Rest for your souls
Pope Francis had some strong words of advice recently for priests. As he ordained ten men to the priesthood on Good Shepherd Sunday, he said in his homily: ‘A priest who has perhaps studied much theology and has achieved one or two or three advanced degrees, but has not learned to carry the Cross of Christ, is useless: he will be a good academic, a good professor, but not a priest. Please, I ask you in the name of Christ and of the church to be merciful, always: do not saddle the faithful with burdens they cannot carry – nor ought you so burden yourselves.’ He must have been thinking of the extract from Matthew’s Gospel that we hear today, where Jesus talks about the exact opposite of laying burdens on people – he promises to take them away, and to lighten our load.
I don’t think Jesus is saying that the Christian life is always going to be easy, that there will not be burdens or crosses to carry, or that we should not hold ourselves to high standards. Rather, he is reminding us that when we find ourselves overburdened – tired, frustrated, afraid, overwhelmed, disheartened – help is at hand. He invites us to come to him, and to unload our troubles onto him. He is a place of rest for our weary souls. With Jesus on board, our minds and hearts will be lighter, and we can get on with our tasks with renewed energy and zeal.
Triona Doherty
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.
Dates for your Diary
Foulkstown Cemetery Mass - Thurs 27th July at 7.30pm.
St. Fiacre’s Well, Sheestown - Sun 27th August at 3pm.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Tony Canny, Bamford,, Kells Road. Terry Cleere, Greenfields, Freshford Road. Michael Quinlan Jnr, Dominic St. . Declan Hodge, Meath.
Months Mind: Patricia O’Donohoe (Sat 6.15). Anne O’Shea (Sun 9.30).
Anniversaries: 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). Patrick Bergin & Sr Margaret Mary Bergin (Tues 10.30). Catherine Dowling. Mary Hayes. Bill & Gretta Delaney. Jim Nugent. Pat Maher. May & Billy Cleere. Sheila Ryan. Peg Horrigan. David Gaffney. Christy Murray.
Intentions for next weekend: Eileen O’Brien (Sat 6.15). Sean “Georgie” Leahy (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Denis Byrne (Months Mind Sun 9.30). Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00). Bridget Kelly (Sun 10.30). Marie & Annmarie Manogue (Sun 11.00). Mary Hogan (Sun 12.00). Jer Doheny (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. Mary’s Cathedral Draw Results
The next draw for St. Mary’s Cathedral Restoration Fund takes place on Wednesday 26th July 2017. If you would like to subscribe to the draw please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Roderick.
Notices for Newsletter
Please, please, please, have notices in for publication by Thursday at the latest. The Newsletter is edited and published on Friday morning and late notices cannot be included after that. This is especially important regarding anniversaries. Please have them in by Thursday, either by ringing the office, dropping the notice into the parish centre or send it by email. Leaving notices into sacristies is no guarantee they will reach us on time. Help us avoid upset by putting notices in on time. On a final note, space is limited on the newsletter so priority is given to parish and diocesan notices. Likewise, it is not possible to keep repeating a notice each week.
Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Island
Wexford - Sunday 23rd July 2017
Mass will be celebrated at 3pm followed by Rosary Procession around the island & Benediction. Bus leaves St. Fiacre’s Church at 11.30am. Cost €15
You may bring a packed lunch and light refreshments will be available in cafés near the church before and after the ceremonies. All are welcome
Phone Phil 086 833 3029 or leave your name at reception in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre.
Relic of Mother Teresa
A First Class relic of St Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) is currently making a tour of the Cathedrals of Ireland. The Relic will arrive at St Mary’s Cathedral Kilkenny at 7 pm on Tuesday 18th July and remain until 3 pm on Thursday 20th July.
The Cathedral will remain open until 10 pm each day of the visitation. There will be special celebrations to coincide with the visit including Mass on Wednesday 19th July at 9 am (in thanksgiving for the gift of human life) & Mass for the sick with anointing that evening at 7 pm. On Thursday Mass will be celebrated at 9 am & 1 pm in the Cathedral. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available at certain times during the public veneration of the Relic. On Tuesday & Wednesday evenings a film on the life of Mother Teresa will be shown in the Cathedral Chapter Room at 8 pm. For further information please see poster & flyers or go to www.ossory.ie or www.stmaryscathedral.ie Cathedral Parish Office ( 9.30 am - 1.30 pm Mon. - Fri.) Tel. 056 7721253
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.
Lough Derg 2017
You may begin the Three Day Pilgrimage on any day up to and including Sunday 13th August. Advance booking is not necessary.
There are various travel options available countrywide. The Lough Derg team can help you to co-ordinate public transport or link up with
Pilgrimage Organisers in your locality. Telephone Maureen or Lorraine on 071 9851518 (from NI 00353 71 9861518). Email: info@loughderg.org www.loughderg.org
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
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. Mass will be celebrated at 3pm and light refreshments will be served afterwards. 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.
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.
