Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 20th October 2013

Volunteer Appreciation Evening

St. Patrick’s Parish is a strong vibrant Christian community united in our love of God and a commitment to share our faith with others.  To show our appreciation of your commitment and to celebrate our working together the St. Patrick’s Parish Pastoral Council invites all our volunteers to an Appreciation Evening at the Springhill Court Hotel on next Saturday, 26th October at 8.00pm.  We intend this to be a relaxed time where volunteers can meet with others, enjoy some finger food and perhaps dance the evening away to the strains of John Travers.

We emphasise that all who volunteer or help in any way in our parish are invited to come along.  We have sent out invitations but, being human, we realise that there is a small possibility that we left some names off the lists in error.  Please contact the Parish Office (776 4400)  immediately if you feel your name should be on the list and you did not yet get a invitation to date. We ask your understanding as you have been excluded in error. 

To facilitate catering admission is by ticket only.  Tickets are free of charge and must be collected at the Parish Centre before Wednesday of this week. 

We look forward to seeing you there on the night.

 

Mission Sunday - Growing in Faith

Today is Mission Sunday.  It is the day when we are asked to dig into our hearts to assist  the young Church overseas.  We are called to play our part in helping to bring the Word of God to those who most hunger for it.  ‘Growing in Faith’ is our theme for Mission Month and as such our spiritual and financial offerings are crucial for the work of the Church overseas.  Your contribution to today’s annual Mission Sunday collection will be sent in it’s entirety to support our many mission projects.  We can’t do it without you. Large or small, it makes a difference and thanks for your help.  Please contribute to the second collection.

 

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Sr. Fidelis Shannon, St. John of God Community, Wexford.  Sr. Maura O’Farrell, Sisters of Mercy, Dungarvan. Veronica Cleary, London. Sadie Delaney, Camross.

Months Mind: Sr. Sylvester Brennan (Sat 9.30). Mary Ward (Sun 2.30pm, Foulkstown)

Anniversaries: Ned & Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15). Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00). Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30). Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Frank Stapleton (Sun 10.30). Annie (Nancy) Tiernan (Sun 11.00). Kathryn Doran (Sun 12.00). Paddy Cullen (Sun 12.30). Bridget Butler (Tues 10.30). Michael O’Leary (Wed 10.30), Helen Raftery (Thurs 10.30). James Cantwell. Manny English. Eithne O’Connor. Nancy Coyne. Bill Cody. John (Jack) Cantwell. Martin & Ann Mulhall. Michael Walsh. Mairead & Ger Carmody. Alfie Sheedy. David Doran.  

Intentions for next weekend: Breda Hehir (Sat 6.15). Milo Grogan (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Joseph Eardly (Sun 10.00). Eileen Barham (Months Mind Sun 10.30). John L Kealy (Sun 11.00). Mary McCormack (Sun 12.00). Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.30).

 

Kilkenny’s Tidiest Parish

St. Patrick’s Parish won the Club House Hotel Trophy for the Best Tidy Towns Parish in Kilkenny at the Keep Kilkenny Beautiful Presentation at Hotel Kilkenny on last Tuesday evening.  The award is in recognition of the many households, shops, businesses, individual gardeners, residents associations, voluntary groups and all others whose dedication, effort and hard work helped make our parish area the tidiest in Kilkenny City.  Well done to all involved: let us keep up the effort in preparation for next year.

 

Afternoon Bridge

We play bridge at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre every Tuesday between 3.00pm - 5.00pm. No partner required.  All welcome.

St. Vincent De Paul Collection

To facilitate the Mission Sunday collection the monthly collection for the local conference of the Society of St. Vincent De Paul will be taken up next weekend.  Please be as generous as possible.  Thank you. Phone:  087 681 0589.

 

Parish Mission

St. Patrick’s Parish will host a Parish Mission from Saturday, 7th December until Friday, 13th December.  The mission will be conducted by the Vincentian Ember Team.  Further details later.

 

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 each year. Please use the white envelope in your envelope pack or any envelope with your name and address attached.  We are grateful to all who support us financially.  Thanks!

 

Ossory Times

Copies of the Ossory Times diocesan magazine are available at the Parish Centre and at the sacristies.  This edition contains the recently published interviews with Pope Francis.  €2 each.

