Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time 7th October 2012

Do this in Memory

We welcome the boys and girls of our local national schools, their parents and family members who join with us at 10.30am and 11.00am Mass this Sunday.  On this occasion the young people will enrol as candidates in the Parish First Holy Communion Programme and begin their preparation for the happy event next Spring.

 Day for Life

‘Choose Life!’ is the theme for this year’s Day for Life message on 7th October. It promotes respect for human life from the moment of conception. For 2012, the Day for Life also marks the beginning of a special Month of Prayer dedicated to the theme ‘Choose Life!’ which concludes on the Feast of All the Saints of Ireland.  Further information including a Pastoral Letter from the Irish Catholic Bishops is available to read or download  on www.chooselife2012.ie.

Key points from Bishops’ Pastoral Letter

· From the moment of conception, every human life is beautiful, every human life is precious and every human life is sacred.

· Government does not have to provide for abortion in Ireland to comply with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights.

· Legislating for abortion denies the humanity and dignity of the child in the womb and violates the most basic human right of all – the right to life.

· It is never necessary to target the life of the baby in the womb to save the life of the mother. Ireland, without abortion, is consistently one of the safest countries in which to be pregnant.

· Many women who have had abortions speak of their deep regret, and research also confirms the harm that abortion can cause women.

· International experience shows that once abortion is legalised, even in apparently very limited situations, it becomes more widespread than was first intended.

The Year of Faith

Last October Benedict XVI announced a Year of Faith to run from the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council on 11^th October 2012 to the Solemnity of Christ the King on 24^th November 2013. The starting date, 11^th October, also marks the 20^th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It coincides too with a gathering of bishops from across the world in Rome for a Synod themed, ‘The New Evangelisation for the Transmission of the Christian Faith’.

Outlining the purpose of the Year of Faith, Benedict XVI spoke of the need to give fresh impetus to the mission of the Church by leading people ‘out of the wilderness’ in which they so often find themselves ‘towards the place of life, towards friendship with the Son of God, towards the One who gives us life, and life in abundance.’

The Year of Faith provides the Irish Church with a framework from which to build on the many graces of the recent Eucharistic Congress. At its heart is the programme of renewal set out in the texts of the Vatican Council. These texts ‘have lost nothing of their value or brilliance… there we find a sure compass by which to take our bearings in the century now beginning’. 

The Year of Faith invites us to read these documents afresh and rediscover their original energy and vision.

 

The Year of Faith is an opportunity to celebrate and renew our faith – individually, in families, in parishes and schools, in each diocese, in our country and across our global Catholic community. It is a providential moment for reflecting on how we can know our faith and make it better known through the modern means of communications, through art, through renewal of many of the traditional practices of our faith such as pilgrimages to Marian Shrines and holy sites, through celebration and knowledge of the Irish saints and through a host of other activities.       (Cardinal Brady: abridged)

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Helen Kelly, 67 Springfields and formerly of Blackquarry and John’s Street. Jane Saunders, Ballyragget. Niall Comerford, 11 Fr. Delahunty Terrace. 

Months Mind: Josie Nolan (Sat 7.00).

Anniversaries: Kathleen Roche (Sat 6.15).  Joan Waters (Sun 11.00). Tom O’Neill (Sun 12.00). Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.30). John & Mary O’Connell (Tue 9.30). Eddy Dean (Thurs 10.30). Sr. Elizabeth Butler. Patty Reinhardt. Billy Tallent. Garry & Norah Dunne. Mary O’Brien. John Johnson. John Murray. Mary Doyle. Mary Dunne.

Intentions for next weekend: Peter Gaule (Sat 6.15). Judy O’Brien (Sat 7.00). Gerard Moynihan (Sun 9.30). Anne Roche (Sun 11.00). Tom Foley (Sun 12.00). Nicola Conway (Sun 12.30).

 

Rosary at James Green

There will be rosary at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny, James Green on this Sunday at 3.00pm.

 

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society

The monthly meeting will take place on Friday, 12th October in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre immediately after the 10.30am Mass.

 

Talk for Parents

St. John of God School Parents’ Council invites parents to hear their guest speaker Mr. John Lonergan, former governor of Mountjoy Prison speak on “Parenting - the Challenges and the Rewards”.  This will be a reflective and awareness-raising look at parenting on Wednesday, 16th October at 8.00pm in St. John of God School.

