Eucharistic Congress 2012
The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will take place in the RDS, Dublin, from 10th – 16th June with the closing ceremonies in Croke Park on 17th June, 2012. This event provides us with an opportunity to re-focus on the Eucharist as the ‘source and summit’ of the Christian life: what the Eucharist is about, our celebration of the Eucharist and how it should impact on our daily lives.
Admission tickets are necessary and all bookings for the Congress have to be done online before 9th May. The website address is: http://www.iec2012.ie/registration. Michelle, at the Parish Office, will be happy to assist those who are not familiar with web booking. This must be done in person and during office hours.
Costs are as follows: 7 days, €95 (10th – 16th June). 3 days, €60 (any 3 consecutive days). With either the 7 or 3 days you may also book a ticket for the closing ceremonies in Croke Park for an extra €10.
Single day tickets are €30. Concession: €28.
3 day family ticket (2 adults and up to 4 children) costs €285 or single day costs €95.
Ossory Diocesan Day at Congress
Tuesday, 12th June will be Ossory Day at the Congress. The theme for the day is ‘Communion in Marriage and Family’. Catechesis on the day will be provided by Most Rev Barry Hickey, Archbishop of Perth. Testimony will be by Dr Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of Columbanus. His Eminence Andre Cardinal Ving-Trois, Archbishop of Paris will be principal concelebrant at the Eucharist. There will be many workshops on the day including ones by Breda O’Brien, Archbishop Piero Marini and the Catholic Grandparents’ Association.
Enrolments in Parish Schools
The St. John of God Girls’ School and the St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys’ School are currently dealing with enrolment applications for September 2012. Please contact the schools immediately for further details.
St. John of God School: 772 1290
St. Patrick’s De La Salle School: 776 1081.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Angela Stenson, Killiney. Paula Downey, Dublin
Anniversaries: John O’Rourke (Sat 6.15), Michael Walsh & Milo Bourke (Sat 7.00), Ursula Maher (Sun 9.30), Catherine Maher (Sun 10.00), Paddy Burke (Sun 10.30), Eileen Cummins (Sun 11.00), Peter Quinn (Sun 12.00), Dr. Richard Purcell (Sun 12.30), Anastatia Fitzpatrick (Mon 9.30), Catherine Beckett, Jack Talbot, Christine O’Driscoll, Seamus Culleton, Maura Gaffney, John Quigley, James Hayes, Daphne Phelan, Bill Carroll, Michael Dargan, Ellen Egan, Ellen Doyle, Christy Walsh
Intentions for Next Weekend: Mary Lynch (Sat 6.15), John & Jack Ryan (Sat 7.00), David Maher (Sun 10.00), Matthew Gleeson (Sun 10.30), Mary Bartley (Months Mind Sun 11.00), Peadar Flanagan (Sun 12.00), Molly Johnston (Sun 12.30).
Weekly Envelope Collection
Last week’s envelope collection amounted to €1,864.00 Many thanks.
Do This in Memory
We are delighted to welcome those preparing for their First Holy Communion to the preparatory Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church (10.30am) and St. Patrick’s Church (11.00am) on Sunday.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Bishop Seamus Freeman S.A.C., will take place from 22nd to 27th May 2012. Bookings: glenmore@ossory.ie or telephone 051 880 414 on weekdays except Wednesday.
Elvis Gospel Concert at St. Fiacre’s
The Irish Children's Pilgrimage Trust (IHCPT) will benefit from a fundraising Elvis Gospel Concert at St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday, 2nd March. Proceeds will help send young people with special needs to Lourdes at Easter. Concert will feature Thukolo Gospel Choir with John Cassidy and Memphis Cats. Door prizes galore and other prizes on the night. Tickets: €10 available at the Parish Office.
A Lenten Text
Each day during Lent a short message containing a line of scripture or a thought for the day can be sent by text to your mobile phone. If you would like to receive a text message during Lent - at no cost to you - text your mobile number to the Ossory Faith Development Group at 085 831 3100 or email afd@ossory.ie or telephone 056 775 3624. (People can stop receiving the texts at any time by texting ‘Stop’ to the same number.
Bible Classes Postponed
Unfortunately Sr De Lourdes will not be available for bible classes during Lent. She hopes to be able to resume them during Advent.
Prayer for Healing
There will be a time of prayer for healing at St Fiacre’s Church between 7.30 and 10.00pm on Thursday evening. All welcome.