 

Rosary at Seville Lodge

The Rosary is recited at the grotto at Seville Lodge on the Callan Road on each Sunday during October at 3.00pm.  All welcome.

 

Men’s Weekend in Peace in Christ

Our diocesan retreat house hosts a weekend retreat for men between Friday, 8th November (8.00pm) and Sunday, 10th November (2.00pm).  Guided by Mgr. Jim Cassin and Retreat House Team.  Details and booking: 056 72 1054.

 

Kilkenny/Carlow Carers Association

You are invited to attend their Open Day at6 the Springhill Clinic, Waterford Road on Tuesday, 22nd October  from 12.00pm – 3.00pm.  Refreshments provided.  All are welcome.

Recruiting New Readers

The new readers’ rota will be compiled soon and we are recruiting new readers.  If you would like to become a reader in any of the churches in our parish please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.  Please consider offering your help.

 

Parish Evangelizing Cell

This Year of Faith is a great opportunity to give extra time to deepen our knowledge of and share the message of the Gospel.  A small group has been meeting as a Parish Evangelizing Cell for the past two years and would love to share this blessing.  Next meeting Tuesday, 29th October at 8.00pm. Further information: Maria 087 618 8054.

 

Evening Course at Integritas

“Why is our personal experience so important to the spiritual life?” with Peter Hannan S.J., on Wednesday, 23rd October at 8.00pm.   Enquiries: 056 772 8902.  www.integritas.ie

 

Variety Concert

A fund raising event in aid of Community Water Scheme in Kenya slums, Africa at The Springhill Court Hotel on Friday, 25th October .

 

Concert

St. Mary's Cathedral Sunday 27th October at 7.30 pm with Alison Comerford Violin Royal College of Music London, Mayo Concert Orchestra Castlebar, St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band and Kilkenny Gospel Choir.  Free of Charge. 

 

St. Vincent de Paul Society

The Annual Mass for deceased members of the Society of Saint  Vincent de Paul will be celebrated on Sunday, 27th October in the Black Abbey at 12 noon. The Mayo Concert Orchestra will play sacred music during the Mass. All welcome.

 

Teagasc Lecture

“Lecture on Growing Vegetables" by Stephen Alexander, Teagasc Research Center in the Club House Hotel on Wednesday at 8.00pm.  All welcome.

 

 

Twenty Eight Sunday in Ordinary Time, 13th October 2013

Volunteer Appreciation Evening

Our parish is a strong vibrant Christian community united in our love of God and a commitment to share our faith with others. 

The members of our Parish Pastoral Council are conscious and extremely proud of the amount of lay involvement in the day to day running of our parish: a dedicated group of lay people voluntarily assists in carrying out various tasks from the most mundane to involvement in pastoral and financial administration.  Through your involvement you play an important part in building up and maintaining our community.  We treasure your contribution and truly appreciate every minute of voluntary time you give to the parish community.  Where there is teamwork and collaboration wonderful things can be achieved or, as the old Irish proverb puts it so well, Ni neart go cur le cheile.

To show our appreciation of your commitment and to celebrate our working together we would be delighted if you would join us for our Volunteer Appreciation Evening at the Springhill Court Hotel on Saturday, 26th October.  We intend this to be a relaxed time where volunteers can meet with others, enjoy some finger food and perhaps dance the evening away to the strains of John Travers. 

While we have been careful to provide invitations for those on our databases we emphasise that all who volunteer or help in any way in our parish are invited to come along.  Being human we recognise that there is small possibility that we left some names off the lists in error.  We ask your understanding if your name has been excluded in error.  Please contact the Parish Office immediately if you feel your name should be on the list and you did not yet get a invitation to date.

To facilitate adequate catering admission is by ticket only.  Tickets are free of charge and should be collected at the Parish Centre before Friday, 18th October.  We look forward to seeing you there on the night.

 

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Paul McCormack. Rory Brady, Pearse Street. Nancy Leahy, McDonagh Street. Requiem Mass at St. Canice’s Church at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at St. Kieran’s Cemetery.

