Feast of The Assumption of Our Lady
Friday 15th August
In Irish tradition this feast is also called ‘Mary’s Day
in Autumn’. It is an important feast day for us because Mary is our advocate in Heaven. Let us place our trust in Mary as our mother. Mary, Mother of God, was assumed body and soul into the glory of heaven. On this Feast Day we are obliged to attend Mass and refrain from unnecessary servile work. Pope Pius X11 declared Assumption Day a Church Feast in 1950. Scripture gives the following account of the Assumption, “ And a great sign appeared in heaven:
A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under
her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
(Apocalypse 12:1).
Our Lady was inspired by the Holy Spirit throughout her life. She was faithful to her Son in this life and is now with Him in Heaven. Let us remember Mary as a true mother always interceding for us and who is our example and refuge in this valley of tears.
The following is a prayer from Tradition:
Mary greatest of our race,
Mother of Christ who rules forever
Many are her graces
She who is our protector.
The Feast of the Assumption is a holyday of obligation for all Catholics. Beginning with the Vigil Masses on Thursday evening at 6.15pm and 7.00pm the Masses for this holyday follow our usual weekend timetable.
St. Fiacre’s Well Mass
The annual Novena and Mass to St. Fiacre will take place at the well in Sheestown on Sunday, 31st August at 3.00pm. All are welcome: please put the date in your diary and let your friends know.
Baptism
At least 2 weeks notice is required by the Parish in order to have a child baptised. Contact Michelle in the Parish Office 056 776 4400 to book.
Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Nan Morrissey, Newpark Lawn. Reposing at her daughter Marian Bradley’s house, 22, Cedarwood Ave. Funeral Prayers on Sunday at 5pm followed by removal to St. John’s Church. Funeral Mass, Monday 10.30am. Internment in St. Kieran’s Cemetery. Colm O’Farrell, Talbot Place, Lakeside, Kilkenny (Requiem Mass, Friday 1pm, St. Joseph’s Foulkstown). Eileen Savage, USA.
Anniversaries: Jim & Margaret Bambrick (Sat 6.15). Jackie Coonan (Sat 7.00). Ellen McEvoy (Sun 9.30). Phil O’Neill (Sun 10.00). Annie Lennon (Sun 10.30). Martin Mulhall (Sun 11.00). Mary Coogan (Sun 12.00). Bridget Long (Fri 10.30). Christopher & Mary Ryan. Martin Doran. Pat Owens.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Kathleen Brophy (Sat 6.15). Margaret Shanahan (Sat 7.00). Jim Drohan (Sun 10.00). Evelyn Hughes (Sun 12.00). Joe McHugh (Sun 12.30).
May they rest in peace.
Ministers of the Eucharist and Readers
We are blessed with a large number of Readers and Ministers of the Eucharist in our parish and long may that continue. We appeal to those who have taken on these ministries to be faithful to their rotas. At a number of Masses each week, some Ministers and Readers are missing on a regular basis. This puts pressure on others to fill in their places and sometimes there is no one to step in.
If a Eucharistic Minister or Reader is unable to attend on a particular Sunday, we ask that they get a replacement, or at the very least let us know through the Parish Office (telephone or email).
Likewise, if anyone is no longer able or willing to read, minister Holy Communion or serve, please let us know and we will make further arrangements. Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to your ministry.
Getting Married?
Contact the Parish Office (056 776 4400) as early as possible to book your preferred date. (Booking is on a first-come-first-served basis). Please note that it is a civil requirement to inform the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths of your intention to marry at least three month’s before the date.
Contact the parish where you now reside. That is where your pre-marriage papers will be prepared for forwarding to the place of marriage. A helpful website when getting married is www.gettingmarried.ie.
Certificate in Theological Studies
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 from September 2014 to May 2015. For details apply to Declan Murphy, St Kieran’s College 087 908 1470 or 056 775 3624 or email declanmurphy@ossory.ie
Sponsored Walk
Kilkenny to Bennettsbridge on Sunday 24th August in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. Walk starts at picnic tables in Maudlin Street @ 11.00am sharp. Registration @ 10.30am. €10 entrance fee to the charity. Length: 11km each way. Return lifts can be arranged. Contact Aoife on 085 810 7890 for info and sponsorship cards.
South Kilkenny Historical Society
Coach trip to Clontarf and the Botanic Gardens, Dublin. Thursday, August 21st 2014. Bus departing Mullinavat at 8am, returning 10pm (approximately). Cost: €55, (€50, members), which includes bus fare, guided tours and evening meal in Dublin. For bookings and further information please contact Brigid: 051 885300, 087 9507295 or Eddie 086-8124349, edsynnott@yahoo.co.uk.
Leaving Certificate Results
We wish all those awaiting Leaving Certificate examination results on Wednesday all the very best. We will pray for you at Masses during the week.
Thinking about Priesthood
You are invited to an awareness morning on the Diocesan Priesthood in St Mary's Cathedral Chapter Room on Saturday the 16th of August beginning at 11 am. Deacon Rev Brian Griffin will give a talk on his journey to the Priesthood. No booking necessary. Further information from: Fr. Willie Purcell 0876286858
CURA Volunteers
Cura crisis pregnancy support services provide free counselling and support from their Dean Street centre in Kilkenny. The centre will be holding an information meeting at 10am on September 3rd for anyone interested in training to become a Cura counsellor. If you are interested in volunteering please call 056 7722 739 or visit www.cura.ie for more information.
Good Luck to the Cats
We join in wishing the Kilkenny hurling teams all the best in this weekend’s All Ireland Senior & Minor Hurling Semi Finals. Special good wishes go to those from our parish involved with the teams. Come on the Cats!
Loughboy Library
Kilkenny Arts Festival - celebrate at Loughboy by joining us for a reading by Josie Funchion on Fri Aug 15th at 2pm.
Summer Reading challenge - finishing on Aug 16th. Please return competed cards.
Newsletter Items
Please have notices, anniversaries, etc. into the Parish Office by Thursday at the latest. After this date we cannot guarantee publication that weekend. Leaving anniversaries in at churches, on altars and under sacristy doors will not guarantee they will make the newsletter in time. Thanks for your cooperation.
Parish Website
We re currently updating the parish website at www.patricksparish.com. Please have a look and let us know what you think