 

St. Kieran’s College

At St Kieran’s College: Courses starting soon. Ten Great Songwriters (Tuesdays 7 - 9pm, 10 weeks, €150), Nature in Poetry and Prose (Thursdays 10 - 12am, 8 weeks, €120), Writing for Radio (November 2nd & 3rd). For information: www.nuim.ie/kilkenny or call 056 777 5910.

Parish Website

Visit www.patricksparish.net to see revised front page and lots of information and links about our parish and the Church.

 

October  Stations

The October Stations for the support of the priests of the parish and the bishop are taken up this month.  This is one of five special collections that are taken up each year. Please use the green envelope in your envelope pack or any envelope with your name and address attached.  We are grateful to all who support us financially, especially in these current tough economic times.  Thanks!

 

Did you know?

In the eyes of the Revenue Commissioners priests are classed as ‘self employed’ and as such pay taxes at the same time and rate as everyone else.

 

Kilkenny Flower Club

Kilkenny Flower Club will have a work night on Thursday, 11th October. Details are on www.kilkennyflowerclub.wordpress.com.  Bring a plant, buy a plant in aid of WAFA Ireland.

 

Healthy Town

Monday, 8^th October at 7.00pm, Canal Square – The KRSP/HSE City Walk series. Free for everyone!  All levels are very welcome.

Magnificat

This booklet is published monthly and contains all the texts of daily Mass, with a meditation from the great writers of the Church and the Prayer for Morning and Evening based on the Liturgy of the Hours.  You will also find lives of the saints and articles on spiritual topics and prayers at night in each issue. Available: Parish Office at €5 each.

Life Institute hold Public Meeting

Find out how you can help keep abortion out of Ireland. Meeting at Club House Hotel, Kilkenny on Thursday, 11th October at 7.30pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30th September 2012

Sr. Gerard Forrestal

1925 - 2012

Sr. Gerard Forrestal, St. John of God Congregation, died peacefully on Monday, 24th September 2012.  All who knew her were saddened to learn of her passing following a short illness.

Sr. Gerard, a native of Moyne Templetuohy, Co. Tipperary, was a member of the Congregation of St. John of God since 1952 - she celebrated the diamond jubilee of profession just ten weeks ago.  She served the congregation in many places including Wexford, Dublin, Edenderry and Rome  before coming to Kilkenny where she took on the role of sacristan at St. Patrick’s Church.  It is for this work she will be fondly remembered by the priests and people of the parish.  Sr. Gerard was generous to a fault with her time and energy, meticulous in her work and loyally served the parish long after most people would have retired.

An avid reader of the Tipperary Star she never failed to remind people of her Tipperary roots and supported the ‘Blue and Gold’ to the end.

We give thanks to God for her life and influence among us and thank her for her loyal service to her Congregation and the Church.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilís.

 

Loans to Parish

Five years ago many parishioners gave loans to St. Patrick’s Parish to help finance the development of the Parish Centre.  Such loans  reduced interest costs and enabled us to structure our financing in a more beneficial way. 

The five year loan term is up now and we have already repaid those loans received in August and September 2007 with the rest to follow on a monthly basis.  Thanks to those involved for your original generosity and thanks again to a number of donors who have been able to convert the original loans into outright gifts to the parish.  Your generosity to the parish in difficult financial times helps enormously.

First Holy Communion Dates

The following dates have been agreed with the schools involved:

Saturday, 27^th April: Gaelscoil Osraí, St. Fiacre’s Church at 11.00am.

Saturday, 11^th May: St. Patrick’s De La Salle, St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am.

Sunday, 12^th May: Kilkenny School Project, St. Fiacre’s Church at 12 noon.

Saturday, 18^th May: St. John of God, St. Patrick’s Church  at 11.00am.

The Do This in Memory preparation programme for First Holy Communion candidates begins next weekend: candidates from Gaelscoil Osrai are asked to attend 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church while those who attend St. Patrick’s De La Salle and St. John of God are asked to attend 11.00am Mass at St. Patrick’s Church.

 

Pray for our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Frank Coyne, 32 Michael Street and late of St. Fiacre’s Place.  Sr. Gerard Forrestal, St. John of God Convent. Mae Scanlon. Johnnie Dumburs.

