Willing Good
In thinking about who the lepers of today are, its all too easy to answer: Aids sufferers or others who have diseases we fear and lifestyles we disapprove of. Perhaps the real lepers are the addicts all kinds of addicts.
Some are lepers because they are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Relationships suffer as the addiction lures all their attention. Others are lepers because they latch onto people in some desperate attempt to feel whole, thus smothering them.
There is the leprosy of those addicted to violence and abuse, while others are addicted to sex or pornography. Some are lepers because they love power and crave control. The leprosy of greed is no stranger: where only possessions and money matter. People are useful only if they help addicts achieve their goal.
The types of leprosy that exist are as numerous as the ability we humans have for finding substitutes for God. Only Gods love can fill the holes in a wounded heart. Sometimes we try to stuff this space with anything that seems appealing.
If you want to, you can cure me was the pitiful request to Jesus. Christian living means actually doing what Jesus did willing the good of others.
Christ has no body now but yours.
WAR
Pope John Paul said: War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity. War itself is an attack on human life. It brings in its wake suffering and death.
Martin Luther King said:
The non-violent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first of all does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they did not know they had. Finally it reaches the opponent and so stirs his/her conscience that reconciliation becomes a reality.
We pray that both sides step back from the brink of war.
Prayer for Peace
Lead us from death to life,
from falsehood to truth.
Lead us from despair to hope,
from fear to trust.
Lead us from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe.
Let us dream together, pray together,
Work together,
to build one world of peace and justice for all.
Parish Visitation
Fr. Kerry will visit Connolly Road and Evergreen Road.
Fr. John will visit Ashdale Park.
OXFAM IRELAND urgently require mens and womens clothing, Books and household items. Please contact Maggie on 021 – 4275490.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (Cork Branch)
Carers Support Meeting: Mon. 10 March Jurys Hotel at 8 pm.
LOTTO DRAW February 10th
Numbers drawn: 1, 18, 24, 26.
NO WINNER
€35 CASH C. Hickey, J. Nagle, P. Phelan, H. Kelleher
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : €3925
Last weeks net take €3,269
The Old Money is still welcome for the Restoration Fund. Box at back of the Church.
Lotto Draw in the Parish Centre every Monday at 7.30 pm sharp.
Sponsored Parish Walk
in aid of the Church Restoration Fund: Turners Cross to the Lough Sunday 23rd March at 3 pm.
Sponsorship Cards available from the Parish Office during the week.
A Prayer to build Peace
Let us pray for the power to be gentle, the strength to be forgiving, the patience always to be understanding, and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding what we believe to be right.
Let us put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to
overcome hatred.
Let us pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from
violence: a new world where fear shall no longer lead people to commit injustice nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Let us devote our thoughts and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfil the destiny for which we and all people were created.
All Ireland Club Semi-Final
Nemo Rangers v Errigal Chiarrráin
Portlaoise Sunday 23rd February
Special Train departing Cork at 9.35 am.
Those who wish to travel and support our team
phone the Club, Tel. 4894041.