5th Sunday of Lent, 25th March 2012

Pray for our Deceased Family & Friends
Recently Deceased: Kay Tynan, Granges Road. Prayers at her home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church.  Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday. Sheila Flannery (nee Dalton), late The Sycamores, Freshford Road. Died in England.  Funeral arrangements later. Jo Brophy, Rathmore House, Goslingstown. Jackie Matthews, Assumption Place. Brigid T Gibbons, 77 Aylesbury. Kitty Harte, Clifden, Clara.
Anniversaries: Eamonn  O’Toole (Sat 6.15), Chris Kenny (Sun 7.00), Mary Costello (Sun 10.00), Andrew Delaney (Sun 10.30), Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00), Michael McInerney (Sun 12.00), Bridget & Christopher Lawlor (Sun 12.30), John & Mary Conway (Mon 9.30), Des Cullen (Tues 10.30), Mary Delaney & Sheila Daisy Ramsbottom (Fri 9.30), Billy Wallace, May & Jim Nugent, Eileen Quigley, Catherine Elizabeth Nolan, Edward & Mary Teresa McDonald, Eamon O’Neill , Paddy Walsh, May McCann, Martin Cleere, Christy Grace.
Intentions for next weekend: Paddy Tomney (Sat 6.15), Oliver Kelly (Sat 7.00), Dr. WJ Phelan & Daisy Phelan, Moya Bligh, Cecily Rooney & Edward Cody.  (Sun 11.00), Michael Slattery (Sun 12.30).  

“Moving into Holy Week”

You are invited to an evening of reflection conducted by Fr. Willie Purcell at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Tuesday, 27th March from 8.00—10.00pm.  A cup of tea will be provided.

 Society of St Vincent de Paul

The St. Patrick’s Parish conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul meets each Monday evening (except Bank Holidays) at the Parish Centre.  Those who seek assistance from the Society can leave letters to the Parish Office or alternatively contact the society on 087 681 0589. 

Parish Contribution Envelopes

New contribution packs are being distributed around this time.  Thanks to our distributors for taking the time to distribute yours.  If you are not currently receiving envelopes and would like to contribute to the upkeep of your parish and priests in this way you should contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.  Many thanks for your support.

Special Mass

The Parish Youth Choir will provide the music for 12.00 noon Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church on next Sunday (Palm Sunday) and the liturgy will be prepared by students from the various special schools and centres in our area.

Coach to Eucharistic Congress

There are only 12 seats left on the St. Patrick's Parish coach to the Eucharistic Congress on Tuesday, 12th June.  If you intend travelling with us and have not yet booked your seat on the coach, please do so as soon as possible.

 Parish Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9.00am - 1.00pm  and 2.00pm - 4.00pm. 

Parish Shop

A wide selection of religious goods is available in the Parish Shop located in the Parish Centre.   Items for baptisms, First Holy Communions and Confirmations are currently on display.

Trócaire Boxes

It is still not too late to take a Trócaire Box and use the last few weeks of Lent to contribute to helping those who are most in need.  Trócaire boxes are available at  the back of the churches.  Thanks to those who have taken them already.
 

Prayer for Healing

There will be a time of prayer for healing at St. Fiacre’s Church from 7.30pm on Thursday evening.  All welcome.

Apostolic Visitation Report

The text of the “Summary Report of the Apostolic Visitation to Ireland” which was released last Tuesday is available on the Catholic Bishops’ website www.irishcatholicbishops.ie.  The site offers the report, the response of the Irish Hierarchy and audio recordings of the press conference held after the publication of the report.  This is site is well worth a visit by those interested in getting accurate and unedited information.

Newsletter

All items for inclusion in the Parish Newsletter should be at the Parish Office by Thursday at the latest.  Items arriving after this cannot be guaranteed publication.  Due to the possibility of anniversary announcements being misplaced if left in the churches it is advisable to drop them into the Parish Office.  Feel free to call in person, telephone (056 776 4400) or email the office on  (stpatricksparish@ossory.ie).

First Holy Communion Dates

Gaelscoil Osrai - Saturday, May 5th at 11.00am in St. Fiacre’s Church
St. John of God - Saturday, May 12th at 11.00am in St. Patrick’s Church
St. Patrick’s De La Salle - Saturday, May 19th 11.00am in St. Patrick’s Church
St. Patrick's’ Special School - Saturday, May 19th 11.00am in St. Fiacre’s Church
Kilkenny School Project - Sunday, 20th May 12.00 noon in St. Fiacre’s Church.

Volunteers Needed

Grow Mental Health Movement is looking for volunteers to take part in the Dublin Women’s  Mini Marathon on 4^th June 2012. We would be grateful of any support. Sponsorship cards can be collected from Eileen/Mary at GROW Office, Barrack Street,  Kilkenny  056-776 1624.

