Are you ready?
‘It’s a terrible thing, I think, in life to wait until you’re ready. I have this feeling now that actually no one is ever ready to do anything. There is almost no such thing as ready. There is only now. And you may as well do it now. Generally speaking, now is as good a time as any.’
Hugh Laurie
I’m not ready – we all think it or say it from time to time. It could be as simple as not being able to find your shoes to leave the house, or a more serious situation like being under-prepared for a work presentation. It can also refer to our emotional state – we might not be ready to talk about an experience, to change a habit, to enter into a relationship, or to let go of a loved one. No one else can tell us if we are ready for a situation or not. It is something only we know. But there is some wisdom in the quote above, in that sometimes we need to push ourselves, to just dive in.
The parable in today’s gospel pits two groups in stark contrast – the foolish bridesmaids who failed to prepare, and the sensible ones who were ready with their lamps and oil. Both groups fell asleep on the job, but only one group had laid the groundwork and so were ready for action. Jesus tells us we need to be watchful and ready. As well as having the light of faith, we need the fuel – the actions – to keep it lit so we are ready when the Lord comes.
The parable in today’s gospel pits two groups in stark contrast – the foolish bridesmaids who failed to prepare, and the sensible ones who were ready with their lamps and oil. Both groups fell asleep on the job, but only one group had laid the groundwork and so were ready for action. Jesus tells us we need to be watchful and ready. As well as having the light of faith, we need the fuel – the actions – to keep it lit so we are ready when the Lord comes.
Tríona Doherty
Readers
The new readers rota will be compiled in the coming weeks. Anyone interested in reading should contact the Parish Office. 056 7764400.
Westcourt News
Mass will be celebrated in Blessed Edmund Rice Chapel, Westcourt on Monday, 13th November 2017 at 7.30pm to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund in our lives and for his canonisation. Members of Callan Cooperative Society will organise the liturgy for this Mass. All are welcome.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw Results
The next draw will take place on Wednesday 29th November 2017. Many thanks for your continued support. Please contact Fr. Roderick to join.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends Recently Deceased:
Lar Murphy, Westfield Drive.
Months Mind: Peggy McKane (Sun 11.00).
Anniversaries: Hugh McCormack (Sat 6.15). John Glynn (Sat 7.00). Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30). John Brennan (Sun 10.00). Charles Carroll (Sun 10.30). Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sun 12.00). Francis ‘Fun’ Coyne (Sun 12.30). Bill & Kathleen Fitzgerald (Tues 10.30). Andy Deegan (Wed 10.30). Walter Tallis. Dick & Annie Burke. Barbara & Tommy Rhatigan. Anastatia Muldowney. Seamus Loughman. Martin Brett. Peter Blanchfield. Eamonn Hogan. Eileen & Thomas O’Neill. Arthur & Gretta Somers.
Intentions for next weekend: Maura Leahy (Sat 6.15). Richie Delaney (Sat 7.00). Rena Brett (Sun 9.30). Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00). Patsy Dawson (Sun 10.30). Michael & Peggy Quinlan (Sun 11.00). John Byrne (Sun 12.00). Kay & Brian O’Reilly (Sun 12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest. Anniversaries after that will be published the following week.
Months Mind: Peggy McKane (Sun 11.00).
Anniversaries: Hugh McCormack (Sat 6.15). John Glynn (Sat 7.00). Gerald & Patricia Moore (Sun 9.30). John Brennan (Sun 10.00). Charles Carroll (Sun 10.30). Mary & Ann O’Shea (Sun 12.00). Francis ‘Fun’ Coyne (Sun 12.30). Bill & Kathleen Fitzgerald (Tues 10.30). Andy Deegan (Wed 10.30). Walter Tallis. Dick & Annie Burke. Barbara & Tommy Rhatigan. Anastatia Muldowney. Seamus Loughman. Martin Brett. Peter Blanchfield. Eamonn Hogan. Eileen & Thomas O’Neill. Arthur & Gretta Somers.
Intentions for next weekend: Maura Leahy (Sat 6.15). Richie Delaney (Sat 7.00). Rena Brett (Sun 9.30). Bill Keogh (Sun 10.00). Patsy Dawson (Sun 10.30). Michael & Peggy Quinlan (Sun 11.00). John Byrne (Sun 12.00). Kay & Brian O’Reilly (Sun 12.30). Anniversaries must be submitted to the office by Thursday at the latest. Anniversaries after that will be published the following week.
