing the Rosary before 10.30am weekday Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church.  We plan to begin on this Monday, 3rd December at 10.10am. Please come.

First Friday of December

The first Friday of the month occurs this week.  The priests will visit the sick and housebound.  

Children’s Liturgy

We welcome the return of the children’s liturgy and choir to St. Fiacre’s Church for this Sunday’s 10.30am Mass and for every Sunday between now and Christmas.  All young people and their parents are welcome to join in. The practice will be held every Thursdays in St. Fiacre’s Church at 6.30pm. While we hope many will come to the practice your absence should not stop you from coming forward and joining in the celebration.  This initiative needs the support of parents and young people!

Finding Hope in Advent Time

On the three Tuesdays of Advent, (4^th, 11^th and 18^th December) at 11.00am in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre Fr. Willie Purcell will give a talk and lead a discussion entitled Finding  Hope in Advent Time.  All are welcome.  Tea/coffee provided.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Next Saturday, 8th December, is a feast day. Starting with 6.15pm Mass on Friday evening all services will follow the usual weekend schedule.

Westcourt News

Monthly Mass to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice will take place in Westcourt on this Monday, 3rd December at 7.30pm. All are welcome.

Rosary in James Green

The rosary on the first Sunday of the month in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues on this Sunday, 2nd December at 3.00pm.  All welcome.

First Saturday Devotion

St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday December 1st after 6.15pm Mass.  Prayers and adoration will end at 9pm.  All are welcome.

Recent Collections

Thank you for your generosity: €1,576.00 for retired priests and €1,214.00 for envelopes last weekend.

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Kevin Hughes, Danville Lodge. Greg O’Neill, Sheastown. Frank McKenna, Tuam.

Months Mind: Mick O’Leary (Sun 11.00).

Anniversaries: Michael Fitzmaurice (Sat 6.15). O’Neill & Brett Families (Sat 7.00). Ramie & Breda Dowling (Sun 9.30).  Kathleen Brown (Sun 10.00). James Ryan (Sun 10.30). Thomas Dowling (Sun 12.00). Mary & James Mulrooney (Sun 12.30). Tom O’Dowd (Fri 6.15). Ned O’Neill (Fri 7.00 Months Mind).  Myra Treacy & Margaret Doyle (Sat 10.00). Maeve & Laurence Healy (Sat 10.30). Cathy & Francis McKenna (Sat 11.00). Declan Walsh (Sat 12.00 Months Mind). Rene Brett (Sat 12.30). Syl Gaffney. Ollie Bergin. Kitty McMyler. Frank & Mary Purcell. Hugh Tiernan. Philip O’Dwyer.  Behan Family.  Eddie McEvoy.

Intentions for next weekend: Christina & Thomas Walsh (Sat 6.15). Patricia Fitzpatrick (Sat 7.00). Florrie Cleere (Sun 9.30). Angela Murphy (Sun 10.00). Elaine Kelly (Sun 10.30). Margaret & Michael O’Brien (Sun 11.00). Michael O’Dwyer (Sun 12.00). Eddie Slattery (Sun 12.30).

Bereaved by Suicide?

Kilkenny Bereavement Support will hold their monthly meeting for people bereaved by suicide in Villa Maria, Talbots Inch on Thursday, 6th December  at 8.00pm. All are welcome.  Info 056 775 6538.

Christmas Mass Cards

Cards offering the recipient a share in the Christmas Masses celebrated by the priests of our parish are available at the Parish Centre.  Cost €3.00 per card.

Candlelight Rosary Procession

There will be a candlelight Rosary Procession from the Parade to the Black Abbey on Saturday, 8th December at 8.00pm.  To mark the 40th anniversary of this Kilkenny event Bishop Seamus Freeman SAC will lead the procession.

Forty Hours Adoration

A sincere thank you to all who helped make last weekend’s Forty Hours Adoration a remarkable success.  Well done and thanks.

St. Vincent de Paul Collection

The local conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is preparing for the annual church gate collection which will take place outside all City churches next weekend.  As we face into Christmas 2012 the members of the Society are doing their best to help those hardest hit as a result of the current economic downturn.  Each week the members of the Society in our parish face growing challenges from the new and already existent poor within our community.  Please help make life better for someone this Christmas by giving what you can to this local charity.  Every little helps.  Please note that the collections will be held outside the church doors next weekend.

Overnight Vigil at Knock Shrine

Knock Vigil for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 7^th to 8^th December. Bookings 087 056 4430

Latin Mass

There will be a low Mass at St. Patrick’s Church at 5.00pm on Saturday, 8th December.

Unite for Life

A pro-life vigil will take place on Tuesday next at 4.30pm outside Dáil Eireann.  All welcome.

Pat’s Cabaret

Friday, 7th December in Delaney’s Bar, Patrick Street  at 9.00pm.  Music by Johnny Hillman & Sean Shortis with special guests.

Kilkenny Art Exhibition

6^th – 16^th December (beside Tynan’s Bridge House). Official Opening on Thursday, 6^th December from 6.00pm - 9.00pm  Proceeds from Opening Night and 50% of sales to Cois Nore Cancer Support Services.

Irish Wheelchair Association

Annual Christmas Arts and Craft Fair at Claddagh Court, Collage Road Kilkenny on Wednesday, 5th December 11.00am to 3.00pm.  Jackie Tyrell and ‘Liam McCarthy’ expected to attend.

Christmas Shop at the Parish Centre

Come and see the large range of Christmas Cribs and other seasonal gifts at the St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.  Open during office hours on Monday to Friday.  We have a range of cards and gifts for Christmas, baptisms and other occasions.

Trocaire

For he has not despised nor disregarded the poverty of the poor, has not turned away his face, but has listened to the cry for help.’ Psalms 22:24. This Advent, Trocaire is asking parishioners to remember those less fortunate in the world during their Christmas preparations. Transform someone's life with a ‘Gift of Change’ from as little as €5 (£5). Gifts are available at www.trocaire.org/globalgift or by calling 1850 408 408 (0800 912 1200 in NI).

 

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