World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Tuesday next, 11th February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858 Our Lady first appeared to a fourteen year old, Bernadette Soubirous. Later, Bernadette was to learn that the mysterious lady was the Virgin Mary. The beautiful lady asked that people come on pilgrimage and bathe in the waters, so began the story of Lourdes and the journey of millions to this small town, at the foot of the Pyrenees.
In recent years, 11th February was designated as World Day of Prayer for the sick. Our health is our wealth which like so many things in life we take for granted - it’s only when it’s gone do we begin to realise the gift and blessing it was. This is particularly true of our health. Suffering and pain forces us to journey to the heart of our faith and belief. People frequently ask how can a loving God allow pain, suffering and evil.
There are no simple easy answers. Some things in life don’t make sense. We call these things mysteries. We Christians believe in the person of Jesus. He knew the pain of ordinary life and he knew the extraordinary pain of betrayal, physical agony and death. We have his promise “I will be with you always”. Jesus did more than experience human pain. He transformed it. We can unite our pain with that of Jesus and offer it for others.
‘The Joy of the Gospel’
This book by Pope Francis is now available at The Chapter House Book Shop in the Cathedral grounds. It costs €4.99 and is well worth reading.
“I invite all Christians everywhere at this very moment to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ. I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day . . . no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord. Whenever we take a step towards Jesus, He is already there waiting for us with open arms. Let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire us more than His Life, which impels us onwards”.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Elsa McCormack, England. Gertrude (Gertie) Quinlan, Emmet Street.
Anniversaries: Thomas Kavanagh (Sat 6.15). Sr. Gemma Martin (Sat 7.00). Shane Holland (Sun 9.30). Rory Quinn (Sun 10.00). John & Ellen McDonald (Sun 10.30). Eileen Cummins (Sun 11.00). Ursula Maher (Sun 12.30). Michael Daly (Tues 9.30). Catherine & Joseph Brennan (Tues 10.30). Michael & Mary Muldowney (Wed 9.30). Richard, Elizabeth & Seamus Murphy (Wed 10.30). Mary & Cecil Pullen (Thurs 10.30). Daniel Cody (Fri 9.30). Matthew Gleeson (Fri 10.30). Michael Blanchfield. Dr. Richard Purcell. Kathleen Maher. Ellen Egan. Bill Carroll. Michael Dargan. Paddy Burke. John & Bridget Dunne. Joseph Kirwan. Eamon Tallent. Daphne Phelan. Matthew Gleeson.
Intentions for next weekend: John O’Rourke (Sat 6.15). Michael Walsh & Milo Bourke (Sat 7.00). Dr Richard Purcell (Sun 9.30). John Walsh (Sun 10.00). Bridget & Thomas Casey (Sun 10.30). Paddy Burke (Sun 11.00). Peter Quinn (Sun 12.00). Mary McHugh (Months Mind Sun 12.30).
If There Were No Nuns?
Speaking in Rome last Sunday Pope Francis highlighted the great value that nuns bring to the Church. “What would happen” – the Pope said – “if there were no nuns? No nuns in hospitals, in missions, in charitable institutions, in schools... Can you imagine a Church without nuns...? No, it is unthinkable!”
Speaking on the World Day for Consecrated Life, the Pope said that nuns are great women. He said “they are a gift, the leaven that carries the message of Christ”. “These women – he said – are great!” He went on to say that consecrated persons in different sectors are “the leaven of a more just and fraternal society”. He said that “Consecrated Life is a gift of God to the Church and to His people”. He then asked for prayers so that many young people may say “yes” to God who calls them “to consecrate their lives to Him and to be of service to their brothers and sisters”.
St. Josephs Young Priests Society
The next monthly meeting will be held in the Parish Centre after 10.30am Mass on Friday, 14th February 2014. New members will be welcome.
Kilkenny Solemn Novena
St. John’s Parish continues to host the annual Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help - “The Kilkenny Solemn Novena” until the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Tuesday, 11th February. Mass celebrated at 7.30am, 10.30am and 7.30pm each day. Sacrament of the Sick will be celebrated at all Masses on Tuesday.
