10th September 2017 – 23rd Sunday Ordinary Time (A)

ORDINATION TO THE PERMANENT DIACONATE

 This Sunday 10th September. 2017 is an historic day for the Diocese of Cork and Ross.      Frank McKevitt of Turner’s Cross Parish and David Lane of Mayfield (Upper) Parish will be ordained Permanent Deacons at 3.00 pm in the North Cathedral, the first ever Permanent Deacons in our Diocese. Up to this year, fifty-three Permanent Deacons have been ordained in Ireland and there are seventy in formation of whom twenty-two will be ordained this autumn. David and Frank are the first for Cork and Ross and we have John beginning his final year of formation this month. We hope to begin another group with the introductory year starting in September 2018.

Deacons combine parish work with family life and fulltime careers.  At parish level, the service of the deacon will always be in conjunction with the local priest and bishop. The National Directory and Norms for Ireland for the Permanent Diaconate identifies three areas of service where the deacon will be involved, the Word of God, Eucharist and Works of Charity. At Mass, the deacon may assist the priest, reading the gospel, preaching the homily when requested, and leading intercessory prayer. Other ways in which a deacon can serve include supporting the bereaved, funeral ministry, baptisms, marriages, visiting the sick at home and in hospital and bringing Holy Communion to the housebound.

Deacons are not intended to replace lay ministers, but to help in the development and co-ordination of lay ministry. Receiving his mission from the Bishop, and assigned to work as a member of a team, a deacon is called to minister in close co-operation with priests and with those who are entrusted with various lay ministries.  The deacon is to be an effective and visible sign of Christ who came to serve rather than to be served. Although his ministry is exercised on a part-time basis, he is at all times an ordained deacon, and his life-style will reflect this.

Pope Saint John Paul II taught: “Taking an active part in society belongs to the baptismal mission of every Christian in accordance with his or her state in life, but the Permanent Deacon has a special witness to give. The sacramental grace of his ordination is meant to strengthen him and to make his efforts fruitful, even as his secular occupation gives him entry into the temporal sphere in a way that is normally not appropriate for other members of the clergy. At the same time, the fact that he is an ordained minister of the Church brings a special dimension to his efforts in the eyes of those with whom he lives and works.”

At the conclusion of a special event in Rome for the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis commented: “At the end of this celebration, I wish to extend a special greeting to you, dear deacons, who have come from Italy and other countries. Thanks for your presence here today, but most of all, your presence in the Church!”

The Diaconate is open to married and single men. The age limit for ordination is sixty-three years. Anybody interested should contact a Priest of their Parish or Fr. Bertie O’Mahony, Parochial House, Model Farm Road, Cork, Tel no: 021-4346940.

Death:  We pray for Louise O’Leary (nee Murphy), Modek Farm Road and late of Capwell Road, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.

A Faith and Light Group meets on the third Saturday of every month from 3.30pm  to 5.30 pm in the Ardfoyle Convent, Ballintemple.  Based on the spirituality of Jean Vanier, Faith and Light welcomes everyone, especially those with an intellectual disability, their family and friends.   We welcome any one who would like to join us. We celebrate mass have a cup of tea and a get together !  Contact Lenora Duane 0860636413

Marymount Coffee Morning in the Parish Centre after 10 o’clock Mass, Thursday 14th September.   Donations of cakes would be very much appreciated.

Encountering Family in the Gospel: three sessions exploring family in the Gospels as we prepare for the World Meeting of Families – Wednesdays 20th & 27th September and 4th October from 10:45am to 12 noon  (after 10am Mass) in the Parish Centre at the The Lough facilitated by Fr Charlie/Sr Karen from the Pastoral Development Office.  All are welcome.

The Poor Clares in Galway are hosting a Cloister day on Saturday, Sept 16th from 10am to 5pm. The day is designed to help young women between the ages of 21 and 40 to find out more about the Poor Clare way of life with a view to vocation discernment. To book a place contact: Sr. Faustina at: poorclaresgalwayvocations@gmail.com

The Lady Mayoress, Georgina Fitzgerald is holding a Coffee Morning on Tuesday 12th September from 10.00am to 12.30pm in the Concert Hall, City Hall. (All proceeds in aid of Marymount Hospice, Cork).

 Cork and Ross Pastoral Development Office – vacancy for Receptionist/Secretary.  Must be eligible for CE scheme – 19.5 hours per week.  Please send cv and cover letter to southsidetdl@eircom.net  by 15th September.

The SMA National Novena in honour of St. Therese will begin on Saturday 23rd September at the African Missions Church, Blackrock Road, and will end on 1st October.   The Novena will be celebrated each evening at 7.30pm (except Saturday 23 and 30th September at 7.00pm).  For further information please contact: SMA Blackrock Road at 021-4292871 or SMA Wilton at 021-4541069

Special Triduum in honour of Padre Pio will take place at the Holy Trinity Church, Fr. Mathew Quay on 20th, 21st and 22nd September at 10.00am and 7.30pm