November 15th 2009 – 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Come Lord Jesus
The lesson we learn from today’s Gospel comes across quite clearly:  we must always be ready to face our judgement for we know not the day nor the hour when we will be called from this life.  When this world will end is of no great significance.  What is important, though, is that we are certain to leave this world some hour some day. About that day or hour, nobody knows.  And just as well, for it would be difficult to cope with this knowledge.  But the Lord’s message is to be ready to meet Him whenever He comes. During life, the Lord comes to us in many different ways.  Sometimes He comes to gift us and sometimes to challenge us.  Welcoming Him into our lives and sharing the spirit of His first followers, who said Maranatha – Come Lord Jesus – is what the Christian Life is all about.   If we value our eternal happiness then, we will make peace with God and neighbour. With the Holy Spirit as our strength, problems will become possibilities and in our final hour, we will be able to say with confidence “Come Lord Jesus”.

Feast of Christ the King
To mark the feast there will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament from 3pm until before the Vigil Mass at 6pm next Sat. 21st Nov. To ensure that there will be people in the Church during this time, there is a list at the back of the Church where you can indicate the time you would like to spend before the Blessed Sacrament.   The Lord said  “Can you watch one hour with me”

Blessing of Graves & Prayers
Sunday 22nd  Nov.
St John's  Ballinrea  3pm

Annual Mass
for deceased members of the Garda Siochana in Cork City Division  on Thurs. 26th Nov. at 7.30pm in St. Francis Church, Liberty St.
All serving Gardai, Retired Gardai, families and friends are invited.

Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sat. 21st Nov. We wish the Presentation Sisters and Brothers a very happy Feast Day.

‘Do this in Memory’
Meeting of the Co-ordinating parents Group will take place in Fr. Kerry’s house on this Mon. evening 17th Nov. @ 7.30pm.  Mass for First Holy Communion Children at 10.30am next Sunday The Feast of Christ the King

Our local schools –Coláiste Chríost Rí and Scoil Chríost Rí
are Presentation Brothers schools and share the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice in providing a balanced curriculum that respects the dignity of the individual. After careful consideration the Brothers have decided to hand over the trusteeship of their schools to a newly established body – The Presentation Brothers Schools Trust. The formal ‘handing over’ ceremony will take place at a special Mass in the SMA Church, Wilton on The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lady, Sat. Nov 21st. To celebrate this unique occasion we will celebrate Mass with our local schools here in Christ the King Church on Friday Nov. 20th at 11.00 am. All are welcome.

Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect  their  rota for  the  coming weeks . Ministers of the Word: can collect their Missal with readings for the coming year in the Sacristy

Collection:
Last weekend: Offertory Collection came to €2,678.  Many thanks for your generosity.

A Photographic Exhibition
depicting the work of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart overseas is being held in Douglas Library from 17th – 28th Nov.  It is open to public from 10am – 5.30pm on Tues.- Sat and until 8pm on Wed. & Thurs.  All are welcome

Christ King Girls Primary School Open Night, Thurs. 19th Nov. 7.30pm – 9pm.  School Concert, Principal’s address,  Tour of School, Refreshments.  Now accepting enrolments/application forms available.

Catholic Press: The Irish Catholic – a paper that has improved considerably over the past months and The Universe  are on sale every week-end  at the back of the Church.

Nemo Rangers
The 6pm Vigil Mass on next Sat. 21st Nov. will be offered for all the living and deceased members of Nemo Rangers Hurling & Football Club

Free Pre School: opening in Christ King Girls Primary School on 7th Jan. 2010. Children that are 3 years and 7 months  from Jan. 2010 will be accepted. Bookings are now being taken, places limited. Open to boys and girls. Please contact 087-6871238 / School 4963695

Death: We remember in our prayers Br. Joe (Canisius) Nealon, Presentation Brothers Maiville Tec.  who died during the week.  He taught in Scoil Chríost Rí for 28 years. We extend our sympathy to his family, community former pupils and many friends.   May he be at peace with the God he loved and served so well.

The Diocesan Collection in support of the Cork Marriage Counselling Centre, Paul St. takes place next weekend Nov. 21st and 22nd.  Bishop Buckley has asked us to encourage parishioners to help and support the marriage preparation and marriage counselling centre in the diocese by giving to this special collection.  "This is a critical time for marriage and the family in our country. We must do all in our power to support marriage. 'The future of humanity passes through the family'. (Pope Benedict XVI.)  

Charity Concert in Aid of L'Arche on next Sun.Nov. 22nd in St Mary's Church Popes Quay, featuring Majella Cullagh accompanied by Eleanor Malone with John Gibson, Amanda Neri, St Mary's Church Choir  and the 4th class choir of Togher Girls School. Tickets €20 from Pro Musica or at the door

Confession after the Masses every Sat. at 10am & 6pm

Foster Care:  Have you ever considered becoming a Foster Carer, could you foster a child or young person. If you would like to find out more about fostering contact 1850 211 593

A Thought
There are only two possibilities: human life has meaning or it hasn’t. It has direction powered by purpose, or else it’s like a fungus, free-floating on a speck of cosmic dust going nowhere fast. But if there is nothing beyond what we see, touch, taste, hear and smell from where comes the heart’s deep yearning for things beyond the senses?
When we’re in touch with mystery, today’s First Reading (Dan 12:1-13) will not seem as bizarre as it might otherwise appear. Its style won’t take from its substance. Resurrection of the dead is clearly central to God’s plan for creation. We need to focus on resurrection else death will have the final say. And the spot for that focus is life’s ordinary things. Fr.Tom Cahill