Anniversaries: Eddy Dean (Sat 6.15).  Judy O’Brien (Sat 7.00). Richard Kelly (Sun 9.30).  Tom Foley (Sun 10.30). Ned & Rita Foley (Sun 11.00). Brian O’Reilly (Sun 12.00). Nicola Conway (Sun 12.30). Margaret Shiels (Tues 10.30). Ellen Hickey (Wed 10.30). Eddie McPhillips (Sat 4.30pm Foulkstown). Doris Americas (Sat 9.30). Carmel Casserly. Billy Maher. Julie Burke.  John Murray. The Dollard Family. Justine Kavanagh. Jimmy Bateman. Margaret McNamara.  Patrick Tynan.  May they rest in peace.

Intentions for next weekend: Ned & Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15). Ned Nolan (Sat 7.00). Gerard Cleere (Sun 9.30). Jennifer Mulhall (Sun 10.00). Frank Stapleton (Sun 10.30). Annie (Nancy) Tiernan (Sun 11.00). Kathryn Doran (Sun 12.00). Paddy Cullen (Sun 12.30).

 

The Vocation of the Laity

The Vocation of the Laity as Inspired by Olivia Mary Taaffe, foundress of the St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society is the title of a talk by Fr. Willie Purcell, National Coordinator for Diocesan Vocations, which will take place at 11.00am at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Saturday, 19th October.  Refreshments will be served following the talk.

 

The Miscarriage Association

The Miscarriage Association of Ireland will hold its first national support group meeting in Kilkenny on 17^th October at 7.00pm in St Patrick’s Parish Centre.

 

Afternoon Bridge

We play bridge at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre every Tuesday between 3.00pm - 5.00pm. No partner required.  All welcome.

Rosary at Seville Lodge

There will be rosary in honour of Our Lady at the grotto in Seville Lodge at 3.00pm on Sundays during October.  All welcome. 

 

Kilkenny/Carlow Carers Association

You are invited to attend their Open day. Springhill Clinic, Waterford Road.  Tuesday 22n October 2013. From 12pm – 3pm.  Refreshments provided.  All are welcome.

 

Integritas

A domestic centre of Christian spirituality, Ennisnag, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny.  Telephone: 056 772 8902 or email: enquiries@integritas.ie

Website: www.integritas.ie

On Thursday, 17th October at 7.30pm there will be an evening given by Fr. James Donleavy O.P., the Prior of the Dominican Community, Black Abbey, Kilkenny, introducing The Acts of the Apostles as the story of the spread of the Christian faith across the Mediterranean world, first in Judea, then further in Palestine and finally in the capital of the empire, Rome. In the space of just thirty years, Christianity spread from a small corner of Palestine to the very heart of Rome. Told by Luke the physician, acting as historian, this is the gripping and vital history of the early Christian 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 white 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!

 

Order of Malta

Regional Division Mass in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 5.30 on this Sunday, 13th October.

 

Recruiting New Readers

The new readers’ rota will be compiled soon and we are recruiting new readers.  If you would like to become a reader in any of the churches in our parish please contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400.  Please consider offering your help.

 

Remembrance Mass

St. Luke’s General Hospital is holding its annual Remembrance Mass at Duiske Abbey, Graiguenamanagh on Tuesday, 15th October at .7.30pm. 

 

Month of the Rosary

You are invited to visit www.therosary3.com during October, the month of the rosary.

 

October is Mission Month

The theme for this year’s Mission Month of October is “Growing in Faith”.  Next Sunday is Mission Sunday when we reflect on our Christian duty to share Christ’s message of faith and hope. For further information please visit www.wmi.ie

 

Members of the Defence Forces

On this Sunday, 13^th of October at 11.30am St. Patrick’s Brass and Reed Band will parade  the Organization of National Ex-Servicemen and Women from James Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny to St. Johns Church for their annual 12 noon Mass of Commemoration for the deceased members of the Defence Forces. The Band will then render the sacred music at the Mass including a salute at the consecration before returning to James Stephens Barracks immediately afterwards for a ceremony at the main gate.

 

Loughboy Library

Computer Classes - FAS Equal Skills at the library courses are commencing on the following dates: Wednesday, 6th November from 2.00 - 4.00pm and Friday, 8th November from 10.00am - 12 noon.

Duration of course is 5 weeks and all are eligible.  Names to Loughboy Library at 779 4176.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 29th September 2013

Pallottine Fathers’ Appeal

Fr. Martin Mareja, SAC, will visit our parish this weekend on mission promotion.  He will speak at many of the Masses over the weekend.

