Truly This Man Was The Son Of God
Today, we enter the holiest week of our liturgical year, celebrating in a very solemn manner the passion, death, and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Today’s Mass offers, for our reflection, the passion according to Mark, in which the soldier at the foot of the Cross, watching Jesus die, proclaims “Truly this man was the Son of God.” And this is what we also proclaim at every Mass, when, after the consecration, we proclaim the mystery of faith.
In our newsletter today we offer several ways by which we can enter deeply into this reality during the coming Holy Week. In doing so we grow closer to Jesus, acknowledge him as Saviour, offer thanks for his sacrifice, and celebrate our new life in him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for all people.
The Holy Week timetable for our parish is printed on the front of this newsletter. Please make time for at least some of the ceremonies and stations which will be celebrated during the week.
A good start would be to come along and join the bishop, priests and religious of the diocese at the Mass of Chrism in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on this Wednesday, 1st April.
May this week be truly holy for you and may you experience that sense of wonder and gratitude that Christ made such a sacrifice, his very self, to Our Father, that we might, free from sin, serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our lives.
“Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.”
Mass of Chrism
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday, 1st April at 7.30pm. Sacred Oils, for use in the diocese during the coming year, will be consecrated by Bishop Séamus during this liturgy. All are welcome.
Please note there will be no evening Mass in our parish on Wednesday.
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. We welcome you.
Good Friday Walk
The Annual Good Friday Walk led by Bishop Séamus will take place from St. John's Church, Kilkenny at 7.00pm to St. Mary's Cathedral for a service led by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir. 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.
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.
Extra Mass During Lent
Thanks to all who attended the extra 6.15pm 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.
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre will close on next Wednesday evening and reopen at 8.00am on Tuesday, 7th April. The centre will not be available to groups during this period.
St. Patrick’s Parish Office
The Parish Office will close to the public on Holy Thursday at 5.00pm and reopen on Monday, 13th April at 9.00am. In the meantime priests will be available on 056 776 4400. Please follow the teleprompts and dial the extension of the priest required or press ’2’ for the priest on duty.
Contribution Envelopes
Most of the coming year’s parish contribution envelopes have now been distributed. These envelopes are an excellent way of allowing us to keep transparent accounts of parishioners’ contributions, prepare budgets and reclaim tax on charitable donations. We appeal to all parishioners to use envelopes in this way. 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.
Thanks to those who distributed the envelope packs .
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Kitty Brett, Sion Road. Reposing at Hehir’s Funeral Home from 4.30pm on Sunday with funeral prayers at 5.30pm followed by removal to St. John’s Church. Requiem Mass at 10.30am on Monday followed by interment in Clara Cemetery. Brigid Tallis, 45 Lacken Drive. Funeral arrangements later. Anthony Cantwell, Archersfield, Bennettsbridge Road. Sr. Brid Mahon, Sister of Charity, Kells Road. Monsignor Tommy Maher, retired parish priest of Mullinavat and former coach of Kilkenny Senior Hurling Team. Jack Parle, O’Loughlin Road. Tom McGrath, Anamult, Bennettsbridge.
Months Mind: Milo Dunne (Sun 10.30). Breda Walton (Sun 12.30)
Anniversaries: Paddy Tomney (Sat 6.15). Maureen & Jimmy Kelly (Sat 7.00). Michael Whelan (Sun 9.30). Oliver Kelly (Sun 10.00). Maudie Dunne (Sun 10.30). Michael McInerney (Sun 12.00). Mary Delaney & Sheila (Daisy) Ramsbottom. (Tues 9.30). John & Mary Conway (Tue 10.30). Michael Slattery (Tue 6.15). Shane O’Neill. Edward & Teresa McDonald. Billy Wallace. Brigid Della Maher. Kitty O’Neill. Rose & Ted Kenny. Martin Morrissey. Christy Grace. Annie & Dick Burke. Ann & Joe Walsh. Bill Drennan. Con O’Keeffe, Sr. Evangelista. Elizabeth Kavanagh.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Dan Bolger (Sun 10.00). Frank Cantwell (Sun 10.30). John Hennessy (Sun 11.00). Andrew & Susan Delaney (Sun 12.00). Mary Lawlor (Sun 12.30).
