Monday, April 14, 2014

Fifth Sunday of Lent, 6th April 2014

Renovations in our Parish
St. Patrick’s Parish has been busy since Christmas with maintenance and renovation to our three churches and Parish Centre.  To date we have repainted St. Fiacre’s Church and St. Joseph’s Church, we have re-covered the kneelers in St. Patrick’s Church and St. Fiacre’s Church. We have upgraded the heating in the Parish Centre and in St. Fiacre’s Church and, during Easter  week, we will be replacing the carpet which is currently looking  the worse for wear in St. Fiacre’s Church
The wall  between the Kilkenny Rugby Club and Foulkstown Cemetery is to be repaired and the next section of the cemetery will be developed in the coming months.  It is also hoped to restore the Foulkstown Church Bell to it’s former glory.
During the past week engineers have been in St. Patrick’s Church and it is anticipated their report will recommend the roof be replaced and windows repaired.  We will give a more thorough report later.
This much needed maintenance is required to keep our places of worship at the highest standard.  Many visitors to our parish marvel at how beautiful our churches and Parish Centre are and we aim to keep them looking that way.
The above maintenance is of course in addition to meeting our quarterly repayments  on the Parish Centre.  It is anticipated that, all going well, we will have this loan paid off within the year.  This will give us the chance of gathering the funds needed for St. Patrick’s Church renovations.
Of course, all of this is only possible thanks to the generous support of our parishioners who faithfully contribute to the parish week after week. We are careful to use your money for the benefit of the parish, people and structures.
Currently new contribution envelopes are being distributed and we ask for your continued financial support.  Please contact the Parish Office if you haven’t received your contribution pack.  If you are new to the parish, or you haven’t received an envelope pack for some years, please contact the Office.
 
 
Envelope Distributors Needed
Most of the new contribution envelope packed have been delivered thanks to our faithful distributors in each area.  However, we currently need new distributors in the following  areas: Corcoran Terrace. Mayfield (Kells Road) and College Square.  If you think you can help, contact the Parish Office.
Sincere thanks to all our distributors - your work is much appreciated.
 
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased:  Phil Lahart, Kill and late of Dunamaggin. Patrick Blanchfield, formerly of Fatima Place, died in Zimbabwe. Ellen Meany, Nore Terrace. Mary Leahy, Woodsgift.
Months Mind: Bernie Fitzgerald (Sat 7.00).
Anniversaries: Frank Cantwell (Sat 6.15) Margaret Glynn (Sun 10.00). Dan Bolger (Sun 10.30). Gordon Deevy (Sun 11.00). Marie Coyne (Sun 12.00). Tess Kelly (Tues 10.30). John & Mary Conway (Wed 10.30). Kathleen Esmonde. Alan & Ellen Kelly.  Paddy Cahill.
Intentions for next weekend: Martin Hoyne (Sat 6.15). Kathleen Daly (Sat 7.00). Josephine O’Neill (Sun 10.00). Dr. W.J. & Daisy Phelan, Moya Bligh & Edward Cody (Sun 11.00). Andrew & Susan Delaney (Sun 12.00). Dick Keating (Sun 12.30).
 
Camogie Club
James Stephens Camogie Club invite all girls to come and join in the fun in our Club.  Training is at Nuncio Road on Mondays at 6.00pm for U6/U8 and U10 followed by U12 training at 7.00pm starting on this Monday, 7th April.  U12 training continues on Wednesdays at 6.30pm at  Nuncio Road.
Training for U14/16 is in St. Kieran's College on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.00pm to 8.00pm.
Minor and Intermediate training is on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Nuncio Road and on Saturday mornings in Larchfield at 11.00am.
If you would like to give Camogie a no obligation try please feel free to call up and see what goes on.  All welcome; come along, enjoy the fun and get fit.
 
 
Holy Week: Walking With Jesus
Peace in Christ Retreat House hosts a day of reflection on Palm Sunday, 13th April. The retreat which runs from 10.30am to 5.00pm is entitled Holy Week: Walking With Jesus and is highly recommended and open to all.  Presented by Fr. Martin Delaney, Sr. Margaret Moloney and Chris  Kelly. Phone 772 1054 for information and booking.
 
