The Feast of the Ascension
This Sunday in many parts of the world, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. This is one of the great solemnities of the Church because it is one of the great events in the resurrected life of our Lord Jesus.
The first reading is very clear about what happened! Jesus appeared alive to His disciples after He had died on the cross and had been buried. In these appearances, He spoke intimately with His followers about the kingdom of God and its demands on them. And Jesus tells His followers finally to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit that would be sent to them.
The Gospel is even clearer about the demands on the followers of Jesus: they must preach the Gospel to others and certain signs will accompany those who believe: in the name of Jesus they will drive out demons; they will speak new languages; they will pick up serpents with their hands; if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
The Ascension changes the focus of the faith of the early Church away from the presence of Christ in His own body or in His resurrected body. The focus of the Church after the Ascension is on the presence of Christ in those who believe. Yes, of course, we still have the stunning presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist! However, we who believe now become His mouth for preaching, His hands for healing, His eyes for seeing and His feet for walking.
The Ascension is about the building up of the body of Christ, about attaining the unity of faith and knowledge in Jesus. It’s about maturing in Christ and about becoming completely alive in Jesus Christ. It is not simply a story of the past and yet it points us clearly to the coming of the Spirit so that we, the Church, can become what we are meant to be: His divine presence for all those who do not yet believe and His pardoning presence for those of us who do believe and yet fail.
Dates For Your Diary
Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown: Thursday, 30th July, 7.30pm. Please inform family members who are away from home.
Pastoral Letter on Marriage
As the referendum on marriage approaches Bishop Seamus Freeman has published a Pastoral Letter to the People of the Diocese of Ossory. Copies are available at the back of the churches in our parish. The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has also published a reflection on the subject and copies are also available this weekend. Please take copies as you leave the church. The bishops have also launched a web page, www.meaningofmarriage.ie, which has a lot of information on the topic.
First Eucharist Congratulations
We congratulate the students from St. Patrick’s De La Salle School and St. Patrick’s School, Kells Road who, on Saturday, received the Eucharist for the first time during celebrations at St. Patrick’s Church and St. Fiacre’s Church respectively. All enjoyed wonderful celebrations and we thank the parents and teachers for their marvellous work in preparing the young people for this special event in their lives.
We pray God’s blessing on all who receive the Eucharist for the first time about now.
Queen of the May Devotions
May devotions to Our Lady will be held at St. Canice’s Parish at 7.30pm on every Friday during the month of May.
Public Recitation of May Rosary
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto on the Callan Road every Sunday at 3.00pm during May in honour of Our Lady. Please join us.
Mass Attendance Census
To facilitate good pastoral planning the Parish Pastoral Council is anxious to calculate accurate figures for Mass attendance in our parish.
We need volunteers to stand at the doors as Mass comes to an end to count the numbers in attendance. Best practice would suggest we do this on three consecutive weekends so as to calculate an average attendance. Please call to the sacristy or Parish Office (056 776 4400) and offer your help.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Gabriel Doran, Evans Lane and formerly of Larchfield. Joe Coyne, Assumption Place. Tommy Murphy, Kells. Mary Denieffe, De La Salle Place.
Anniversaries: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15). John Coppinger (Sat 7.00). Dr. Richard & Lily Purcell (Sun 9.30). Norma Bolster (Sun 10.00). Kathleen Tobin (Sun 10.30). Dave McGrath (Sun 11.00). Patrick O’Connell (Sun 12.00). Andy Lawlor (Sun 12.30). Seamus Kelly (Mon 9.30). Jim Lanigan (Tues 10.30). Patrick Lennon (Wed 10.30). Richard Conway (Fri 10.30). Michael (Mick) Smyth. Sean Monahan. Martin Leahy. Annie Bourke. Molly Owens. Elizabeth Somers. Tom & Oliver Kennedy. Margaret Maher. Helen Maher. Nora Bambrick. Martin Straph.
Intentions for next weekend: Ellen & Denis Garrehy, Ann Conway & Mary O’Meara. (Sat 6.15). William Doheny (Sat 7.00). Joe Davy (Sun 9.30). Una McLoughlin (Sun 10.00). Brigit Barry (Sun 10.30). Bridget Lambert (Sun 11.00). Tommy, Kitty & Martin Phelan (Sun 12.00). Francis McNulty (Sun 12.30).
Monastic Experience Days
The Poor Clares in Galway are hosting Monastic Experience Days on Saturday, 23rd May and Saturday, 20th June from 10.00am to 5.00pm. The days are designed to help young women between the ages of 21 and 40 to find out about the Poor Clare way of life. poorclaresgalwayvocations@gmail.com.
The Carers’ Association Training
Training QQ1 Fetac Level 5 - “Care of the Older Person”. Commencing Friday, 5th June and each Friday until 10th July from 9.30am - 4.00pm. If interested please contact us at The Carers’ Association at 056 772 1424 or at kilkenny2@carersirland.com
John Paul II Awards
On Saturday evening next Patrick Kennedy and Alan Mooney will receive the Papal Cross Award at a Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel in the Cathedral. This is the highest award in the John Paul II awards and we congratulate the recipients.
CHY3 Certificates
The Parish Finance Committee is sending out CHY3 Certs for parishioners’ signatures at the moment. These enable the parish - at no extra cost to parishioners - to benefit from money already paid to the Revenue Commissioners. We ask that you sign the forms and return to the Office as soon as possible.
Refurbishment Work at St. Patrick’s
Work continues on St. Patrick’s Church at a slightly slower pace than we expected. Work is focused on the chimney at the moment and this should be completed soon. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.
Summer Camp
Starburst Summer Camp is back. 6th,7th and 8th of July. 10.00am - 1.00pm daily in St Patrick’s Parish Centre. The camp is suitable for children aged 4 - 10 years. Art, Music, Drama and Games. Please contact Kate on 085 114 2686 .
Loughboy Library
Bealtaine Festival continues on Fridays at 11.00am. May 22nd: Healthy Living and Exercise with Kilkenny Recreation & Sports Partnership.
May 29th: Traditional Irish Music Session & Sing-along. All welcome.
Exhibition: “Flowers for the Honey Bee” by Monica Dunne. Free space available.
Join the Writers’ Group any Thursday at 2.00pm.
Computers Made Easy
One to one tuition or group sessions. Learn the basics about computers and apply it to your everyday life. Contact Majella - 086 371 3573.
Speech and Drama
Classes for boys and girls from 1st to 6th Class. Developing confidence and communication skills through drama, puppet theatre, mime and public speaking with emphasis on correct speech. Contact Ann O’Grady 056 776 5282 for more information.
St. Patrick’s Parish on the Internet
www.patricksparish.com
facebook.com/StPatricksKK
First Holy Communion Gifts
Looking for First Holy Communion gifts? The Parish Shop has been stocked with many items for First Holy Communion.
