Departures and Arrivals
As schooldays near an end, and family closeness (and frustration!) beckons over a long (hot?) Summer, todays Gospel shows us an Ascension. Not the departure gate of an airport with the sounds of jet clawing their way skywards. This is the Mount of Olives, in East Jerusalem; which to this day has a tiny, unadorned chapel of the Ascension, compared to the large Basilica built over Calvary. That is as it should be. Because the Ascension is not an escape from the world but an affirmation of what He has done on the cross.
Schooldays are not a bad parallel either for what takes place on Ascension Day. In every departure of a parent as they leave their offspring off there is a goodbye but no real leave-taking. The farewell is only temporary.
Years later, that same child may well find themselves leaving a now aged and infirm parent in the care of a nursing home. As hearts heave, both child and parent know that again, while there is a goodbye, you have no real leave-taking.
Same for Jesus on Ascension. We find ourselves in the new and frightening surroundings of this life, in a place where we are uncomfortable and often feel ill-equipped to carry on. And yet, we burn the tall new Paschal candle to indicate his closeness, we meet and recognise Him in the breaking of bread, the hearing of the word and hopefully in each other. Hear him bless you and whisper with love goodbye, no one is leaving, I will send you the Holy Spirit. Fr. Tom Cox
Pentecost Sunday
Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday The New Ministers of the Word and Eucharist will be commissioned at the Masses.
First Holy Communion
We congratulate the Girls from Christ King Girls N.S. who received their First Holy Communion this weekend. We had a lovely ceremony and say well done to the Teachers and Parents. We will have our final Do this in Memory Mass on the feast of Corpus Christi 10th June when all the First Communicants will walk in a short Eucharistic Procession in the Church Grounds after the 10.30 Mass
Prayer After Holy Communion
Lord Jesus I love and adore you.
Youre a special friend to me.
Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome.
Thank you for coming to me.
Thank you, lord Jesus, O thank you
for giving yourself to me.
Make me strong to show your love wherever I may be.
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay
Close by me for ever and love me I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care
and bring us to heaven to live with you there
Im ready now Lord Jesus to show how much I care
Im ready now to give your love at home and everywhere.
Trócaire
12,669.00 is the total amount received from the recent Lenten Trócaire Fast here in the parish. We thank all our parishioners and the boys and girls from our primary schools for their generosity. This money has already been sent to Trócaire.
Masses for Exams
Shared Masses will be offered each Friday Morning at the 10am Mass for students sitting exams at this time. Special Exam Mass Cards are now available from the Sacristy. We wish all doing exams every good wish at this time.
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 their trust in you Amen.
Date for Your Diary
The Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession celebrating its 81st Anniversary this year. The Procession takes place on the afternoon of Sunday 10th June. Bishop John Magee Bishop of Cloyne will preach the sermon. Try to keep this Sunday free to make the Procession a family event and an expression of our faith.
Turners Cross Community Games
Sports Night at Brother Colms Pitch (Old Nemo Pitch) Friday 25th May at 6pm
Boys & Girls Races under 8 to under 16
Boys & Girls Relays under 8 to under 16
Field Events under 8 to under 16
Arthritis Ireland — Cork Branch, are hosting information lectures on arthritis at Brú Columbanus, Wilton, Cork, on Saturday 26th May at 2pm.Talks by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and an Occupational Therapist. Free Admission. All Welcome. Enquiries to 086 – 8118489.
Pope Benedict XVIs book Jesus of Nazareth released in English
The English language version of the Popes new book Jesus of Nazareth is now on general sale.
Jesus of Nazareth is the first part of a two-volume work. This first volume examines the public life of Christ from his Baptism in the River Jordan to the Transfiguration.
Would you like to use your skills to help others?
Viatores Christi is an Irish Catholic lay missionary association, founded in1960, which recruits, trains and places people in areas of need overseas and at home. We currently have requests for volunteers for assignments in Africa, Asia, South America and Ireland. We recruit people from all types of backgrounds and professions. If you would you like to make a difference, why not take the next step and come to our information session in Cork on Tuesday 29th May 2007 at 7.30pm in SMA Parish Centre, Wilton, Cork.
To confirm your attendance or for further information, please contact
Viatores Christi:Tel.01-8749346/01-8728072,
email Colette@viatoreschristi.com
or log on to www.viatoreschristi.com
Thought for Ascension Day
'As he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They went back to Jerusalem full of joy and were continually in the Temple praising God.' Luke 24: 52-53
The Ascension may at times be hard to understand fully. We know Jesus physically withdrew from this world. Some might interpret that he is now far removed from this world. Nothing could be further from the truth. Because of the Ascension, Jesus is now free from all restrictions of time and space. It's not about his removal from this world but much more about his constant presence everywhere around us. Today we invite him into our lives. We welcome his gentle presence in our lives, not just occasionally but every moment of every single day.
Thought for Today by Fr.James McSweeney
www.2u.ie
Old Chinese Proverb
If you are planning for a year, sow rice.
If you are planning for a decade, plant trees.
If you are planning for a lifetime, educate a person.
Catholic Papers
The Catholic Papers are on sale at the back of the Church
The Irish Catholic 1. The Universe 1.50. Catholic Times 1.50