Lenten Appeal
We are all familiar with the traditional Trócaire Box that is distributed through our Church and schools. Along with its financial appeal, this campaign is also an opportunity to learn more about the developing world. This year the Lenten appeal features the country of Nicaragua and the issue of child labour.
One of the notable aspects of 2005 was how it heightened our sense of belonging to an international Church. The funeral rites for Pope John Paul, the election of Pope Benedict and the World Youth Day event in Cologne all communicated this message.
Of course, we no longer have to go abroad to encounter diverse cultures and peoples. Ireland is now home to a growing number of foreign born individuals and families seeking a better life. We have many of them living, working and going to school in our Parish of Turners Cross. This is not some passing trend but a fundamental shift in our society. I want to commend our parishioners and our primary and secondary schools for all they have done to welcome the new Irish.
Last year was sadly also memorable for the many natural disasters across the world. Once again I commend our parish community for your outstanding generosity to the appeals that followed.
At the same time, we are all becoming increasingly aware that outside disaster relief, the real needs of the developing world are debt relief and fair trade. In the midst of all these changes finding a vision for our lives and our world that is not dictated by self interest is a key challenge.
As we enter Lent, may we find the courage not to look past this profound truth but rather value more and more the dignity of each and every person. Read about Jamie Ruiz and the other children from Nicaragua on your Trócaire Box.
Every child has a right to a childhood
Important Dates
March 9th Girls First Confessions
March 14th Talk in the Church by Fr. Jerome Murphy-OConnor.
March 26th Mothering Sunday. (Shared Mass Card
12 noon Mass for Mothers available in the Parish Office).
March 28th Parish Confirmations.
March 31st Mozart Concert in the Church in aid of the Church Grounds Repair Fund.
Pre-Easter One Day Retreat
A day of meditation, reflection and healing.
(Martina Lehane Sheehan) Sat. April 6th: 10.30am4.30pm
St. Dominics Retreat Centre, Montenotte, Cork.
Cost: 20 or 35 incl. dinner. Tel. 4502520.
Youth 2000 Retreat
Ages 16 35 welcome. At Knockadoon Camp, East Cork, 10th 12th March. Bring a friend. Eucharistic weekend full of music, prayer and great fun. Theme: It is good for us to be here. Bring a sleeping bag. Donation only.
Contact: Seán 086-1651219, Therese 086-6061470.
Irish Night at Ardfallen Centre, Douglas Rd.
Thursday 23rd March 9pm12. 8 incl. supper. Donal Ring Céilí Band. M.C. Paddy OSullivan. Entire proceeds to the Third World.
Weekday Masses during Lent: 7.30am & 10am
Great to see the big numbers at weekday Mass during Lent.
Praying the Gospel
Does the Sunday Gospel Challenge You?
Living the Gospel
An opportunity to be enriched by the following Sundays Gospel will be offered each Monday night 7-308.45pm beginning Monday 27th Feb. in the Parish Centre, Turners Cross.
It will be led by Sr. Mary Dinneen.
Papal Message for Lent 2006
Lent is a privileged time of interior pilgrimage towards Him Who is the fount of mercy. It is a pilgrimage in which He Himself accompanies us through the desert of our poverty, sustaining us on our way towards the intense joy of Easter.
The Holy Land
Fr. Jerome Murphy-OConnor O.P. will give a talk in Christ the King church, Turners Cross, on Tuesday 14th March at 8pm. His topic will be Jesus in the Holy Land what he saw and what we still can see.
Fr. Jerome is a renowned authority on the New Testament and the Holy Land where he has lived and worked for over 40 years. He is a frequent contributor to Radio and Television. His recent book Paul His Story is a best seller in several languages.
All are welcome.
St. Aloysius School Entrance Assessment will be held on Sat. March 11th at 9am. Late application forms available from the school secretary. Phone 4316017.
The Coeliac Society of Ireland
Southern Branch meeting Tues. 7th March 8pm SMA Centre, Wilton. Open Forum with Ann Marie Brennan, Dietician.
Catholic Papers
The Irish Catholic, The Voice, The Universe and The Catholic Times are on sale at the back of the Church every week.
St. Finbarrs South Parish Restoration Fund Concert
will be held in the South Parish Church, Dunbar St. on Friday 10th March at 8pm.
Performing are City of Cork Male Voice Choir, Barrack St. Band, Louise O'Sullivan, Mezzo Soprano, Dave McGuire, Tenor. Narrator: Kevin Goggin. Tickets 15 can be obtained in our Parish Office here in Christ the King. Please support.
Would You Believe
1.9 billion children are living in developing countries with 1 billion of them living in poverty.
More than half the children in the developing world are severely deprived of one or more of the necessities essential to childhood.
* 640 million children do not have adequate shelter.
* 500 million children have no access to sanitation.
* 400 million children have no access to safe water.
* 300 million children lack access to information.
* 270 million children have no access to health care services.
* 140 million children have never been to school.
* 90 million children are severely food-deprived.
In Nicaragua 80% of the population live on less than $2 a day. 48% live below the poverty line. The lowest 20% of the population have access to only 6% of the countrys resources.
I have seen the misery of my people, I have heard them cry to be free of their slave-drivers Exodus 3:7