The Pallottines were founded in 1835 by St. Vincent Pallotti and are engaged in apostolic work in 46 countries. The  Irish Province was established in 1909 and they have been in Thurles since then. The members of the Irish Province work in Ireland, East Africa, Brazil, Argentina, England and the United States. Their missionary work is primarily in East Africa, bringing spiritual and community resources to people in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.  Bishop Séamus Freeman was a member of the Pallottine Fathers until his appointment as bishop of Ossory.

 

Parish Mission

St. Patrick’s Parish has not hosted a Parish Mission since 1999 when we celebrated the centenary of our parish church.  Prompted by this 14 year gap the Parish Pastoral Committee has decided to hold a week-long mission beginning on Saturday, 7th December 2013.  The event will be conducted by the Vincentian Father’s Ember Team.  Watch this space for updates as they come to hand.

 

Altar Servers

We are very grateful to the young people and their parents for their support in this important ministry.  Very shortly we will be recruiting and training a new batch of altar servers from 4th, 5th and 6th classes.  Please discuss this as a family and watch for further announcements here and in our parish schools.

 

First Friday Home Visits

The priests will visit those on their lists at the usual times.  Contact the Parish Office (776 4400) if you or someone known to you would like to be included.

 

Prayer Vigil for Vocations

A monthly prayer vigil for vocations will be held on the first Friday of each month at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, St. Mary’s Cathedral from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.  There will be guided prayer before the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. 

Contact: Fr. Willie Purcell at 087 628 6858.

 

Family Liturgy on Sundays

Hopefully our 10.30am Family Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church will have more young people participating than in the recent past.  Some ‘John Paul II Award’ candidates have offered to assist at this Mass and get the younger people and their families involved again.  The teenagers hope to prepare the younger people to read the scriptures and offer prayers of the faithful and reflections during the Mass.  They will also work towards providing regular music and singing on Sundays.  We ask parents to encourage and enable their children to participate by bringing them to St. Fiacre’s Church for a short practice at 10.00am on Sundays. We could also do with a few more volunteer adults to help out as supervisors - in most cases just being there is all that is required. Contact the Sacristan or Michelle in the Parish Office.

 

Church in the Midst of a Secular Age

Integritas, a domestic centre of Christian spirituality located at Ennisnag, Stoneyford is hosting a day course called ‘The new evangelization and the emerging Church’ with Prof. Eamonn Conway on Saturday, 5th October at 10.00am. (Suggested contribution of €50.00 for the day). 

During the day Prof. Conway will reflect upon the contemporary challenge of being a faithful participant in the Church in the midst of a secular age and a widespread crisis of authority. He was appointed by Pope Benedict as a theological advisor at the Synod of Bishops convened at the Vatican in October 2012 on the New Evangelization and he will also reflect upon themes that emerged during it. Please call 056 772 8902 to book a place for this day as lunch will be provided.  See: www.integritas.ie

 

Kilkenny Drug Awareness Week

Begins on this Monday with launch at City Hall at 11.00am.  Commemoration of Hope Ceremony to remember those who lost their lives through drug abuse will be held at the Parade on next Saturday, 5^th October at 3.30pm.  Bishops Freeman and Burrows will lead a prayer service with music by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir.  Guest speaker: Fr. Peter McVerry.  All welcome.

 

 

Pray For Our Deceased Friends

Recently Deceased: Milo Grogan, St. Fiacre’s Place.  Mary Ward, Castlegardens.

Anniversaries:  The Byrne Family (Sat 6.15). Patrick Traynor (Sat 7.00). Helen Kelly (Sun 10.00). Patrick Kenna (Tue 10.30).  Mary Butler (Thurs 10.30). Stephen O’Connor. John Casey. Margaret Brennan. Frank Coyne. Michael Doyle. Terry Kelly. Anastatia Buckley. Mary Barry. Nora Hogan.

Intentions for Next Weekend: Tom O’Neill (Sat 6.15). Kathleen Roche (Sat 7.00). Dan Gorey (Sun 10.00). Helena (Sun 10.30). Ann Roche (Sun 11.00). Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.00). Joan Waters (Sun 12.30).  May they rest in peace.