IHCPT Cake Sale/Coffee Morning

There will be a Cake Sale at the Parish Centre after all Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church this weekend.  Coffees/Teas will also be served after the Sunday morning Masses.  This is to help raise funds to enable young people with special needs to travel to Lourdes at Easter.  The event is organised by Group 174 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.

The Irish Wheelchair Association

The AGM of the Kilkenny Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association will take place on 2nd April in Claddagh Court, College Road at 8.00pm.  All members and new are welcome.

Carers’ Association
Support Group Meeting will take place on Thursday 29^th March (Mass in St. Fiacre’s 10.30am) Meeting in the Parish Centre @ 11am.  A speaker from Revenue will attend.  All welcome.

James Stephens Camogie Club

U8/U10/U12 Camogie Registration.  Registration for the above age groups will take place on Friday, 30^th March from 7.00 – 9.00pm in James Stephens Clubrooms, Larchfield.  Registration is €25.00.  New Members welcome.

Pieta House

Centre for the prevention of Self-harm or Suicide: Darkness into light 5K event is on in 14 venues around Ireland on Saturday 12^th May starting at 4.00am (early morning).  Sign up for this unique experience.  Visit our web site: dil.pieta.ie to find the venue nearest you or contact 01 628 2111.

South Kilkenny Historical Society Lecture
Mr. Zoltan Zinn-Collis, one of the last survivors of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, will speak at the Rising Sun, Mullinavat on Thursday, 29th March at 8.00pm.  Admission: €5
Date: Thursday, March 29th

4th Sunday of Lent, 18th March 2012

Happy Mothers’ Day

We would like to wish all mothers a very happy and special Mothers’ Day this weekend.

 Bank Holiday Mass

The only public Mass in our parish churches on this bank holiday Monday will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am.  All welcome.

Novena to St Joseph

The Mill Hill Missionaries’ Novena to St Joseph ends on this Monday evening with prayers and Mass at St. Joseph’s House, Waterford Road at 8.00pm.  All welcome.

Pray for our Deceased Family & Friends

Recently Deceased: Lena Hanlon, 29 Wolf Tone Street. Funeral prayers at her home at 11.15am on Sunday followed by removal to St. John’s Church for Requiem Mass at 12 noon. Burial afterwards at St. Kieran’s Cemetery. George Ivors, Ballingarry.  Requiem Mass at Ballingarry Church at 11.30am on Monday. Patrick Cantwell, 8 Archers Court. Timmy O’Reilly, Wetlands. Breda Breen, Gortnahoe. Tipperary

Anniversaries: Michael O’Sullivan (Sat 6.15). Michael & Mary Brannigan (Sat 7.00).  Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.00).  Maudie Dunne (Sun 12.00).  Billy Wallace (Sat 9.30). Tom Kavanagh (Months Mind). Bridget McDonald & Tom Delahunty.  Mary Hickey. Philip, Johanna & John Larkin. Lou McCarthy. Patrick Brennan. Mary Browne. Ellen Audoire. Edel Cullen. William Meehan. Michael & Mary Conway. John Tynan.

Intentions for next weekend: Eamonn O’Toole (Sat 6.15). Chris Kenny (Sun 7.00). Andrew Delaney (Sun 10.30). Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00). Michael McInerney (Sun 12.00).

 

Envelope Collection

The total collected in last week’s envelope collection amounted to €2,191.00. Many thanks for your continued support.  

Eucharistic Congress

St. Patrick’s Parish is attending the Eucharistic Congress on Tuesday the 12th June.  A bus will leave early in the morning and return in the evening.  Those who have booked places on the bus please note the following:

· Tickets for the event which will be held in the RDS, Dublin must be purchased online in advance and  cost €30 for a single day. These can only be booked using a credit card.

· Bus will cost an additional €10.

· For those who do not have internet access or a credit card, tickets can be booked (in person) through the Parish Office.  Contact Michelle  056 776 4400. 

If you haven't applied yet and are thinking of going please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible as remaining bus places are very limited.

Pilgrimage to Knock
Because of the clash of dates and the large numbers of parishioners making arrangements to attend the Eucharistic Congress it has been decided not to run a parish pilgrimage to Knock this year.  Those who wish to travel to Knock should keep an eye out for other local pilgrimages.

Newsletter
Please be aware that the new format of the newsletter also contains the readings for the Sunday Mass as well as the responses.  Please take a newsletter as you enter church for Mass and use it to join in the responses.
Notices for the newsletter must be left in to the Parish Office no later than Thursday. Due to limited space, parish notices take priority.
 

The Parish on Facebook

St. Patrick’s Parish is now on Facebook.  Keep up to date with the goings on in our parish by ‘liking’ our page now.  We are anxious to keep you informed about parish activities and look forward to hearing from you.

