Christ the King
….witnessing to the Truth
Courage is what carries us through difficult times. It is the strength that gives us direction in times of confusion. Courage comes from deep within us. It is concerned with all the little and big challenges of life. We admire the courage we see in people of all ages, in the face of adversity. We see it in children who may have lost a close relative; we see it in young people when they do not follow their peers aimlessly. Young couples bring up their families, many today facing unemployment. Old people reveal their courage as they battle with ageing or ill health. Todays Gospel encourages us to acknowledge, that when faced with the ultimate choices, we too are gifted with courage. We have Jesus as our model, who remained faithful to His trust in the Father, in spite of the shouts of His accusers and the abandonment by His friends. As His followers we are called to give witness to His truth. Whoever loves and seeks the real truth belongs to the Kingdom (Jn 18 : 37).
Todays feast invites us again to renew our personal loyalty and commitment to Jesus who is our Way, our Truth and our Life.
Marriage Support
The Diocesan Collection in support of the Cork Marriage Counseling Centre Paul St. takes place this weekend Nov. 21st and 22nd. Bishop Buckley has asked us to encourage parishioners to help and support the marriage preparation and marriage counseling 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.) Your generosity will be appreciated.
Do this in Memory We welcome the children preparing for their First Holy Communion and their families to our Do this in Memory Mass this morning
Blessing of Graves & Prayers
Sunday 22nd Nov.
St John's Ballinrea 3pm
Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards
The Parish Christmas Card and Christmas Triduum Mass Card available in the Parish Office after Mass today and during the week after the 10am Mass. The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 Dec.
Nemo Rangers
The 6pm Vigil Mass on this Sat. 21st Nov. is being 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 Miah Lombard, South Douglas Rd who died during the week. We extend our sympathy to his relations. May he rest in peace.
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.
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
Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect their rota for the coming weeks . Ministers of the Word: their Missal with readings for the coming year in the Sacristy
Collection:
Last weekend: Offertory Collection came to 2,426. Many thanks for your generosity.
Turners Cross Gramophone Recital
will be held in the Parish Centre on Tues. 24th Nov. at 7.30pm Presenter: Billy Collins
Prepare a way for the Lord – Carol Concert.
The Parish Choir, Choirs from Scoil Chríost Rí & Christ King Girls NS and pupils from the Secondary and Primary Schools of the Parish will be part of a Carol Concert in Christ the King Church on Tues. 15th Dec. at 7.30pm. The Call of John The Baptist to prepare, The Annunciation, The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, The Birth of Jesus, and the coming of the Kings will be dramatised.
Faith in a Time of Recession talk by Sr. Jennifer McClear. A talk to give hope and inspiration during times of recession/economic down turn and despair. Thurs. 10th Dec. in the Lough Church at 8pm All welcome
How would you like to be at home with the Gospel and have the Gospel make its home in you? Come to meet the Gospel Jesus each Monday during Advent in the Parish Centre 10.30 to 11.30am.
A Thought:
Of all the titles we could bestow on Jesus, that of 'King' would seem one of the most inappropriate. It smacks of the kind of things he rejected. When we think of a King we think of a crown, a palace, great wealth, power, prestige and of course an army. When we look at Jesus what do we see? There is no throne, no crown, no army. We see him walking the dusty roads of Palestine with a little band of disciples. He is surrounded by the poor and the sick, sinners and outcasts.
And yet the title 'King' is appropriate and it stands for something true and real in Jesus. He was the greatest source of goodness, light and hope in a dark world. His presence could change beyond recognition the lives of those around him. There is a great person who makes everybody feel small. But the really great person makes everybody feel great. In that sense Jesus really was a King. Fr. Flor McCarthy
Next Sunday's Readings 1st Sunday of Advent Nov. 29th
1st Reading: Jer 33: 14-16 2nd Reading: 1 Thess 3: 12 4:2 Gospel Lk 21 : 25-28, 34-36
Consider reading in preparation for Sunday next.