Friday, July 17, 2015

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, 12th July 2015

Jesus Summons the Twelve Apostles
God has given you an unique mission; 
The Church calls you to be an unique missionary.
“God has created me to do Him some definite service.  He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.  I have my mission.  I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught.  I shall do good; I shall do His work.  I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away.  If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him.  If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him.  He does nothing in vain.  He knows what He is about.  He may take away my friends.  He may throw me among strangers.  He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about.”
John Henry Newman


Refurbishment of St. Patrick’s Church
Work will continue at St. Patrick’s Church for another short while.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.  We are almost there.


Eucharistic Ministers
The new rota for the Eucharistic Ministers is now available in the sacristies.


Foulkstown Cemetery Mass
The annual Cemetery Mass at Foulkstown will be celebrated on Thursday, 30th July at 7.30pm.  It’s time to pay special attention to family graves to have them looking well for the Cemetery Celebration.  We appeal to those who have time and energy to care for the adjacent graves of those with elderly or no living relatives.
Also it is important to remind family members who are away from home that the Mass will be at 7.30pm on Thursday, 30th July.


Pray For Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Teresa Burke, Archers Crescent. Christine Cree.
Months Mind: Martin Murray (Sun 9.30).
Anniversaries: Donal O’Neill (Sat 6.15). Sr. Brid Griffin (Sun 7.00). Pauline Kennedy (Sun 10.00). Dr. Paddy Boyd (Sun 10.30). Eileen & Jim Rafter (Sun 11.00). Michelle Heffernan (Sun 12.00). Marie & Ann Marie  Manogue (Sun 12.30). John & Margaret Johnson (Wed 10.30). Bridget Kelly (Thurs 10.30).  Marty Neylon (Fri 10.30). David Gaffney. Christy Murray. Peg Horrigan. Felix Campbell. Catherine Dowling. Joan Cody. Sean Hennessey. Patrick O’Brien. Gretta Boseell.  John Walsh.
Intentions for next weekend:   Ivan Power (Sat 6.15). Lily O’Connell (Months Mind Sat 7.00). Tesa & Pat Delahunty (Sun 9.30). James O’Sullivan (Months Mind Sun 10.00). Pat Murray (Sun 10.30). Eileen Glennon (Sun 11.00). Tommy Brennan (Sun 12.00). Ger Doheny (Sun 12.30).  May they rest in peace.


Divine Mercy
There will be an hour of adoration and prayer in honour of Divine Mercy in the Capuchin Friary Church on this Sunday, 12th July from 3.00pm to 4.00pm.  All are welcome.


Certificate in Theology
Do you want to know more about your faith? Your Church? Its history? Our Bible (Old and New Testaments) Our moral theology? Our liturgy and the sacraments?  Or just to know more about the God we pray to.  If so why not consider taking part in the Certificate in Theology at St Kieran’s College.  A new course starts October 2015 - find out more at www.ossory.ie 

Theology Matters!
The Priory Institute invites you to join their enthusiastic student community and study theology from home or in class.  Application deadline is 21st September.  Email: enquiries@prioryinstitute.com or phone 01 404 8124.


Pilgrimage to Our Lady’s Island, Wexford
This takes place on Sunday 26th July 2015.  Mass, benediction and rosary procession around the island will be held out of doors if weather permits.
Chief Celebrant and homilist will be Bishop Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns.  Pastoral theme is “Love is always patient and kind”.
Bus will leave St. Fiacre’s Church at 11.30am.  Cost of bus €15.  Contact:  Phil 086 833 3029 or Marian 086 069 3510.  All welcome.


Summer Festival
Youth 2000 Summer Festival takes place at the Cistercian College, Roscrea from Thursday, 13th to Sunday, 16th August for young people aged 16 to 35 years.  Free buses available.  For more information and to book online see www.youth2000.ie or telephone 01 675 3690.  The festival is donation only.


Parish Centre Bridge
Bridge is played at the Parish Centre every Tuesday from 2.30pm. Partner not required.  All welcome.


Is God Calling You to Priesthood?
Dear Young People, do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you! Do not be afraid to dream of great things.         (Pope Francis)


Getting Married?
Contact the Parish Office (776 4400) as early as possible to book your preferred date.  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 months before the date. 
Contact the parish where you now reside where pre-marriage papers will be prepared for forwarding to the place of marriage.  Visit www.gettingmarried.ie which provides useful information, hints and tips.


Tidy Towns: You Can Help!
Well done and continued success to all who volunteer their services to make our neighbourhood a nicer place in which to live. Let us all play a part by keeping our area litter free.  Please bin your rubbish.


Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
Thanks for your ongoing contributions to our liturgies.  Your work is greatly appreciated.  We appreciate that during holiday time you may not be able to attend as scheduled.  Please ask another minister to take your place if you are going to be absent.  Thanks.


Camino Walk
A pilgrimage walk of Camino de Santiago takes place from 15th - 24th October 2015. Cost: €949 pps, €230 single supplement.  Kavanagh Travel, Bridge Garage, Urlingford. Tel: 056 883 8833.


St. Swithin’s Day
St Swithin’ Day if thou dost rain be, for forty days it will remain
St Swithin’ Day if thou be fair for forty days ‘twill rain nae mair.
On the 15th July, St. Swithin’s Day, many people are on alert for the weather forecast.  According to tradition, if the sun shines on this date, forty days sunshine are in store.  But alas if it rains, forty days of downpour will follow.
Jane Struthers informs us in her book, Red Sky at Night, that the Meteorological Office researched this theory and declared it to be without foundation.
St. Swithin was bishop of Winchester in England and wished to be buried out of doors breaking with the tradition of bishops being buried in the cathedral.  Nine years later an attempt was made to exhume his body and take it to the cathedral but gales blew, rain fell and the attempt had to be abandoned.
Let us be happy and patient with whatever weather God sends us as patience brings relief. Say the following prayer and one never knows what will happen:
Lord God send us rain but not wet weather,
may tomorrow’s amount fall tonight.  Amen.