Sung Tridentine Mass
A sung Tridentine Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on Sunday, 19th February, Quinquagesima Sunday, at 5.00pm. All are welcome to attend.
Envelope Contribution Pack
We are updating our database in preparation for the distribution of contribution envelopes. Please contact the Parish Office if you are not already receiving envelopes and would like to contribute in this way during the coming year. Using envelopes enables us to keep an accurate account of your contributions and, in some cases, allows us to recover a tax refund from the Revenue Commissioners.
We would also like to hear from contributors whose address details have changed.
Hearing Help and Lip-reading
Hearing Help and Lip-reading classes will start on Monday, 13th February between 8.00 and 10.00pm and Wednesday, 15th February 10.30am - 12.30pm for 8 weeks. Venue: Citizens Information, The Parade. 076 107 7910 or 051 855 777. All welcome.
Senior Citizens’ Party
Over 135 people enjoyed a wonderful party at the Parish Centre on last Monday evening. Well done to the organisers and all involved in providing the food, drink, music and craic.
Courtesy of Fr. Liam about 120 photographs of the event are viewable on our parish website: www.patricksparish.net.
St. Patrick’s Parish on Facebook
Our parish recently opened a Facebook account. We hope to update it regularly. Keep an eye on us and ‘like’ our contributions. Believe it or not one of the first ‘likes’ was from a visitor in New York!
Exercise and Dance For 40+
Thursdays in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre between 11.00am and 12.00 noon. Classes start on Thursday, 16th February. 6 sessions €36. Royal Society of Arts/YMCA/Extend Qualified Teacher. Do come along: tone up and reap the benefits from a fitter lifestyle. For further information: Kate 085 111 4107.
Loughboy Library
Co. Kilkenny VEC will host an information stand outlining details of courses and programmes at the Library on Tuesday, 21st February from 2.00pm.
Free Computer Courses for Beginners - Mondays & Thursdays.
Prose Writing Workshops: Friday 24th February from 6.00 to 8.00pm. Book your place on 779 4176.
James Stephens Camogie Club
Registration will take place on Friday, 17th February from 7.00—8.00pm in James Stephens Club Rooms, Larchfield. Membership: Under 18 years - €25; Over 18 years €50. Family - €100. For further details contact Rita Neary 086 203 1623. New members welcome.
Enable Ireland
The annual church gate collection for Enable Ireland will take place this weekend. Please support.
SSSSSssssshhhhhh
One of the features of the Gospel of Mark is the big SECRET, what scholars call the ‘Messianic Secret’. Whenever Jesus heals people in Mark, he tells them not to tell anyone. On the odd occasion when the disciples show a little bit of understanding, he tells them not to say anything to anyone about his miracles. You would think that Jesus would want it shouted from the rooftops, never mind the torture it would be for people to try and keep something like this quiet. But Jesus is not that kind of Messiah. He doesn’t want the publicity, not yet. He doesn’t want people to have the wrong idea about what his MISSION involves. It is not about the glory, it is not meant to be easy, it is not without the difficult paths, the cross! It is all about service. We can think of the leper as all those people in society that we don’t want near us...they are easily identified by this question: ‘who do you not want living next door to you?’ Jesus reaches out to the alienated and by doing so, in today’s Gospel, he himself becomes alienated.
Questions People Ask
Q. I see dozens of Mass cards given at a funeral. Is a priest obliged to offer Mass for each card he signs? What happens if he has signed more cards than the number of Masses he can offer?
A. Yes, a priest who accepts a Mass stipend is bound in justice to offer Mass for that intention or to transfer the offering to another priest. Here in Ireland many priests receive more offerings than they can personally cover but there are priests in many other places who do not receive offerings and they are delighted to receive the transfer of stipends. To be honest with you, I’m not too pleased with the system as every Mass is to the benefit of the entire Christian community, especially to those present at the celebration.
P.S. When we accept a Mass stipend at St Patrick’s Parish Centre we guarantee a Mass will be offered for the specific intention. We transfer excess Mass intentions and stipends to Aid to the Church in Need priests who guarantee an individual Mass will be offered for each intention. See receipts on Parish Centre Notice board.
Eucharistic Congress 1932
The last time an International Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland was in 1932. Were you there? Have you any stories to tell (personal stories or those of your parents or grandparents) about the 1932 Congress? Have you any photographs or other memorabilia? The diocese is considering putting together an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia but if we get enough exhibits from our parish we will put together a small local exhibition in the Parish Centre. Have a look in the attic or in that battered biscuit tin or shoe box and see what you can come up with.
