th 24 November 2013 Vol 23 No 52 St Mary’s Parish, Bennekerry Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

th Fr. Tom Little Christ the King 24 November 2013

059 91-34992 What is our image of a King? The picture painted Fr Liam Morgan by Luke in today’s Gospel is hardly the stuff of The 059 91-31212 kingship! Or is it? This account of Jesus’ death Sr. Joan Pierse gives us an opportunity to lay aside a lot of A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbour. Within 059 91-42565 cultural baggage about kings, leaders and a few days the whole community knew the story. The person kingdoms. Jesus’ kingdom is unlike the one that ASKEA PARISH it concerned was deeply hurt and offended. Later the woman COLLECTIONS Pilate, or many other earthly leaders know. It is a Development € kingdom built on love, service, justice, responsible for spreading the rumour learned that it was Offertory € reconciliation and peace. Very few of today’s so- completely untrue. She was very sorry and went to a wise old *************** called kings can measure up to this: responding sage to find out what she could do to repair the damage. "Go Emergency to violence with forgiveness, giving those with o to the marketplace," he said, "and purchase a chicken, and Priest on Duty hope a reason to hope. 087 2588118 Look at the following examples from the past have it killed. Then on your way home, pluck its feathers and Askea Parish Community century and ask who are the more living drop them one by one along the road." Although surprised by Centre Phone examples of this type of kingship: Mahatma this advice, the woman did what she was told. The next day & Fax 91-42565 Gandhi, Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, Mother the wise man said, "Now go and collect all those feathers you 087 1269709 Teresa, local community leaders who make daily dropped yesterday and bring them back to me." sacrifices in endless service to those around Mass Times: them. Askea 9.30am Mon-Fri The woman followed the same road, but to her dismay, the We sometimes ask where is God? Today we are Sat 7pm; Sun 9am, wind had blown the feathers all away. After searching for 10.30am & 12 Noon given an answer: God is on the cross, in a broken Bennekerry Sun 11.30am body asking us to climb up there with him and to hours, she returned with only three in her hand. "You see," Tinryland Wed 9.30am look at the world from an entirely different said the old sage, "it's easy to drop them, but it's impossible Sunday 10am perspective. Today’ Gospel gives a powerful to get them back. So it is with gossip. It doesn't take much to ************ image of Jesus as servant King, like a beacon light spread a rumour but once you do, you can never completely Deadline for items for for society in today’s world. Newsletter if 5pm on undo the wrong." Wednesday by phone or ‘The power of truth, of honesty, of forgiveness – fax to 9142565 or email with no frills! How different the world would be if to [email protected] it was governed by this kind of power.’ Website: Michel de Verteuil www.askeaparish.ie Jane Mellett – Intercom Magazine St Mary’s Parish, Bennekerry Fr Tom Little PP – Phone 059 9131559 /9134992 Kildare & Leighlin Weekly Lotto Results Fr Liam Morgan CC 059 9143260. Newsletter Items – 059 9143881. For Wed 20th November 2013. Numbers drawn were 5, 22, 28 & 29. Deadline for News items: - 9pm Wednesdays No Jackpot Winner. 8 Match 3s shared €1,000 - €125 each Emergency Number for the Priest on Duty 087 2588118. There were 2 Match3s from Askea / Bennekerry. New Jackpot €20,000. Parish Office – 059 9142565 087 – 1269709. Winner Promoter Website: www.askeaparish.ie; email: [email protected]

Annette Dooley Marie Nolan Jerry Crowley Una Hade Tickets €2 each – available from Askea Parish Centre. Please note the draw takes place on Anniversaries - Sunday 24th November at 11.30am Wed at 4.30pm in Portlaoise. Tickets must be returned by 5pm each Tuesday to Askea Parish Centre. Phyllis Minchin, Tullow

Eucharistic Adoration takes place in Holy Family Church, Askea

PALATINE G.F.C. Lotto Results:- 18/11/’13 every Wednesday after the 9.30am Mass and concluding at 7pm.

