Current Newsletter
Sunday, 17th September 2023
After the sunshine and tropical temperatures, the rain has come! I am sure those planning a trip to the ploughing are hoping for an improvement in conditions during the coming week! However our slight discomfort cannot be compared to the sufferings of the people of Libya and Morocco, who are in need of so much help and support following recent disasters.
The theme of Forgiveness is prominent in the Liturgy of the Word this weekend. The response to the Psalm reminds us that The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. To be a true follower of Jesus is to forgive and to ask for forgiveness when necessary. This is not easy, the reality is that forgiveness is a journey which begins by praying for the humility to take small steps, our feet clad with compassion and mercy moving towards the other person.
Forgiveness is a wonderful fruit of our Baptism, the first Sacrament of forgiveness and mercy. Later in life when we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and truly forgive with our hearts we are renewing the grace of Baptism and expressing gratitude to God for his mercy. Speaking of Baptism, this week our Baptism font in St Patrick’s Church has moved to a new space which will expresses the centrality of Baptism as the primary Sacrament and will allow a more comfortable and safe celebration for families. With some seats relocated a more comfortable space is also provided for families who will celebrate the funerals of their loved ones in the Church and the link with Baptism is acknowledged. In Baptism they died with Christ, may they also share in his Resurrection.
Thanks to Fr Dermot and St Mary’s Cathedral, we were delighted to acquire a Baptism font for Foulkstown Church which will give prominence to the Sacrament of Baptism and enhance our celebrations there. May all our efforts and adjustments enrich our celebration of faith and give praise to God.
Kieran
Baptism registration meeting
Parents who wish to register their children for Baptism in the Parish should come along to an information and registration meeting held on the first Tuesday of every month in St Patrick's Parish Centre. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd October at 7 pm.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Mary Gittens, Clonmoran. Imelda McPhilomy, The Paddocks, Kells Road.
Anniversaries:
6.15pm : Maidie Croghan. Christian Houlihan McGrath.
10.30am: Martin Mahony. The Byrne Family.
12.00noon: Jimmy Long. Mike Roberts (Months Mind). May, Tobias & Phyllis Tallent .
Paul O’Reilly. Paddy Larkin. Josephine Neary. Jimmy Owens. Pat Owens. Bridget Cahill.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Peggy & Michael McKane (Sat 6.15). Mary Ward (Sun 10.30). Denise Fester. Jack Nolan. Mary Dowling (Sun 12.00).
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and forever dear.
St Mary’s Cathedral Tour
Last weekend saw the launch of an interactive tour of St Mary’s Cathedral. By means of QR codes visitors can interact with and learn about the fascinating history of this wonderful building. Built by the people of Kilkenny in the 1840s it has a rich legacy of sacred art, design and prayer. The tour will be available year-round for a daily pass at a cost of €5. The tour, however, will be free of charge this Sunday 17th for the people of the city and beyond. A second phase of the tour will also launch in the weeks ahead.
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound
If you wish to be visited by Fr Kieran or have a loved one who would like a visit on a monthly (First Friday) basis, please contact Fr Kieran or Michelle directly at the Parish Office. As it is a private family matter a request for visitation must come directly from the sick person or a family member. Information provided by third parties about parishioners who are sick or housebound cannot be processed. If you have a loved one seriously ill and would like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing & Holy communion (Viaticum) please contact us in plenty of time as a priest may not be available at a moments notice.
Synod Gathering
In advance of the first assembly of the Universal Synod, which begins on 4th October 2023, an ecumenical prayer vigil is taking place in Rome to unite us all in praise and worship. In extending this invitation to “TOGETHER-GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD” Pope Francis reminded us that ‘the path to Christian unity and the path of synodal conversion of the Church are linked’. In a special way, young people from across the world, are asked to take part.
In our Diocese on Friday September 22nd we will join with Pope Francis and the young people invited to Rome by holding an ecumenical Taizé Prayer in The Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Mary’s Cathedral at 7pm with a special invitation to all the young people of the Diocese. Then on Sunday 24th September we will gather as the People of God in Ossory at the 5.30pm Mass united with the People of God across the world to pray for the Universal Synod. People from all across the diocese are invited to attend.
Bringing Holy Communion to the Sick
It is wonderful in our parish Community that the Eucharist is often brought to a sick relative or neighbour by a Eucharistic Minister who is also a family member. As discussed at our gathering of Ministers on Wednesday night Ministers / family members are asked to observe the following guidelines from now on.
