Feast of the Holy Family
always occurs on the Sunday after Christmas. The Holy Family celebrates the union of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as a family unit. Like most families, they had their trials and joys.
When Jesus left his immediate family to go to the Temple to teach, he didnt tell his parents. This concerned his parents as it would anyones parents. Imagine your twelve year old missing! Mary and Joseph searched for him for days. When he was found, however, Jesus reminded them of his mission on earth. He then also obeyed them and went home with them.
As Catholics, we can look to the Holy Family as a role model. They have qualities that make a family unit work. They also tell us that you dont need to be perfect to be a family. Joseph and Mary had faith in each other and love to build the family. For a family to work, there needs to be a few main characteristics. Love is of course the most important one. Love is the glue that keeps families together. The love between a husband and wife is just as important as parent to a child. Love embraces trust and safety. A family without love is not going to be happy. Children should respect their parents. Mutual respect makes relationships comfortable and easier in the long run. Showing respect and love takes knowledge and experience. Children learn these in families by making mistakes along the way. Its a growing process that even our Lord Jesus had to do.
Mass Times
Monday 27th Dec. 11 am. (no 10 am Mass).
During the week Mass at 10 am.
The 8 am Mass will resume on Mon. 10th Jan. 2005.
Death
We remember in our prayers
Joan Sheehan, Vernon View, who died recently, and we extend our sympathy to her family.
Thank You
Every parish is a kind of family an extended family. Together united in faith, hope and love groups of followers of Jesus Christ gather in mutual support, to live a Christian life. Together they worship God, especially at Mass; together they share their faith with their children and with others. Such it is, or should be, in every parish.
It is right, as the year ends, to thank God that in our parish of Turners Cross there are so many families and individuals who live the faith they profess. In our Parish there are many people whose special contribution to parish life is essential and immense. Through their often unnoticed work, the Parish runs smoothly and parish life is enriched. Today we offer our special thanks to these Ministers of Word and Eucharist, the Choir, Altar Servers, Church Collectors, Sacristan, Altar Society, our Teachers, those who care for the Church and clean it every week, Parish Dues Collectors.
We thank the fund raising committee, those who have been and who are organising various fund raising events; the promoters and organisers of the Parish Lotto and those who contributed. We thank those who put up the Crib, Easter and Remembrance Gardens and decorated the sanctuary so beautifully, those who gave poinsettia pot plants and flowers.
Fr. John and I thank you for the welcome you give us when we visit your homes and for your support in the Parish Dues and the Christmas and Easter offerings. It is much appreciated.
We wish you a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Fr. Kerry.
A New Beginning
As the New Year starts and the old year ends,
Theres no better time to make amends
for all the things we sincerely regret
and wish in our hearts
we could somehow forget.
We all make mistakes and its human to err,
but no one need ever give up in despair,
for God gives us all a brand new beginning,
a chance to start over and repent of our sinning.
LOTTO DRAWS 20th and 27th December
Numbers drawn:
Dec. 20th: 2, 16, 20, 25.
Dec. 27th: 11, 12, 14, 15,
NO WINNERS
35 CASH
(1) M. Lonergan, Mrs Forde, L. ODriscoll, C. Brett
(2) H. & D. Brady, M. Charles, E. Jouch, M. Hurley.
NEXT JACKPOT: Tues, 4th Jan. 1,650
Net take for two weeks 4.589.50
Last weeks second Collection 1,200
Anonymous Donations: 100, 100, 20
Christmas Raffle Winners:
1st Prize: Ber Jonnes. 2nd Prize: Ann Butler.
3rd Prize: John McGrath.
The proceeds of the Raffle came to 2,200.
Many thanks to those who displayed the hamper and bought lines.