January 1st 2006 – New Year’s Day, Feast of Mary, Mother of God

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, those who care for the sick and elderly.
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 that ended in June and those who contributed over the years. Early in the New Year work will begin – repairing the Church Grounds – drainage and tarmac. 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.
In June Fr. John O’Donovan left us to become Parish Priest of Blackpool. We were sorry to see him go after seven years of great work. We welcome Fr. Christy O’Shaughnessy among us.
A year to be remembered — the Indian Ocean Disaster, Hurricane Katrina, the London Bombings, the Pakistani Earthquake, the death of Pope John Paul, the field of sport when Cork teams of all codes excelled, Our Parish Team, Nemo Rangers, winning the County and hopefully on the way to winning the All Ireland – Cork City The European Capitol of Culture.  October 2006 will mark the 75th Anniversary of the opening of our Church. Plans are afoot to celebrate the event — let us have your ideas.
We 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

We thank the people of our Parish who contributed so generously to the following causes during 2005:
Lourdes Invalid Fund  €1,400
Upkeep of the Holy Places in the Holy Land  €905
Eposcopal Commissions  €1,253
Peter’s Pence – Pope’s Collection  €2025
Education Fund  €1,538
Mission Sunday Collection  €2,700
Cork Marriage Counselling Centre  €1,300
Children’s Hospital Crumlin  €1,640
Tsunami Appeal  €17,665
Trícaire Lenten Campaign  €9,000
Total  €39,426
The Parish also contributed to the cost of three fishing boats for the people of Sri Lanka €8,000 (proceeds from the Concert in February).

Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord 6th Jan.
The Church celebrates the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah, Son of God and Saviour of the World.
Holiday of Obligation,
Mass Times:
Vigil Thursday 5th Jan. 6 pm
Friday 6th Jan. 10 am & 12 noon.

A New Beginning
As the New Year starts and the old year ends,
There’s 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 it’s 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.