Palm Sunday
Today, we enter the holiest week of our liturgical year, celebrating in a very solemn manner the passion, death, and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
In our newsletter today we offer several ways by which we can enter deeply into this reality during the coming Holy Week. In doing so we grow closer to Jesus, acknowledge him as Saviour, offer thanks for his sacrifice, and celebrate our new life in him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life for all people.
The Holy Week timetable for our parish is printed on the front of this newsletter. Please make time for at least some of the ceremonies and stations which will be celebrated during the week.
A good start would be to come along and join the bishop, priests and religious of the diocese at the Mass of Chrism in St. Mary’s Cathedral at 7.30pm on this Wednesday, 23rd March.
May this week be truly holy for you and may you experience that sense of wonder and gratitude that Christ made such a sacrifice, his very self, to Our Father, that we might, free from sin, serve him in holiness and justice all the days of our lives.
“Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.”
Mass of Chrism
The annual Chrism Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Wednesday, 1st April at 7.30pm. Sacred Oils, for use in the diocese during the coming year, will be consecrated by Bishop Séamus during this liturgy. All are welcome.
Penitential Service
St. Patrick’s Church will host a Penitential Service at 12.00 noon on Good Friday. The service will be based on the Stations of the Cross and will provide an opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance for Easter. We welcome you.
Good Friday Walk
The Annual Good Friday Walk led by Bishop Séamus will take place from St. John's Church, Kilkenny at 7.00pm to St. Mary's Cathedral for a service led by the Kilkenny Gospel Choir. The relic of the True Cross will be available for blessing. All welcome.
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre
St. Patrick’s Parish Centre will close on next Wednesday evening and reopen at 8.00am on Tuesday, 29th March. The centre will not be available to groups during this period.
St. Patrick’s Parish Office
The Parish Office will close to the public on Holy Thursday at 4.00pm and reopen on Monday, 4th April at 9.00am. In the meantime priests will be available on 056 776 4400. Please follow the teleprompts and dial the extension of the priest required or press ’2’ for the priest on duty.
First Friday
Fr. Liam will visit the sick and housebound on
Tuesday and Thursday of this week.
Solemn Easter Vigil
We particularly invite all parishioners to celebrate the Solemn Easter Vigil which begins at 9.00pm on Saturday evening. This event, which is celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, should be the highlight of the year for those who believe that Christ died for our sins and rose again to save us from eternal damnation.
Extra Mass During Lent
Thanks to all who attended the extra 6.15pm Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church during Lent. See the timetable printed on the front for our full Easter ceremonies.
Contribution Envelopes
The coming year’s parish contribution envelopes are in the process of being distributed. We ask that distributors who have not collected their envelopes to please do so as soon as possible. Thanks to those who continue to support our parish through Parish Envelope contributions. Your continued support is essential and very much appreciated. Please contact the Parish Office during the week if you did not receive a pack of envelopes and would like to contribute in this way.
Save the Date!!!
A farewell Mass for Fr. Dan will take place on Friday 15th April at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church followed by refreshments in the Parish Centre. (Please note the change of date).
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Mortimer O’Shea. Bennettsbridge Road. Teresa O’Brien, Kilworth, Co .Cork. Larry Britton, Greenshill. Bill Whelan, London & Joseph’s Road.
Anniversaries: Mary & Anthony Cantwell (Sat 6.15). Chris Kenny (Sat 7.00). Philip Mahony (Sun 9.30), John & Ellen McDonald (Sun 10.00). Des Cullen (Sun 10.30). Pat Mullins (Sun 11.00). Marie Phelan (Sun 12.00). Michael McInerney (Sun 12.30). Jane & Henry Glynn (Tues 10.30). Jessica Harper Brennan & Denis Kavanagh (Tues 6.15). Tommy Byrne (Wed 6.15). Billy Connick. Brigid Slattery. John & Annie Free. Liam Bergin. Lou McCarthy. Eamon O’Neill. John Murray. Mary Coyne. Billy Wallace. Philip, Johanna & John Larkin. Michael & Mary Conway. Thomas Long. Patrick (Rusty) Scanlon.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Frank Dawson (Sun 11.00). Mary Lawlor (Sun 12.00).
May their souls and the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.
