National Catholic Schools Week
In this year of Mercy, Catholic Schools are challenged to proclaim God’s Mercy. It is hoped that schools and families will enable children to be the face of God’s Mercy in the classroom, the playground, the family and the community
Dear God, Help us to be open to the challenge of proclaiming your mercy in the modern world. Guide our schools to be rooted in your example. Open our hearts to reflect your loving mercy in all we do, and inspire us to be brave in answering the call to ‘proclaim your mercy’. As we journey through this week, strengthen us to reignite the Catholic ethos upon which our schools were formed.
Do this in Memory Programme
This weekend we welcome the children from Gaelscoil Osrai and KSP to our 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church and the children from St. John of God and St. Patrick’s De La Salle to the 11.00am Mass in St. Patrick’s Church as they continue their preparation for First Holy Communion. Please welcome their families to our Sunday liturgies.
Confirmation in Our Parish
We are looking forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with young people in schools in our parish on Saturday, 6th and Thursday, 11th February. On these days 103 of our young people will be sealed with the Holy Spirit! The Sacrament of Confirmation seals what was begun in baptism. Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace:
· It roots us more deeply in our being adopted sons and daughters of God;
· It unites us more firmly to Christ;
· It increases the gifts of the Holy Spirit;
It renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
It renders our bond with the Church more perfect;
· It gives us a special strength of the Holy Spirit to spread and defend the faith by word and action as true witnesses of Christ. (CCC, 1303)
Please continue to pray for our young people and their families as they approach this milestone.
Parish Senior Citizens’ Party
The annual St. Patrick’s Parish Senior Citizens’ Party will be held at the Parish Centre at 8.00pm on tomorrow night, Monday, 25th January. This promises to be one of the highlights of our parish year when the party-goers get together and dance the night away. Tickets are a nominal €10 and are only available at the Parish Centre. We ask people to purchase tickets before 2.00pm on Monday to enable us to plan the catering on the night. Music by The Aces. Get your dancing shoes ready. Over 60’s.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Rome
From 29th August to 3rd September 2016. Staying in the heart of Rome at the Irish College. Visiting all the major pilgrimage places of Rome. Audience with the Holy Father. Half day trip to the beautiful town of Castelgandolfo on Lake Albano. Mass beside the tomb of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica. Cost: €860 per person sharing. For full details and booking contact Ossory Adult Faith Development. Tel: 056 775 3624. Email: afd@ossory.ie.
The Great Jubilee Year of Mercy
We are invited to reflect upon and share the Father's mercy during this time. We can reflect on and participate in the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy which are:
To feed the hungry
To give drink to the thirsty
To clothe the naked
To harbour the harbourless
To visit the sick
To visit the imprisoned
To bury the dead.
Lamb of God , who takes away the sins of the world have mercy on us. Amen.
Fundraising Bake Sale
The Presentation School Lourdes Group will host a bake sale at the Parish Centre after the 10.30am and 12 noon Masses on Sunday the 31st January. They will also sell St. Bridget’s Day Crosses. All support will be greatly appreciated.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Bobby Cantwell, Cedarwood Drive. Chris Phelan, Ashurst, College Road. Michael Young, formerly of Parnell Street who died in England. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Betsy O’Sullivan, Cork. Kathleen Lanigan, Emmet Street.
Months Mind: Martin Meally (Sun 10.00)
Anniversaries: Tommy Tyrrell Snr & Derek Tyrrell (Sat 6.15). Ann O’Shea (Sat 7.00). Ned Larkin (Sun 9.30). Peg Brennan (Sun 10.30). Nora Foley (Sun 11.00). Jack Comerford (Sun 12.00). Ed Crowley (Sun 12.30). Michael McDonald (Mon 9.30). Brigid & John Drea (Tue 9.30). Maureen & Paddy Dwyer (Wed 10.30). Ellen,, John, Pat & Mary Butler (Thurs 10.30). Con Noonan (Fri 10.30). Rev. John Nyhan. Elizabeth Kavanagh. Margaret & Michael Muldowney.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Fr. Joe O’Shea (Sat 6.15). Kathleen Hickey (Sat 7.00). Peter Garrehy (Sun 9.30). Daniel ‘Algie’ Lanigan (Sun 10.00). Maureen Barry (Sun 10.30). Jimmy McGrath (Sun 11.00). Michael Moore (Sun 12.00). Jim Loughlin (Sun 12.30).
Fifty-First Eucharistic Congress
Ireland will be represented at the fifty-first Eucharist Congress which begins in Cebu, The Philippines on this Sunday. We all remember with pride and joy the 50th International Congress which was held in Dublin four years ago. Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Elphin, will be the main celebrant at the English language Mass during the congress in Cebu. See the congress official website on www.iec2016.ph for information and live streaming.
World Youth Day 2016
World Youth Day 2016 will take place in Poland at the end of July. Pope Francis will attend the overnight vigil on Saturday, 30th and celebrate Mass on Sunday 31st July. The Diocese of Ossory invites young people to attend. Interested young people (over 18) are invited to make contact on wyd@ossory.ie or Fr Richard Scriven (087 242 0033) or Derek Dooley (087 938 4242).
Prayer for the Year for Consecrated Life
To conclude the Year for Consecrated Life an hour of prayer and reflection led by Fr. Dan will be held in St. Fiacre’s Church on Tuesday, 2nd February from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. All are welcome. Please put the date in your diary and try to attend.
Ossory Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Bookings are now being taken for the annual Ossory Diocesan a Pilgrimage to Lourdes which takes place from 22nd to 27th May 2016. Please call Eleanor at 051 880 414 or glenmore@ossory.ie for further information and booking.
Marian Movement of Priests
A meeting of the Marian Movement of Priests will take place on this Monday 25th January at 7.30pm in St. Josephs Mill Hill on the Waterford Road. The event will include Mass, Rosary and a Holy Hour. All are welcome .
Our Parish Shop
There are lots of items of a religious nature, including Confirmation medals and badges, available at reasonable prices in our Parish Shop which is located in the foyer of the Parish Center. Papal blessing parchments to mark weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, jubilees and some other occasions are available through the Parish Shop.
Afternoon Bridge at the Parish Centre
Join us on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the Parish Centre for an afternoon of bridge. No partner required and all are welcome.
South Kilkenny Historical Society Lecture
“1916 in County Kilkenny - connections and links.”
Speaker: Mr Jim Maher. Date: Thursday, 28th January. Time: 8.00pm. Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall. Admission: €5.00.
Loughboy Library
Help with mobile phones, laptops, tablets etc takes place on Fridays at 2.45pm.
Irish Conversation Group & Writers Group meet weekly.
New E services (online) include language learning and a wide range of magazines (100 popular titles). Register free with your library membership card at www.kilkennylibrary.ie.
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.
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.
· 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. As usual parish and diocesan notices take priority. Late notices will appear on our Facebook and web page (see banner above for addresses).