Fourth Sunday of Lent

This fourth Sunday in Lent we think of mothers all over the world who endure daily hardship so their children might have the chance of a better life. We think particularly of Betty, the mother of the little boy on the Trocaire Box, who has suffered so much but has still managed to raise her family and provide hope for their future. For more information on the Lenten campaign visit www.trocaire.org/lent or call 1850 408 408.
 

Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bookings for the official Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes can be made by phoning Eleanor at 051 880 414.  Places are limited this year so early booking is advisable.

Cake Sale and Coffee Morning
There will be a Cake Sale at the Parish Centre after all Masses at St. Fiacre’s Church next weekend, 24^th/25^th March.  Coffees/Teas will also be served after the Sunday morning Masses.  This is to help raise funds to enable young people with special needs to travel to Lourdes at Easter.  The event is organised by Group 174 of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.  www.ihcpt.com.  The Parish Centre will be open from 3.00pm on Saturday 24^th to accept any donations of cakes etc.

Kilkenny Under 12’s Rugby Cake Sale

A cake sale to support the Kilkenny U-12’s Rugby Team who are travelling to Wales at the end of March to play in a 2 day tournament will be held at the Rugby Club at 10.30am on next Sunday, 25th March.  Why not drop in after the 10.00am Mass?

Fundraising Table Quiz

GROW Mental Health Movement is holding a fundraising Table Quiz in Sean Byrne’s Pub, James Green at 8.30pm on Thursday 29^th March. Plenty of craic, food and loads of spots.

Can You Support S.O.S. in Kilkenny?

S.O.S. is a Voluntary Organisation for adults with a mild/moderate intellectual disability.  S.O.S. provides day services, respite and residential care. We are looking for host-families to provide short breaks in their home for adults from our services. Each host is matched with one person from S.O.S.  Nominal expenses are paid. For more information contact Kathleen Sherry at ksherry@soskilkenny.com or 056 776 4000. 

S.O.S. is also looking for someone to Homeshare. Homesharing is an arrangement where two or more unrelated people share a house or apartment to their mutual advantage. If you know of anybody that might be interested/suitable please get in touch with Liam Quinn at lquinn@soskilkenny.com or 056 776 4000.

 

Carers’ Forum

The Carers’ Association is embarking on a “Listening to Carers” process where we invite family carers and those interested in caring issues to attend a number of forums and feed into issues which affect them.  Given that the situation has changed substantially for carers and society in recent years we want to be sure that we are getting the real issues that carers are facing today in their roles.  The first forum takes place in Langton House Hotel on Tuesday 20th March at 10.30am - 1.30pm.  To book your free place contact 056 772 1424.
 

Kilkenny Age Friendly

The Bi-Annual meeting of the Kilkenny Older Peoples’ Forum takes place on Wednesday, 21st March at 10.30a.m. in Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel.
 

Loughboy Library

Free Computer Classes for Beginners - Mondays & Thursdays.

Scrabble Games: Wednesdays from 2.00pm

Easter Crafts for Kids: Friday, 13th April at 2.30pm

Job Search Workshop - Wednesday, 28th March at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, booking at the Library.

3rd Sunday of Lent, 11th March 2012

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Breda Egan, 24 The Sycamores. Removal from her home at 1.30pm on Sunday for Requiem Mass at 2.00pm at St. Canice’s Church followed by burial in Conahy.  John Murray, Milden Hall, England; burial of ashes at Foulkstown Cemetery following 12.00 noon Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday, 17th March.  Ellen McCabe, 85 John’s Street and Rosemount Lodge, College Road.  Roley Collier, Thomastown. Michael Cahill, 23 Old Callan Road.  Teresa O’Leary, Shandon Park.

Anniversaries: Lulu Lynch (Sat 6.15), Vincent Morrissey (Sat 7.00), JJ Murphy (Sun 10.00), Peggy Shanahan (Months Mind, Sun 11.00), John Barry (Sun 12.00), John Dooley (Sun 12.30), Denis Foley (Mon 6.15), Fr. Phil O’Brien (Tue 10.30), Johanna Kenna (Wed 10.30), Bridget Early (Sat 10.00), Jane & Henry Glynn (Sat 10.30), Gerry & Mary Coyne (Sat 12.00), Paddy Larkin, John & Kitty Cleere, Margaret Nyhan, Noel Glynn, Brigid Brennan.

Intentions for next weekend: Michael O’Sullivan (Sat 6.15), Michael & Mary Brannigan (Sat 7.00), Bridie Carroll (Sun 10.00), Maudie Dunne (Sun 12.00).