The Stations of the Cross
The Stations of the Cross (sometimes also called the “Way of the Cross” or Via Crucis, in Latin) is a traditional devotion tracing the events on the way to Christ’s crucifixion. The devotion has its roots in the practice of pilgrimage to Jerusalem, especially to sites along the way to the cross. In the fifteenth century, as it became difficult for Christians to visit Jerusalem, the Franciscans began to erect outdoor shrines in Europe to recall these holy places, and in later centuries the devotion took root throughout the entire Church. We encourage you to visit our churches during the coming week to reflect on the Lord’s Passion. There will be a public celebration of the Stations at St. Patrick’s Church at 12.00 noon on Good Friday and at St. Joseph’s Church at 7.30pm on the same day. Those who cannot get out to church can attend the Stations of the Cross in your own time and in your own home by visiting the virtual Stations of the Cross at http://bustedhalo.com/video/virtual-stations-of-the-cross
Easter Dues
Easter Dues, in support of the priests of the parish and the bishop will be taken up next weekend. Please use the special envelope in the contribution pack or any envelope. Thanks.
New Ministers of the Eucharist
A number of parishioners have trained to take their places as Eucharistic Ministers in our parish. These will be commissioned at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Patrick’s Church at 8.00pm on Holy Thursday. We thank those who retire their commission at this time having served the parish community for the past nine years.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
The time has come to return the Trócaire Family Fast boxes. Thanks to those who used the boxes during Lent to contribute to Trócaire's work in combating the global water crisis. It would help if you could convert any small change into larger amounts before you return the box to the church.
Fun Run
St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys school will hold their annual Family Fun Run on Sunday 17th April from James Stephens Club in Larchfield. Start you training now. More details later.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration
Diocesan Draw
The 1st of the Diocesan Monthly Draws for the coming year in aid of St. Mary's Cathedral Restoration Fund will take place on Wednesday, 30th March 2016 in the Chapter Room. Subscribers and Promoters very welcome. Subscription €10 per month. Contact the Parish Office 056 7764400.
Fr. Liam Lawton
Fr. Liam Lawton accompanied by the RTE Light Orchestra, St. Mary's Cathedral, Friday, 8th April 2016 at 8.00 p.m. Tickets €25, Tickets available in almost every parish in the Diocese, at the Cathedral Bookshop and at the Diocesan Office. For more details Phone Fr. Pat Dalton 086-8283478 or Nellie at 086-0276332.
St. Fiacre’s Gardeners
Those who maintain the gardens at the parish centre, will gather on Monday evening at 6pm. Thanks to all involved for keeping the grounds and garden in top condition.
James Stephens GAA
5k Run/Walk in aid of James Stephens GAA Club. Friday 25th March 2016 (Good Friday) at 11.30am. Registration from 10.30am at James Stephens Clubrooms, Larchfield. Fee: Adults €10, Children U16 €5. Family rate €20. (Route - starts at Clubrooms and loops around Waterford Road, Ring Road and Bennettsbridge Road. Contact Tim: 087 6764747 or Niall 086 3145770.
Medjugorje
A pilgrimage to Medjugorje from Divine Mercy Sunday, 3rd April to 10th April next (inclusive) is being organised. Pope Francis has urged the faithful to make a pilgrimage for the special Jubilee of Mercy. The pilgrimage costs €600 on a half-board basis. For information, please contact Fr. Benignus at the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny, or Seán Hickey on 086 3715882.
Kilkenny Horticultural Society
Annual General meeting on Wednesday 23rd March 2016 at 8pm in The Club House Hotel. Lecture by Mary Pyke on Rothe House Gardens. Refreshments and plant sale. Free Admission.
Historical Society Lecture
Topic: Padraig Pearse. Speaker: Mr Pat Cooke
Date: Thursday, March 31st. Time: 8pm
Venue: Mullinavat Parish Hall (opposite church)
Admission: €5 (members and students free).
Healing Service
Come and enjoy the healing power of Jesus.
With Janice and Moss Carraig. The Holy Spirit prayer ministry (as seen on ‘Would You Believe’) at 3pm on the 2nd April 2016 in St. Fiacre’s Church, Loughboy.
For more info contact: Janice on 069 77628 or 0876174639 or Teresa on 0861680370
To view Web site www.calcuttaaid.com
Safeguarding Policy
St. Patrick’s Parish values and encourages the participation of children and young people in parish liturgies and in activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development. We recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children and young people and are committed to their protection and support in a way that promotes their human dignity and integrity as children of God. Further details and information on posters in our churches and on www.patricksparish.com.
Spring Literature Course
Kilkenny Campus at St Kieran’s College, Thursdays 7-9 pm, March 31st – April 21st. Four-week course. Fee €60 (excl. theatre). To book, email margaret.irish@nuim.ie or call 086 3935513.
Parish Newsletter
Items to be in by Thursday at the very latest. After that they will appear the following week.
take priority. Late notices will appear on our Facebook and web page (see banner above for addresses). Due to limited space it is not possible to keep repeating an item each weekend. Items can be emailed to: stpatricksparish@ossory.ie.
