Feast of the Epiphany
Next Wednesday, 6th January, is the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord. It is a Holyday of Obligation and Masses will be celebrated at the usual weekend times.
The Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the oldest Christian feasts, though, throughout the centuries, it has celebrated a variety of things. Epiphany comes from a Greek verb meaning “to reveal,” and all of the various events celebrated by the Feast of the Epiphany are revelations of Christ to man.
Like many of the most ancient Christian feasts, Epiphany was first celebrated in the East, where it has been held almost universally on 6th January. Today, among both Eastern Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, the feast is known as Theophany - the revelation of God to man.
Nativity Wisdom
And as we remember Epiphany...A little girl and her mother were looking at the Nativity scene. The mother was explaining that the Wise Men were presenting their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn King. The little girl looked in great adoration at the babe in the manger, then turning to her mother, thoughtfully said: “It might have been better if they had brought Him a bed!”
Annual Parish Calendar
Our annual parish calendar is still available at the porches of our churches. Please take a copy for yourself and one for neighbours and friends if required.
First Friday Visits
The priests of the parish will make their calls to the sick and housebound on Friday, 8th January. If you, or someone you know are housebound and would like a visit, please contact any of the priests.
Pray for our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Josephine Grace, Lord Edward St. Street. Requiem Mass, St. Canice’s, Tuesday 11am. Interment, St. Kieran’s. Sr. Peter Claver Shanahan, Loreto Convent. Tom Cantwell, Lisheen, Springmount. Kitty Sweeney, Nuncio Road. Margaret O’Shaughnessy / English, Melville Heights. Timothy Buckley, Talbots Inch.. Patrick Bergin, Lower Conahy.
Months Mind: Anne Madden (Sun 11.00).
Anniversaries: Denis & Maura Molloy (Sat 6.15). Denis O’Shea (Sat 7.00). Fred Lee (Sun 9.30). Josephine & Paddy McGrath (Sun 10.00). Jack, Peg & Breda Molloy (Sun 10.30). Michael Kennedy (Sun 12.00). Loretta Barr (Sun 12.30). Peg Larkin (Thurs 10.30). Annie & Michael Ruth.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Teresa Walsh (Sat 6.15). Mary Reynolds (Sun 9.30). Maura Nolan & Fr. Tomas Nolan (Sun 10.00). Jack Byrne (Sun 10.30). Sean O’Dwyer (Sun 11.00). Brigid O’Connell (Sun 12.00). Kathleen O’Neill (Sun 12.30).
Back to Normal
From this Monday, our parish resumes its normal running and schedule:
· The Parish Centre is open from 9am, Monday to Friday and we welcome back the volunteers and groups that use our facilities.
· The Parish Office is open, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 4pm
· Daily morning Mass in St. Patrick’s Church is at 9.30am.
· Daily Mass (Monday to Friday) in St. Fiacre’s Church, 10.30am.
· Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Monday, St. Fiacre’s 11am, to 9pm
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.
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)
Our Parish Shop
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.
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.
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.
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).
Strictly Let’s Dance with the Village
Saturday 13th February at Lyrath Estate Hotel. MC’s Marty Morrissey & Edward Hayden . Celebrity Judges Michael Duignan, Tomas Mulcahy and Tracy Millea. A great night to be had by all.
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, 4th January 2016 at 7.30pm. Callan Active Retirement Group will organise the liturgy for the mass. All are welcome.
St. Joseph’s Young Priests
The monthly meeting of St Joseph Young Priests Society will be held in St Patricks Parish Centre after 10.30am Mass on next Friday 8th January. All are welcome.
Ossory Times
Ossory Times is published by our diocese every quarter and the Christmas edition, which costs €2, is available now in all our churches.
Suicide Awareness Gathering
The above event is on in st johns church on Monday night, 7.30 pm 4th of Jan. Guest speaker is current all star hurler Maurice Shanahan. Music by The Tukolo Gospel Choir and Alan Hayes. All welcome to attend.