Months Mind: Muggers Larkin (Sun 12.30).

Anniversaries: The Byrne Family (Sat 6.15). Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00). Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00). Ciss Holland. Michael Doyle. Christopher Kenny. Syd & Elizabeth Bluett. John Casey. Helen Lynch.

Intentions for Next Weekend: Kathleen Roche (Sat 6.15). Josie Nolan (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Joan Waters (Sun 11.00). Tom O’Neill (Sun 12.00). Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.30).

 

Thukolo Gospel Choir Fundraiser

Local gospel choir Thukolo will perform a concert at The Watergate Kilkenny on Saturday, 6th October with The Memphis Cats. Proceeds to Chernobyl Kilkenny Outreach Group. Tickets €10. This promises to be a wonderful evening's entertainment as always. Please support this very worthy cause.

Come on the Cats

Once again we wish Brian Cody, Eoin Larkin, Jackie Tyrell and Matthew Ruth and their teammates all the best as they take on Galway in the replay of this year’s All Ireland Hurling Final. We look forward to welcoming ‘Liam McCarthy’.

 

Altar Servers

Application forms available at sacristies of all churches.  These must be completed by parents of existing and new servers.

 

First Friday

The priests will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times. Please let the Parish Office know if you know of someone to be included.

 

Blessing of Animals

There will be a blessing of animals at St. Canice's, Church, Dean Street on Saturday, 6th October at 3.00pm.

 

Westcourt News

The monthly Mass to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice in our lives and for his canonisation will take place in Westcourt, Callan  on Monday, 1st October at 7.30pm.

 

First Saturday Devotion

St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy on Saturday, 6th October after 6.15pm Mass. Ends at 9.00pm.

 

Kilkenny Bereavement Support

Kilkenny Bereavement Support will hold a meeting for people bereaved by suicide in Villa Maria, Talbots Inch, Kilkenny on Thursday 4^th. October at 8.00pm. All welcome. 056 775 6538

 

CBS Parents’ Council

The C.B.S. Parents’ Council is organising a presentation by the staff of the Aislinn Adolescent and Addiction Treatment Centre for parents on Thursday, 4th October at 7.30pm in the school. All welcome.

Commemoration of Hope Ceremony

Kilkenny Drug Awareness Week is from 1st to 6th October 2012.  On Saturday 6^th of October Kilkenny Drug Awareness Week will be closed with an event to remember those who lost their lives to drugs.  There will be a tree planting ceremony at 3.15pm on John’s Quay and the Remembrance Ceremony will begin on the Parade at 4.00pm with and address from religious leaders and music provided by Kilkenny Gospel Choir.  Among other speakers the Mayor of Kilkenny will give an address and lead a candlelit procession to the Town Hall where a balloon will be released in memory of lost loved ones.  The event will be closed by further addresses from representatives of community initiatives responding to substance misuse and the chair of Kilkenny County Drugs Committee. Refreshments in the Council Chambers.  All welcome to attend.

 

Healthy Town Project

On Tuesday 2^nd October at 7.00pm at Langton’s Hotel Dr Tadgh Crowley GP and Kilkenny Hurling Team doctor will a talk on “Planning for Healthy Ageing”. This will be of interest to all who want to improve their health and quality of life as they age.

 

Festival of Activities for Older Adults

Kilkenny Sports Partnership are hosting an Older Adults Festival in the Watershed, Kilkenny, Thursday 4th of October. The range of activities on will include Bowling, Skittles, Pilates and Fit Walk among others. On Friday 5^th, there will be a free pool session for older adults from 2.00 to 3.00pm. All activities are free of charge.  You may register by contacting the office on 056 779 4990 or email info@krsp.ie

 

St. Brigid’s College

An open evening for prospective students enrolling in September 2013 will be held in St. Brigid’s College, Callan, on Thursday 4th October 2012 at 6.30pm.  Info: 056 772 5189.

GROW

GROW - World Mental Health Organisation urgently needs your help. We are holding our first National Flag Day on Oct.10th. World Mental Health Day.  We need VOLUNTEERS this  day to give 2hrs of your time. Contact Eileen or Mary at 056 7761624 or email southeastregion@grow.ie