The First Christmas
There was no question about the quality of the table in my workshop. "Do you have more pieces by the craftsman who made this?" my customer asked. I told him that it was the only piece I had. "Where can I contact him? I might commission him to make something for me." I told him I had no idea who the craftsman was. He had made the table in return for a favour. "Such a pity," he said. "He certainly was talented, whoever he was." "He arrived on an evening like this," I told him, "bitter weather with the promise of worse to come. My wife was preparing supper while I counted the few coins I had earned that day. I had locked up for the night when I heard a banging on the door. I slid open the bolt on the door and saw a young man, huddled against the doorpost. He looked tired and bedraggled.” "I could smell the wood chips and the sawdust," the stranger said. "My line of business. My wife and I didn't plan our journey well. I am hoping we could stay somewhere until this storm blows over. I have little money, but I could work as compensation." A young pregnant woman stood shivering behind him. She's only a girl, I thought. I couldn't turn them away. "Just for tonight," I said. "I will repay you," he said. "Let me be useful in your workshop." I assured him that I needed nothing. I wished them a good night's sleep. On the following morning, I brought food to them. In the workshop I saw the young girl tidying my workbench and the young man finishing off an item of furniture. "Forgive me," he said. "But I had to repay your kindness in some way." I looked at the piece of work he had completed. "That's a fine table," I commented. "You know your craft." "Thank you," he said. "There are a few other items I could finish for you, in return for another night's stay here, at least until the storm blows over." "Your wife," I said, "she is near her time. Your first child?" “Yes,” he smiled. "Until the storm blows over," I said. Two days later the storm passed. I went to the workshop. The sounds of the saw and hammer were not to be heard. The workshop was tidy, another piece of furniture, the table in question, was finished. The travellers had gone. "That was the last I saw of them," I said to my customer. "No. I am wrong. I did see them one more time. They were returning this way to their own town. It was shortly after the census." "Ah, yes, that census," he said. "They stopped here to thank me again. By then their child, a little boy, had been born." "And you never heard from them again? he asked.
"No. They passed into obscurity. Like the rest of us, it's unlikely anybody will remember them in a hundred years."
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent; Christmas Day will be celebrated the world over on next Friday. 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.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw Results
1st: St. Vincent De Paul, Coon. 2nd: Anna Mai Treacy, Castlecomer. 3rd: Kathleen Duggan, St. Patrick’s. 4th: Tom Purcell, Muckalee. 5th: Gretta O’Doherty, Rosbercon. 6th: Sr. Mary. Durrow. 7th: Hendrick Family, Mullinavat. 8th: Paul Hennessy, Gowran. 9th: Brendan Neary, Cathedral Bookshop. 10th: Claire Stokes, Lisdowney.
Parish Penitential Service
As part of our preparing for Christmas, we will hold a Penitential Service in St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday, 21st December at 7.30pm. This will be a short liturgy and an opportunity for individual confession.
Plan Your Christmas Masses
Christmas Masses in our parish will be as follows:
Christmas Eve: St. Fiacre’s Church at 9.00pm;
St. Patrick’s Church, Latin Mass at 9.30pm.
St. Patrick’s Church at midnight (the only midnight Mass in Kilkenny City!).
Christmas Day: 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 Monday, 27th December to Saturday, 2nd January: St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am each day.
Parish Office & Centre Christmas Times
The Parish Office, Parish Centre and Shop will close for the holidays on Tuesday, 22nd December and will reopen on Monday, 4th January 2016. While the Parish Centre and Office may be closed to the public the priests will be available during the Christmas Season. Our automated 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 2nd January inclusive will be offered for these specific intentions. Those who purchased these cards are invited to make an effort to join in some of these Masses.
Bishop Laurence Forristal
We join in wishing our Bishop Emeritus congratulations on the diamond anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
Annual Walk of Kilkenny City Cribs
The annual walk of the cribs of the city churches will take place on Saturday January 2nd beginning at the Capuchin Friary Church at 11.00am. All welcome
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Peggy Moore, Greenshill. Requiem Mass at St. Canice’s Church at 11.00am on Monday. Fr. Tomas Nolan, late of Outrath who died in Scotland. Requiem Mass in Foulkstown at 10.00am on Sunday, 10th January. Patrick Murphy, Shellumsrath. Paddy Delaney, L’Arche. Johanna (Josie) Byrne, Kilderry.
