Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 7th July 2013

The Light of Faith
Lumen Fidei is the title of a new encyclical letter from Pope Francis, his first since becoming Pope.  The encyclical on faith was begun by Pope Benedict XVI, before his resignation, and completed by Pope Francis, who referred to the document as the work of “four hands”, suggesting that the encyclical represented the work of both himself and his predecessor.  Following the usual Vatican practice, the encyclical takes its title from the opening words: Lumen Fidei, the light of faith. In its opening section the Pope remarks on how the gift of faith has always been associated with light, which enables believers to see things clearly.  Lumen Fidei cautions that no one should seek faith alone. In fact the Pope writes bluntly: “It is impossible to believe on our own.”
The encyclical is available at www.vatican.va and follow the link to encyclicals.
 
John Paul II to be Canonised
The Vatican has approved a second miracle through the intercession of Blessed Pope John Paul II clearing him to be made a saint, possibly later this year.  Pope Francis signed the decree on last Friday.  John Paul was Pope from 1978 until his death in 2005, and was the most travelled Pope in history, drawing vast crowds as he visited 129 countries including Ireland. The Polish-born Pope was proclaimed ‘Blessed’ after a first miracle was attributed to him. This was the inexplicable recovery of a French nun, Sister Marie Simon-Pierre, from Parkinson's Disease, which the Vatican ruled came through the intervention of John Paul.  The second miracle is said to have taken place on the night John Paul was beatified.
An earlier Pope is also to be canonised.  Pope John XXIII, Pope from 1958 until his death in 1963, was responsible for calling the Second Vatican Council (1962 - 65) and was made ‘Blessed’ in 2000.  He will be canonised on the same occasion as John Paul II.
 
Rosary
The monthly rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday 7th July at 3.00pm.
 
Ad Multos Annos
This week Sr. Alphonsus Walsh and Sr. Mary Tighe of the local St. John of God Community celebrate seven decades as members of the congregation.  Well done and thanks for your ministry.  We pray for God’s continued blessing upon you both.
 
Cemetery Mass
Our annual Foulkstown Cemetery Mass will take place on Thursday, 25th July at 7.30pm.  Please remind your relatives and friends, especially those who are living away from home.
Perhaps it is also time to make a move to prepare family graves and the graves of those neighbours who have no able family members remaining.
 
Theological Studies Programme
This programme ran for the second time last year with a group of 25 participants. It was a resounding success and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The course aims at providing religious education, faith formation and spiritual enrichment for those actively engaged in parish life or in the pastoral care of people, young and old. The programme runs for 24 weeks, September – May, Mondays and Thursdays, 7.00 – 9.00pm, with modules in the Old and New Testament Scriptures, Church History, The Church, past and present, Moral Theology, Liturgy & Sacraments.
For further details apply to Declan Murphy, Course Director, St Kieran’s College 087 908 1470 or 056 775 3624; email declanmurphy@ossory.ie or theology@ossory.ie.  Alternatively forms may be downloaded from www.ossory.ie
 
Church Gate Collections
A church gate collection in aid of Concern will be held this weekend.  Please support.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Brendan Lawless, Coach Road. Michael Butler, Johnswell. Jerry Dunne, Green Street. Tom McDonald, Golf Links Road.
Months Mind: Geraldine Gannon (Sun 10.30).
Anniversaries: Marie Manogue (Sat 6.15). Donal O’Neill (Sat 7.00). Michael Murphy (Sun 9.30). Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00). Lily Purcell (Sun 11.00). Lillian Beatty (Sun 12.00). Sean Hennessy (Sun 12.30). Patrick Roche (Tues 10.30). Bill & Gretta Delaney (Wed 9.30). Maurice (Mossie) Nagle (Wed 10.30). Paddy Bergin & Sr. Margaret Mary Bergin (Thur 10.30). Mary Lynch (Fri 10.30). Margaret (Peg) Horrigan, Catherine Dowling. Annie Cody. Mary Ann, Denis & Tommy Murray. Mary Fry. Mick Byrne. Mary Holland. Brigid Ward. Bridie Walsh. Felix Campbell. Denis Molloy. Austin Murphy.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Joan Coady (Sat 6.15). Jimmy Hackett (Sat 7.00). Catherine Roberts (Sun 9.30). Jimmy Byrne (Sun 10.00). Josie Kenny (Months Mind Sun 10.30). Dr. Paddy Boyd (Sun 11.00). Deceased Residents & Family Members of Dukesmeadows (Sun 12.00). Ger Doheny (Sun 12.30).  May they rest in peace.  Amen.
 
A Time for Clarity and Truth
“We value the skill and efforts of our doctors, nurses and others who have helped to earn Ireland’s place as one of the safest countries in the world for mothers and their babies during pregnancy.
Catholic Church teaching is clear: where a seriously ill pregnant woman needs medical treatment which may put the life of her baby at risk, such treatments are ethically permissible provided every effort is made to save both the mother and her baby.
This is different from abortion, which is the direct and intentional taking of the innocent life of the unborn.  … abortion is, and always will be, gravely wrong.”  
Catholic Bishops of Ireland, June 2013
High Mass with Gregorian Chant
There will be a High Mass, with Gregorian Chant sung by St.Patrick's Scola, in St. Patrick’s Church on Thursday 11th July at 7.00pm. Following the Mass, a first class relic of St. Oliver Plunkett will be publicly venerated and individual blessings with the relic will then take place.
 
Congratulations
We offer congratulations to the players and mentors from Kilkenny City U14 Ladies Gaelic Football team, who won Division 2 of Féile Peil na nÓg in Derry last weekend.  Well done!
Alzheimer Cafe
Are you worried about your memory? Are you looking after someone who is becoming more forgetful? If you would like to find out more about Alzheimer’s or dementia come along to our Alzheimer Café for information about dementia specific services in Kilkenny. The cafe is for people living with dementia and people who want to find out more about it. A Clinical Nurse Specialist in dementia will be there for question and answer session. Harry’s Bar Langton’s, 11.00am - 1.00pm on Wednesday 3rd July. Free tea and scones. For information: 056 777 1230.
 
Light Humour for a Sunny Day
An old nun who was living in a convent next to a construction site noticed the coarse language of the workers and decided to spend some time with them to correct their ways.  She decided she would take her lunch and sit with the workers.  She put her sandwich in a brown bag and walked over to the spot where the men were eating. Sporting a big smile, she walked up to the group and asked: “And do you men know Jesus Christ?”  They shook their heads and looked at each other, very confused. One of the workers looked up into the steelworks and yelled out, “Anybody up there know Jesus Christ: One of the steelworkers yelled down, “Why?” The worker yelled back, “Cause his mum’s here with his lunch.”