Not what we expected
No human being can live without hope. Something to live for or look forward to otherwise we can give way to despair. True even for John the Baptist in prison like in todays gospel.
With our Advent journey halfway complete have we found what to hope for? The people of the Old Testament had the courage to hope for big things: that the desert would be turned into fertile land, that their scattered and divided people would eventually be gathered again (First Reading).
Centuries apart from us, their hopes were no different from ours or from any human beings: lasting peace, food, shelter, an end to suffering, pain and misery. But we do differ from them in one way: Jesus has entered human history and revealed God as Emmanuel God with us. Grand, but when youre feeling like John, maybe not physically imprisoned but within the prison of depression, a disability, a serious illness, chronic pain, a troubled marriage, a humdrum job, we ask Are you the one?
No more than for John, the answer we receive may not be quite what we expect or feel we deserve. His was one the lines of Dont worry, everythings on target. The Kingdom is being built; you fulfilled your assignment well. Trust me.
School Christmas Concert
Girls of Christ the King Primary School will present their Christmas Concert in Christ the King Church on Mon. 20th Dec. at 7.30 pm. Junior Classes in The Shiniest Star (Nativity Play). Senior Classes in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Christmas Concert
This Wednesday 15th December 2004 at 8pm
Majella Cullagh, Soprano
Breffni Horgan, Tenor
Also..
The Garda Choir, The Wilcollane Singers
& The Cork School of Music Sinfonietta Orchestra
Majella Cullough trained with Maeve Coughlan at the Cork School of Music and at the National Opera Studio, London. She performs extensively in oratorio and on the concert platform throughout the UK, Ireland, the US and the Netherlands, and is heard regularly on RTE & BBC.
Breffni Horgan, a young Cork tenor, already has a fine list of performances to his credit on stages at home and abroad. He has studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and his recent work in Cork included Sunday Night at the Palace at the Everyman Palace Theatre.
Parish Christmas Cards & Triduum Mass Cards
A Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 Dec.
Cards are available in the Parish Office
Christmas Day Swim (in aid of the Restoration Fund)
If you would like to support Fr. John and his fellow swimmers, Sponsorship Cards can be had in the Parish Office after Mass.
Ladies Football
Nemo Rangers Pitch, South Douglas Rd. 10 11 am every Saturday. Girls under 10, 12 & 14 football teams train.
New members always welcome.
Church Restoration Fund
Christmas Raffle
1st Prize: Christmas Hamper
2nd Prize: Travel Voucher Swansea Cork Ferries (100)
3rd Prize: Travel Voucher Swansea Cork Ferries (100)
Draw takes place in Parish Centre 20th Dec. at 8 pm
Hamper on display at back of the Church
Tickets on sale after Mass 1 line 2 3 lines 5
Deaths
We remember in our prayers Tom Bernardi, late of Derrynane Rd. Ciss OConnell, OConnell Ave., Peggy Cremin, Railway Place, and Madge Langan, Railway Place, and extend our sympathy to their families.
St. Josephs Young Priests Society
Monthly meeting Parish Centre Tuesday 14th Dec. 8 pm.
Ministers of the Word
Please collect your Missal (readings for 2005) in the Sacristy after Mass.
Senior Citizens Christmas Party
Turners Cross Senior Citizens Party will be held in Nemo Rangers Club on Saturday Dec. 18 at 7.30 pm. Names to be given in to the Parish Office or Nemo during the week.
Confessions
When were you last at confession?
There will be an opportunity to receive Gods forgiveness next weekend (4th Sunday of Advent) 18th/19th Dec. after all the Masses, when we will have our Penitential Services (Confessions).
A number of priests will be available for confessions.
St. Paul says: I want you to be happy, always happy in the Lord. What better way a good confession. Be at peace with God and with one another. Be happy!
LOTTO DRAW Dec. 4th
Numbers drawn: 17, 21, 22, 27.
Two Jackpot Winners 1,475 each
J. Kiely and T. Kiely
35 CASH
R. Kehoe, S. Carey, T. OReilly, T. Sexton
Turkey Vouchers M. Power and B. Foulds
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : 1,000
Last weeks net take 2,624
Last weeks second Collection 1,250