Cherishing Life, Accepting Death
The ‘Day for Life’ is celebrated each year. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage, and in every condition. The theme for this year is ‘Cherishing Life, Accepting Death’, and it will be celebrated in Ireland on this Sunday. Printed copies of the bishops’ Day for Life Pastoral Message ‘Cherishing Life, Accepting Death’ is available this weekend.
In their message the bishops share a reflection on end of life matters: “At the end of life there are two thoughts that can help guide us all. The first is that we love life. Every person is loved by God and every life is a precious gift never to be destroyed or neglected. It is wrong to hasten or bring about death… The second is that we accept death. This means that there is no obligation to pursue medical treatment when it no longer serves its purpose – that is when treatment is having no effect or indeed is harming the patient.” See www.catholicbishops.ie
Harvest Thanksgiving Mass
St. Patrick’s Parish will host a Harvest Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph’s Church, Foulkstown at 10.00am on Sunday, 18th October. The Mass will give thanks to God for his goodness to us and especially for the produce of the harvest. Parishioners are invited to bring produce - the fruits of the earth.
Future of Our Church
A series of important public talks will continue at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on Monday, 5th October: “The Church of Pope Francis.” Speaker: Fr. Eamonn Conway. 12th October: “Woman, the Elephant in the Church.” Speaker: Dr. Mary T Malone. Adm: €10.
Suicide Grief Awareness Programme
Kilkenny Bereavement Support is running a six week programme (one and a half hours per week) that could support you and your family and friends. Venue: Villa Maria, Talbot’s Inch, Freshford Road, Kilkenny. Time and Dates: 8.00pm on Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th October and 3rd November. Enquiries to Kilkenny Bereavement Support on 056 775 6538.
Altar Servers
Applications forms for new altar servers are now available from the Parish Office. They can also be downloaded from http://www.ossory.ie/safeguarding/safeguarding-resources/. Boys and girls from 4th Class and upwards who have received their First Holy Communion can become an altar server in our parish. Current altar servers will need to complete the application forms also.
Westcourt News
The monthly Mass to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice in our lives and for his canonisation will take place in Westcourt on Monday, 12th October at 7.30pm. Please note the change of date.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Anne Kirwan, Jacob Street.
Anniversaries: Kathleen Roche (Sat 6.15). The Byrne Family (Sun 9.30). Ann Roche (Sun 11.00). Evelyn Coppinger (Sun 12.00). Kathleen Kenny (Sun 12.30). Bridget McKenna (Mon 9.30). Mass for Retired Teachers (Fri 10.30). Statia Cantwell. Paddy Wallace.
Intentions for next weekend: Tom O’Neill (Sat 6.15). Judy O’Brien (Sat 7.00). Richard Kelly (Sun 10.00). Eddie Dean (Sun 10.30). Nicola Conway (Sun 11.00). Della Harney (Sun 12.00). Joanie Waters (Sun 12.30).
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace. Amen.
Mass for Retired Teachers
The annual Mass for retired teachers takes place on Friday next, 9th October in St Fiacre's Church at 10.30a.m followed by tea/coffee in the Parish Centre. All are welcome.
St. Mary’s Cathedral September Draw
1st: John Flynn, St. John’s Parish. 2nd: Maureen Dunne, Lisdowney. 3rd: Kathleen Moran, St. Patrick’s Parish. 4th: Stephen O’Connor, Thomastown. 5th: Rosbercon Parish Council. 6th: Peter Delaney, St. Mary’s Parish. 7th: Anne Lawlor, St. Mary’s Parish. 8th: Pat & Chris O’Neill. 9th: John & Mary O’Shea, Durrow. 10th: Conor Langton, St. John’s Parish. Thanks for your continued support.
St Canice’s Parish Light of Hope Project
A series of Talks and Events entitled “The Light of Hope” during the month of October in St. Canice’s Church. Speakers include: Sr Noelle Corscadden, Head of Loreto Order Worldwide (7th October); Mr Conor O’ Loughlin, Humanitarian Coordinator with Trocaire (14th October); Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster (21st October) and Dr Breda Lynch, Historian (28th October).