Lotto numbers: 7. 10, 17, 21 No Jackpot winner In Memoriam 8 Match 3s - each gets €25. We ask the Lord to grant eternal rest to: Winner Promoter Maurice Farrell Jimmy O'Shea Tudor Ghirghircic, 159 Willow Park Lorraine Dermody Mark Nolan Michael Kenny, 10 Lower Pollerton Road John Whelan Ann Dunne Christopher (Christy) Greene, 2 Pollerton Road David Kinsella David Kinsella Aisling O'Brien Bronagh c/o Keenans and we offer our sympathy and the support of our prayers to John Mullins Willie Mullins all who have suffered the loss of a loved one at this time. Luke Hickey Tom Hickey Mary Woods Mary Tracey Carlow Day Care Centre News Promoter's Prize 70 Nicky Parle. 1. The Carlow Day Care Centre will be travelling to Whitewater Next Draw Monday 25th November Jackpot Shopping Centre on Tuesday 3rd December leaving at 9.30am. The €17,000. cost of transport is €10 which includes refreshments. There are some seats available on the bus. Anyone wishing to join this day trip may do so by contacting the Day Care Centre at 059 9135977. Meeting of Flower Arrangers and Cleaners will take place 2. The Carlow Day Care Centre wish to thank the Townsend family who th organised a very successful night out in Carpenters Lounge last in Bennekerry Church at 8pm on Wednesday 27 th November 2013. Saturday night 16 November. A great night was enjoyed by all and a total of €1,010. was raised for the Day Care Centre.

Carlow Choral Society present Handel's Messiah on Sunday Dec 1st at Askea Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party 8.30pm in Carlow Cathedral. Tickets 20/18 euro. Info: Susan 0857119334. in Seven Oaks Hotel on Wednesday 4th December at th The Society of St. Vincent de Paul " Vincent's " shop at 46 Tullow 1pm. Names and money to be paid by Wednesday 27 Street Carlow urgently needs donations of winter clothes before Christmas. November. New members welcome. They also hope to have a "Christmas corner" in the shop during December so Contact Marian 059 91 43010. if you have any Christmas decorations, toys or gifts they will be gratefully received in the shop Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. The Society would Askea Senior Citizens’ Night Out like to thank everyone for supporting the shop during the year. Wednesday 27th November in Askea Parish Community Centre From 7pm to 10pm. If you need transport please contact Marian at St Leo’s has got talent St Leo’s College Carlow are holding a Talent Show 059 91 43010. in the school on Thursday 28th November at 8pm. All are welcome. Admission Students €5, Adults €10, Family €20. Handbags and Glad Rags – Sale in aid of St Laserian’s School st playground in Askea Parish Community Centre on Sunday 1 December 11am Baking Demonstration A fundraising baking demonstration in aid of to 5pm. Your support will be greatly appreciated. Contact Millie 087 Forward Steps Resource Centre with Oonagh Barrett and guests from TV3;s 9146984 with donations. Great Irish Bake Off, will be held in Mount Wolseley Hotel on Thursday 5th December at 8pm. Details 059 9152776 or 087 6243821 or 086 8555294. Carlow MABS Ltd (Money Advice & Budgeting Service), 72d Tullow Street, Carlow. Tel: 076 107 2070. Free and confidential, Money Gaelcholáiste Christmas Fair We are holding a Christmas Fair or "Aonach Management and Advice Service. Assisting people in dealing with their na Nollag" in the Gaelcholáiste on Sunday the 1st Dec from 10am to 2pm in existing debts and helping them to begin to manage their own resources. the school. There will be many craft items on sale made by the students and Community Education Programmes provided. other local crafts people.

Zumba Carlow are hosting their second annual ‘Zumbathon’ in aid of Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary “Talk It Over”, Carlow and S.O.S. – Suicide Prevention and support in The The Parish Team sends best wishes and prayers to the Presentation Sisters Tower, Dinn Rí on Friday 29th November from 7pm to 9.30pm. No Zumba and to the staff of the College as they celebrate their feast day. experience necessary. Tickets €10 – available from Zumba Carlow. Contact Lisa at 086 3342428. Oisin players present “Troubled Bachelors” – a Three Act comedy in Behans Lounge, Tolerton on Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December Enrolment Carlow Vocational School is now accepting students for 2014 at 8pm. Contact Annette on 087 9905205 for bookings. enrolment Contact: (059) 913 1187 e: [email protected] Website: www.carlowvs.ie “How to overcome Suicidal Thoughts” Dr Steve Critchlow is author of “Finding the Yes in the Mess”, a wonderful book that looks at why there is so Eist Cancer Support Centre Carlow have their Xmas cards and much suffering in the world and how we can respond in the face of so much calamity and disaster. Dr Critchlow will be in Carlow on Saturday 30th candles for sale in Askea Parish Community Centre. Your continued support is November and will give a talk on How to Overcome Suicidal Thoughts in the very much appreciated. Seven Oaks Hotel Ballroom starting at 7.30pm. Admission free.