Triduum to Our Lady of Lourdes
The annual Triduum to Our Lady Of Lourdes takes place in the Black Abbey from Sunday, 9th to Tuesday, 11th February. A rosary vigil for victims of road traffic accidents will be held this Sunday at 4.30pm ending with Mass at 6.00pm. The Kilkenny Gospel Choir will sing. Information: www.blackabbey.ie
Healing for Adults Bereaved by Suicide
Kilkenny Bereavement Support will hold a healing group for adults bereaved by suicide. It will commence on Tuesday Feb 25th at 8.00pm in Villa Maria, Freshford Road. It will run by two experienced facilitators for six consecutive Tuesdays.
The Healing Group provides a safe place for the bereaved to meet and share their loss in confidence with others. It is a place also to share thoughts and feelings with others who are experiencing something similar. This is an annual event which has proven to be very beneficial in the past. It will be a small group, 6 - 8 people. It is a closed group in that once the group commences, no new people may enter. For information or to reserve a place, please phone Kilkenny Bereavement Support at 056 775 6538.
Work in Progress
Please excuse the absent and unfinished kneelers in one section of St. Fiacre’s Church. They are being re-padded and hopefully will be in place for next weekend.
Kilkenny Flower Club
The Club’s next meeting will be in Butler House on Thursday 13th February at 8.00pm. It will be an information evening about the World Flower Show which will be at the R.D.S. next June, an event not to be missed. Mary Johannas from W.A.F.A. will address us. This should make our visit to the show much more enjoyable. All welcome.
Divine Mercy Adoration and Prayer
An hour of adoration and prayer will take place in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, 9th February from 3.00 - 4.00pm. All welcome.
Can You Volunteer Once A Week?
Kilkenny and Carlow Contact is looking for additional volunteers to commit to one hour per week for befriending in Kilkenny City at present . If you are interested please call us for information on 056 775 1988; Ext 6.
Lourdes Ossory Pilgrimage 2014
There are still some sponsored places available for St. Patrick’s parishioners on this years Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes in May. So if you - or somebody you know - is ill, elderly or going through a difficult time, contact any of the Committee Members or Michelle at the Parish Office on 776 4400.
Literature Evening Class
A six-week course begins on Thursday, 13th February from 7.00 - 9.00pm at Kilkenny Campus, St Kieran’s College. Explore and discuss classic plays including The Bacchae, Othello and Miss Julie. Course fee: €90 including tea/coffee. Booking: 087 344 5388 or margaret.irish@nuim.ie
Passport to Employment
Kilkenny Leader Partnership is commencing a Passport to Employment Training course for unemployed people aged 18+. This will provide training and work experience based on individuals needs. For more information and to register contact KLP Office 056 777 2797.
This is a great opportunity for young people to acquire work experience in areas they may wish to pursue careers/jobs in. For more information and to register please contact Connie McGee 086 771 8040, Alison Allen 086 024 4336 or the main KLP Office 056 777 2797.
Foulkstown Cemetery Videos
By now, all the sections in the older part of the cemetery have been uploaded to our YouTube Channel. It is now possible to see all the headstones in these sections. Some are badly weather-worn and difficult to read, we are working on getting the details of these. Comments and suggestions welcome. Also, if any names are missing from headstones or there have been recent internments not listed, get in touch with us and we will include them
Centering Prayer Retreat
5th March 2014 - 12th March 2014
Orlagh Retreat Centre, Old Court Road, Dublin 16. www.orlagh.ie. Reservations/Bookings: contemplativeoutreachireland@gmail.com. Contact Eileen Foley, 087 601 7709.
30/80KM Family Fun Get Fit Cycle
James Stephen’s GAA Club members are hopping onto their bikes and hitting the roads. Why not join them for a wonderful and exciting day?
Date: Saturday, 22nd March. Location: James Stephen’s Clubrooms, Larchfield. Registration: 9.30am to 10.40am. Start time: 11.00am. Entry fee: €20 single adult (entry + 1 raffle ticket for prize draw). Family €30 (2), €40 (3), U16's €10. Prize draw and refreshments will be served directly after the cycle. For information contact organisers Liam Power 085 724 0012 or Tim Butler 087 676 4747.
