Holy Week Ceremonies
We invite all to make a special effort to join with our local Christian Community in celebrating Holy Week. We have a wide range of celebrations at various times in our parish and we ask you to come along. Our liturgical timetable is printed on the front of this newsletter and also on our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/StPatricksKK
Holy Week begins on Passion (Palm) Sunday and we are invited to open our hearts and minds and welcome Jesus into our lives. This Sunday we focus on the Passion of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 21: 1-11 we encounter Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and people around him with palms in their hands, shouting “Hosanna, Hosanna” while paying homage to Him. The crowd wanted to crown Him King. Before the end of the week things had changed.
After the Last Supper Jesus endures His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His suffering and death on the Cross. He went to his death alone and abandoned.
Let us endeavour to imitate his goodness and love during this week, so that we may also share in His victory over death. His death shows God’s Love for us. He allowed His Son to die for us to free us from sin. We can learn from the Passion of Christ that there is dignity in sadness and in suffering which enables us to understand the hardships of life. When we feel weary and depressed we pray for courage. If we are in sorrow, we ask Him to comfort us.
May we imitate His goodness and loving kindness during this week, so that we may share in the triumph of His resurrection. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Amen.
Mass of Chrism
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary's Cathedral on Wednesday, 16th April at 7.30pm. Sacred Oils, for use in the diocese during the coming year, will be consecrated by Bishop Séamus during this liturgy. Tea/Coffee will be available in the Chapter House afterwards. All are welcome.
Good Friday Walk
'The Annual Good Friday Walk led by Bishop Séamus Freeman will take place from St. John's Church, Kilkenny at 7.00pm to St. Mary's Cathedral for a service of Prayer Around the Cross. There will be a blessing with the Relic of the True Cross which is held in the Cathedral and was given as a gift to St. Mary’s Parish in 1860. All Welcome.
Traditional (Latin) Liturgy
There will be the traditional Blessing of Palms and Procession followed by High Mass (Missa Cantata) on this Sunday, 13th April at 5.00pm in St. Patrick’s Church. All are welcome.
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross (sometimes also called the “Way of the Cross” or Via Crucis, in Latin) are a traditional devotion tracing the events on the way to Christ’s crucifixion. The devotion has its roots in the practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, especially to sites along the way to the cross.
In the fifteenth century, as it became difficult for Christians to visit Jerusalem, the Franciscans began to erect outdoor shrines in Europe to recall these holy places, and in later centuries the devotion took root throughout the entire Church.
We encourage you to visit our churches during the coming week to reflect on the Lord’s Passion. There will be a public celebration of the Stations at St. Patrick’s Church at 12.00 noon on Good Friday and at St. Joseph’s Church at 7.30pm on the same day. Those who cannot get out to church can attend the Stations of the Cross in your own time and in your own home by visiting the virtual Stations of the Cross at http://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross
Penitential Service
St. Patrick’s Church will host a Penitential Service at 12.00 noon on Good Friday. The service will be based on the Stations of the Cross and will provide an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance for Easter.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Pauline Morris, Noremount who died on Saturday. Funeral Prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Patrick’s Church. Requiem Mass at 11.00am on Monday followed by burial at Foulkstown Cemetery. Moira O’Byrne, New Road, Greensbridge. Vincent (Vinny) O’Shea, Brightwater, Crosshaven Co. Cork and formerly of Sheestown who died on Saturday. Reposing at his home in Crosshaven from 4.00 to 7.00pm on Sunday with Vigil Prayers at 8.00pm. Requiem Mass at St. Brigid’s Church, Crosshaven at 1.30pm on Monday followed by cremation. Moira O’Byrne, New Road. Joe Hogan, Castlecomer Road.
Anniversaries: Martin Hoyne (Sat 6.15). Kathleen Daly (Sat 7.00). Josephine O’Neill (Sun 10.00). Dr. W.J. & Daisy Phelan, Moya Bligh & Edward Cody (Sun 11.00). Andrew & Susan Delaney (Sun 12.00). Dick Keating (Sun 12.30). Paddy Blanchfield. Billy Brennan. Geraldine Carroll. Patrick O’Donoghue. Christina Walsh. Tobias Butler. Michael O’Reilly. Mick & Bess Delaney. Goss Murray. Deceased Members of the Stafford & Mulvin Families. Tom Kehoe. Colette Dowling. William Maher.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Margaret & Patrick Banahan (Sun 9.30). Eileen Byrne (Sun 10.00). Michael & Mary Burke (Sun 10.30). Roy Barry (Sun 12.00). John Hennessy (Sun 12.30). May they rest in peace.