Contact: 056 772 1533. Full details on www.ossory.ie. and www.stcanicesparish.ie. All at 7.30pm. Adm: free.
Monster Bingo
A Monster Bingo with €15,000 prize money will be held in Cillín Hill, Kilkenny on Sunday, 18th October at 3.00pm in aid of St. Mary's Cathedral Restoration Fund. Books €15 and €20. Single Sheets (3 in number) €2. Raffle tickets €2 or more. Please support.
CBS Secondary School
The Parents’ Council of CBS Secondary School, Kilkenny will hold its AGM on Tuesday, 6th October at 7.30pm in the school. Dr. Fergus Heffernan will give a talk following the meeting at 8.00pm. All welcome.
Rosary Sunday
A rosary vigil will be held in the Black Abbey, Kilkenny on this Sunday, 4th October 4.15pm - 6.00pm with blessing of the roses. www.blackabbey.ie/rosary.
A.C.T.S. Retreat
The A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) Retreat is a spiritual retreat weekend. The retreat will take place on 15 - 18th October at the De La Salle Pastoral Centre, Castletown. See notices and application forms on our church notice boards. For information text or call: Joseph Mahon 086 775 8709, Jim Maher 086 127 6649 or Trevor Hayes 086 240 9615.
Carer Support Group
Kilkenny Carer Support Group, Wednesday 7th October, 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.
Loreto Secondary School
The closing date for application for a First Year place is Wednesday, 7th October 2015. Application forms and admissions policy can be obtained from our website at www.loretokk.ie or from the school.
St. Joseph’s Abbey
A weekend retreat at Mount St. Joseph’s Abbey, Roscrea takes place on 16th to 18th October and concentrates on the theme of the family and coincides with the Synod on the Family being held in Rome. Presentations by Dom Laurence Walsh, former Abbot of Mount St. Joseph and by M. Marie Fahy, Abbess of St. Mary’s Abbey, Glencairn.
Contact Eileen on 0505 25600 between 2.00 and 7.00pm, Monday to Friday or by email to info@msjroscrea.ie.
Ossory Times
The latest edition of the Ossory Times Magazine has been published. This interesting publication features many articles from around the diocese as well as valuable information on Church teaching and life.
Copies are available in the sacristies and cost €2.
Foróige
Seeking enthusiastic people who would like to make a difference in young people’s lives by donating a few hours a week. Contact: Pierce Dunne, on 086 780 5202 or email pierce.dunne@foroige.ie
Are you a parent of school aged children? Would you like to learn some techniques to address issues of communication, discipline, decision making, relationships, self-control and school success?
The Foróige DRUM Youth and Family Project plan to roll out the Common Sense Parenting (CSP) programme in autumn and are currently seeking participants. For more information contact Kate Carroll, 086 773 6975 or email kate.carroll@foroige.ie
Date for you Diary!
Tuesday, 3rd November at 8.00pm in St. Fiacre’s Church Dr Fergus Heffernan will speak on “The Crisis in Mental Health in Ireland today”. Proceeds to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust , bringing children with special needs to Lourdes.
Kilkenny Flower Club
Christine Hughes will attend Kilkenny Flower Club in Butler House on Thursday, 8th October @ 8.00pm to teach Plant Manipulation. It will be interesting. Check website or Facebook for list of materials if you'd like to take part.
Inquisitive about the Priesthood?
Why not join us at St. Mary’s Cathedral for our Vocations Open Day on Sunday, 4th October from 2.00 to 4.00pm. Informal talks, testimonials and refreshments. Further information from Fr. Willie Purcell on 087 628 6858 or ossoryvocdir@gmail.com
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.
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 - see www.gro.ie for more information about this aspect of preparations.
Contact the parish where you now reside where pre-marriage papers will be prepared for forwarding to the place of marriage. www.gettingmarried.ie is a useful source of information for couples as they plan the big day.
Care for our Common Home
The Association of Catholics in Ireland is hosting a discussion on the recent encyclical from Pope Francis Laudato si (on the Care for our Common Home -the Environment) on Thursday 15th October at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre, Leighlinbridge. Speakers: Fr. Sean McDonagh SSC, the well-known environmentalist who advised the team drafting the encyclical and a speaker from Concern. All welcome.
