Lumen Fidei is the title of a
new encyclical letter from Pope Francis, his first since becoming Pope. The encyclical on faith was begun by Pope
Benedict XVI, before his resignation, and completed by Pope Francis, who
referred to the document as the work of “four hands”, suggesting that the
encyclical represented the work of both himself and his predecessor. Following the usual Vatican practice, the
encyclical takes its title from the opening words: Lumen
Fidei, the light of faith. In its opening section the Pope remarks on how
the gift of faith has always been associated with light, which enables
believers to see things clearly. Lumen Fidei cautions that no
one should seek faith alone. In fact the Pope writes bluntly: “It is impossible
to believe on our own.”
The encyclical is available at www.vatican.va and follow the link to
encyclicals.
John Paul II to be Canonised
The Vatican has approved a second miracle through the intercession of
Blessed Pope John Paul II clearing him to be made a saint, possibly later this
year. Pope Francis signed the decree on
last Friday. John Paul was Pope from
1978 until his death in 2005, and was the most travelled Pope in history,
drawing vast crowds as he visited 129 countries including Ireland. The
Polish-born Pope was proclaimed ‘Blessed’ after a first miracle was attributed
to him. This was the inexplicable recovery of a French nun, Sister Marie
Simon-Pierre, from Parkinson's Disease, which the Vatican ruled came through
the intervention of John Paul. The
second miracle is said to have taken place on the night John Paul was beatified.
An earlier Pope is also to be canonised.
Pope John XXIII, Pope from 1958 until his death in 1963, was responsible
for calling the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 65) and was made ‘Blessed’ in
2000. He will be canonised on the same
occasion as John Paul II.
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the
first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues
this Sunday 7th July at 3.00pm.
Ad
Multos Annos
This week Sr. Alphonsus Walsh
and Sr. Mary Tighe of the local St. John of God Community celebrate seven
decades as members of the congregation.
Well done and thanks for your ministry.
We pray for God’s continued blessing upon you both.
Cemetery Mass
Our annual Foulkstown Cemetery
Mass will take place on Thursday, 25th July at 7.30pm. Please remind your relatives and friends, especially
those who are living away from home.
Perhaps it is also time to
make a move to prepare family graves and the graves of those neighbours who
have no able family members remaining.
Theological
Studies Programme
This programme ran for the
second time last year with a group of 25 participants. It was a resounding
success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The course aims at providing religious
education, faith formation and spiritual enrichment for those actively engaged
in parish life or in the pastoral care of people, young and old. The
programme runs for 24 weeks, September – May, Mondays and Thursdays, 7.00 –
9.00pm, with modules in the Old and New Testament Scriptures, Church History,
The Church, past and present, Moral Theology, Liturgy & Sacraments.
For further details apply to
Declan Murphy, Course Director, St Kieran’s College 087 908 1470 or 056 775
3624; email declanmurphy@ossory.ie or theology@ossory.ie. Alternatively
forms may be downloaded from www.ossory.ie
Church Gate Collections
A church gate collection in
aid of Concern will be held this weekend.
Please support.
Pray For Our Deceased
Friends
Recently Deceased: Brendan Lawless, Coach Road. Michael Butler, Johnswell. Jerry Dunne,
Green Street. Tom McDonald, Golf Links Road.
Months Mind: Geraldine Gannon (Sun 10.30).
Anniversaries: Marie Manogue (Sat 6.15). Donal O’Neill (Sat
7.00). Michael Murphy (Sun 9.30). Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00). Lily Purcell
(Sun 11.00). Lillian Beatty (Sun 12.00). Sean Hennessy (Sun 12.30). Patrick
Roche (Tues 10.30). Bill & Gretta Delaney (Wed 9.30). Maurice (Mossie)
Nagle (Wed 10.30). Paddy Bergin & Sr. Margaret Mary Bergin (Thur 10.30).
Mary Lynch (Fri 10.30). Margaret (Peg) Horrigan, Catherine Dowling. Annie Cody.
Mary Ann, Denis & Tommy Murray. Mary Fry. Mick Byrne. Mary Holland. Brigid
Ward. Bridie Walsh. Felix Campbell. Denis Molloy. Austin Murphy.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Joan Coady (Sat 6.15). Jimmy
Hackett (Sat 7.00). Catherine Roberts (Sun 9.30). Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00).
Josie Kenny (Months Mind Sun 10.30). Dr. Paddy Boyd (Sun 11.00). Deceased
Residents & Family Members of Dukesmeadows (Sun 12.00). Ger Doheny (Sun
12.30). May they rest in peace. Amen.
A Time for Clarity and
Truth
“We value the skill and efforts of our doctors, nurses and others who have
helped to earn Ireland’s place as one of the safest countries in the world for
mothers and their babies during pregnancy.
Catholic Church teaching is clear: where a seriously ill pregnant woman
needs medical treatment which may put the life of her baby at risk, such
treatments are ethically permissible provided every effort is made to save both
the mother and her baby.
This is different from abortion, which is the direct and intentional
taking of the innocent life of the unborn.
… abortion is, and always will be, gravely wrong.”
Catholic Bishops of Ireland, June
2013
High
Mass with Gregorian Chant
There will be a High Mass, with Gregorian Chant sung by St.Patrick's
Scola, in St. Patrick’s Church on Thursday 11th July at 7.00pm.
Following the Mass, a first class relic of St. Oliver Plunkett will be publicly
venerated and individual blessings with the relic will then take place.
Congratulations
We offer congratulations to the players and mentors from Kilkenny City U14
Ladies Gaelic Football team, who won Division 2 of Féile Peil na nÓg in Derry last
weekend. Well done!
Alzheimer
Cafe
Are you worried about your memory? Are you looking after someone who is
becoming more forgetful? If you would like to find out more about Alzheimer’s
or dementia come along to our Alzheimer Café for information about dementia
specific services in Kilkenny. The cafe is for people living with dementia and
people who want to find out more about it. A Clinical Nurse Specialist in
dementia will be there for question and answer session. Harry’s Bar Langton’s,
11.00am - 1.00pm on Wednesday 3rd July. Free tea and scones. For information:
056 777 1230.
Light Humour for a Sunny
Day
An old nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed
the coarse language of the workers and decided to spend some time with them to
correct their ways. She decided she
would take her lunch and sit with the workers.
She put her sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where
the men were eating. Sporting a big smile, she walked up to the group and
asked: “And do you men know Jesus Christ?”
They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused. One of
the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, “Anybody up there
know Jesus Christ: One of the steelworkers yelled down, “Why?” The worker
yelled back, “Cause his mum’s here with his lunch.”
