Lent
Jesus prepared for his public mission by 40 days of prayer and fasting. Following his example, we prepare for the celebration of our redemption by the 40 days of Lent. Days are lengthening (hence the name Lent) towards the full light of the Spring equinox celebrated at the lighting of the Easter candle.
Lent is an annual preparation for our ultimate participation in the death and rising of Christ which is reached at the end of our mortal life on earth.
Lent began with ashes as a reminder of mortal flesh. Acceptance of the ashes is a public statement that we are taking our salvation seriously and are undertaking some form of penance or training for our journey to God.
Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit. A serious approach to Lent will put fundamental questions before us. Where have I come from? Where am I going in life? Do I live as if there were nothing beyond the material things of this life? Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. Who leads me? Am I dragged briefly by appetites and passion? Compulsively driven towards work, achievements, power and self-glory?
Reflection and prayer during Lent will help people to be more sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Morning Mass: The Lenten morning Masses continue at 7.30 & 10. It is great and encouraging to see the big numbers of people at the Masses.
Friday (First Friday of March): Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 9 am to 12.30 pm.
End of an Era
The Cork & Ross Mission to Peru, begun in 1965, will officially close on March 17th. 2004.
The Diocese of Trujillo, Peru, in which the mission was based, is holding a Day of Thanksgiving on this Sunday Febr. 29th, which will be attended by Bishop Buckley.
The Cork & Ross Diocese has been gradually withdrawing from Peru in recent years as the local Diocese is now in a position to provide local clergy..
The changed age profile and numbers of clergy at home also made it more difficult to keep staffing the mission with Irish priests.
In Trujillo on St. Patricks Day Peruvian clergy will replace Fr. Seán OSullivan and Fr. Pat Fogarty, the last of the Cork & Ross priests to work on the mission.
Sponsored Parish Walk
in aid of Christ the King Church Restoration Fund:
Turners Cross to the Lough. Sunday 28th March at 3 pm.
Sponsorship Cards available from Parish Office & Sacristy.
Mothers Day
Sunday 21st March is Mothers Day. The 12 noon Mass on that day will be offered for all our mothers. It will be a shared Mass.
Special Cards are available from the Parish Office.
150th Anniversary of Greenmount N.S. Book Launch
Calling all past pupils to join us in the Lough Community Centre (old school) on Friday 5th March at 8 pm for launch of `The College on the Hill a history of Greenmount National School, written by Plunkett Carter.
Mass for Peace & Reconciliation
The 28th annual Mass for Peace & Reconciliation in Ireland will be concelebrated in St. Augustines Church, Cork, on Sunday 7th March at 3.30 pm. Fr. Kevin Mullen, Omagh, will preach the sermon.
Trócaire
Trócaires Lenten Campaign 2004 highlights what life is like for the people of Rwanda 10 years after the genocide in which 1 million people were killed.
Rwanda: approx. the size of Munster.
Population 8.4 million. Religion: 50% Catholic.
Life expectancy 41 years. School enrolment Primary 66%
Secondary 10%. Poverty ranking: 164th poorest in the world.
Dont forget to collect your Trócaire Box.
`Give a man a fish and feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.
Parish Visitation
Fr. John will visit Loreto Park.
Fr. Kerry will visit Curragh Road and Greenlawn.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Cork City Branch
Support Meeting
Monday March 8th 8 pm
Jurys Hotel all are welcome.
Cork & Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2004
11 16 June 5 Nights Full Board Accommodation
Booking Forms for Pilgrim Section from
Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick St. 4277959 / 4277120
Enquiries for Special Invalid Section to
The Pilgrimage Director Mgr Kevin OCallaghan
Parochial House, Bandon. (023) 43794
LOTTO DRAW Febr. 23rd
Numbers drawn: 5, 7, 18, 21.
Congratulations to N. Collins-Powell
on winning the Jackpot: 1,325
35 CASH
M Kelleher, D&B Carey, M McQuinn, Marion & Eileeen
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : 1000
Last weeks net take 2,859
Last weeks second Collection 1,200
Anonymous Donation 150
Sponsorship for seat 400
Old Money still welcome for the Restoration Fund. Box at the back of the Church.