May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
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 before you return the box to the church. Thanks.
Parish Shop
A wide selection of items for Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Baptism are available for sale in the Parish Shop which is situated in the foyer of the Parish Centre. Why not call in and have a look? There is no obligation to buy.
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.
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross (sometimes also called the “Way of the Cross” or Via Crucis, in Latin) is 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
A Life to Live
A new book “A Life to Live” by Fr. Jim O’Connell of the Mill Hill Missionaries is now available at the Parish Centre Shop. The reflections in this book all explore, in one way or another, the core theme that the eternal God is ever present with us in the lives we live: ‘God is not far from us, since it is in him we live and move and exist’ (Acts 17:28). Fr. Jim lived in our parish for many years while working in Kilkenny and is well known locally. “A Life to Live” is published by The Columba Press and costs €14.99.
Easter Dues
Easter Dues, in support of the priests of the parish and the bishop will be taken up next weekend. Please use the special envelope in the contribution pack or any envelope with your name and contact details. Thank you for your generosity.
St. Kieran’s College Past Pupils
Many men from around the diocese attended St. Kieran’s College, our diocesan secondary school. The college has recently produced another printed edition of its newsletter and it is available free at all Masses this weekend. Please take a copy for yourself or maybe someone you know who attended St. Kieran’s College in the past.
Latin Mass with Gregorian Chant
A High Mass with Gregorian Chant will be celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church on Easter Sunday at 5.00pm. All are welcome.
Mass in Latin is celebrated at St. Patrick’s Church each Sunday evening at 5.00pm.
Cosmology/ Spirituality Workshop
Explore how faith and science need not be in opposition to each other.
Join Colette Cullinan RSM on Saturday, 18th April from 10.00am – 4.00pm to consider: Who is God? Who are we? How shall we live?
Venue: St. Patrick’s Parish Centre, Loughboy. Cost €10 – Please bring packed lunch
Book at 056 772 2870 before 14th April 2015.
Safeguarding Policy
St. Patrick’s Parish values and encourages the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children and young people and are committed to their protection and support in a way that promotes their human dignity and integrity as children of God. Further details and information on posters in our churches and on www.patricksparish.com
Fun Run
Many thanks to all who supported the St. Patrick’s De La Salle School Fun Run last weekend. At great day was enjoyed by all and necessary funds were raised.
Support Group
Kilkenny Carers Support Group will meet on Wednesday, 1st April 2015 from 4.00 - 5.30pm at The Village Day Centre (behind the Village Inn Pub). Information and support for past/present carers of people with Alzheimer's/Dementia. All new members welcome.
Fundraising Clothing Appeal
A clothing appeal will be held at the Parish Centre Car Park on Friday, 10th April from 9.30am to 11.30am. Funds raised will assist a young student parishioner who is travelling to Delphi as a Suas volunteer this summer.
This is an ideal opportunity to spring clean your wardrobe while helping young people to realise their full potential in life, and to create positive change in their society. www.suas.ie for more information.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
Thanks to almost 100 people from our parish who purchased tickets for the first monthly draw for our diocesan cathedral’s refurbishment. Unfortunately nobody from our parish won a prize this month but there is still time. The next draw will take place on Wednesday, 29th April and tickets are available from the priests and from the Parish Office. The major prizes went to: €2,000 - Mary Dunphy, The Rower/Inistioge. €1,000 - John & Joan Connolly, Tullaroan. €500 - Phil Phelan, Clara. €300 - Kitty Moore, Borris in Ossory, Miriam Whelan, St. Mary’s Parish. Further prize-winners are listed on the church notice boards.
Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes
This year’s diocesan pilgrimage - under the Patronage of Bishop Séamus Freeman - will take place from 22nd to 27th May. All bookings for both Regular and Assisted Pilgrims please contact: Glenmore Parish Office on 051 880 414 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 10.00am to 2.30pm and on Fridays from 9.15am to 12.15pm
or email glenmore@ossory.ie.
Fare is €755 pps. The pilgrimage specialises in bringing the sick, aged infirm or those with special needs to Lourdes and has a team of experienced doctors and nurses in place who are assisted by other caring staff. We cater for the able bodied also and each year over 300 people travel with The Ossory Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. Fare is €755 pps
