Never Just Scrape By: Really Live
Today’s Gospel reminds us that we are not a church of voiceless, powerless people as often portrayed in the media, but a people called to be the ‘leaven’ with power to transform our world. This is especially true of our young people, the future of our church. In a recent message to young people our Holy Father said: “As you know, every year I write a Message to the young people of the whole world for the World Youth Day. Starting from this year until WYD 2016, I have proposed an itinerary of spiritual preparation based on the Beatitudes. In this wonderful text from Matthew’s Gospel (Mt 5:3-12), you can find a concrete program of life that can serve as a guide for us on the path to true happiness. The three beatitudes that I propose for your reflection are:
2014: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3);
2015: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Mt 5:8);
2016: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Mt 5:7).
As you can see, the Beatitudes of Jesus are new and revolutionary. They present a model of happiness contrary to the logic of this world. Those whom Jesus proclaimed blessed are regarded as useless, or “losers”. What the world glorifies is success at any cost, affluence, the arrogance of power and self-affirmation at the expense of others. Jesus offers a different definition of what it means to be “blessed”; he shows us the way to life and happiness, the way that he himself has taken. In fact, Jesus himself is the way! Jesus loves each one of you, each one of us, with an infinite love! By his death on the cross and his resurrection, he proved his boundless mercy, gave us salvation and opened the way for us to a new life. If we accept his love, if we contemplate Jesus in his own poverty, his purity of heart, and his mercy, we will realize how beautiful our Christian vocation is, and we will not hesitate to ask the Lord for the grace to imitate him. I invite you to do just that.”
“Do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away, and he gives you everything” (Benedict XVI).
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
Our annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 31st July at 7.30pm. Please remind your relatives and friends, especially those who are living away from home.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Michelle Heffernan, Willow Close. Sr. Brid Griffin, St. John of God Convent. Mary Mulloney, The Sycamores.
Months Mind: Sr. Baptiste Casey (Sat 7.00)
Anniversaries: Eileen O’Brien (Sat 6.15). Elizabeth, Hugh & Martin McCorry (Sun 9.30). Mary Norris (Sun 10.30). Eileen Glennon (Sun 11.00). Joe Cody (Sun 12.30). John Delaney Snr. John (Gonnie) Delaney. Jimmy Carroll. Danny Galvin. John Feehan.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Chris Murphy (Sat 6.15).Vera Brannigan (Sat 7.00). Denis Treacy (Sun 10.00). Lilly Purcell (Sun 11.00). Tom Rothwell (Months Mind Sun 12.00). James & Mary Brennan (Sun 12.30). May they rest in peace.
Our Lady’s Island Pilgrimage
The St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society annual pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Island, Wexford takes place on next Sunday, 27th July. There will be Mass, rosary procession and benediction beginning at 3.00pm. All events will be held outdoors if weather is suitable. Coach leaving St. Fiacre’s Church at 11.00am. Fare is €15 return. Contact Phil on 086 833 3029.
St. Vincent De Paul Collection
The monthly collection for the local conference will be taken up during the second collection at all Masses this weekend. Please support this local charity. Conference may be contacted on: 087 681 0589.
Youth 2000 Summer Festival
This will be held at Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary from Thursday, 14th to Sunday, 17th August. For young people aged 16 – 35 years. Free buses will run from towns throughout Ireland. For information and booking on line: www.youth2000.ie or telephone 01 675 3690. All welcome.
Gospel Choir on Television
Fr. Roderick will be the principal celebrant of the broadcast Mass on RTE 1 at 11.00am on this Sunday, 20th July. The music will be provided by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir. We wish them all the best.
Relay for Life
Relay for Life Kilkenny will be continue at the Watershed Complex until 3.00pm on this Sunday 20th July. This relay has teams of volunteers who walk to celebrate cancer survivors and life. At dusk we light Luminaria around the track to remember those who we have lost because of cancer and we pledge to fight back against cancer by community education and raising funds for the Irish Cancer Society towards research and services.
We ask cancer survivors to come and be the beacons of hope and courage for those who may have a cancer diagnosis in the future. This event was wonderful last year, however this year we would love to see more people from the locality come join us. Why not drop down for a while after Mass or during early Sunday afternoon. All welcome.
Feast Day of St. Joachim and St. Anne
Saints Joachim and Anne are traditionally named ‘Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ and ‘Grandparents of our Lord’. The 10.00am Mass in St. Mary’s Cathedral on Saturday, 26th July will be offered for all parents and grandparents. All welcome to come along and join in the celebration.
Talk to Us
In celebration of World Mental Health Week Samaritans would like to highlight our new free telephone number 116 123. Samaritans provide a listening service in the community, we operate this service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
We would like to extend an invitation to all to visit the Samaritan Centre in Dean Street, Kilkenny on Sunday, 27th July between 18.30 and 20.00. Volunteers will be very happy to show you around the centre and answer any of your questions.
Carlow County Museum
Visit Carlow County Museum and get a snapshot of the county’s great history. View our special temporary exhibition: ‘Journeys in Time: The Archaeology of the Carlow By-pass’ which has objects on loan from the National Museum of Ireland. Exhibition ‘An Ghaeilge I gCeatharlach 1889-2014’: The story of Irish in Carlow for over 100 Years. Officially opened by Micheál Ó Muirchearthaigh. Why not pop in and explore the History of Irish in Carlow. June to August opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10.00am to 5.00pm; Sundays and Bank Holidays 2.00pm to 4.30 pm. Free admission. Carlow County Museum & Carlow Tourist Office, College Street, Carlow Town. Tel: 059 913 1554.
The Village Day Centre
The Village Day Centre, Kilkenny City for people with Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.00pm. There are lots of activities to suit all users. For information contact your local GP/PHN or phone Ruth on 056 777 1230.
SIMDRIVE - Learning to Drive
St Canice’s Credit Union has provided funding to the Foróige DRUM Youth Centre to organise One Hour Introductory Driving Courses using a simulator for thirty young people aged 15+. This funding has been made available as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebrations.
SIMDRIVE will come to Kilkenny on Wednesday, 13th August. The simulators will create a safe and fun environment for the students where they can feel comfortable and gain confidence and competence before they ever go on the road. Check out www.simdrive.ie for more information. St. Canice’s Credit Union will sponsor 75% of the cost so each young person will only have to pay €5. Contact Kate Carroll on 086 773 6975 for information!
Medjugorje Pilgrimage
Cost: €450. Dates: 11th to 18th October and 18th to 25th October. 7 nights B&B + Flight + Airport transport. Tel 01 443 4510 or noelle@med-irishcentre.com
Home Instead Senior Care
Caring people needed – All Kilkenny/Carlow Areas. We are seeking compassionate, dependable and experienced carers to assist our clients with day to day living activities including companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation, transport and assistance with personal care needs. Flexible Part Time hours and live-in (2/3 days) positions available. FETAC Care Qualifications and Patient Moving and Handling Experience desirable but not essential as full training provided. Fluent English required. Call 056 780 0508 or email marie.anderson@hisc.ie.
