Monday, April 29, 2013

Fifth Sunday of Easter, 28th April 2013

Faith Fest 2013
At the request of Pope Benedict XVI the Universal Church celebrates the Year of Faith from October 2012 to November 2013. As part of this celebration the Diocese of Ossory is holding Faith Fest 2013: Celebrating Faith in Ossory, on the weekend of Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May 2013.  In doing so each and every one of us will have an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the importance of faith in our lives. 
Much of the weekend’s activities will take place in St Kieran’s College, celebrating all that is good in the Diocese of Ossory. 
· Over 70 parishes and organisations in the Diocese of Ossory will be represented at stands on Saturday from 10.00am to 6.00pm and Sunday from 2.00pm to 6.00pm, which will provide an opportunity to highlight some of the work and service happening in the diocese.
· There will be a number of workshops during the course of the weekend: “Parish Liturgies without a Priest” with Fr. Martin Tobin (Sat 11.30am); “Morality: What’s the Point of it All” with Fr. Michael Shortall (Sat 3.00pm); “Walking, Building and Professing While Sitting Around a Table - the Challenge to Parish Pastoral Councils Today” with Mr. Dermot McCarthy (Sun 2.30pm); “Why Belief is the Most Reasonable Response to Reality” with Mr. John Waters (Sun 4.00pm)  are but a few interesting examples.
· There will be an U8s hurling and camogie blitz with Kilkenny Senior hurlers acting as match referees and medal presentation by Mr. Brian Cody.  Also bouncy castle at the College for the duration.
· Concerts: Liam Lawton (St. Mary’s Cathedral on Friday and String Quartet in Chapter House, St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday.
Full details are available at the churches in our parish, in Ossory Times, in an invitation sent by the bishop to all in the diocese and on www.ossory.ie.
All are invited to make an effort to come along to some of the events and celebrate faith in our diocese.
 
Liam Lawton Concert
To launch Faith Fest 2013 a concert will be held in St Mary’s Cathedral on Friday, 10th May featuring Liam Lawton with special guests the Unity Singers. Doors open 7.00pm, concert at 8.00pm.  Tickets: 20 each available at St. Patrick’s Parish Office.
 
Bishop Séamus
Bishop Séamus Freeman SAC has written to all families in the diocese highlighting the forthcoming Faith Fest and including a full programme of events.  Copies of the letter are available in church.
 
Passport of Faith
These are small passport sized booklets with some information on parishes in the Diocese of Ossory.  With your ‘passport’ in hand and in preparation for the Faith Fest you are invited to take a little pilgrimage of faith around some of the parishes of the diocese.  Using this booklet why not try to explore just some of the rich heritage that our parishes have to offer.  A limited supply of booklets are available free of charge in our sacristies.

Comhghairdeas
We congratulate 50 young people from Gaelscoil Osraí who received their First Holy Communion at St. Fiacre’s Church on Saturday morning.  Well done to parents, teachers and mentors who helped prepare the young people.
 
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Dolores Gardiner, Kilcullen. Michael O’Brien, Glenvale, Ballyragget. Maurice Wall, DeLoughrey Place.  Martin O’Brien, Dunbell who died in Wales. Arrangements later.  
Months Mind: Rita O’Rourke, (Sun 10.30)
Anniversaries: Ted O’Dwyer & Patrick Dorney (Sat 6.15). Mary & Eddie O’Keeffe (Sat 7.00). John Byrne (Sun 10.00). Kathleen Grace, Anastatia Fitzpatrick & Pierce A. Grace (Sun 11.00). Martin Neylon (Sun 12.00). Andrew & Susan Delaney (Sun 12.30). Helen Renehan (Wed 9.30). Mary Cantwell (Wed 10.30). Kitty O’Keeffe.  Mary (Kate) Coyne. Patrick, Maureen & Frank Roche. William Maxwell. Rita Foley. Mick O’Hara. Rita Foley. Bridget Maher. Molly & Jack Brennan. Joe Kelly.
Intentions for next weekend: Michael O’Sullivan (Sat 6.15). Fintan Brennan (Sat 7.00). Maurice Nolan (Sun 9.30). Mollie & Peter Henebry (Sun 10.30). Jimmy Waters (Months Mind Sun 11.00). William O’Brien Snr, William O’Brien, Billy O’Brien & Ann O’Brien (Sun 12.00).  John Hennessy (Sun 12.30).
 
