Planning for the future
The important meeting called by Bishop Buckley earlier in the year will take place in Rochestown Park Hotel this Sunday 9th March at 3pm, clergy, religious and parish representatives will be attending. Our parish will be represented by the recently elected officers of the Parish Assembly Frank McKevitt, Lilian Lernihan, Br. Aidan and John Collins of the Finance Committee. and the Parish Clergy. As Bishop Buckley said in his letter I now think it is necessary to move on to the creation of pastoral areas. This is a process whereby neighbouring parishes plan and work together in a way that is truly co-operative.
Moving towards co-operation and sharing of resources between parishes is imperative as the number of priests decreases. The scarcity of priests is taking hold and we have to respond to it in practical ways.
Solutions to many of the questions need to be found by all of us working together and sharing our gifts and talents. It is my hope that during this year we can make significant progress in developing pastoral areas in the diocese. the Bishop said it is my aim to keep everyone informed of developments as we progress in this important work.
Confessions
Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins. We will have an opportunity to receive God's forgiveness.
Penitential celebrations (Confessions) will take place after all the Masses next weekend 15th & 16th March. A number of priests will be available for confessions. Encourage members of the family to avail of the opportunity. As St. Paul says: 'Now is the favourable time, this is the day of salvation.'
Palm Sunday
Palm will be blessed at all Masses next weekend. Please bring your palm branch to Mass.
Mass times on Monday 17th March:
9am, 10.30am & 12 noon
Collection this weekend 8th/9th March
for The Bishops' Commissions
This collection helps fund the work of the Irish Bishops Conference and its agencies and commissions. These include Emigrants, Justice and Peace, Communications, CURA, It will be taken up after Holy Communion
Baptism;
We welcome into the Christian Community Brianna Caoimhe Smith and Jake Jason OSullivan, who were baptised recently.
Marriage:
Our congratulations and good wishes to Nigel Condon and Sinead Sexton who were married recently.
Parish Assembly
There will be a meeting of all the Members of the Parish Assembly in the Parish Centre on this Mon. 10th March at 8pm
Over 60s Talent Competition
A heat of the Over 60s Talent Competition will be held in Turners Cross Community Centre on 3rd of April. The organising committee is now looking for participants. Music will be provided. Anyone interested in performing on the night is asked to contact Alan Kennedy on 087-6973206
St. Josephs Young Priests Society
will hold their monthly meeting on Tues. next 11th March after the 10am Mass.
Our good wishes to Nemo as they continue their preparations for the All Ireland Club Senior Football Final in Croke Park on the 17th March.
Cork Alzheimer Foundation (Windmill Road)
in association with Cork Gramophone Circles will hold their 10th Annual Gramophone Recital at the Imperial Hotel on Sun. 16th March at 8pm Joan Murphy will present A Lovely Evening of Music and Song Admission 10 Light refreshments served.
Trócaire
The Children are asked to bring their Trócaire Boxes to School next Thursday or Friday 13th / 14th March when they get their Easter Holidays.
All others can be brought to the Church at the Mass of the Last Supper on Holy Thursday 20th March
Interesting Statistic
From year-end 2005 to year-end 2006, the latest date for which numbers are available, the number of Catholics in the world increased from 1.115 billion to 1.131 billion, a growth of 1.4%. Over the same period, the number of bishops grew to 4,898 from 4,841, an increase of 1.2%.
The number of religious and diocesan priests passed from 406,411 in 2005 to 407,262 in 2006 (a growth of 0.21%). The number of priests has grown steadily from 2000 to 2006. However, the distribution of priests differs from continent to continent. Their numbers have fallen in Europe and America, and increased in Africa and Asia. Food for thought !!
Parish Pilgrimage to Lourdes (11th – 16th June.)
Will all those who have given their names and intend to travel please pay their deposit (200) in the coming days at Turners Cross Credit Union, ask for Mary Sheehan.
The Easter Triduum Cards are available in the Parish Office this weekend. Mass Cards and Cards for the Friday Shared Mass are available in the Sacristy after Mass. The Shared Mass every Friday at 10 am is offered for the sick, for those who have died and for your special intentions.