Pope John Paul II
A talk and discussion on the life and works of - soon to be saint - John Paul II will take place at the Club House Hotel, Patrick Street on Wednesday, 9th April at 7.30pm.  Presented by Fr. Maurice Colgan OP.  All welcome.  Admission free.
 
First Saturday Devotion
This monthly devotion will take place at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Saturday, 5th April after 6.15pm Mass.  Prayers and adoration will end at 9.00pm. 
 
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The next monthly meeting of the Society will be held in the Parish Centre on next Friday, 11th April after 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church.  The Society promotes vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  All welcome including new members. 
 
Public Rosary
The rosary on the first Sunday of the month will be recited in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny on this Sunday, 6th April at 3.00pm. 
 
Parish Shop
A selection of items for Confirmation and First Holy Communion are available for sale in the Parish Shop. Why not call in and have a look.  There’s no obligation to buy.
 
Westcourt News
The monthly Mass to pray for the intercession of Blessed Edmund Rice in our lives and for his canonisation will take place in Westcourt on Monday, 7th April at 7.30pm.   The liturgy will be prepared by the Zambia Immersion Group.  All are welcome.
Internet and Computer Lessons
Would you like to learn how to use the internet?  Only €15 for 4 weeks.  Learn about sending emails or Skype. Pay your bills online, book flights or just look up things on the internet. Ipads provided or bring your own laptop. We are running basic internet and email classes for people with little or no computer experience in St. Patricks Parish Centre, Loughboy commencing Saturday April 12th from 10.00am - 12.00pm and 12.00pm - 2.00pm. Contact Roisin on 087 777 0471 for enquires. All proceeds to the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, sending children with special needs to Lourdes at Easter.
 
Coeliac Support Group
The monthly meeting of the Kilkenny/Carlow Coeliac Support Group will take place in St. Patrick's Parish Centre, Loughboy, on Monday night April 7th at 8.00pm. Tá fáilte roimh gach duine.
 
Easter Craft Fair
Join us on Wednesday, 9th April at the Irish Wheelchair Association, Claddagh Court, Collage Road Kilkenny from 11.30am to 3.00pm. Handmade cards/scarves. Cake Sale. Variety of Easter Gifts.  All welcome.  Please Support.
 
New National President
We congratulate Catherine Neary, native of Kilkenny City and member of James Stephen’s Camogie Club, on her election as president-elect of the National Camogie Association.  Catherine will take office in 2015.
 
Free Garden Talks
OPW at Kilkenny Castle present free garden talks at the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle on Tuesdays of April and 6th May.  Entry on first come basis.  Doors open at 7.00pm and talks at 8.00pm.
 
Church gate Collection
The annual church gate collection in aid of Children with Special Education Needs will take place next weekend.
 
National Vigil for Life
This will take place between 3.00pm and 4.00pm on Saturday, 3rd May at Merrion Square, Dublin. To organise a bus or to find buses in your area, phone: Maria 086 406 9660, Denise 087 266 8702, Katie 085 871 1100.  NationalVigilforLife@gmail.com.
 
Summer Entertaining
St. Patrick’s Special School is hosting a cookery demonstration on Summer Entertaining with celebrity chef Edward Hayden.  Demonstration on Friday, 2nd May at Springhill Court Hotel, Kilkenny starting with Artisan Food Market at 6.30pm followed by Edward’s demonstration at 8.00pm.  Door, quiz, spot and raffle prizes galore!  Tickets at 10 are available from St. Patrick’s Special School, Kissane’s Pharmacy, Graiguenamanagh and Thomastown and Springhill Court Hotel. Night not to be missed.  Fabulous cause.
 
School of the Annunciation
The School of the Annunciation has now been launched with the support of and in collaboration with the Abbot and Benedictine community of Buckfast Abbey, Devon.  The School offers short summer schools and longer courses for adults in Catholic Theology, Philosophy for Faith, Catechesis and Art, Beauty and Theology. There is a variety of courses on offer already, with more exciting developments to come.  Why not join us for one of our short summer school courses, of a few days, at this beautiful and historic medieval location in Devon? 
wwww.buckfast.org.uk/