Prayer of Thanksgiving Birthday Celebrations Our newsletter “Keeping in Touch” will be 27 years in production on Saturday O God, we thank you for this universe, our great home; for its vastness 30th November. It was first issued on Sunday 30th November 1986. How old and its riches, and for the manifoldness of the life which teems upon it were you then? Some of us have seen our children go to school in and of which we are a part. We praise you for the arching sky and the Bennekerry go to Secondary School and are now too the adults of today. We blessed winds, for the driving clouds and the constellations on high. remember with fondness our friends and neighbours of the Parish who have We praise you for the salt sea and the running water, for the everlasting died in those years. We remember in our prayers at this time founder members of the production team Fr. Gary Doyle R.I.P and Kathleen Brennan hills, for the trees, and for the grass under our feet. We thank you for our RI.P. The newsletter keeps us informed of ceremonial events in the Church, senses by which we can see the splendour of the morning and hear the activities and achievements at the school G.A A. events at Palatine G.F.C., jubilant songs of love and smell the breath of the springtime. I.C.A., Community Games, Apostolic Work Society, retirements, fun days, get Grant us, we pray you, a heart wide open to all this joy and beauty, -togethers, fundraisers and events that make us a living community. Kind regards too to Fr. Paddy Daly who is now P.P. at St. Benignus's Staplestown and save our souls from being so steeped in care or so darkened by and Christ the King, Parish Cooleragh in Co. Kildare. Fr. Daly gave of his time passion that we pass heedless and un-seeing when even the thorn bush sorting out photocopiers typing and word processing keeping up to speed by the wayside is aflame with the glory of God. with the new technology of today, our computers. Cheers also to the former Walter Rauschenbusch members of the production team all those years ago. Many thanks now to Fr. Tom, Fr. Liam, Norah Holohan, Parish THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Secretary in Askea and Bennekerry, Sr Joan and the Parish Staff at the Centre Remember to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. who play their part in producing the Newsletter each week. Did you remember to say a prayer for the Holy Souls today? Margaret Burke If you forgot just stop right now and for the poor souls pray. CALENDAR Make it one of your daily goals to pray for the Holy Souls. th Monday : - 25 :-St Catherine was martyred in 310 at Alexandria. Her body was venerated at the monastery on Mt Sion. St Colman, bishop, was born around 530, probably in West Cork. A bard by Trócaire Collection for Syria and the Phillipines profession, he is reputed to have been influenced by St Brendan to become a priest. The Offertory Collection taken up at all Masses last weekend His apostolate was to East Cork. His main foundation was at Cloynes. was for Trócaire for Syria and the Philippines. Thanks to Wednesday 27th:- St Fergal (Virgil) lived first in France and then in Bavaria, where he founded the monastery of Chiemsee. He was appointed bishop of Salzburg around everyone who so generously donated to this collection as 754 and died in 784 leaving a reputation for learning and holiness. follows: th Saturday 30 :-St Andrew from Bethsaida was a disciple of St John the Baptist when Askea Church - €7,609 he was called by Jesus. He in turn brought Peter to Jesus. He is said to have suffered martyrdom on this date by crucifixion, but the tradition of an Xshaped cross is much Bennekerry Church - €910 later. .Tradition has it that he preached the Gospel in many places and finally Tinryland Church - €887 suffered martyrdom on this date by crucifixion. Patron saint of Scotland, Russia and Askea Boys’ National School fishermen. – No Uniform Day €465 “Zambia Gathering” Friday 29th November at 8pm in the Seven Oaks Hotel (upstairs). Entry fee €10 for Kaoma Orphanages (includes 2 strips of tickets for signed Leinster Rugby Jersey). th Carlow Flower Club will host a Gala Christmas demonstration on Tues 26 ÉIRE ÓG LOTTO WINNING NO’s Mon Nov 18th…6 12 20 23… No Jackpot Nov