A WORD IN YOUR EAR
HALLOWEEN – ALL SAINTS – ALL SOULS
When you think of Halloween, what comes to mind? For a lot of people, Halloween has become synonymous with sweets, bracks, costumes, scary stuff, witches, ghosts and pumpkins. But do you know the Christian connection to the holiday?
The true origins of Halloween lie with the ancient Celtic tribes who lived in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Brittany. For the Celts, November 1 marked the beginning of a new year and the coming of winter. The night before the new year, they celebrated the festival of Samhain, Lord of the Dead. During this festival, Celts believed the souls of the dead including ghosts, goblins and witches returned to mingle with the living. In order to scare away the evil spirits, people would wear masks and light bonfires.
When the Romans conquered the Celts, they added their own touches to the Samhain festival, such as making centerpieces out of apples and nuts for Pomona, the Roman goddess of the orchards. The Romans also bobbed for apples and drank cider traditions which may sound familiar to you. But where does the Christian aspect of the holiday come into play? In 835, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later all saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as All Hallows Even, or holy evening. Eventually the name was shortened to the current Halloween. On November 2, the Church celebrates All Souls Day.
The purpose of these feasts is to remember those who have died, whether they are officially recognized by the Church as saints or not. It is a celebration of the communion of saints which reminds us that the Church is not bound by space or time.
Fr. Martin
LEARNING ABOUT THE MASS WITH KATH AND QUMEN
WHO DOES WHAT AT MASS (1)?
At every Mass you will notice that some members of the assembly have different jobs. We call these jobs ‘ministries’. Let’s look at some of them:
THE PRIEST: At Mass the priest leads us and encourages us to play our part in the celebration. How does he do this? He:
• Leads us in prayer
• Invites us to listen to God’s word
• Helps us to understand and make sense
of the Word of God in our daily lives through his homily
• Takes our gifts, the bread and wine, offers them to God and prays that by the power of the Holy
Spirit they will become the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
THE SERVERS: Servers are normally boys and girls who have received their First Communion. Their job is to help the priest during Mass. They can carry books, bring water and wine, wash the priest’s hands and ring bells.
MINISTER OF THE WORD: Even though we sometimes call this person the reader, the proper name is ‘Minister of the Word’. The readings of Mass come from the Bible. They are the Word of God and so we can say that we hear God speaking to us through the voice of the Minister of the Word.
Marfan Syndrome Research & Cardiac Surgery in Ireland
Friday, November 4, Kilmacow Community Centre at 7.30pm: Professor Mark Redmond and Doctors Jonathan McGuinness, John Byrne and Darren McLaughlin will give a presentation on Marfan Syndrome Research and Cardiac Surgery in Ireland. Prof Redmond is a renowned cardio thoracic surgeon in The Mater Hospital, Beacon Hospital & Crumlin Children’s Hospital. Dr Jonathan McGuinness is a cardio thoracic surgeon at the Mater Hospital. Dr’s John Byrne & Darren McLaughlin are closely involved with Prof Redmond in Marfan research. This promises to be an interesting and informative presentation. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. This evening is hosted by The Marfans Research Foundation, Kilmacow.
South Kilkenny Historical Society
Next lecture will be held on Thurs Nov 3 at 8pm in the Parochial Hall, Mullinavat. The title of the lecture is “Margar Aylward: a controversial and courageous woman with a mission” and it will be given by Dr. Jacinta Prunty, a Holy Faith sister and senior lecturer in the Department of History, National University of Ireland. Admission fee €5 to non-members.
MASSES
DURING THE WEEK
Weds/Thurs: 9.30am - Mooncoin.
Monday, 31st: 7.30pm - Kilnaspic
Tuesday, 1st: 10am - Carrigeen
Tuesday 1st: 11.15am - Mooncoin
Friday the First Friday - The sick
and house bound will be visited
Mass:
Thursday: 7.30pm - Kilnaspic
Friday: 9.30am - Mooncoin
Friday: 7.30pm - Carrigeen
ST. JOSEPH’S YOUNG PRIESTS SOCIETY
The monthly Mass of St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society will take place on Thursday, November 3 at 9.30am in Mooncoin. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for intercession for vocations will follow immediately afterwards in the Nagle Chapel and will conclude at 11am. All are welcome.
M.D.A.P.P. Drug and Alcohol Awareness Programme will not be held next Monday night October 31 due to the bank holiday. It will resume again on November 7 at 8pm and will run for the next 6 weeks in the Boys’ School.
Mooncoin Residential Care Centre would like to thank all those who very kindly contributed to recent collections for Age Action Ireland as part of Positive Aging Week & the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
Thank You
All the staff at “Cloud Nine Hair & Beauty” would like to give a big thanks to Michael & Alice Blanchfield for sponsoring our “Pink Party” and to everybody that made the night a great success. We made a wonderful €1,172.
TABLE QUIZ
The Parent’s Association of Coláiste Cois Siuire are holding a Fund Raising Table Quiz in Comerford’s Lounge on Friday, November 11 at 8.30pm. Table of 4 is €20. Lots of prizes to be won. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
CARRIGEEN
MINISTERS: Nov 6 (10am) Bill & Peggy Healy.
READERS: Nov 6 (10am) Frances Dunphy, Eileen Dowling.
ALTAR SOCIETY: Nov 5 - Judy Doherty, Margo Delahunty.
KILNASPIC
MINISTER: Nov 5 - Jason Dunphy.
READER: Nov 5 - Padraigh Kirwin.
SERVERS: Nov 5 - Kate Kearns, Tara Ramaswamy.
ANNIVERSARIES
John Phelan, Portnahully, Carrigeen;
Kathleen Kelly, Ballygorey;
Bernadette O’Doherty, Carrick on Suir;
Michael Lannon, Ballinlough;
Joseph O’Keeffe, Filbuckstown;
Billy & Molly Walsh, Emil;
Marie Reville, 31 Suir Crescent;
Richard & Eileen Wilson, Portlaw.
May they Rest in Peace.
