Monday, May 25, 2015

5th Sunday of Easter, 3rd May 2015

Gaelscoil First Holy Communion
Congratulations to the children of Gaelscoil Osrai who made their First Holy Communion on Saturday.  Unfortunately the weather was unpleasant but we hope a great day was enjoyed by all.  Well done to all involved. 
The children from Kilkenny School Project will receive the Eucharist for the first time at 12.00 noon Mass at St. Fiacre’s Church on this Sunday.  We wish them God’s blessing.


Bank Holiday Weekend
As this is a bank holiday weekend the only public Mass in our parish on Monday will be at St. Patrick’s Church at 11.00am.  There will be no exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Fiacre’s Church on Monday.


Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice
Blessed Edmund Rice Memorial Chapel, Westcourt, Callan is presently closed for renovations. Visitors are still welcome to visit the Visitors’ Centre and Edmund Rice Cottage. To celebrate the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice on Tuesday, 5th May Mass will be celebrated in Callan Parish Church at 10.00am.  All are welcome.


St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society
The next meeting of the St. Patrick’s Parish Branch of the Society will take place in St. Patrick’s Parish Centre on next Friday, 8th May 8th after 10.30am Mass in St. Fiacre’s Church.  All are welcome.


Diocesan Draw Results
Congratulations to the following winners in the St. Mary’s Cathedral Refurbishment Draw.  Two of the prize winners purchased tickets in our parish.
€2,000: John Clement, St. John’s Parish.  €1,000: Kitty & John Hanrahan, St. Mary’s Parish.  €500: Fr. Dan Cavanagh, Rosbercon. €300: Kevin Hennessy, St. Patrick’s Parish. Rev. James Nolan, Castlecomer. €200: Gertie Kenna, Ballyraggett. Richard Dore, St. Mary’s Parish. €100: Gowran Parish Fund. Claire McEvoy, Cullahill.  Mary Egan, St. Patrick’s Parish.
Ossory Times Magazine
The latest edition of the Ossory Times is available in the sacristies.  €2.00 each.  This edition documents a significant moment in our diocese: the development of a pastoral plan.  This plan has been shaped slowly through a long process of listening, exploring and only then compiling.  The article offers not only a look back on the work that was done to achieve this but also and more importantly, a glance ahead at the vision the Ossory Pastoral Council has shaped for the diocese and its people for the years ahead.


Mill Hill Missionaries Mass
Mass in honour of St Joseph will be celebrated at the Mill Hill Chapel, Waterford Road at 8.00pm on this Wednesday, 6th May. Please join us.


First Holy Communion Gifts
Looking for First Holy Communion gifts?  The Parish Shop has been stocked with many items for First Holy Communion.  Medals, rosaries, prayer books, cards etc and a wide range is available.


Public Recitation of May Rosary
The Rosary will be recited at the Grotto on the Callan Road every Sunday at 3.00pm during May in honour of Our Lady.  Please join us.
The monthly recitation of the Rosary on the first Sunday in James Green at the statue of Our Lady of Kilkenny continues this Sunday 3rd May at 3.00pm. 


Queen of the May
May devotions to Our Lady will be held at St. Canice’s Parish at 7.30pm on every Friday during the month of May. 


Refurbishment Work at St. Patrick’s
Work continues on St. Patrick’s Church.  The pinnacles have been re-pointed and work has begun on the bell tower and chimney.  Once these are complete the main task of insulating and re-slating the church roof and sacristy will commence.  Work is on schedule and if the weather holds up work should finish on time.  Thanks for your patience and understanding during this time.


The Meaning of Marriage
The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has launched a new and interesting web page entitled www.meaningofmarriage.ie in preparation for the forthcoming referendum.  It is well worth a look.
There is other material related to marriage available at the back of our churches.


Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Rose Lawless, late Larchfield and Chapelizod, Dublin. Requiem Mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 10.00am on Sunday. Luke Bateman, late Upper Patrick Street.  Stella Hynes, Mayfield.  Brenda McGuinness, Maudlin Street. Seamus Murphy, Newpark. Reposing at his home.  Prayers at 9.30am on Monday followed by removal to St. John’s Church for 10.30am Requiem Mass.
Anniversaries: Patrick Dorney & Ted O’Dwyer (Sat 6.15). Fintan Brennan (Sat 7.00). John Byrne (Sun 10.00). Paddy Ryan (Sun 10.30). Mary Glennon (Sun 11.00). Mary Marnell (Tues 10.30). Sheila Lennon & Agnes Hanrahan (Wed 10.30). Helen Renehan (Thurs 10.30). Gretta Brett.  Elizabeth O’Keeffe. Bridget Maher.  Bernard Rookard. Michael O’Hara. John & Elizabeth Tynan. 
Intentions for next weekend: Anthony Cantwell (Months Mind) & Mary Cantwell (Sat  6.15). Sr. Maureen O’Flanagan (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Martin Ryan (Sun 9.30). Lar Doyle (Sun 10.00). Tony Class (Sun 10.30). Sadie Lawlor (Months Mind 11.00). William O’Brien Snr, William O’Brien Jnr, Billy, Ann & Martin O’Brien (Sun 12.00). Gerard Carolan (Sun 12.30).


Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Some places are still available on this year’s diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes which takes place from 22nd to 27th May.  To book your place contact Eleanor in Glenmore Parish on 051 880 414 (Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10.00am - 2.30pm) or glenmore@ossory.ie


Donation Thanks
Sincere thanks to a parishioner for a donation of €1,200 towards the re-slating of St. Patrick’s Church.  Every Euro helps towards defraying the costs estimated at over €200,000.00.


I Am The Vine: You Are The Branches
Our Easter celebration continues, even as nature, bursting out in colour and song, shares and expresses our inner joy. Equally, we are reminded that we are all interconnected to each other and all God’s creation, in Christ.
We are also now in Mary’s Month of May and should ask her to deepen our sense of being one family of faith and hope in the Church.  Mary is, in fact and faith, Mother of the Church, so let us share her joy in her risen Son by humming, as we go along, the May favourite:
“O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the angels and Queen of the May.”
Entwined in her Son and each other through our Eucharistic living, may our joy be contagious! Happy Easter Season and Happy Mary’s May.


TrĂ³caire Family Fast Boxes
We are about to close the TrĂ³caire Parish Account for this year.  Outstanding boxes should be returned to the Parish Office before next Sunday.  Thank you.


Choral Concert
The Kilkenny Choir will present a concert in St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny on Saturday, 9th May at 8.00pm. The Choir will be accompanied by professional soloists and large orchestra and will sing Schubert’s Mass in A flat major and Intende Voci. Conductor: Philip Edmondson.  €20/€15 at the door.


Kilkenny Alzheimer Society Fun Run
Date: Sunday, 17th May. Time: 12.00pm. Runners can register online.  Walkers/Fun Runners can register on the day, 10.00am - 11.30am. Entry Fee: €20 for runners and €10 for walkers/fun runners. Stoneyford Village. In Aid of Alzheimer Day Centre & Alzheimer Home Care in Kilkenny. For sponsorship card and T-shirt: 056 777 1230.
Kilkenny Alzheimer Tea Day in St Patrick’s Parish Centre on Thursday, 7th May  10.00am - 1.00pm. All welcome. Proceeds to local services for people living with Alzheimers/Dementia. Information: 056 777 1230.


Dates For Your Diary
Gaelscoil Confirmation: 9th May, 11.00am, St. Mary’s Cathedral.
St. John of God First Holy Communion: 9th May, 11.00am, St.  Fiacre’s, Loughboy.
St. Patrick’s de la Salle, First Holy Communion: 16th May, 11.00am St. Patrick’s Church.
Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown:  Thursday, 30th July, 7.30pm.
St. Fiacre’s Well Mass:  Sheestown: 30th August, 3.00pm.