Monday, May 19, 2014

Fifth Sunday of Easter, 18th May 2014

Congratulations
We join in congratulating the boys of St. Patrick’s De La Salle School, Cootes Lane and the boys of St. Patrick’s School, Kells Road who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday.  A great day was enjoyed by all and God blessed the boys and their families with warm sunshine.
We pray God’s blessing on the young people from six primary schools in our parish who received the Eucharist for the first time during the past month.  Congratulations to them, their families and teachers and we look forward to their joining us again and again at our weekly Masses.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
The local conference of the society will hold their monthly collection at all Masses this weekend.  We appeal for your usual generous support for the less well off in our area.
Conference members may be contacted in strict confidence by calling 087 681 0589 or dropping a note to SVP Society, C/O Parish Centre.

Prayer Petitions for Lourdes
Petition boxes have been placed at the back of our churches for those who would like to have petitions placed at the shrine in Lourdes. Your petitions will be brought to Lourdes youth from our parish as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage on 22nd May.  NB: Do not place money with the petitions. 

James Stephen’s Kells Road Development
We congratulate the committee and members of the James Stephen’s GAA Club on the official opening of their new pitch and facilities on the Kells Road. The grounds will be officially opened by Liam Ó’Néill, Uachtarán CLG and blessed by Fr. Dan at 5.15pm on this Sunday evening. To mark the occasion, three in a row National Hurling League Champions Kilkenny will play All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions, Clare.  Throw-in at 6.30pm. Tickets are €10.  Children free.  Come along and support our local GAA club on this wonderful occasion.

Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Margaret (Marie) Slattery, 57 Lord Edward Street. Una McLoughlin, Larchfield. Brigid Lambert (nee Bissett), Nottingham and late of Haltigan Terrace.  Christy Fredrickson, Kincora, Sion Road and late of Patrick Street. Damien Mahon Pococke Lower. Requiem Mass at 10.30am on Monday at St. John’s Church. Berna Dowling, Shandon Park.
Months Mind: Elizabeth (Lizzie) McCorry
Anniversaries: Anthona Burke (Sat 6.15). Moira Bergin (Sat 7.00). Kathleen King (Sun 9.30). Patrick O’Connell (Sun 10.00). Kathleen Tobin (Sun 10.30). David McGrath (Sun 11.00). Ellen Garrehy (Sun 12.00). John Coppinger (Sun 12.30). Deceased Members of Kilkenny Active Retirement (Thurs 10.30). Brigid Barry (Fri 9.30). Fr. Richard Conway (Fri 10.30). Joe Davy (Sat 9.30). Robert Kenny. Julia Doheny. Martin Ryan. Michael (Mick) Smyth.  Breda Conaboy. Tom & Oliver Kennedy. Mary Walsh. Noreen McDonald. Patricia Frawley. Margaret Maher, Helen Maher, Nora Bambrick.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Emmanuel Joseph English (Months Mind Sat 6.15). William Doheny (Sat 7.00). Harry Kelly (Sun 10.00). John Cleere (Sun 10.30). Tom Crowe (Sun 11.00). Tommy, Kitty & Martin Phelan (Sun 12.00). William Roberts & Catherine Roberts (Sun 12.30).

Public Rosary at Seville Lodge Grotto
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto, Seville Lodge, Callan Road at 3:00pm each May Sunday.

Pilgrimage to Holy Cross
Padre Pio Mass at 3:00pm on Sunday, 25th May at Holy Cross, Tipperary. Coach leaving St. John’s Church.  Contact Vera 059 972 7313.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes
Please return your Trócaire Fast Boxes by the end of this week as we would like to close the Trócaire account for this year.  Alternatively the contents may be returned to the address on the box.  Thank you.

The Irish Pilgrimage Trust
South East Region 40th Anniversary
The South East Region of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust has been taking young people to Lourdes since 1974.  To mark our 40th anniversary we would like to invite all who travelled to Lourdes with us during those years to a Mass of Celebration at the Church of the Annunciation, Clonard, Wexford at 3:00pm on Sunday, 25th May.  The chief celebrant will be Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns. All who travelled during these years as helpers or guests and their family members are welcome to attend.
We also invite our collaborators - those who helped raise funds or sponsored the pilgrimage in any way. The present committee is unable to contact individually those who were involved over such a long period and we look forward to seeing as many as possible at the event.  Light refreshments will be served. Contact Fr. Dan on 087 907 7769 for information.

Middle Deanery Pastoral Council
The following matters were discussed at the May meeting of the Ossory Middle Deanery Pastoral Council (MDPC):
Meeting with Young Adults: A sub committee of the MDPC met a group of young adults from the Middle Deanery parishes to discuss issues around young adult faith development. Arising from this discussion it was decided that members of the MDPC would host two further meetings: (1) with young people with the aim of organising a large youth orientated event; (2) with Ossory Adult Faith Development discussing better methods of communicating issues of adult faith.

Ossory Diocesan Pastoral Council
The May meeting of ODPC mainly focused on the Ossory Diocesan Plan.  Pat O’Shea, the MDPC representative on the ODPC, attended this meeting and detailed the summary of the MDPC May Meeting to the group. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th June.
Integritas Centre of Christian Spirituality
On Wednesday, May 21st at 8.00pm Peter Hannan S.J. will give a presentation entitled: “Maintaining in Adult Life What Our Parents Gave Us As Children – the Conviction of Being Loved”. This evening will explore what is at the centre of all of our desires - the conviction of being loved, how our parents give us our first sense of this wisdom and how it can be maintained through prayer and reflection. Voluntary contribution only.
Integritas is based at Ennisnag, Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny.  Tel No: 056 772 8902. 
 
Life in the Spirit Seminar
At the Black Abbey every Tuesday at 7.00pm until 17th June.  Baptism in the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday, 8th June at 2.00pm. All welcome.

Fun Run for Astro Turf Pitch
Sunday, May  25th at 12 noon.  Registration online at  www.runireland.com or at Gaelscoil Osrai: contact michelle@osrai.com. Entry Fee: Adult €15 online & €20 on the day. Child: €5. Family: €40. Group of 5: €50.  Training Monday and Wednesday 6.30pm at the Gaelscoil Osrai.

Thank You from VMM
Volunteer Mission Movement would like to sincerely thank Mass-goers for the contribution of €2,062.86 in response to last weekend’s appeal.

Loughboy Library
Bealtaine Festival: Reflections, poetry and stories with Josie will take place at the Library on Tuesday, 20th at 11.00am.  All welcome.

 Free Educational Workshop
For family carers and those concerned about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Date: Thursday 29th May. Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm. Location: Butler House, Patrick Street. To book or register for future dates: Marie on 056 780 0508.  www.homeinstead.ie
 
Road Race & Family Fun Run
Sunday 8th June, 10km Road Race (over 18’s only) & 5k Family Fun Run in Johnswell Village at 1pm.
 Prizes-10K Top 3 men/women and 5K Top man/woman/girl/boy. Entry fee €15 for 10K chipped runner. 5K Adult €10, child €5 & family of 4 €25. Register on the day from 11am. Reduced fee for online entry. Details at facebook.com/pages/Johnswell-Fun-run. Refreshments will be served after the race and proceeds in aid of Johnswell Community.