When you arrive at the Church please go to the Sacristy and sign the register and give your pyx to the Sacristan. The sacristan will place your pyx on the Altar.
At the end of Mass the Priest will place the Consecrated Hosts in the pyx, invite you to come forward to receive the pyx accompanied by a special prayer. Only one Host should be taken at a time.
Please be aware that any Minister bringing Holy Communion to the sick or housebound - (other than a close family member)- is obliged to be Garda Vetted.
Weekly Collections
Envelope Collection: €1140
St. Patrick’s Baskets: €413.36
St. Fiacre’s Baskets: €1098.41
Foulkstown Basket: €387.22
Thank you for your continued support.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
The new series of the Restoration Fund Draw beings this month. Contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 to join. €10 per month or €120 per year. Thank you for your continued support.
Bridge
Bridge in the Parish Centre every Thursday from 2 - 4pm. No partner required. All welcome. Contact Rene 086 127 1122.
Loreto Secondary School
1st Year Enrolment Autumn 2024 - The closing date for a First Year place is 23rd October, 2023. Applications can be made via the school website www.loretokk.ie.
Open Day for 6th Class Girls - An Open Day will take place on Thursday 28th September, 2023. Further information will be on our website also.
Shared Mass Intentions & Anniversary List
The Mass for the Shared Mass intentions sold in the parish centre will be offered every Tuesday morning at 9.30am in St. Patrick’s Church. Every week parishioners send in the names of loved ones to be included on our anniversary list. Occasionally people include an offering. The 9.30am Mass every Tuesday morning in St. Patrick’s Church will also be offered for these intentions.
Knock Basilica
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love at Friday 1st December
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love in Knock Basilica - Friday, 1st Dec - 8pm, featuring Dana, John McNicholl, Margo, Philomena Begley and Marc Roberts with Úna Nolan & Schola Cantorum Basilicae choir. A fundraising concert for Victim Assistance Charity. Tickets from Ticketmaster.ie Tickets also available from head office - for details contact Mary McNicholas, Victim Assistance Head Office, Aiden St., Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo 094 9000 251/ 086 3938871. Email: support@victimassistance.ie
After the sunshine and tropical temperatures, the rain has come! I am sure those planning a trip to the ploughing are hoping for an improvement in conditions during the coming week! However our slight discomfort cannot be compared to the sufferings of the people of Libya and Morocco, who are in need of so much help and support following recent disasters.
The theme of Forgiveness is prominent in the Liturgy of the Word this weekend. The response to the Psalm reminds us that The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. To be a true follower of Jesus is to forgive and to ask for forgiveness when necessary. This is not easy, the reality is that forgiveness is a journey which begins by praying for the humility to take small steps, our feet clad with compassion and mercy moving towards the other person.
Forgiveness is a wonderful fruit of our Baptism, the first Sacrament of forgiveness and mercy. Later in life when we celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and truly forgive with our hearts we are renewing the grace of Baptism and expressing gratitude to God for his mercy. Speaking of Baptism, this week our Baptism font in St Patrick’s Church has moved to a new space which will expresses the centrality of Baptism as the primary Sacrament and will allow a more comfortable and safe celebration for families. With some seats relocated a more comfortable space is also provided for families who will celebrate the funerals of their loved ones in the Church and the link with Baptism is acknowledged. In Baptism they died with Christ, may they also share in his Resurrection.
Thanks to Fr Dermot and St Mary’s Cathedral, we were delighted to acquire a Baptism font for Foulkstown Church which will give prominence to the Sacrament of Baptism and enhance our celebrations there. May all our efforts and adjustments enrich our celebration of faith and give praise to God.
Kieran
Baptism registration meeting
Parents who wish to register their children for Baptism in the Parish should come along to an information and registration meeting held on the first Tuesday of every month in St Patrick's Parish Centre. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 3rd October at 7 pm.
Pray for Our Deceased Friends
Recently Deceased: Mary Gittens, Clonmoran. Imelda McPhilomy, The Paddocks, Kells Road.
Anniversaries:
6.15pm : Maidie Croghan. Christian Houlihan McGrath.
10.30am: Martin Mahony. The Byrne Family.
12.00noon: Jimmy Long. Mike Roberts (Months Mind). May, Tobias & Phyllis Tallent .
Paul O’Reilly. Paddy Larkin. Josephine Neary. Jimmy Owens. Pat Owens. Bridget Cahill.
