The Challenge
The month of June has traditionally been the month for ordinations to the priesthood. For many priests they celebrate their anniversary sometime during this month. It is a brave task to be a priest in our world today where the odds seem to be stacked against anyone trying to live out the values of Jesus.
When Jesus called the twelve, things were no different. Paganism supported by the power of the Roman Empire was rampant all around them. The twelve were ill equipped for the task ahead of them but they believed firmly that Jesus had called them and would not fail them.
God still calls priests, sisters and brothers today but the Spirit of God seems to be calling others into the picture as well. With so few ordinations now there couldnt be a clearer message. Laymen and women finally need to have their say (See Diocesan Report just published). Each community must give birth to its own leaders in building up the faith.
Like signposts they must point people in the direction of Jesus. Every single baptised person has a role to play in this. It could be a very exciting time for any faith community willing to take up the challenge.
Pilgrim Steps Journeying together in Faith
Planning for the Future
The Diocesan Pastoral Strategy document PILGRIM STEPS (Journeying together in Faith) was launched last Friday. The elected representatives from the parishes and the priests from the Diocese attended. The Report marks three years of work and consultation by the group established by Bishop Buckley in 2002.
A substantial extract of the report is available at the back of the church today. The full report and the extract document will be available for quick download on the Diocesan website www.corkandross.org and on our Parish website www.turnerscross.com. It will also be published in the Evening Echo on Mon. 13th June.
Full Document PDF (249kb)
Summary PDF (195Kb)
PDF files Require Adobe Acrobat Reader, freely available here
Mid-Summer Concert
By popular demand International Soprano Majella Cullagh returns to Turners Cross for a Mid-Summer Concert on 23rd June.
She will be joined by Scottish Tenor Iain Paton, The Eudoxa Quartet and the Voices of Cork 2005 Choir.
Proceeds in aid of Church Restoration Fund
Tickets 20 available from Parish Office after Mass and during the week. Also from Veritas and Pro Musica.
+ Prayer for those doing exams:
Lord, pour out your Spirit of Wisdom on those students doing exams. Help them to remain calm, to attend carefully to the questions asked, to think clearly, to remember accurately and to express themselves well. Grant that they may reflect the best of the work they have done and the best of teaching they have received. Accept their best efforts in these examinations and in the great test of life on earth. May your love be upon them, O Lord, as they place all their trust in you..
Our prayers are with those doing exams at this time.
Important Dates 2005
June 23 Mid Summer Concert.
August 19 Golf Classic, Cork Golf Club.
October 9 Autumn Concert: Irish Sopranos & Garda Band.
November 26 Capital of Culture 2005 Messiah in Christ the King Church, performed by the East Cork Choral Society & Seafield Singers from Dublin and the East Cork Orchestra.
St. Josephs Young Priests Society
Monthly meeting on Tuesday 14th June in Parish Centre. Annual Pilgrimage to Knock Saturday 25th June. Bus from Girls School, Evergreen Rd. 7am sharp. Bus 22.
Enquiries/Bookings: Phone Irene 4963326.
St Anthony
Monday 13th June is the Feast of St. Anthony. Lilies will be blessed at the 10am Mass on Monday.
Ministers of the Eucharist
can collect their rotas for the coming weeks in the Sacristy after Mass.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Bishop Buckley is leading the Diocesan Pilgrimage of over 900 pilgrims to Lourdes which left Cork this Saturday morning. Our good wishes and prayers go with them, especially the sick and Pilgrims from Turners Cross Parish. Fr. Kerry will be offering the Mass at the Grotto on Next Tuesday for the people of the Parish of Turners Cross and will place your petitions at the place where Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette.
LOTTO DRAW June 7th
Numbers drawn: 6, 9, 12, 19.
NO WINNER
35 CASH
S. OShea, M. Cronin, G. OBrien, S. Hegarty
THIS WEEKS JACKPOT : 3,275
Last weeks net take 2,284
Last weeks second Collection 1,130
Anonymous Donations: 72, 50, 43, 20
Many thanks for supporting the Parish Lotto in aid of the Church Restoration Fund.
A Thought (Fr. Jim McSweeney)
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Isaac Newton
Negative behaviour will create a negative reaction and equally positive behaviour will create a positive reaction. A smile will always invite a smile, respect will generate respect and words of thanks and encouragement will generate more of the same.
Lord, I can either choose to be positive or negative.
You generated so much positive energy.
Wherever you went people felt good about themselves.
Help me to be positive today in what I think, do and say.