Retired Nurse’s Association
Mass for retired and deceased nurses will be celebrated in St. Fiacre’s Church on Thursday 16th November 2017 at 10.30am. After Mass a Tea/Coffee morning collection in aid of the Carlow/Kilkenny Homecare team will take place in the Parish Centre.
Please be as generous as you can for this worthy cause.
Please be as generous as you can for this worthy cause.
Adoration
This year it has been decided to hold an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in every parish in the Diocese from 3-4pm on Sunday 26th November, the Feast of Christ the King. To enable as many people as possible to participate, Adoration will take place in St. Fiacre’s & St. Patrick’s.
The Three Tenors
A magical Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday 9th December 2017 at St. Mary’s Cathedral featuring The Three Tenors - Dominic McGorian, Shane Morgan & Derek Moloney. Tickets €25 available from the Cathedral Bookshop, Diocesan Office and Parish Offices in the Diocese.
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). www.ossory.ie & Ossory Adult Faith Development Office on 056 775 3624.
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). www.ossory.ie & Ossory Adult Faith Development Office on 056 775 3624.
School of the Holy Spirit
Clothes collection in aid of The School of the Holy spirit and National council of the blind takes place on Friday 17th of Nov 2017 . Clothes can be dropped to school before 3pm Thurs 17th or contact Therese Buckley 0879040208.
Annual Coffee Morning in aid of The School of the Holy Spirit takes place on Sunday 26th of November 11am to 1pm in the School in Seville Lodge, Callan Road. Coffee morning includes home baking, raffles, Christmas hampers , book stall, arts and crafts and much more. Contact Therese Buckley
Annual Coffee Morning in aid of The School of the Holy Spirit takes place on Sunday 26th of November 11am to 1pm in the School in Seville Lodge, Callan Road. Coffee morning includes home baking, raffles, Christmas hampers , book stall, arts and crafts and much more. Contact Therese Buckley
Remembering Jo Jo Dullard
The annual remembrance gathering for Jo Jo Dullard will take place this Sunday November 12th at the Missing Persons Monument in the Castle Park at 12.30 pm.
Fatima Pilgrimage Remembrance Mass.
The annual November Fatima Pilgrimage remembrance Mass will take place on Tuesday November 14th at 7.30 pm in St. Fiacres Church Loughboy. All Welcome.
Be still and Know that I am God - Psalm 46
Christian Meditation continues in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on every Wednesday at 4pm. All are welcome.
Sharing Fair
Sharing Fair will hold a Crafts Sale and Coffee Morning in Langtons on 18th November from 10am to 1.30pm. The purchase of crafts made in projects established by Kilkenny nun Sr. Mary Hayden in Thailand helps to provide employment for people living in extreme poverty. All are welcome
Information meeting
Haemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder and it is more prevalent in Ireland then anywhere else in the world. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, joint pain, diabetes and irregular heartbeat. More information at the meeting at the Pembroke Hotel, Patrick Street, Kilkenny on Monday 13th November 2017 at 7:30pm.
5K Fun Run/Walk
In aid of the Alzheimer Society Of Ireland Kilkenny region. November 26th @ 11am in the Castle Park Kilkenny. Registration @ 10.30am in the Tennis Club, raffle and refreshments afterwards. For More Information; call Shane 086 8452489 or email; smahony19@gmail.com
Wellness at Work (2 Workshops)
Facilitated by the Recovery College South East, Greenshill, Kilkenny on Monday 20th November and Monday 27th November from 10.30am – 2pm. This workshop will explore and build awareness around our wellbeing and mental health in the workplace and how it impacts on us as Managers and Employees. For further information and bookings, please contact the Recovery College at 056 7703666 or email recoverycollegesoutheast@gmail.com.
Dates for your Diaries
Remembrance Service: Thursday, 30th November at 7.30pm in St. Fiacre’s Church.
Parish Carol Service: Sunday, 17th December at 4.00pm in Foulkstown Church.
Parish Confirmation: Saturday, 24th February in St .Mary’s Cathedral at 11am.
Parish Carol Service: Sunday, 17th December at 4.00pm in Foulkstown Church.
Parish Confirmation: Saturday, 24th February in St .Mary’s Cathedral at 11am.