Feast of St. Patrick

Next Saturday is St. Patrick’s Day.  Masses on Friday evening and Saturday morning will follow the usual weekend pattern - 6.15 and 7.00pm on Friday; 9.30, 10.00, 10.30, 11.00am, 12.00 noon and 12.30pm on Saturday.  Vigil Masses for Sunday, 18th March begin on Saturday evening at 6.15 and 7.00pm.

Mill Hill Novena

The annual Novena to St. Joseph begins at St. Joseph’s on the Waterford Road on this Sunday 11th March and finishes on Monday, 19th March, the feast of St. Joseph.  There will be novena Mass and prayers each evening at 8.00pm.  All welcome.

Ring for Renewal

The organisers of the 50th International Eucharistic Congress are asking people all around Ireland and the world to "Ring for Renewal" on St. Patrick's Day.  This is an invitation to pause on the journey of life, to withdraw from busyness for a moment, to reflect on how we can renew as people and as members of the Church as we prepare for the International Eucharistic Congress. The idea is to engage in the path of personal and Church renewal which is the agenda of the Eucharistic Congress and to join the journey in a personal way.

· We are inviting faithful at home to pause and reflect as they ring a bell at any time of the day. Ringtones of the Eucharistic Congress Bell chiming are available to download on mobile phones from the Congress website (www.iec2012.ie).

· We are inviting all Cathedrals, Churches, schools, etc to ring their Bells for two minutes at 12 noon and 6pm inviting people to renewal - both personal and communal.

·We are inviting parishes, churches and chapels to leave a bell at a suitable place for people to ring it as they go out from Mass or if they are going in to pray at a different time of the day.

Why ring a Bell?  For Christians the bell has long been associated with the invitation to gather, the sound being perceived as God's voice, God's call, which draws people to assemble. For early Christian Ireland the sound of the bell of St. Patrick and other great saints across the land heralded the dawn of a new and eternal day for the Irish people - called to hear the good news - Jesus Christ, the Word made Flesh - and in turn become bearers of this news to others, far and near. The image of the bell is still used to convey joy, celebration and the announcement of good news. Combined, the image and sound of the bell symbolise for us God's call to all people to gather to hear good news.

A Thought from Trócaire

This third Sunday in Lent we remember Betty and Joel, the parents of little Daniel on the Trócaire box. They have been through many traumatic events in their thirty years of married life. By sticking together, even after they were forcibly separated, Joel and Betty are creating a future for Daniel. Their covenant to each other, before God, is bearing rich fruit.   Visit www.trocaire.org/lent

Lenten Talks

A personal journey through Lent with Fr. Willie Purcell continues in the Parish Centre on this Wednesday, 7th March after 10.30am Mass.

Latin Mass

A Sung Mass in the Tridentine Rite will be celebrated in St. Patrick's Church on St. Patrick’s Day at 5.00pm.  All welcome.

Parish Envelopes

The total collected in last week’s envelope collection amounted to €2,012.00. Many thanks.

We are currently preparing new envelope packs for distribution in time for the first Sunday of April.  Please let the Parish Office know if you have not received envelopes recently and would like to support the parish and priests in this way.

We are also looking for volunteers to distribute the envelope packs in some areas once they are printed.  Please let us know if you are willing to help on your road, street or townsland.

Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bookings for the Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes can be made by phoning Eleanor at 051 880 414.

 Evening of Prayer and Reflection

Don’t forget the evening of prayer and reflection for the people of St. Patrick’s Parish to be held at Peace in Christ Retreat House on this Wednesday, 14th March.  This evening presents an ideal way of preparing for Easter and is recommended for our Eucharistic Ministers and Readers.  However, all parishioners are welcome.  The evening starts at 8.00pm and concludes at about 10.30pm. Contact: Lena McCarthy (777 9012), Adeline Kelly (772 1665)  or Rene Canny (776 2923).

Bishops’ Spring Meeting

A full report of last week’s Spring meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops is carried on www.catholicbishops.ie.  The full audio recording of the conference is available on the site.

Divine Mercy

An Hour of Adoration and Prayer will take place in the Friary Church on this Sunday, 11th March 3pm - 4pm.  All are welcome.

Lecture on Cardinal Moran

Dr. Fergus O'Farrell will give a lecture on Cardinal Moran in the Convent of Mercy Chapel, Callan on Friday, 9th March at 8.00pm.  Moran, the nephew of Paul Cullen, Archbishop of Dublin, was Bishop of Ossory (1872-84) before being translated to Sydney as Archbishop and allegedly taking the ‘cream of the diocese’ with him. There he would become Australia’s first cardinal and prove an influential figure in the life of that continent. He died in 1911. The Moran Wing at St. Kieran’s College is named after him.

Siamsoirí Kilkenny

An Irish traditional music fundraiser will take place in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on St. Patrick’s Day after 10.30am Mass.  Adults: €5.00, Students: €3.00. Come and share our heritage.