February 25th 2007 – 1st Sunday of Lent

Lent
Lent translates as ‘springtime'. Everyone welcomes spring, warmer days, the arrival of flowers and new life bursting forth in nature. Lent can also be a time for spiritual growth and renewal. It is always great to be able to open windows on a fine fresh day. You can feel the breeze rushing in to sweep out the stale air. Lent is all about removing what is stale in our lives and allowing life and growth to replace it. Lent is a journey, not just a day or two put together in isolation. As we journey through the coming weeks of Lent we invite God into our lives. We especially ask God to replace what's stale and stagnant with life, energy and freshness.  Let us make the most of this Lent.

A Lenten Invitation
Lent is an opportunity to grow in knowledge and love of Jesus. A  simple way to do this is to prayerfully read the Gospel in faith.
Each Monday in Lent, at 10.30am, beginning this Mon. 26th Feb.  a group of people will be doing just that with the Gospel for the following Sunday.  This is often called Lectio Divina. Don’t let the name put you off. Just join us, for one hour in the Parish Centre in Turners Cross. You will be very welcome.

Beginning Experience
There is a special heartache for those who find themselves single again. Now there is help. A Beginning Experience a weekend away for a lifetime of change.
13th – 15th April  Venue St. Dominic's Retreat Centre, Ennismore, Montenotte. 
Information contact  Tel: 021-4275136

Mass times for Lent: 10am & 6pm weekdays

Deaths
We offer sincere and prayerful sympathy to the families of Thomas O’Rourke, Capwell Rd, Betty Foulds, Capwell Rd. Michael O’Leary, Sunview Tec.. South Douglas Rd. Joan Mullane, Ossory Place, Evergreen Rd. Lord grant them eternal peace and joy, and to their families and friends strength and comfort

Family Fast Boxes
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes are available at the back of the Church, and have also been distributed through the Primary Schools. Last Lent the great sum of €11,881 was raised for Trócaire from our Parish.

First Friday
There will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after the 10am Mass until Ipm.  Frs. Charlie & Kerry will visit the sick and the housebound  at the usual times on Thurs.& Fri. 1st/2nd March

Service of Light
There will be a special Mass and Service of Light  for the young people from our Schools who will Confirmed  at the end of March, in Christ the King Church on Wed. next 28th Feb. at 7.30pm.  The candle lit at their Baptism will be handed by the parents to their child with these words –
‘We pass these lighted candles to you.  They are symbols of the faith we hand on to you.  It is more precious than anything we can give.  The faith we received from our own parents we give to you.  Cherish and guard it.  We look forward to the day of your Confirmation with trust and hope.  It is another sign that you are growing in the faith.  Let the light of faith shine out in your lives, and in all you do, be assured of our guidance and unfailing love.  Amen.’

Turners Cross Gramophone Circle
Recital on Tuesday 27th Feb. at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.
Presenter – Colette Buckley

Christ King Girls Secondary School
Class 1982 Reunion  on Fri. 2nd March at 8pm at The Blackrock Inn  All welcome

Old Irish Notes and Coins
We have just completed the renovation of our Church grounds and the building of two toilets taking  longer then we expected !!! We apologise for the inconvenience.  All this has to be paid for  If you have any old irish notes and coins (pre euro) they will be welcome. Box at the back of the Church. We hope to defray the cost through the Second Collection each week, we thank you for your continued support.
The overall cost will be €120,000 (approx.)  Toilets €20,300,  Church Grounds and water drains €68,000 and new sewer and ducts for phones and security cameras for Church  €31,000. 

Time Out:
The Presentation Brothers are inviting men who are trying to figure out God’s plan in their lives to a weekend of reflection and information in Cork: 8pm Fri. 9th March – 2pm Sun.11th March. Full details from Brother Andrew Hickey at 01-2300824 or prescall@eircom.net or from the Presentation Brothers, Glasthule, Co. Dublin. www.presentationbrothers.com

Baptisms
We welcome to our Christian Family  Emelye Hegarty
Congratulations to the Parents and Godparents. May they be the best of teachers in the ways of faith and may the flame of faith always be alive in these children's hearts.

Knights of Colunbanus Faith Development Talks
Thurs. 1st March Ecology & Theology:  Sr. Bride Givin and Sr, Mary Kelleher Thurs. 8th March  Jesus and the Stranger: Fr. Sean O’Sullivan
Thurs. 15th March Emmaus-Christian Experience then and now: Fr. John Newman
Talks will take place at 8pm in Bru Columbanus, Cardinal Way, Wilton (to the right of the African Missions Church.) Admission free. 

Tory Top Library Gramophone Circle will meet in the Tory Top library on Tues. 27th Feb at 3pm
Presenter: Jerry O’Callaghan
Admission Free all welcome

100 Years Young
Congratulations to Margaret Long, who celebrated her 100th Birthday during the week.

Interested in brushing up your Irish?
Come along to Tory Top Library each Tues at 6.30pm

This Lent I will try  to Forgive
To forgive is very important.
But forgiveness must come from the heart,
otherwise it will not bring us peace,
nor will it result in a true reconciliation
with the other person.
Forgiveness must be true, sincere, and warm.
A cold forgiveness is not much use.
Lord, deliver me from the poison of bitterness,
and give me the grace to forgive from the heart
those who have offended me.