 

Kilkenny Bereavement Support

Monthly support meeting for people bereaved by suicide in Villa Maria, Talbots Inch, Freshford Road, Kilkenny on Thursday, 3^rd October at 8.00pm. All welcome. Information: 056 776 5684.

 

First Saturday Devotion

Will take place in St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy on Saturday, 5th October after 6.15pm Mass.  Prayers and adoration will end at 9.00pm.  All are welcome.

 

Loreto Secondary School

First Year Enrolment for 2014 for Loreto Secondary School will take place from Monday, 7th to Monday, 21st October 2013. Application forms and Admissions Policy can be obtained from the website at www.loretokk.ie or the school office.

 

St. Brigid’s College, Callan

An open evening for prospective students enrolling in 2014 will be held in St. Brigid’s College, Callan on Tuesday 1st October 2013 at 6.30pm.  This is an opportunity for parents & students to view the school and to get a flavour of the many and varied  activities available. Students wishing to enrol in September 2015 also welcome. Contact the Principal on 056 772 5189.

 

Church Gate Collection

The Ossory Social Services annual church gate collection will take place this weekend. 

Voices of Kilkenny

Soulful Spirit is hosting a charity concert in the Set Theatre, Langton’s Hotel featuring local singers, song-writers and musicians.  The monies raised will be donated to Cois Nore and the O’Neill Centre.  Tickets are €10 available at Langton’s and in Old Town Bakery, High Street or 087 993 6802.

 

Widows’ Association

Our next monthly meeting will be at the Club House Hotel at 2.30pm on Thursday.  All welcome.

 

Alzheimer Cafe

Alzheimer Cafe in Harry’s Bar Langton’s Hotel 11.00am - 1.00pm on Wednesday, 2nd October for people with dementia and/or family carers to meet, chat and exchange information. There will be a talk from a solicitor about ‘Making a Will’ and ‘Enduring Power of Attorney’ at 12.30pm. scones.

 

Alzheimer Society

Kilkenny Alzheimer Society are having a bucket collection/flag day on Thursday, 3rd October and need volunteers to collect for us in Kilkenny City. An hour or two would be a great help.

 

French Short Fiction in Translation

French Short Fiction in Translation, a 6-week course begins on Tuesday, 1^st October from 7.00 - 9.00pm at Kilkenny NUIM Campus, St Kieran’s College. To book call 087 344 5388 or www.nuim.ie/kilkenny.

 

Free Blood Pressure Check

The Irish Heart Foundation Road Show at Newpark Close Family Resource Centre on Tuesday, 1st October from 3.00pm - 6.00pm. Blood pressure checked for free.  Don’t be shy!

 

Mission Month

October is Mission Month.  At present there are approximately 1,500 Irish born missionaries working in more than 80 countries around the world.  The Society for the Propagation of the Faith organises the Mission Sunday collection in all Churches nationwide, which this year takes place on the 20^th October.   For further information www.wmi.ie.

 

St. Canice’s Cathedral Concert

As part of the 2013 St. Canice's Patronal Day celebrations Regina Nathan [Soprano] will perform Sacred Classics & Operatic Arias in St. Canice's Cathedral, Kilkenny on Saturday 12th October at 8.00pm and will be joined by The Michael John Chamber Orchestra and St. Canice’s Senior Orchestra.  Tickets at €27.50 are available from St. Canice's Cathedral by calling 056 776 4971 or can be booked online at http://reginanathan.com/sacred-classics-operatic-arias/

 

Exposition

As well as the usual exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Mondays (St. Fiacre’s Church, 11.00am—10.00pm) and Fridays (St. Patrick’s Church, 4.00—9.00pm) there will be an extra hour of adoration at St. Fiacre’s Church on Friday between 11.00am and 12.00 noon.

 

NUI Maynooth

(based at St. Kieran's College), are still accepting applications for the following courses:

Teastas Eorpach na Ghaeilge (Teg), Irish language course (Level A2)

NUI Certificate in Addiction Studies

NUI Certificate in Psychology

NUI Certificate in Return to Learning

Short Course in Literature:  French Short Fiction

Postgraduate Certificate in Arts in Healthcare Settings

Further information can be found at: www.nuim.ie/kilkenny or by phoning the Campus on 056 7775910