Intentions for Next Weekend: Peggy & Michael McKane (Sat 6.15). Mary Ward (Sun 10.30). Denise Fester. Jack Nolan. Mary Dowling (Sun 12.00).
Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard but always near. Still loved, still missed and forever dear.
St Mary’s Cathedral Tour
Last weekend saw the launch of an interactive tour of St Mary’s Cathedral. By means of QR codes visitors can interact with and learn about the fascinating history of this wonderful building. Built by the people of Kilkenny in the 1840s it has a rich legacy of sacred art, design and prayer. The tour will be available year-round for a daily pass at a cost of €5. The tour, however, will be free of charge this Sunday 17th for the people of the city and beyond. A second phase of the tour will also launch in the weeks ahead.
Visitation of the Sick and Housebound
If you wish to be visited by Fr Kieran or have a loved one who would like a visit on a monthly (First Friday) basis, please contact Fr Kieran or Michelle directly at the Parish Office. As it is a private family matter a request for visitation must come directly from the sick person or a family member. Information provided by third parties about parishioners who are sick or housebound cannot be processed. If you have a loved one seriously ill and would like to receive the Sacrament of Anointing & Holy communion (Viaticum) please contact us in plenty of time as a priest may not be available at a moments notice.
Synod Gathering
In advance of the first assembly of the Universal Synod, which begins on 4th October 2023, an ecumenical prayer vigil is taking place in Rome to unite us all in praise and worship. In extending this invitation to “TOGETHER-GATHERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GOD” Pope Francis reminded us that ‘the path to Christian unity and the path of synodal conversion of the Church are linked’. In a special way, young people from across the world, are asked to take part.
In our Diocese on Friday September 22nd we will join with Pope Francis and the young people invited to Rome by holding an ecumenical Taizé Prayer in The Blessed Sacrament Chapel in St Mary’s Cathedral at 7pm with a special invitation to all the young people of the Diocese. Then on Sunday 24th September we will gather as the People of God in Ossory at the 5.30pm Mass united with the People of God across the world to pray for the Universal Synod. People from all across the diocese are invited to attend.
Bringing Holy Communion to the Sick
It is wonderful in our parish Community that the Eucharist is often brought to a sick relative or neighbour by a Eucharistic Minister who is also a family member. As discussed at our gathering of Ministers on Wednesday night Ministers / family members are asked to observe the following guidelines from now on.
When you arrive at the Church please go to the Sacristy and sign the register and give your pyx to the Sacristan. The sacristan will place your pyx on the Altar.
At the end of Mass the Priest will place the Consecrated Hosts in the pyx, invite you to come forward to receive the pyx accompanied by a special prayer. Only one Host should be taken at a time.
Please be aware that any Minister bringing Holy Communion to the sick or housebound - (other than a close family member)- is obliged to be Garda Vetted.
Weekly Collections
Envelope Collection: €1140
St. Patrick’s Baskets: €413.36
St. Fiacre’s Baskets: €1098.41
Foulkstown Basket: €387.22
Thank you for your continued support.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Draw
The new series of the Restoration Fund Draw beings this month. Contact the Parish Office on 056 776 4400 to join. €10 per month or €120 per year. Thank you for your continued support.
Bridge
Bridge in the Parish Centre every Thursday from 2 - 4pm. No partner required. All welcome. Contact Rene 086 127 1122.
Loreto Secondary School
1st Year Enrolment Autumn 2024 - The closing date for a First Year place is 23rd October, 2023. Applications can be made via the school website www.loretokk.ie.
Open Day for 6th Class Girls - An Open Day will take place on Thursday 28th September, 2023. Further information will be on our website also.
Shared Mass Intentions & Anniversary List
The Mass for the Shared Mass intentions sold in the parish centre will be offered every Tuesday morning at 9.30am in St. Patrick’s Church. Every week parishioners send in the names of loved ones to be included on our anniversary list. Occasionally people include an offering. The 9.30am Mass every Tuesday morning in St. Patrick’s Church will also be offered for these intentions.
Knock Basilica
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love at Friday 1st December
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love in Knock Basilica - Friday, 1st Dec - 8pm, featuring Dana, John McNicholl, Margo, Philomena Begley and Marc Roberts with Úna Nolan & Schola Cantorum Basilicae choir. A fundraising concert for Victim Assistance Charity. Tickets from Ticketmaster.ie Tickets also available from head office - for details contact Mary McNicholas, Victim Assistance Head Office, Aiden St., Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo 094 9000 251/ 086 3938871. Email: support@victimassistance.ie
