Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Good Shepherd
The Fourth Sunday of Easter is devoted to prayer for vocations. Jesus tells us in today’s gospel, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11). The Good Shepherd is a very powerful image of the personal love and care that Jesus has for each person. Faith is central to the friendship between Jesus the Good Shepherd and the members of His flock. Everybody has a vocation in life and is called to be a true disciple of Jesus. We are asked to pray especially today for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life. It was Jesus who said, “The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Pray that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers into His harvest". (Matthew 9: 37-38) We can say the following prayer today:
Lord Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, may
we spend our lives faithful to You. May the
Holy Spirit guide priests and all who preach
the gospel. Amen
Fr. Dan
Many thanks to all who attended Fr. Dan’s farewell Mass on Friday evening. There was a great turnout. Throughout his years of ministry Fr. Dan has served the people of St. Patrick’s Parish faithfully. Lives touched, healed and changed by God through Fr. Dan’s ministry in the Sacraments, pastoral care and friendship are a reminder of God’s love and care for us. We wish him well in his new position as Parish Priest of Danesfort Parish. Bon voyage Fr. Dan. We will miss you.
St. Patrick’s De La Salle Autistic Unit
The new Autistic Unit at St. Patrick’s De La Salle school was officially opened on Friday last by Brian Cody and Bishop Seamus Freeman SAC. Many thanks to all involved.
Fun Run
St. Patrick’s De La Salle Boys School family Fun Run 5k & 10K walk or run. In aid of St. Patrick’s De La Salle and ASD Centre. Sunday 17th April 2016 at 10.30am. Registration from 10am. Starts from James Stephens GAA Club, Larchfield.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jackie Byrne, Larchfield. Jim Doyle, Melville Heights. Martin Coyne, Haltigan Terrace.
Anniversaries: Margaret Glynn (Sat 6.15). Margaret & Patrick Banahan (Sat 7.00). Elizabeth McCorry (Sun 9.30). Josephine O’Neill (Sun 10.00). Dick Keating (Sun 11.00). Andrew & Susan Delaney (Sun 12.00). Roy Barry (Sun 12.30). Paul Maloney (Mon 9.30). Eily Reddy (Tues 9.30). Tobias Butler (Tues 10.30). Emmanuel Joseph English (Wed 10.30). Arthur & Kay Gaynor (Thurs 10.30). Patrick Shortall. Elizabeth Roche. Brigid Kelly. Mary Brennan. Thomas & Noel Fry. Elizabeth & Edward Geogeghan. William Maher. Andrew O’Neill. Mary Kate Coyne. Martin Hoyne. Brigid Kelly. Mary Brennan. Sean Murray. Martin Egan. Mollie Mahony. Declan O’Riordan.
Intentions for Next Weekend: John Hennessy (Sat 6.15). Kay Hennessy (Sat 7.00). Betty Byrne (Fri 9.30). Eileen, Kieran & Tommy Hickey (Sun 10.00). John O’Sullivan (Months Mind Sun 10.30). Dr. W.J. & Daisy Phelan, Edward Cody. Nin & Moya Bligh (Sun 11.00). Michael Gaule (Sun 12.00). Jimmy O’Neill (Sun 12.30).
May they rest in peace
Dates For Your Diary
Gaelscoil First Holy Communion: 23rd April, 11am, St. Fiacre’s, Loughboy
KSP First Holy Communion: 1st May, 12noon, St. Fiacre’s, Loughboy
St. John of God First Holy Communion: 14th May, 11am, St. Fiacre’s, Loughboy
St. Patrick’s de la Salle, First Holy Communion: 21st May, 11am St. Patrick’s.
Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown: Thurs 28th July, 7.30pm.
St. Fiacre’s Well Mass: Sheestown: 28th Aug, 3pm.
Irish Catholic
Copies of the Irish Catholic are available in the churches. Cost €1.80.
Cleaners
We are in need of cleaners for St. Patrick’s Church. If you can spare some time during the week and would like to join the current team of cleaners, please contact one of the Priests of the Parish.
Foulkstown Cemetery
Thanks to all those who look after their family graves and help keep our cemetery in pristine condition, however there is a small number who are illegally dumping and causing damage to graves with cars. We appeal to visitors to be vigilant and if they notice anything suspicious to note the registration of any car and contact the Parish Office. We remind visitors to Foulkstown that used wreaths and items no longer used on graves should be taken home and disposed of properly. Foulkstown does not provide facilities for dumping waste. Many thanks again for your cooperation. Thanks to the cemetery committee for all of their hard work.
St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the society is taken up at all Masses this weekend. The money collected is then used to help local families who are in need. Your support is all that keeps this voluntary group running.
Those needing assistance can phone the confidential number 087 6810589 and someone from the society will be in touch.
Baptisms
Two weeks notice is required for a baptism in the parish. Baptisms take place on the 2nd (St. Patrick’s)& 4th (St. Fiacre’s) Saturdays and the 3rd (St. Patrick’s) Sunday of each month. Please contact the parish office 056 776 4400.
Kilkenny Camino Group
You are invited to an information night on 'Walking the Camino' from Kilkenny to Santiago on Wednesday April 20th in the Chapter Room in St. Mary's Cathedral at 7.30 pm.
All are welcome.
Loughboy Library
RTE Lyric FM-free performance of classical music on Tues April 19th at 4pm. Writer’s Group as Gaeilge-ag tosnú ar an 29u Aibreán sa leabharlann óna 6-8pm. Tá fáilte romhat.
Alzheimer’s Tea Day-Thurs May 5th from 10am
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
Its not too late to join St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw. Subscription €10 per month. Please contact the Parish Office 0567764400. 11 draws left in this years draw.
Balance Counselling & Mediation Services
Pro-active counselling and conflict resolution provider. Suitable for males and females, 18+, couples and families. Contact Majella Phelan for further information. Phone 086-3713573 or Email: majella@majellaphelan.com.
Parish Newsletter
All items for inclusion must be submitted by Thursday afternoons. As usual, parish and diocesan notices 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.
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 Centre. Papal blessing parchments to mark weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, jubilees and some other occasions are available through the Parish Shop.
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 their big day.
