The Easter Season
Easter is a period of six weeks between the Feast of the Resurrection and Ascension Day.
During the Season of Easter we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus especially in the Mass. During the past few weeks we have had time to reflect on the message of the Risen Jesus. The central theme of today's Gospel is that Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to help the Apostles found the Church. He knew that the Apostles were afraid as they faced the future without Him. We are also promised the help of the Holy Spirit to keep alive our spirit of faith, hope and love. He is with us personally in our baptism and confirmation. We are not forsaken by God, as He is with us always. Through His power we must be signs of hope, love, light and forgiveness in the world. We pray that Christians will always be a guiding light showing God’s love in the world.
Pope in the Holy Land
Pope Francis began his three-day pilgrimage to the Holy Land on Saturday. During this trip he will pay a visit to Jordan, Palestine and Israel. One of the central highlights of the pilgrimage will be the Pope’s meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Jerusalem – a meeting which will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagorus in 1964. They will sign a joint declaration and then preside at an ecumenical prayer service at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre together with other Christian leaders. Please pray that this Papal visit will be successful and lead to peace in the area.
Public Rosary at Seville Lodge Grotto
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto, Seville Lodge, Callan Road at 3:00pm each May Sunday.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your Trócaire Fast Boxes by Thursday of this week so that we can close the Trócaire account for this year. Alternatively the contents may be returned to Trócaire at the address on the box. Thank you.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
On Thursday last the annual Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes departed from St. Fiacre’s Church with 290 pilgrims. The Pilgrimage Director has promised “All who helped us get to Lourdes will be included in our Masses, prayers and the lighting of the Ossory candle while in Lourdes. Some of the ceremonies will be steamed live on www.lourdes-francs.org especially the Blessed Sacrament procession at 4pm (Irish time) and the Rosary procession at 8pm (Irish time). Our friends at home might like to join in our spiritual exercises.”
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Peg O’Connor, Michael Street. William Drennan, Galmoy. Fr. Des Polke, Derry.
Months Mind: Emmanuel Joseph English (Sat 6.15).
Anniversaries: William Doheny (Sat 7.00). Harry Kelly (Sun 10.00). John Cleere (Sun 10.30). Tom Crowe (Sun 11.00). Tommy, Kitty & Martin Phelan (Sun 12.00). William Roberts (Months Mind) & Catherine Roberts (Sun 12.30). Jim Carew (Tues 10.30). Deceased Members of Kilkenny Women’s Group (Thurs 10.30). Jack Carroll (Fri 10.30). Ann McCarthy. Bridget & Michael Long. Ann Coffey. Kathleen Molloy. Philip Morrissey. Sean & Tom Brett. Agnes Dermody. Kathleen O’Carroll. Brian Mahon. Bridget Culleton. Annie Bourke. Mollie Owens.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Jimmy McGuire (Sat 6.15). Sr. Mary Buckley & Sr. Albert Kenny (Months Mind Sat 6.15). Blánaid Cleere Manning (Sun 10.00). Tony Class (Sun 12.00).
Life in the Spirit Seminar
These seminars continue in the Black Abbey in Tuesday evenings until 17th June. Topics include: Tuesday, 27th May - New Life. Tuesday, 3rd June - Receiving God’s Gift. Pentecost Sunday, 8th June -Baptised in the Spirit. Tuesday, 10th June - Growth. Tuesday, 17th June - Transformation.
All are welcome to come along and join in the celebrations.
May Rosary Vigil
A Rosary Vigil will take place at The Black Abbey on this Sunday, 25th May at 4.15pm and concluding with Sunday Mass at 6.00pm. (Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place from 4.15pm). Special Intention - An End to Violence and its Causes in Irish Society. All welcome.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life usually held after 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church on the first Friday of every month will in future be held at the same time on the last Friday of every month. This month’s adoration will take place on Friday, 30th May, the last Friday of the month. We hope you will be able to join us even for a short time during the hour.
Prayer for Exams
In Saint Luke’s Gospel we read: “Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.” Luke 2:46-48
Let us pray for all examination students:
Lord, pour out your Spirit of Wisdom on these students: help them to remain calm, to attend carefully to the questions asked, to think clearly, to remember accurately, and to express themselves well.
Grant that they may reflect on the best of the work they have done and the best of the teaching they have received.
Accept their best efforts in these examinations and in the great test of life on earth.
May your love be upon them, O Lord, as they place all their trust in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We will remember our students at all Masses during the examination period. We ask all in our parish to keep these young men and women in mind during your personal prayers.
Anointing of the Sick
In conjunction with the diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes and to associate ourselves with the prayers for the sick at the grotto we will offer the Sacrament of the Sick at 10.30am Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday morning. Those who would like to celebrate the Sacrament are invited to present themselves for anointing with the Oil of the Sick.
St. Patrick’s Boxing Club
Congratulations to parishioners Jennifer Blanchfield and Sharon McCorrigan who took home gold and silver medals from the All Ireland Girls’ Championships in the National Stadium in Dublin last weekend. Well done to all who represented our local club.
Gaelscoil Osrai Fun Run
Rith Beo Fun Run takes place on this Sunday 25th May. There will be 10k, 5k and 3k Family Fun Runs at 12noon from Gaelscoil Osraí. Prizes - 10k Top 3 men/women and 5k Top 3 male/female.
Register on the day from 9:30am. Refreshments will be served after the race and proceeds in aid of an astro turf pitch for the school.
Road Race and Family Fun Run
Sunday, 8th June, 10k Road Race (over 18s only) and 5k Family Fun Run in Johnswell Village at 1.00pm. Prizes - 10k Top 3 men/women and 5k Top man/woman/girl/boy. Entry fee €15 for 10k chipped runner. 5k Adult €10, child €5 and family of 4 €25. Register on the day from 11.00am. Reduced fee for online entry. Details at facebook.com/pages/Johnswell-Fun-run. Refreshments after the race and proceeds in aid of Johnswell Community.
Hospice Sunflower Days
Takes place on June 6th and 7th. Please support your local hospice service by buying a sunflower. All funds raised locally, stay locally. For more information and to volunteer with your local hospice service for Sunflower Days visit www.sunflowerdays.ie
