Charity and Dignity
A number of years ago, I began working for a well-known homeless charity. At the induction week we had the privilege of being addressed by a leading campaigner against homelessness in Dublin city. ‘Do not give broken cups to broken people’ resonated from the address and has stayed with me ever since.
As acts of charity many people are often inclined to give or donate old items that they no longer have use for. Within this there is a sincere act of generosity and perhaps a desire of not letting anything go to waste. However, there is a challenge here to consider the recipient’s feelings on being handed worn out clothes, almost out of date food or damaged toys. How, perhaps, is this impacting on their feeling of worth in society today? Are they not worthy of some new clothes to regain their sense of pride? Some fresh and tasty food to nourish their bodies? Some new, clean toys, the same as other children their age?
These are superficial examples but point towards a challenge to society to provide services of the highest standards to vulnerable people. History and even recent news stories from both home and abroad have presented infuriating examples time and again. Good intentions need to be coupled with thoughtfulness and a determination to give only the best to our neighbour most in need, to show them that they are respected and loved.
Mary Anne Stokes
Bank Holiday Weekend
As this is a bank holiday weekend the only public Mass in our parish on Monday will be at St. Pat-rick’s Church at 11.00am. There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday.
Holy Day Mass Times
Wednesday is the feast of All Saints and is a holy day of obligation for all Catholics. The following are the Parish Mass times for this holy day. Vigil Mass; 7pm St. Patricks; 6.15 St. Fiacres. Holy Day: 10 am Foulkstown; 11.00 am St. Patricks; 12.00 noon St. Fiacres.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Mary Hennessy, Grovine. Requiem Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church at 12noon Sunday. Burial in Foulkstown Cemetery. Maurice Ryan, Laurel Avenue.
Months Mind: Noreen Tomney (Months Mind Sat 6.15). Mary Dowling (Months Mind Sun 9.30). Marie Holohan.
Anniversaries: Ned O’Neill (Sat 7.00). Tom, Madge & Barry McIntyre (Sun 10.00). Declan Patrick Walsh (Sun 10.30). Eileen & Gerard Moynihan (Sun 11.00). Sean & Statia Cantwell (Sun 12.00). Tom Shanahan (Sun 12.30). Jack Devlin (Tues 10.30). Mary Shannon (Wed 11.00). Pearl Moore (Sat 9.30). Peggy O’Brien. Joe Dowling. Kitty Stallard. Annie Delaney. Anne, Mary, Paddy & Michael Bowe. Mary Russell. Laurence Tynan. Michael Walsh. Peggy O’Brien. Tess O’Neill. Elizabeth O’Keeffe. Martin & Ann Mulhall.
Intentions for next weekend: P.J. Marrinan (Sat 6.15). Olive Barry (Sat 7.00). Maura Brennan (Sun 9.30). Cormac Cullen (Sun 10.00). Kevin & Evelyn Hughes (Sun 10.30). John Joe Kealy (Sun 11.00). Ann Nugent (Sun 12.00). Vivien Etaferi (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
1st: Jim & Ann Purcell, Clogh. 2nd: Marie & Eamon Fitzpatrick, Borris-in-Ossory. 3rd: Dermot O’Shea, St. Patrick’s. 4th: Paddy Bambrick, St. Mary’s. 5th: Dympna Kennedy, Callan. 6th: Jerry Meaney, St .Mary’s. 7th: Kathleen Brennan, Muckalee. 8th: Tom Fitzgerald, Castlecomer. 9th: Cloneen Hurling Club, Clogh. 10th: Cathal Cullen, Tullaherin. The next draw will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2017. Many thanks for your continued support. Please contact Fr. Roderick to join.
Readers
The new readers rota will be compiled in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in becoming a reader at any of our Masses should contact the Parish Office. 056 776440.
Volunteer Appreciation Night
Many thanks to all who attended our Volunteer Appreciation Night in Hotel Kilkenny last Sunday Night. The evening was held in recognition of the enormous contribution all our volunteers make to the development and life of our Parish. It was a wonderful evening of good food, music, song and dance. Thanks to Hotel Kilkenny for their professional service, to the sponsors of the many spot prizes, the organising committee and all who helped to make the evening so enjoyable. A great night was had by all.
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
The Ossory Adult Faith Development group is organising a diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land. From 2nd to 10th October 2018 you will have an opportunity to prayerfully follow in the footsteps of Jesus around many of the locations that framed his life and ministry. Visit Jerusalem, Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, the River Jordan, Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane and many other places as we reflect on the life of Jesus and his earliest followers. Pilgrimage Chaplains: Fr. Kieran O’Shea & Fr. Dermot Ryan. Return flights and accommodation €1,295 per person sharing (single rooms also available with supplement). More information at www.ossory.ie or from the Ossory Adult Faith Development Office on 056 775 3624.
Come on the Village!!!
We wish James Stephens Hurlers all the best as they take on Dicksboro in the County Senior Hurling Final this afternoon. This will be the first time the two teams have met since 1937 when the Village won 3-8 to 1-2. We also wish the James Stephens Minor hurling team all the best as they take on O’Loughlin Gaels. The Village abú.
Eucharistic Ministers Rota
Due to an error in the rota for the 12 noon Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church, an updated rota is available in the Sacristy. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Rosary at the Grotto
The Rosary will be recited every Sunday during October at The Grotto on the Callan Rd. at 3pm. All are welcome.
Dates for your Diaries
Remembrance Service: Thursday 30th November at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church.
Parish Confirmation: Saturday 24th February in St .Mary’s Cathedral at 11am.
First Holy Communion
Gaelscoil Osraí- Saturday 28th April at 11am in St. Fiacre’s.
School of the Holy Spirit - Friday 4th May at 11.30am in St .Fiacre’s.
KSP - Sunday 6th May at 12noon in St. Fiacre’s.
St. Patrick’s, Kells Road - Saturday 12th May at 11.00am in St. Fiacre’s.
St. John of God - Saturday 19th May at 11am in St. Fiacre’s.
St. Patrick’s De La Salle - Saturday 26th May at 11am in St Patrick’s
Novena to St. Martin De Porres
Black Abbey, Kilkenny
Thursday 26th to Saturday 28th: 10.30am & 7.30pm
Sunday 29th: 3pm with Sacrament of the Sick
Monday 30th & Tuesday 31st: 10.30am & 7.30pm
Wednesday 1st: 10.30am & 7.30pm (All Saints Day)
Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th: 10.30am & 7.30pm
Preacher: Fr .Ciaran Dougherty OP, Holy Cross Friary Sligo
Loughboy Library
Technology Support-help with mobile phones, computers, tablets, ipads etc Fridays 4-5pm. Free service.
Pop-Up Gaeltacht-takes place in the Education Centre, Callan Road from Nov 27th-30th nightly from 7-9.30pm. Cost € 20. Registration and more information at Loughboy library OR Dan 0868527400.
