Unexpected Encounters
We might wonder why Jesus is so rude and dismissive to the woman in todays’ Gospel who comes and asks for his help. Does he really call the woman ‘a dog’?! Many explanations have been given for Jesus’ words with some suggesting that it was an attempt at a first century joke, that he was just ‘teasing’ (he didn’t really mean it!) or that it was an opportunity to test the woman’s faith. The disciples also clearly want her sent away. What happens just before this incident is important. Jesus has just left Gennesaret where the Pharisees have continued to be extremely hostile towards him. Jesus’ mission to ‘the lost sheep of the House of Israel’ is not going so well. So, Jesus ‘leaves that place’ and goes somewhere that is unfamiliar. What happens in this unfamiliar place is certainly life giving for the woman and for Jesus also. It might be considered a place of new beginnings as Jesus’ mission is opened up to those who would have been considered ‘unworthy’, such as a woman who is also a foreigner. The food rejected by the religious leaders of the time is ending up in unexpected places. It is here that the kingdom grows. You have to admire the woman’s persistence. She is a reminder of people we encounter who have great faith and make a deep impression on us. We might ask ourselves today: When have experiences of rejection in our own lives led to new possibilities? Where are the unfamiliar places that we must go in order to grow, to embrace new life and new experiences? Jane Mellet
St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration
The next draw for St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund takes place on Wednesday 30th August 2017. If you would like to subscribe to the draw please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Roderick.
Knitting Lessons
Knitting Lessons will begin soon contact Liz: 086 8359425.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Jonathan Fitzpatrick, Keatingstown. James Bawle, Dean Cavanagh Place. Eoin Donovan, Richview. Nancy Gibbs, Kilcreene.
Anniversaries: Tom & Mary Byrne (Sat 6.15). William ‘Tony’ White (Sat 7.00)Tom & Michael Casserly (Sun 10.30). Della Harney (Sun 11.00). Paddy Heffernan (Sun 12.00). Kathleen Brophy (Sun 12.30). Paddy Heffernan (Wed 10.30). Frank & Annie McKenna (Thurs 10.30). James & Joe Delaney (Fri 9.30). Pierce & Catherine Marnell. Joseph Joe McHugh. Joe Maher. Ray Bolger.
Intentions for next weekend: Thomas Madden (Sat 6.15). Elizabeth Carroll (Anniv) & Liam Carroll (Months Mind) (Sun 10.00). Patrick Mullen (Sun 11.00). Tony Canny (Months Mind Sun 12.00). Tony Teehan (Months Mind Sun 12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest. Anniversaries after that will be published the following week.
St. Fiacre’s Well Novena
This year’s annual novena to St. Fiacre begins with rosary and prayers at the well in Kilfera at 8.00pm on Saturday, 19th August and will continue at 8.00pm each evening with concluding prayers and Mass on Sunday, 27th August at 3.30pm. Devotion to St. Fiacre in our parish has a time-honoured history with annual novena prayers and patterns at the well for many centuries. We invite all to continue the tradition by joining with us in prayer during the coming week and for the novena prayers and Mass on next Sunday afternoon. By kind permission, St. Fiacre’s Well is approached through the avenue of Sheastown House which is a couple of miles out the Bennettsbridge Road.
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
Seeing your life through the lens of the Gospels - Matthew 15:21-28
1. Having met with rejection from the Pharisees Jesus goes to Gentile territory and encounters faith in an unexpected place, in the Canaanite woman. His mission had previously been to his own people. This adds a new dimension to his mission. Have you had occasions when a chance encounter set your life off in a new direction?
2. The initial reaction of Jesus to the woman was one of rejection but her persistence won a response from him. When have you found that persistence was needed to gain what you sought? What did that experience teach you?
3. In our days, welcoming the stranger is a challenge. We are more comfortable with our own. What difference has it made when you were able to offer a friendly welcoming face to a stranger?
4. Who are the ‘Canaanite women’ who call out for attention today – people in Church or State whose needs are not being attended to?
John Byrne osa
Online Theology Course
Join our supportive student community and study theology by distance learning this Autumn. Application deadline September 26th. 01 4048124. enquiries@prioryinstitute.com . www.prioryinstitute.com.
Lecture
The Eire National Association - 1940 to 1945 (Irish conscientious objectors in New Zealand during World War II). Speaker: Mr Peter Burke (New Zealand journalist). Date: Sunday, August 20th 2017. Venue: The Rising Sun, Mullinavat. Time: 6pm.
South Kilkenny Historical Society - Heritage Week 2017 event
Local History Mystery Tour of Kilmacow. Date: Sunday, August 27th, 2017. Meeting time and place: 2pm, Kilmacow Sports Complex
St. Vincent de Paul
The monthly collection for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be taken up as part of the second collection at all Masses this weekend.
Knock Shrine
Handel's Messiah - Saturday 18th November at 7.30pm sees the return of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra to present Handel's 'iconic' Messiah at Knock Basilica. Conducted by Proinnsías Ó Duinn with soloists, Soprano Claudia Boyle, Alto Anne Marie Gibbons, Tenor Julian Hubbard and Bass Christopher Cull together with Our Lady’s Choral Society, Cór Mhaigh Eo and Ballina Chamber Choir. Presented by Liz Nolan, RTE lyric fm.
Tickets available now at www.knockmessiah.com and at the Witness to Hope office Knock Shrine and Downtown Records Castlebar & Westport.
Novena Programme 2017 - Join us for nine days of reflection and prayer for the National Novena to Our Lady of Knock from the 14th-22nd August. Ceremonies will take place daily at 3pm and 8.30pm with daily guest speakers and workshops at 12 noon and 6pm in the Rest & Care Centre. On Monday 21st August we will celebrate the launch of the World Meeting of Families 2018 Programme. See www.knockshrine.ie/novena2017
Maynooth University Kilkenny Campus
Drop in Day – Thursday 24th August, 10AM – 2PM
Would you like to study the first year of your BA degree in a unique learning environment with small class sizes and a fantastic student community? You can do that through our 1st Year Bachelor of Arts programme (CAO: MH901). We are holding a Drop In Day on Thursday 24th August at our Kilkenny Campus on College Road. Drop in anytime from 10am – 2pm. Meet with campus staff and students. Campus tours and more. For more information email kilkennyfirstarts@mu.ie or call 01 7086755
Bargue Gerome Cours De Dessin
(Drawing Course). Explore this famous and fabled 19th-century drawing course. 10-week course, every Wednesday from 10.00am-12.30pm, starting 27 September 2017 at St. Patrick’s Parish Centre. Cost: € 200. All materials supplied. 10% discount from Cork Art Supplies. See www.classicalartatelier.com or telephone 087 660 9644 for info and booking.
