St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
This year’s annual novena to St. Fiacre begins with rosary and prayers at the well in Kilfera at 8.00pm on Saturday, 22nd August. This will continue at 8.00pm each evening of the coming week with concluding prayers and Mass on next Sunday, 30th August at 3.00pm. Devotion to St. Fiacre in our parish has a time-honoured history with annual novena prayers and patterns at the well for many centuries. We invite all to continue the tradition by joining with us in prayer during the coming week and for the novena prayers and Mass on next Sunday afternoon. By kind permission, St. Fiacre’s Well is approached through the avenue of Sheastown House which is a couple of miles out the Bennettsbridge Road.
In Ireland Fiacre began his life as a seventh century hermit and is also said to have served as a priest for some time. His Irish lineage was impressive, stemming as it did from Conn, King of Ireland from 523-577. Fiacre is believed to have been born around 590. Even in early youth he was noted for his generosity towards the poor and less fortunate and later he was to become famous for his wisdom and judgement in all matters and for his skill in working with the land - hence his association as the patron saint of gardeners. Although he served the people dutifully, his true desire was for solitude and prayer and he retired to a small patch of sheltered woodland on the banks of the river Nore where there was a fertile plain and a deep well with fresh, safe water known today as Kilfera. Here he could live out his days in peace…or so he thought. Find out more information on
www.irelandsholywells.blogspot.ie/2012/07/saint-fiacres-well-kilkenny.html
Traditional Prayer to St. Fiacre
Give ear, O Lord,
to the supplications we offer Thee
on this, the Festival of St. Fiacre, thy confessor,
so that we trust not in our own merits,
but may be aided by him,
who was so pleasing to Thee,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Peace in Christ Retreat House
Recognising and honouring almost half a century of service given by the Sisters at Peace in Christ, a Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated in St. John’s Church on Wednesday, 2nd September at 7.30pm followed by refreshments in Langton House Hotel. All are welcome.
Since its foundation by Bishop Peter Birch in 1967 the people of St. Patrick’s Parish have had a long and fruitful relationship with the sisters and staff at Peace in Christ Retreat House. Many members of our parish have greatly benefited from retreats, parish evenings, days of prayer and reflection and other initiatives taken by the sisters down through the years. Let us show our appreciation of the sisters and staff by joining in this concelebrated Mass to mark the closure of the retreat house. All are welcome: please keep the evening free.
Our Lady’s Island Pilgrimage 2015
The annual pilgrimage runs from 15th August to the 8th September. Closing Ceremony followed by Torchlight Procession at 7.00pm on Tuesday, 8th September. Full programme is available on www.ourladysisland.ie
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
The sixth monthly draw will take place in the Cathedral Chapter Room at 8.00pm on this Wednesday, 26th August. New subscribers are always welcome. We would respectfully remind those who subscribe monthly to submit their money by Tuesday. There are still seven draws to go: €70 in all or €10 per month. Tickets are available at the Parish Office.
Volunteers Needed
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Kilkenny is seeking suitable volunteers for their charity shops Vincent's in the Kilkenny area. A commitment of at least 3 hours a week would be required and all training and support will be provided. Please contact Liam on 087 212 0201.
South Kilkenny Historical Society
Heritage Week Event, Sunday, 30th August. Local History Mystery Tour of South Kilkenny. Meeting time and place: 3.00pm, John O Donovan Centre, Slieverue (formerly Slieverue Vocational School) This event is free.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Kay Creedon, The Sycamores, Freshford Road. Funeral prayers at Hehir’s Funeral Home at 6.30pm on Sunday followed by removal to St. Canice’s Church. Requiem Mass, Monday at 11.00am. Interment in Foulkstown. Leo Ryan, Bedford and formerly Assumption Place. Patrick Sheehan, Meadow Hill, Kilkenny. Anne Doogue, Castlecomer. Michael Rice, Burnchurch.
