Mission Begins
Today's Gospel is all about Jesus launching his Great Mission in earnest. We notice that Jesus is not a 'Lone Ranger' Messiah. He involves many others in the enterprise. To his invitation, 'Come, follow me', Peter, Andrew, James and John all respond with shocking speed, For all their faults, the new apostles are destined to become top leaders in the new Church. What power Jesus? personality and speech carried with it! Would that the Gospel could affect every one of us with the same dynamic results, as well as moving our listeners to reform!

Our time is growing short
It is interesting that while time always passes at the same pace, our perception of it changes depending on the activity on which we are engaged. Does time really fly when we are having fun? During the 1990s there were many who would have us believe that our time on this earth was drawing to a close with the advent of the new millennium. Yet five years on many of us are still here. All that being said, there were many who were with us to welcome the new millennium who have since died, many in the hope of eternal life.
St. Paul challenges us to live every moment of our lives in a Christian way. Good habits picked up in this life should safely see us through to the next.
Live every day as if it were your last and some day you'll be right.

Diocese of Cork & Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes 
11th – 16th June 2006
5 Nights, full board,
under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork & Ross.
Full details from Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street.  Tel. 4277959.

Appointments
During the week Bishop John Buckley announced the following appointments of priests in the Diocese:
Fr. John Fitzgerald MSC, is appointed CC (pro tem), Turners Cross Parish. (He will reside with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Western Road).
Fr. Peter Galus, a priest of the Diocese of Tarnow, Poland, is appointed as Chaplain to the Polish Community in the diocese. Fr. Galus will reside at St. Augustine?s Priory, Washington Street, Cork. Mass in Polish is being celebrated every Sunday at St. Augustine?s Church and Fr. Galus will also minister to the Polish people who reside throughout the diocese.
We are delighted to welcome Fr. John Fitzgerald to the Parish. He will be with us for a few months. He is no stranger to Cork, having given Missions and worked in the Western Road for a number of years. We hope his stay among us will be happy and fruitful. A Kerry Man from Castleisland? We won't hold that against him!!!

Access to Education
Have you a few hours to spare a few days a week? Would you like to do something for yourself? Like to do subjects like Computers, Psychology, Business, Design, Art/Textiles, Drama?
NO FEES – Creche Places available.
Why not attend an information meeting at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa, Tramore Road, on Friday January 27th at 11.00 am.
If you cannot attend, please contact Mary Scriven at 4961020.

Deaths
We remember in our prayers Margaret Lynch, South Douglas Rd., Matty Dorgan and Donie Hurley, who died during the week, We extend our sympathy to their families. May all who mourn them be comforted.

Addiction
Help for families affected by addiction – 10 week family support course beginning Feb. 6th 2006 at Mardyke House, Cork. Contact 087 – 1308555 / 087 – 7548959.

Catholic Papers
The Irish Catholic, The Voice, The Universe and the Catholic Times are on sale at the back of the Church.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Traditional Irish Music Classes.
Traditional Singing (English & Irish).
Commencing in Gaelscoil an Teaghlaigh Naofa on Wed. 25th January at 7.00 pm.

Questions people ask
Q. St. Mark is the evangelist used at Mass on Sundays this year. What should we expect from Mark?
A. Mark is the earliest of the Gospels. Matthew and Luke quoted extensively from Mark and followed his outline of the story of Jesus. Mark is a powerful storyteller with the gift of bringing the reader right into the heart of the action. He tells us how Jesus looked at people and touched them with his hand. He presents Jesus as subject to misunderstanding and rejection before the news breaks of his resurrection. There is a powerful message of hope in this portrait of Jesus among those who suffer misunderstanding, rejection and injustice.
Fr. Silvester O'Flynn OFM Cap

Dates for Your Diary 2006
March 1st    Ash Wednesday
March 9th    First Confessions Girls
March 28th    Parish Confirmations
April 16th    Easter Sunday
May 6th    First Holy Communions Boys
May 20th    First Holy Communions Girls
June 4th    Pentecost Sunday
( Apologies for mistake in the dates last week)