Ash Wednesday - Lent Begins
Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and is the beginning of the Season of Lent. At our morning Masses we will bless ashes and begin our Lenten observance.
Extra Mass for Lent
As mentioned above, there will be an evening Mass on each weekday evening of Lent starting at 6.15pm. This is a very popular celebration for people wishing to make Mass a part of their Lenten observance. All are welcome to join us. Our morning Masses remain at the usual times: St. Patrick’s Church at 9.30am and St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am.
Lent Text Service
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.)
Lenten Talks
A personal Journey through Lent with Fr. Willie Purcell beginning on Wednesday 29th February after 10.30am Mass in the Parish Centre.
Evening of Prayer and Reflection
The sisters and staff at Peace in Christ Retreat House invite the people of St. Patrick’s Parish to an evening of Prayer and Reflection at Peace in Christ, Sion Road on Tuesday, 13th March. The sisters look forward to welcoming the people of our parish and to exploring the gospel in a creative, prayerful atmosphere. The evening starts at 8.00pm and concludes at about 10.30pm. All are 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.
Parish Confirmation
We look forward to welcoming Bishop Freeman to our parish on next Saturday, 25th February for the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with 115 of our young people. Please continue to pray for these young people.
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 may be made by contacting Eleanor at glenmore@ossory.ie or telephone 051 880 414 on weekdays except Wednesday. It is important to book as early as possible as places are limited.
Facebook
St. Patrick’s Parish is now on Facebook. Keep up to date with all that’s going on in our parish: http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Patricks-Parish-Kilkenny-Ireland/232915183456210
Weekly Envelope Collection
The total collected in last week’s envelope collection amounted to €1,228.29. Thanks.
St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will be taken up during all Masses this weekend. Please be as generous as possible.
Envelope Contribution Pack
We are updating our database in preparation for the distribution of this year’s parish 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.
Dublin Youth Opera Company
This group will perform in concert at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Sunday, 4th March at 7.00pm. Tickets €8/5 at the door.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jimmie Conway, Riverside Drive. Requiem Mass at 11.30am on Sunday in St. Canice's Church. Burial in Foulkstown Cemetery. Peggy Shanahan, Haltigan Terrace. Tom Kavanagh, Riverview. Shem Connolly, Butts Green.
Months Mind: Mary Bartley (Sun 11.00).
Anniversaries: Mary Lynch (Sat 6.15), John & Jack Ryan (Sat 7.00), David Maher (Sun 10.00), Matthew Gleeson (Sun 10.30), Peader Flanagan (Sun 12.00), Molly Johnston (Sun 12.30), Anne Kelly (Tues 9.30), Margaret Fell (Tues 10.30), Kathleen Morris (Wed 9.30), Con White (Wed 10.30), William Smith (Thurs 9.30), John Millea (Thurs 10.30), Jenny Clancy (Thurs 6.15), William Ayres, Billy Maguire, Harry Beale, Annie Hoyne, Kieran Healy, Catherine Cullen, Michael Drennan, Ellen Doyle, John Millea, Deirdre McGuinness, John Corcoran
Intentions for next weekend: Frank O’Brien & Philomena Somers (Sat 6.15), Patricia (Paddy) Friel (Months Mind, Sat 7.00), Peggy McGrath (Sun 10.00), John Dinneen (Sun 11.00), Brian Griffin (Sun 12.00), Joe Lalor (Sun 12.30).
Elvis Gospel Concert at St. Fiacre’s
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 Parish Office.
Dochas Nasamu Clothing Appeal
Dochas Nasamu Orphanage - in Nairobi, Kenya, which is an Irish run and Irish built orphanage, is holding a used clothing appeal of lady’s, gent’s and children’s clothes, shoes, household linens, towels, sheets, blankets, soft toys, handbags etc. Collection will take place before noon on Wednesday, 22nd February inside the gates of St. Patricks Parish Centre. For further information, please contact Marie on 087 689 0995. Many thanks for your continued support.
Walk for Zambia
The CBS Parents’ Council is holding a 5km walk for Zambia Immersion Project on Sunday, 26th February in Castle Park and surrounds at 11.00am. Registration 9.45 - 10.45am in Kilkenny Tennis Club. €10 per Adult, €15 per family, €5 per student. There will be light refreshments and a free raffle in Tennis Club afterwards.
Alopecia Support Group
The next South East Alopecia Support Group will be held in the Dolmen Hotel, Carlow on Wednesday, 22nd February at 7.00pm. Anyone who has alopecia, family or friends with alopecia are more than welcome. Please feel free to bring along a friend for support. Information: www.alopeciaireland.ie, email alopeciasupport@gmail.com or Liz on 085 757 5180.
Aiden Roche Walk
Call for walkers to pull on their boots and get walking for Rehab! Participants are needed for the annual fundraising walk by Aiden Roche which takes place in Westport, Co. Mayo from 17th-19th May 2012. All of the proceeds go to RehabCare Resource Centre, Regent House, William Street in Kilkenny. RehabCare provides a wide range of high-quality person-centered services and accommodation. Participants must raise €600 which covers transport, accommodation and food. Information: Aiden Roche on aidenroche08@gmail.com or 086 200 0700. The deadline for deposits is 25th February 2012.
Loughboy Library
Introductory 7 week computer classes - to enrol please give your name to Library Staff members on 056 779 4176.
Co Kilkenny VEC will host a stand at the Library on this Tuesday from 2.00 - 5.00pm giving information on its courses and programmes.
Toddler Hour - every Thursday at 11.30am. All pre-schoolers are very welcome.
An Exhibition of painting and ceramics by Pat Holland is currently showing at Loughboy Library until 23rd February.
Fierce Friendship
This is one of the many conflict stories in Mark where Jesus is challenged by the religious authorities. They are none too pleased that he is forgiving sins because as far as they are concerned, only God can do that. It is easy for them to use the words of forgiveness, but how many of them can heal the paralysed man and let him walk? Jesus wants to heal the man but also to show people that he has authority! And what of the faith of the paralysed man’s friends – fierce friendship? They literally took the roof off so that they could get him to Jesus. You can imagine Jesus sitting there, teaching, and then the dust starts to fall...
‘And I took out and I see paralysed men and women, paralysed congregations, paralysed ministries and I want to cry; “Your sins are forgiven. Take up your bed and walk!” And I treasure those moments of intrusion, when the heavens are torn apart and the Spirit descends and I rise from the water and I know there is hope’ (William Loader)
Jane Mellett
Questions People Ask
Q. I don’t smoke or drink and hardly ever eat sweets. Fish dinner is no penance for me as I prefer fish to meat. What can I give up for Lent?
A. There is always room for giving up negative, harmful tendencies such as complaining, whinging, self-pity or uncharitable comments. Perhaps your Lent should be directed more towards taking on than giving up. Take on more time for prayer and spiritual reading. Be more available to people who would appreciate a visit or a listening ear. If you are not in a Prayer Group, why not invite two or three people to reflect together on the Sunday Gospels.
A Fond Farewell
This is the final parish newsletter in its current format. From next week the newsletter will incorporate the new Mass text and readings on one side and the parish announcements on the other. This is in response to many requests to provide the texts of the Sunday readings for reference during Mass.
