Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent; Christmas Day will be celebrated the world over on next Thursday. The Christmas cards have been sent, gifts purchased and the houses decorated. Let us now prepare spiritually. We can reflect on the first Christmas and its true meaning. The Saviour was promised and was born in a stable in Bethlehem more than two thousand years ago. A light shone in the darkness. The Angels sang to the shepherds on the first Christmas night. “Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto us this day is born a Saviour.” (Luke 2:10) A lighted candle is placed in the window to welcome Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus not only in our homes but also in our hearts. Guímid beannachtaí na Nollag ar chách.
Christmas Eve:
St. Fiacre’s Church: 9.00pm.
St. Patrick’s Church: 9.30pm (in Latin).
St. Patrick’s Church: Midnight (the only midnight Mass in Kilkenny City).
Christmas Day:
St. Patrick’s Church: 8.00am (Latin).
St. Patrick’s Church: 9.30am, 11.00am and 12.30pm.
St. Fiacre’s Church at 10.30am and 12.00noon.
St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown: 10.00am.
St. Stephen’s Day and Following:
St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day.
Parish Centre Christmas Times
The Parish Centre and Shop will close for the holidays on Tuesday, 23rd December and will reopen on Monday, 5th January 2015. The Parish Office closed to the public on Friday and will reopen on Monday, 5th January.
While the Parish Centre and Office may be closed to the public the priests will be available during the Christmas Season. Our automated telephone system will enable you to reach the priest on duty, discover Mass times or leave messages. Call 056 776 4400.
Masses for your Intentions
In the lead up to Christmas many people purchased Christmas Mass cards at the Parish Centre. All weekday Masses in our parish (with the exception of wedding and funeral Masses) between 26th December and 4th January inclusive will be offered for these specific intentions. Those who purchased these cards are invited to make a special effort to join in at least some of these Masses.
Visitation of the City Cribs
The annual visitation of the Kilkenny City cribs will take place on Saturday, 27th December at 11.00am beginning at the Parade. The idea is to gather on the Parade and walk to a number of the City churches to view and pray at the cribs. Fr. Willie Purcell will lead a short reflection at each crib. All welcome.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Maude Dwyer, Fr. Albert Place. Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Cathedral at 11.00am on Sunday followed by burial in Foulkstown Cemetery. Sarah Russell, Naas and late of Parkview Drive. Joe Farrell, Castlecomer. Dick Holohan, Castlecomer.
Anniversaries: Elizabeth Comerford (Sat 6.15). Molsie & Michael Drennan (Sat 7.00). Rena Brett (Sun 9.30). Jane & Jeff Power (Sun 10.00). Rose Harris (Sun 10.30). George Byrne (Sun 11.00). Colm McCarthy (Sun 12.00). Mary Blanchfield (12.30). Mary & Christopher Coogan (Thurs 10.30). Michael Walsh (Sun 12.00). Deceased members of the Powell Family. Margaret & Paddy Cantwell. Jim Dollard. Milo & Ann Fry. Seamus Fry. Richard Gaule. Mick Kenny. James & Margaret Dunlop. Ann Holohan. Christy Bateman. John & Mary Rhatigan. John & Mamie Brett. Terry Brett. Hughie Shiels. Mary & Ramie Hughes. Peter, Julie & William Carroll. Matt, Josie & Noel Wallace. Jim & Rose McGuire. Tommy & Kitty Clooney & Margaret Fox. Roseanna Smyth.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Michael Kenny & John Condon (Sat 6.15). Jimmy King (Sat 7.00). Martin McCorry (Sun 9.30). Vera Phelan (Sun 10.00). Ed Crowley (Sun 10.30). Roseanna Smyth (Sun 12.00). Eddie Taylor (Sun 12.30).
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
There will be no adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday, 22nd December in order to enable the sacristans get the church ready for Christmas.
There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Patrick’s Church on Friday, 26th December.
The Village Festive Fun Run
5k and 10k Walk or Run in aid of St. Patrick’s De La Salle ASD unit on 26th December at 11.30am beginning at The Village Club. Child €5. Adult €10 and family €25. Contact the Village Club for further details.
Kilkenny Suicide Awareness
Former Armagh footballer Oisin McConville will be the guest speaker at a Kilkenny Suicide Awareness Gathering at St. John’s Church at 7.30pm on Friday, 2nd January. All welcome.
Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The 2015 Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place between 22nd and 27th May. Cost is €755 pps. It is possible to purchase vouchers for whole or part fares. Please contact 051 880 414.
Celtic Tenors
A concert by the Celtic Tenors will take place in St. Canice’s Cathedral on Monday, 22nd December at 8.00pm. Tickets available at the Cathedral.
Cake Sale
A Cake Sale fundraiser will take place in the Rugby Club on Sunday, 21st December from 10.30am - 12.00 noon. All proceeds to the U12 Junior team.
Do This In Memory
We welcome to our Masses this weekend those preparing for First Eucharist and their families. These young people continue the important preparation steps at home, in church and at school. Please pray for and with them as they prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time next spring.
Diocese of Ossory Quarterly Magazine
Ossory Times is published by our diocese every quarter and the Christmas edition, which costs €2, is available now in all our churches. The magazine shares information and stories from around the diocese. The current edition has, among others, articles on the papacy of Pope Francis, the recent restoration of Muckalee Parish Church, the proposed work on St. Mary’s Cathedral and Fr. Ollie Maher tells of a pilgrimage on the Camino.
Copies available at our parish churches today.
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
We invite those families who had a child baptised in our parish churches during 2014 to bring their child to 10.30am Mass on Sunday, 11th January 2015. As a community we will praise God for the gift of our children and give him thanks for the gift of faith which we hand on at baptism.
Society of St. Vincent De Paul
Members of the St. Patrick’s Parish Conference wish to thank all who contributed to the society in the lead up to Christmas. Your contributions is prudently distributed among those in most need in our community. Thanks.
In an emergency the society can be contacted on their dedicated number: 087 681 0589.
Tax Rebate Scheme
As we come to the end of the year we are looking again at the tax rebate scheme from which St. Patrick’s Parish has benefited enormously, thanks to the co-operation and generosity of so many of our parishioners and families.
Throughout the scheme, our parish has benefited greatly, at no extra cost to you, from the tax you have already paid. Tax paid by you can remain with the Revenue Commissioners or it can be reclaimed by way of refund to any eligible charity including St. Patrick’s Parish. This scheme has made a huge difference to our parish finances and repayments.
If you are not part of it you might contact the Parish Office in the days ahead: 056 776 4400. Thank you.
Mindfulness
A 9 week course will commence in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday 8th January from 6.45 - 9pm. Contact Dympna on 086 894 6633.