Extra Mass During Lent
Thanks to all who attended the special 6.15am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church during Lent. Please note there will not be a 6.15pm Mass on Wednesday to enable priests and people attend the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral. See the timetable printed on the front for our full Easter ceremonies.
Parish Centre and Parish Office
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre will be closed on Good Friday and will reopen on Tuesday, 22nd April at 8.00am. For bookings and information please call 056 776 4400.
Volunteer Gardeners Needed
New gardeners are needed to tend the gardens at the Parish Centre. Those interested in helping are invited to meet at the Parish Centre at 6.30pm on Monday, 14th April. We appreciate all the voluntary work done by parishioners in many areas of our parish. Thanks for your support and help.
Contribution Envelopes
Most of this year’s envelopes have now been distributed. Thanks to those who dropped them into parishioners’ homes.
Please contact the Parish Office during the week if you did not receive a pack of envelopes and would like to contribute in this way.
Parish Shop
A selection of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion are available for sale in the Parish Shop. Why not call in and have a look. There’s no obligation to buy.
Prayer for Divine Mercy
An hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy will take place in the Capuchin Friary Church on Sunday, 13th April from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. All are welcome.
St. Patrick’s Boxing Club
Best wishes to Jennifer Blanchfield, Sharon McCorrigan and Courtney Kelly from St. Patrick’s Boxing Club who participate in the Leinster Championships taking place in Dundalk this weekend.
The club continues to train at the Watershed and welcomes new members, boys and girls.
Loughboy Library
Irish Circle - simple Irish conversation gatherings for adults takes place on Wednesdays at 11.00am. All levels of fluency welcome.
Bealtaine Festival - “I’ll live ‘till I die - The Delia Murphy Show” will be hosted at Loughboy Library on Wednesday, 14th May at 2.30pm. Free tickets are available at the library.
Toddle Hour - continues on Saturdays at 11.30am and on Thursdays from 24th April.
Exhibitions - Free space is available.
Solemn Easter Vigil
We particularly invite all parishioners to celebrate the Solemn Easter Vigil which begins at 9.00pm on Saturday evening. This event, which is celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, should be the highlight of the year for those who believe that Christ died for our sins and rose again to save us from eternal damnation.
10K Challenge
Would you like to raise funds for local services for people with Alzheimer's/Dementia in Kilkenny? Take a sponsorship card for the Stoneyford 10K Challenge, 11th May @ 11.30am. For sponsorship card, entry form and T-Shirt contact The Village Day Centre on 056 777 1230.
Free Garden Talks
OPW at Kilkenny Castle present free garden talks at the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle on Tuesdays of April and 6th May. Entry on first come basis. Doors open at 7pm and talks begin at 8pm.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of Children with Special Education Needs will take place next weekend. Please support.
Holy Week: Walking With Jesus
Peace in Christ Retreat House hosts a day of reflection on Palm Sunday, 13th April. The retreat which runs from 10.30am to 5.00pm is entitled Holy Week: Walking With Jesus and is highly recommended and open to all. Presented by Fr. Martin Delaney, Sr. Margaret Moloney and Chris Kelly. Places are still available: Phone 772 1054 for information or turn up on the morning.
New Ministers of the Eucharist
A number of parishioners have trained to take their places as Eucharistic Ministers in our parish. These will be commissioned at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Patrick’s Church at 8.00pm on Holy Thursday.
We thank those who retire their commission at this time having served the parish community for the past nine years.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
The time has come to return the Trócaire Family Fast boxes. Thanks to those who used the boxes during Lent to contribute to Trócaire's work in combating the global water crisis.
It would help if you could convert any small change into larger amounts. Thanks.
National Vigil for Life
This will take place between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturday, 3rd May at Merrion Square, Dublin. To organise a bus or to find buses in your area, phone: Maria 086 406 9660, Denise 087 266 8702, Katie 085 871 1100. NationalVigilforLife@gmail.com.
Summer Entertaining
St. Patrick’s Special School, Kells Road is hosting a cookery demonstration on Summer Entertaining with celebrity chef Edward Hayden. Demonstration on Friday, 2nd May at Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny starting with Artisan Food Market at 6.30pm followed by Edward’s demonstration at 8.00pm. Door, quiz, spot and raffle prizes galore! Tickets at €10 are available from St. Patrick’s Special School, Kissane’s Pharmacy, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown and Springhill Court Hotel. This is an evening not to be missed. Fabulous cause.