Anniversaries: Tom & Mary Byrne (Sat 6.15). Paddy McDonald (Sat 7.00). Annie McKenna (Sun 9.30). Mary & John Heslin (Sun 10.00). Paddy Heffernan (Sun 10.30). Tom & Michael Casserly (Sun 11.00). Patsy Ryan (Sun 12.00). Joe McHugh (Sun 12.30). Michael White. Paddy Cooke. Tommy Morris. James Browne. Nance O’Neill. Joe Maher. James Rhatigan. Pierce & Catherine Marnell. Maria Murray. Thomas O’Keeffe. Laurence Brett. Br. Martin Cassidy. Mary & William Kingston. Joseph O’Shea. Patrick Culleton. Martin Ward. Ben Delahunty. Maurice Maher. Annette Kavanagh.
Intentions for next weekend: Brigid Kenny (Sat 6.15). Jim Ryan (Sat 7.00). Michael White (Sun 9.30). Paddy Mullen (Sun 10.00). May Spain (Months Mind Sun 10.30). Tony Madden (Sun 11.00). Michael Phelan (Birthday Remembrance Sun 12.00). Muggers Larkin (Sun 12.30).
Ladies Friendship Club
Ladies Friendship Club resumes on Wednesday 2nd September at 8.30pm in the Social Services Centre , Waterford Road. New members very welcome.
Typing and Computers
Courses beginning in September. One-to-one or group sessions, beginner and improver levels. Suitable for secondary school and college students, professionals and older people. Call Majella on 086 371 3573 for further information.
Notices for the Newsletter
Please ensure that all notices for inclusion in the parish newsletter are in by Thursday. Parish and diocesan notices take priority.
Irish National Eucharistic Congress
The Irish Catholic Bishops Conference will celebrate a National Eucharistic Congress on the weekend of 26th -27th September 2015 at Knock Shrine. The Congress will serve both as a spiritual preparation for the 51st International Eucharistic Congress 2016 in Cebu next January and as an opportunity to focus in the light of our Eucharistic communion on some of the important pastoral questions in the life of the Church at this time.
The theme for the National Congress, echoing the theme of IEC2016, is “Christ, our Hope” (Col 1:27). This theme will be reflected in all homilies and presentations given at the Congress. The Congress, which is free of charge, will have a particular focus on Marriage and the Family as well as the Year of Consecrated Life and the upcoming Jubilee of Mercy.
Theology Matters!
The Priory Institute invites you to join their enthusiastic student community and study theology from home or in class. Application deadline is 21st September. Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com or phone 01 404 8124.
Certificate in Theology
Do you want to know more about your faith? Your Church? Its history? Our Bible (Old and New Testaments) Our moral theology? Our liturgy and the sacraments? Or just to know more about the God we pray to. If so why not consider taking part in the Certificate in Theology at St Kieran’s College. A new course starts October 2015 - find out more at www.ossory.ie
Concert in Aid of Crumlin Hospital
A free concert in Aid of Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin will take place in the Black Abbey, Kilkenny on Friday next the 28th of August at 7.30pm Performing will be Berbau und Hutten Traditionsmusik, Arnoldstein, Austria, James McDonald Classical Guitar and St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band. A wonderful evenings entertainment is assured. A retiring collection will be taken up on departure and all are welcome to come along. Further information from Liam 087 212 0201
Thinking of Getting Married Soon?
Couples wishing to be married in our parish are asked to note the following: Contact the Parish Office (776 4400) as early as possible to book your preferred date. Bookings are on a first-come-first-served basis. Please note that it is a civil requirement to inform the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths of your intention to marry at least three months before the date.
Contact the parish where you now reside where pre-marriage papers will be prepared for forwarding to the place of marriage. www.gettingmarried.ie
Papal Blessings
Papal blessing parchments to mark weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, jubilees and some other occasions are available through the Parish Shop. Please enquire at the reception desk in the Parish Centre.
There are lots of other items of a religious nature available at reasonable prices in our parish shop which is located in the Parish Center.
Tommy Fleming In Concert
Early notice of a concert on Thursday 1st October 2015 at 8.00pm at St. Colman’s Church, Conahy Jenkinstown. Tickets available from Post Office, Castlecomer and Ballyragget, and Rollercoaster Records Kilkenny.
