Getting it Right
Wouldnt it be great if we could reverse embarrassing events? That foolish comment, the day you put your foot in it, fights with bullies, broken arms, something stupid done in school, that first car crash and all the other minor jolts of growing up. All those daft, silly acts of ours defy our real nature and cast a long shadow of shame and guilt over us. You yearn for some way to reverse it. But you cant. Each one is underscored with the dreadful word irreversible.
As children we learn this lesson, that certain things in life are irreversible death in particular. The loss of a family pet, more shakingly of a grandparent.
Easter tells us a different story. In the eastern tradition, during the vigil, with incense perfuming the candle-lit church, the priest cries out: Christ is risen. The response thunders back: He is risen indeed.
If childhood teaches us that certain things are irreversible, Easter offers reversibility. Nothing no act of childhood cruelty, no experience of shame or remorse, and not even death is final. Even that can be reversed.
Easter hits a new note, a note of hope and faith: what God did once in a graveyard in Jerusalem, he can and will repeat on a grand scale, for the world. For us.
Against all odds, the irreversible can be reversed.
EASTER OFFERINGS
The Collection at all the Masses this weekend is for the Priests of the Parish.
Death
We remember in our prayers Kathleen Furlong, late of OConnell Avenue, who died in England.
Trócaire
Please hand in your Trócaire Box as soon as possible.
Morning Mass
This (Easter) week Mass at 10 am.
8 am Mass will resume from Monday 28th April.
It was great to see the big turn out for the 7.30 and 10 am Masses during Lent.
Important Dates
Russian Choir sing at the 10.30 am Mass on 4th May.
First Holy Communion Boys: 10th May.
First Holy Communion Girls: 24th May.
City Eucharistic Procession: 22nd June.
PASSION PLAY
Our thanks to all who were part of the wonderful experience we had in our Church last Monday & Tuesday nights.
To all the participants, those who made the props, costumes and the Producer, Pierce Gunn and his team well done to all concerned.
The following Email was received:
The atmosphere in our Church this week was so rapturous that I wanted to be there for ever. Local men and women brought us through hard days in Our Lords life when He was not believed, misunderstood, scoffed at and shunned, and again in Jerusalem when He was alone and abandoned except by four or five friends. We were shown how to forgive, how to be kind and how to help everyone even when we ourselves are suffering. Having witnessed Our Lords Crucifixion the congregation seemed anxious until His Resurrection. Then, we didnt feel alone when he ascended to Heaven because we knew He was still with us.
Parish Sponsored Walk
€3,088 was raised from the Parish Sponsored Walk in aid of the Church Restoration Fund.
Our thanks to all the walkers and to those who sponsored them.
Concert
Cork Barrack Street Band and The City of Cork Male Voice Choir join in concert at the Lough Church on Friday 2nd May 2003 to perform some of the worlds most beautiful melodies.
Admission is €10 and tickets are on sale at the church doors on the night.
LOTTO DRAW April 14th
Numbers drawn: 1, 4, 22, 23.
NO WINNER
€35 CASH
L. Long, T. Curtiin, B. ORegan, Celtic Print
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : €6850
Last weeks net take €3,240
Last weeks second Collection €1,052
Annonymous Donation: €110
NB Because of the Bank Holiday on Monday the next Lotto Draw will be on Tuesday 22 April at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.
The Old Money is still welcome for the Restoration Fund. Box at back of the Church.
Easter Prayer
Praise to you Lord
for the empty tomb
Praise to you Lord
for your return from the dead
Praise to you Lord
for men and women redeemed
Praise to you Lord
for a new world.
Risen Lord, friend and brother,
may we know you more clearly,
love you more dearly
and follow you more nearly
day by day.