A cup of water
Life is busy. Whether we are in school, college, working, or juggling family life with all sorts of other commitments, there is sometimes little time to pause and take stock of things. It can be hard to find time to reflect on how our faith is faring. When we do get a minute to assess things, do we find ourselves wanting? Many of us have the idea that we would like to live better lives, to be more caring, to help those in need. We would like to live up to what Jesus asks of us, if only we had time to do more. This desire to do better is an important element of our Christian journey. But often we imagine that this will require some sort of grand gesture or dramatic change of direction. If we are paralysed or overwhelmed by what we can’t do, Jesus has some good news for us today. A cup of water isn’t much, and offering hospitality to a stranger might not seem like a big deal, but that is where Jesus starts. Instructing his twelve disciples, he tells them that anyone who welcomes them or offers them a cup of cold water will be rewarded. What’s more, he adds that anyone who welcomes them in fact welcomes Jesus, the one who sent them. Small acts of kindness and hospitality have significance beyond what we might expect. No matter how busy we are, there are opportunities every day to offer a cup of water here, or a helping hand there. All these small things play their part in building up God’s kingdom.
Tríona Doherty
Mass at Elm Green
The annual Mass at Elm Green will take place on Monday 3rd July at 7.30pm.
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James’s Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday 2nd July at 3pm.
First Friday
The first Friday of July takes place this coming week. Fr. Roderick & Fr. Mark will visit the sick and housebound at the usual times.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jim Butler, Dominic St. Imelda O’Rourke, Fr. Murphy Square. Margaret (Peig) Murphy, Cloran, Bonnettstown. Stephen Hoyne, Ballymack.
Months Mind: Kitty Cummins (Sat 7.00). Paul Doyle (Sun 10.00).
Anniversaries: Michael Ruth (Sat 6.15). Lillian Beatty (Sun 11.00). Sean Hennessy (Sun 12.00). Maureen Walsh (Sun 12.30). Ellen Delaney. Richard Dunne. Richard McEvoy. Michael & John Barry. William Maher. Denis Molloy.
Intentions for next weekend: Patricia O’Donohoe (Months Mind Sat 6.15). Donal O’Neill (Sat 7.00). Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00). Aileen Kelly (Sun 10.30). John Cleere (Sun 11.00). Michelle Heffernan (Sun 12.00). Carmel Lawlor (Sun 12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest. Anniversaries after that will be published the following week.
Volunteer Appreciation Night
The Parish Pastoral Council has decided to have a Volunteer Appreciation Night in Hotel Kilkenny on Sunday 22nd October 2017. We cordially invite volunteers in all ministries in St. Patrick’s Parish to come and enjoy this function which is being held especially for all of you, as a token of our deep appreciation of your volunteers spirit. Further details later.
Mill Hill Missionaries
You are welcome to join the Mill Hill Missionaries in a Mass of Thanksgiving on Wednesday 5 July 2017 at 8.00 pm in our Chapel at Mill Hill Missionaries, St Joseph’s, Waterford Road, Kilkenny. The Mill Hill Missionaries will be leaving Kilkenny in September this year after 85 years in the Diocese of Ossory.
Dates for your Diary
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass - Thurs 27th July at 7.30pm.
St. Fiacre’s Well, Sheestown - Sun 27th August at 3pm.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw Results
1st: Birdie Hayes, St. Mary’s. 2nd: Sean Jones & Marie Tallent, St Mary’s. 3rd: Liam Maddock, St. John’s. 4th: Fr. Peter Muldowney, St. Canice’s. 5th: Joe & Colette Mooney, Clogh. 6th: Billy & Betty O’Rourke, St. Mary’s. 7th: Mary Sheehan, St. Patrick’s. 8th: Ann Kerwick, St. Canice’s. 9th: Castlecomer Social Services, Castlecomer. 10th: Noreen Mulhall, St. Mary’s. The next draw for St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund takes place on Wednesday 26th July 2017.
Come Join Us
The organisers of the World Meeting of Families 2018 are looking for the help of generous volunteers in August 2018. Visit www.worldmeeting2018.ie/volunteer or call 01 567 6800 for information and application form.
Youth 2000 Summer Festival
Youth 2000 Summer Festival, Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary from Thursday 17th—Sunday 20th August 2017. For young people aged 16-35, an opportunity not to be missed to experience the Catholic faith and meet many new people, with over 1400 young people from all corners of Ireland attending last year. The festival is donation only. Free buses travelling from all around Ireland. For more info and to book online, see www.youth2000.ie or Tel: 01 6753690.
Outrath Counselling/Psychotherapy
Experience accredited psychotherapist available for evening appointments. Reasonable charges. Call Robert 086 8786353
South Kilkenny Historical Society
The South Kilkenny Historical Society will join local and others on Sunday July 9th (Fraochán Sunday) on the summit of Tory Hill. Meeting time and place is 1.45pm at the church car park, Mullinavat. All welcome. Climbing Tory Hill on Fraochán Sunday is an ancient tradition, dating back many centuries and is associated with the ancient festival of Lughnasa.
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.
Theological Studies
St. Kieran’s College, as part if its mission of education and formation, wishes to offer, on behalf of the Diocese of Ossory, a programme of education for the people of the diocese. The programme will begin next September and will be offered on the Kilkenny Campus of NUI Maynooth, based at St. Kieran’s College. Further information from Declan Murphy on 056 775 3624 or 087 908 1470 or on declanmurphy@ossory.ie
Our Parish Shop
There are lots of items of a religious nature available at reasonable prices in our Parish Shop located in the foyer of the Parish Centre. Feel free to call in and have a look.
St. Vincent de Paul
The number of the local conference of St. Vincent e Paul is 087 681 0589. This number offers a confidential contact and assistance to locals who are in need.
Quote from Our Holy Father
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.”
Pope Francis