Anniversaries: Hughie Shiels (Sat 6.15). Elizabeth Comerford (Sat 7.00). Michael & Mary Drennan (Sun 9.30). Jane & Jeff Power (Sun 10.00). Rose Harris (Sun 10.30). Joe & Nan Mulhall (Sun 11.00). Colm McCarthy (Sun 12.00). Mary Blanch (Sun 12.30). Tommy & Kitty Clooney. Margaret Fox. Helena Butler. Bill, Mary & Liam Butler (Tues 9.30). Margaret Cantwell (Wed 10.30). Sean & Michael Butler (Fri 10.00). Mary & Christopher Coogan (Fri 10.30). George Byrne (Fri 11.00). Michael Walsh (Fri 12.00). Nan Donovan. Billy Phelan. Christine Comerford. John, Mamie & Terry Brett. John Carroll. Ned & Kitty Everard. Margaret Larkin. John Hayes. Nora Kennedy. Peggy Blanchfield. John & May Rhatigan. Richard Gaule. James Dollard. Martin & Peg Browne. Martin & Mary Doheny. Ted Carroll. Patrick, Catherine & Vera Bambrick. Christy, Kitty & Eileen Grace. Martin Strapp. Patrick & Rose Wixted. Christopher Bateman.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Michael Kenny & John Condon (Sat 6.15). Jimmy King (Sat 7.00). Vera Phelan (Sun 10.00). James & Mary Mulrooney (Sun 10.30). Kevin Hughes (Sun 11.00). Geraldine Cody (Sun 12.00). Eddie Taylor (Sun 12.30).
Cois Nore
Monday, 21st December: Christmas Coffee Morning in the Ormonde Hotel with Festive Treats, Tea, Coffee and the St John of God School Choir. €5 on the day.
Loughboy Library Christmas Hours
The library will close at 2.00pm on Wednesday, 23rd December and re-open at 10.00am on 29th December.
L’Arche Charity Trek
L’Arche will hold their inaugural Slievenamon charity trek. Registration will be open from 9.00am in the community hall Kilcash, Co. Tipperary. For more details please visit the L’Arche Ireland Facebook.
South Kilkenny Historical Society
Winter Solstice at Knockroe - Join the South Kilkenny Historical Society for the Winter Solstice sunset at Knockroe Passage Tomb on Monday, December 21st 2015. Meeting time and place: 2.30pm at Owning church. All welcome.
Silence?
In liturgy, silence is not meant to be an embarrassed, barren or uncontrolled lack of sound which occurs because things have broken down, or no one knows what to do next, but a purposeful period where people communicate in a way that is deeper than words. For this reason we try to develop in the celebration of our Mass a calmness that provides silence after the readings, after the homily or during or after Holy Communion, so that the powerfulness of God's presence may be sensed in the unique experience of people gathered and being still in silence together. (Fr. Turlough Baxter)
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.
Parish Newsletter
All items for inclusion must be submitted by Thursday afternoon before publication. Parish and diocesan notices take priority. Late notices will appear on our Facebook and web page.
Afternoon Bridge
Join us on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30pm - 4.30pm in the Parish Centre for an afternoon of bridge. No partner required.
World Youth Day 2016
World Youth Day 2016 will take place in Poland at the end of July 2016. Pope Francis will attend the overnight vigil on Saturday and celebrate Mass on Sunday 31st July. The Diocese of Ossory invites young people to attend. Young people (over 18) are invited to make contact through wyd@ossory.ie or Fr Richard Scriven (087 242 0033) or Derek Dooley (087 938 4242).
Retrouvaille a Lifeline for Marriage
Is your marriage stressed, unloving or cold? Do you feel alone or distant from your spouse? Have you lost the desire to communicate with each other? Do you feel disillusioned or bored in your marriage? Have you separated, divorced, or are you thinking of doing so, but want to try again? The Retrouvaille programme can help you recover your marriage. Next programme 5th – 7th February. For information contact Tony & Anne 01 495 3536 or visit www.retrouvaille.ie.
