Pentecost
Pentecost saw the birth of a new community, the Church. This is the day the apostles left the upper room, where they had been hiding for fear of the Jews, and went out fearlessly to preach the Gospel to the world. They could not have done this had they not received power from on high, that is, the Holy Spirit. We too need the Holy Spirit to live as Christians and speak a new language.
On Pentecost day the Apostles spoke a new language.
What was this language?
It was the language of peace rather than of war;
the language of cooperation rather than of competition;
the language of forgiveness rather than of vengeance;
the language of hope rather than of despair;
the language of friendship rather than of hostility;
the language of unity rather than of division;
the language of love rather than of hate.
Through the gift of the Spirit, the people of different
languages learned to profess one faith
to the praise and glory of God.
That is the real miracle of Pentecost,
and it is a miracle which, thankfully, still happens.
Quarantore Devotions & Corpus Christi Procession
To mark the Year of the Eucharist and The Feast of Corpus Christi we will have Quarantore Devotions in our Parish on Friday 27th & Saturday 28th May beginning after the 8 am Mass on Friday and ending after the 6 pm Mass on Saturday (more details next weekend).
The annual Corpus Christi Procession in our City takes place on the afternoon of Sunday 29th May. Bishop John Buckley will carry the Blessed Sacrament from the Cathedral to the altar at Daunt Square. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-OConnor, Archbishop of Westminster who was recently one of the 115 cardinal electors of the new Pope, Benedict XVI will preach the homily. Cardinal Cormac will be staying with us in Turners Cross and will say the 10.30 am Mass in Turners Cross on Sunday 29th May.
By now all of you will have received Bishop Buckleys letter Treasure the Eucharist. In his letter he says, In Ireland, love of the Eucharist is still strong and expresses itself in many ways. Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and adoration are very much alive. More and more people are celebrating publicly the feast of Corpus Christi. Young people are learning that in the Eucharist they discover Jesus.
First Holy Communion
Our congratulations to the Girls and Boys of the Parish Schools who received their First Holy Communion recently. They were a credit to their Parents and Teachers.
The preparation of the children has focused on the following points, which may be helpful to us adults as well:
* Jesus is present in a special way when the Christian community gathers to celebrate the Eucharist just as he shared meals with his friends when he was on earth.
* We are asked to listen to Gods word at Mass. Just as Jesus listened attentively to the people he met, so we are asked to listen attentively to his Word.
*Jesus showed great love for us by giving his life for us and by rising again so that we might have hope of new life. The Mass re-enacts this great sacrifice.
*There is much in our lives that we have to be thankful to God for. The Mass is the great prayer of thanksgiving to God.
* Jesus forgave sinners even the soldiers who put him on the Cross. We must forgive too and live at peace with others.
* The Bread of Life we receive in Holy Communion is the Risen Jesus. The story of the Last Supper is worth reading and reflecting on again and again.
DIOCESAN PASTORAL STRATEGY
The Diocesan Pastoral Strategy document will be launched on Friday June 10th 2005 at an evening event. The people from the parishes who attended the area meetings and all the clergy of the Diocese will be invited to the event. The report marks three years of work by a group established by Bishop Buckley in 2002. Specific arrangements are being made at present and what is envisaged is an event in the City area beginning at 8pm. The full document will be commercially printed and made widely available. A summary document will also be printed and made available in larger quantities. More details later. Both documents will also be available on our Parish website: http://www.turnerscross.com/church/
Pope John Paul II
We welcome the announcement that Pope Benedict has opened the cause for the beatification of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II.
Pope Benedict made the announcement, saying he has dispensed with Church rules that five years must lapse after a candidate's death before the procedure that leads to sainthood can start. Pope John Paul II similarly dispensed with that requirement in the case of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who was beatified in October 2003.
'It is exceptional to start the process of beatification so soon. But John Paul II was an exceptional man and Pope Benedict has responded to the heartfelt wish of millions of us who hope to see formal recognition of what we know already in our hearts to be true. Pope John Paul was truly a holy man and Catholics wish this lengthy process to begin so that they can reflect on the significance of his life and faithful ministry in the service of God and his people.'
Pilgrimage to Knock
Christ the King Parish Branch of St. Josephs Young Priests Society: Saturday June 25th.
Enquiries/Bookings: Phone Irene at 4963326.
Turners Cross / South Parish Summer Play Scheme 2005
Enrolment nights: Mon. 16th & Mon. 30th May from 8 pm 9 pm at Community Centre, Sawmill Street. Limited number of places. Applications after these dates will NOT be entertained. Book early.
LOTTO DRAW May 9th
Numbers drawn: 6, 12, 14, 16.
NO WINNER
35 CASH
B. OHerlihy, C. Henry, P. Long, PEPE
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : 1,975
Last weeks net take 2,314
Last weeks second Collection 1,450
Anonymous Donation 20
Many thanks for supporting the Parish Lotto in aid of the Church Restoration Fund.
Old Money still welcome. Box at back of Church.