Bank Holiday Weekend
As this is a bank holiday weekend the only public Mass in our parish on Monday will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am. There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday. We join in welcoming to our parish all who have returned home for the weekend and those who have come to Kilkenny for the festival.
New Deacon
We rejoice this weekend as Brian Griffin is ordained to the diaconate for the Diocese of Ossory. Brian is a native of Slieverue Parish and worked for many years as a production engineer before entering the seminary in 2009. Following his ordination to the diaconate he will return to St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth to study for a further year. It is expected he will be ordained to the priesthood during 2015.
We wish him well and pray for him as he begins this new stage in his life.
The occasion also prompts us to pray for and actively promote vocations to the priesthood and religious life in our diocese. Brian is the only person to be ordained to the diaconate in our diocese during the past fifteen years. We urgently need many more vocations: is God calling you?
Holy Hour for Vocations
There will be a holy hour for vocations to the priesthood and religious life at The Blessed Sacrament Chapel, St. Mary’s Cathedral between 7.00pm and 8.00pm on next Friday, 4th June. Please join with us in prayer.
Novena in Honour of St. Anthony
Beginning on Thursday, 5th June and continuing until the Feast of St. Anthony on Friday, 13th June the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny will host a novena in honour of St. Anthony. Mass each morning at 10.30am. Preachers include: Fr Frank Purcell; Fr Jim Murphy; Fr Dan Carroll; Fr Willie Purcell and a Dominican Priest. Fr. Dermot Lynch OFM Cap will preach at the final four days of the Novena. All are welcome.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Tom Holden, Kellsgrange. Tony Class (Sun 12.00). Mary O’Dwyer, Leggetsrath. Kitty Blanchfield, Graiguenamanagh. Deva Duffy, Deloughry Place. William Keating, Thomastown.
Anniversaries: Jimmy McGuire (Sat 6.15). Sr Albert Kenny (Months Mind) & Sr. Mary Buckley (Sat 7.00). Blánaid Cleere Manning (Sun 10.00). Richard Ruth (Mon 11.00). Jerry Gray (Tues 9.30). Patrick Lanigan (Tue 10.30). Edwin Stallard (Wed 10.30). Ann O’Sullivan (Fri 10.30). Gerald Keys. Joseph ‘Joe’ Curry. John Scott. Catherine Brennan. Catherine Murray. Mary Drennan. Eamon, Frances, Padraig & Seamus Costello. Eileen O’Keeffe. Julie Ann & Patrick O’Mahony. James & Mary O’Brien. Ellen Mooney. Michael O’Carroll. Mick O’Donnell. Mary Lanigan.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Ellen Ryan (Sat 6.15). Josie Kenny (Sat 7.00). Paddy Ryan (Months Mind Sun 10.00). Mary Maher (Sun 10.30). Margaret McGrath (Sun 11.00). Jim O’Brien (Sun 12.00). Denis Garrehy, Ann Conway, Mary O’Meara (Sun 12.30).
May they rest in peace. Amen.
Exam Students
At all Masses during the coming weeks we will include special prayers for those who are sitting their Leaving and Junior Certificate examinations. All join in wishing you peace of mind, calmness of heart, focused study and anticipated questions.
Prayer for Exam Students
Lord, I come before you in need. Exams are approaching and I am worried.
Give me courage to face the coming weeks. Concentrate my mind on my studies. Help me to use my time well. May I work hard, but also rest and relax a little. During each exam, may what I have studied appear on the paper. May I read each question carefully, identify what is asked, and answer well.
When the results come, may I be satisfied that I did my best. May whatever path I choose in life bring me happiness and give me opportunities to better the world. Amen.
First Friday of June
The first Friday of the June occurs this week. Fr. Dan and Fr. Liam intend visiting those on their First Friday lists as usual. Fr. Roderick has made alternative arrangements. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like to have a name added to the lists.
Life in the Spirit Seminar
These seminars continue in the Black Abbey on Tuesday evenings until 17th June. Topics include: Tuesday, 3rd June - Receiving God’s Gift. Pentecost Sunday, 8th June - Baptised in the Spirit.
Public Rosary
The monthly rosary on the First Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues on this Sunday, 7th June at 3.00pm.
Safeguarding Children
If you or anyone you know has a child protection concern or wishes to report an allegation of child abuse in relation to any member of Church personnel directly to Church authorities, please contact a member of the Diocesan Designated Team: Fr. Daniel Bollard on 087 6644 858; Fr. Daniel Cavanagh on 087 2335 432; Ms. Mary Brennan on 085 7701 716 or Mr. Tom Hunt on 085 7701 718.
Alternatively you can report to the statutory authorities: Kilkenny Gardaí on 056 777 5042 or HSE Social Work Department on 056 778 4532/778 4600.
The Ossory Diocesan Policy on Safeguarding Children is available on www.ossory.ie
After-Hours Priest On Duty
Those who need to contact a priest urgently may do so by calling 056 776 4400 and pressing 2 at the prompt. This will put you through to the priest on duty. Please note this number is intended for emergencies only and not for general business.
Summer Bridge
Venue: Dunmore Hall. Time 10.00am - 12.30pm. Date: Starting on Monday, 9th June. For information call 056 776 7869 between 6.00pm and 8.00pm).
Masters in Theology
Applications are being accepted for a new Masters in Theology (History of Christianity) programme at St Patrick’s College, Maynooth commencing September 2014. 1 year (full-time) and 2 years (part-time) options available. Monday and Wednesday evenings. More information: www.maynoothcollege.ie or by telephoning Admissions Office at 01 708 4772. Course Director: Prof. Salvador Ryan. Email: Salvador.ryan@spcm.ie
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.
Hospice Sunflower Days
Take place on 6th and 7th June. All funds raised locally, stay locally. For more information and to volunteer with your local hospice service for Sunflower Days visit www.sunflowerdays.ie
Kilkenny Bridge Club & Samaritans
The Samaritans Kilkenny Branch will benefit from a Fund Raising event on Saturday 7th June 2014 at the Kilkenny Bridge Centre (Directly across from the Watershed Complex off the Ring Road).
A Bring & Buy/Cake Sale & Coffee Morning has been arranged by all the Bridge Clubs affiliated to the Bridge Centre. The event will run from 10.00a.m to 1.00p.m. There will also be a Flower Arranging Demonstration by “Flowers by Lucy” @ 11.30am. Your support would be appreciated – all funds raised will be donated to the local branch. The Samaritans provide a 24 hour service on 1850 60 90 90.
Coffee Morning
On next Thursday, 5th June in the Community Centre beside St. Vincent De Paul Shop, Butts Green. In aid of Ceart Rehabilitation Centre, Callan. All home bakes and coffee.
Grow Mental Health
Table Quiz in Sean Byrnes, Parliament Street at 8.30pm. €5 admission in aid of GROW Mental Health Movement. Plenty of food and prizes to be won. All welcome.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Anyone interested in making a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in September 2015 please contact either Conor on 086 373 8460 or Mollie on 089 206 9317 to register your interest. The proposed Pilgrimage with JWT is subject to enough people being interested in going, and will leave from Carlow in September 2015. We look forward to hearing from you.
Church Gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of the Irish Red Cross will take place on Sat 31st May and Sun 1st June.