the Dolmen Hotel at 8pm. The demonstrator is Mary Kehoe who is both winner…5 x Match 3 each receive €60…Donie Nolan Idrone, Colm Duffy c/o a demonstrator and a teacher in the Association of Irish Flower Arrangers Hugh Kelly, The Grandchildren Beechwood, The Hennessy’s Beechwood, (AOIFA). There will be a sales table with all the Christmas sundries available. Anne Broderick Pollerton…Our Jackpot now stands at €3,500...Next week’s Also "bring a container and buy one". All the exhibits that Mary makes will Match 3 win or share €300 Draw takes place Mondays in Teach Asca at 9pm. be raffled at the end of the evening. Admission is €10. Rathvilly Garden and Flower Club will meet on Wednesday 27tn. Volunteer Overseas For those interested in overseas volunteering, November 2013 at 8pm in St Patrick's Sports and Community Centre, Viatores Christi lay missionary association is currently recruiting and will hold Rathvilly. It will be our big Christmas night with A.O.I.F.A. Demonstrator Olga an information and recruitment session on Saturday 30th November at 11m McCrane from Dublin. Olga will entertain us with her beautiful floral in our HQ at 8 New Cabra Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7. Tel. 01-868 9986 arrangements for Christmas which will be raffled on the night, followed by [email protected] www.viatoreschristi.com the usual cup of tea and chat. All will be very welcome to come along. Admission €5 Carlow Library: Fancy Festive Film Fun For Free? Join us in the library on the following Saturdays - December 7th, 14th and 21st at 10.30am for the Garda Vetting Information Seminar screening of a seasonal film. Ages 6-9yrs. Carlow Volunteer Centre and Carlow Community & Voluntary Forum are offering a free Information Seminar to all voluntary groups and clubs to give BINGO: Every Tues @ 8.30pm in Graiguecullen Hall. Great Money to be won an overview of the new Garda Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable on the Night JACKPOT €960. Turkeys & Hams have started back. Persons) Act 2012, and will provide information on the steps necessary to GRAIGUECULLEN MONSTER CHRISTMAS BINGO OVER €5,500 IN PRIZE ensure you are compliant. Free event but booking essential through 059 MONEY NEXT SUNDAY 24th Nov@ 3.00pm In Graiguecullen Hall. Great 9170333. 6.30 pm in the Cathedral Parish Centre on Tues, 3rd Dec. Money to be won ALL LINES CHECKS €50 Double Lines €60; ALL FULL HOUSE’S €150/€200; PLUS JACKPOT, INTERVAL & FLYER ON THE NIGHT. Winter Market in aid of the Carers Association in the Youth Cenbtre Green Lane on Sunday 24th Nov from 9am to 3pm. All welcome. Arts, Crafts, CARLOW CHRISTMAS CD A CD of Christmas Carols, Poems and Music Health & Beauty, Confectionary, Jewellery, Hampers etc. featuring local choirs and soloists will be launched by Bishop Denis Nulty in th St.Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen on Friday, 6 December at 8.30pm. The Cd Monster Bingo at the Youth Centre, Green Lane, Carlow on Sunday 1st “Cuisle na Nollag” includes Adeste Fideles and O Sanctissima sung by the December 2013 at 3pm. €15,000 in prizes. All line checks €100; Double line Poor Clare Sisters. The launch will include a short concert of the carols on every game €150; 8 Full Houses €750 each; Full House on 4th & 9th Game performed by the participants. All welcome. €1,000; Full House on Jackpot €1,500; Loose sheet €2. Plus BUMPER LOTTO

JACKPOT. 6 Panel Book €15; Double Book €20. Buses from all areas: Christmas Demonstration Evenings at the Dolmen Hotel from 7.30pm Enquiries please phone 059 9143181 or 087 2615064. to 9.30pm. Admission €10 per night or €25 for 3 nights. Enjoy some festive demonstrations while supporting local charities. Guitar / Drum Tuition (Michael Hennessy) Wed 4th Dec Christmas Cake Decorating Demonstration in aid of Irish The ideal Christmas present. Gift voucher for lessons for Guitar / drums Wheelchair Association; Wed 11th Dec – Christmas Flower Arranging available now. Adults, Children and Teens all catered for in a fun and friendly Demonstration in aid of St Vincent de Paul; Wed 18th Dec – Christmas environment. Enrolling now for the January / February term. Contact Cookery Demonstration in aid of Holy Angels Day Care School. Michael on 087 2783125.