Chose Life: We Cherish Them Both
A Vigil of Prayer for the Right to Life of Mothers and their Unborn Babies will be held at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock on next Saturday, 4th May.  This event, supported by the Irish Bishops’ Conference, begins at 1.00pm with a Rosary Procession and concludes with Mass in the Basilica at 3.00pm. All are warmly invited to attend. Main celebrant, Cardinal Seán Brady; homilist Most Rev. Brendan Leahy, Bishop of Limerick. A blessing for expectant mothers will be given during the Mass.  We encourage as many as possible to attend this important and timely prayer vigil.  Information: www.chooselife2013.ie
St. Patrick’s Parish will run a coach to this event. Coach will leave St. Fiacre’s Church at 8.00am on Saturday returning immediately afterwards.  Cost: 15.  Book at Parish Office (056 776 4400).
 
Pilgrimage to Knock
There will be a pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Shrine,  Knock on Saturday, 4th May. Contact Ann: 056 772 2204. Organised by the Irish Catholic Nurses’ Guild. Departing Butt’s Green at 7.30am.  All welcome.
 
First Saturday Devotion
St. Fiacre’s Church, Saturday, May 4th after 6.15pm Mass.  Prayers and adoration will end at 9.00pm.

First Friday
The first Friday of May occurs this week.  The priests hope to visit the housebound at the usual times.  Contact 056 776 4400 to be added to the list.
 
Kilkenny Lay Dominicans
A ‘New Life in the Spirit’ Seminar continues at the Black Abbey, Kilkenny at 7.30pm on Tuesday evenings. Baptism in the Spirit will take place on Pentecost Sunday at 2.00pm.

Kilkenny Older Peoples Forum
You are invited to attend the Bi-Annual Meeting of the Kilkenny Older Peoples Forum.  Where: Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Ormonde Street, Kilkenny.  Date: Wednesday 15th May;  10.00am to 12.30pm.
 
Loughboy Library
KCLR96FM is broadcasting live from Loughboy Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 30th April from 10.00am - 2.30pm.  Join us and say ‘hello’ on air. 
Knitting - Volunteer teachers are needed to pass on knitting skills to the pupils of the KSP on Tuesday, 7th May at 11.00am.  Tel: 056 779 4176.

National Association of Widows.
The monthly meeting will take place in The Club House Hotel on the 1st Thursday of each month at 2.30pm.  New members welcome.
 
Youth Drama Camp
Camp will be held 1st - 5th July for 8 - 14 year olds. Develop confidence and interpersonal skills through drama, and have some fun!  Contact Anna at Barnstorm Theatre Company on 056 775 1266
 
Starcamp
(As seen on Dragon's Den) - Calling all boys and  girls aged 4 - 13 years to a fun-filled, non-competitive, week of singing dancing and drama where the building of self esteem in our children, is of paramount importance. Special family rates. Venue: St Canice's Community Hall, Kilkenny: 1st - 5th July; 9.30am - 2.30pm. To book call: 021-437 7900 or online at www.starcamp.ie.
 
Interested in Radio?
Community Radio Kilkenny City invites you to join us!  If you are interested in being involved at any level in Community Radio Kilkenny City, Radio which belongs to all the people of Kilkenny City and which is run by Kilkenny Communications Co-operative Society, then come along and join us at Newpark Hotel on Tuesday, 7th May 2013 at 8p.m and join the Community Radio Kilkenny City family. Where work will begin on preparing the next broadcasting schedule for the next licensing period. For further information please contact:  T. J. Mills, PRO, Kilkenny Communications Co-operative Society, Community Radio Kilkenny City, Hebron Road, Kilkenny.  0567762777 or 087 22 8 22 83.
 
The Last Rose of Summer
The 200th anniversary concert
Saturday June 22nd 2013 at 8 pm in Jenkinstown Park, Kilkenny, Anthony Kearns will perform, along with his usual repertoire, some Thomas Moore melodies such as The Minstrel Boy, Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms and of course The Last Rose of Summer, which was composed in Jenkinstown and first published in 1813. Some local talent will be showcased on the evening also. The concert will be in the original walled garden area, within Jenkinstown Woods. Parking will be in the field below the venue. More information at www.conahyhs.com and Conahy Heritage Society Facebook, can also follow on Twitter @conahyhs
Tickets are 22.50, available www.ticketmaster.ie. 
Enquiries: conahyheritagesociety@gmail.com
Ticket information; Eileen Gunner, 087 2859660