January 10th 2010 – Baptism of the Lord

What happens in Baptism?
A person who is baptized enters into the life of Christ, becomes part of Christ, is a member of the Body of Christ –  St Paul to the Romans.   The child is baptized using the symbol of water and the words, ‘I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’ The action (the pouring of water) and the words amount to what we call a sacrament. A sacrament is a symbolic action which brings about what the action and words signify. For example, at Mass the bread and wine, together with the words ‘This is my Body,’ ‘This is my Blood’, bring about the presence of Christ. By the action and words of the priest at Mass, Christ is truly present on the altar though the externals remain the same. The action and words at baptism create a new Christian: St. Paul says ‘And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.’

Baptism Preparation Team
Our parish baptism preparation team needs new members to add to the current team who visit families to prepare them for the baptism of their child.  If interested please hand in your name to Fr Kerry – a 3 night course will begin on January 20th here in the Parish Centre.

Parenting Course
The Parenting Course will begin the Parish Centre, in the grounds of Turner’s Cross Church on this Tues. 12th Jan. at 7.30pm  There will be a trained facilitator.   It will last 6 weeks. What is it about?
1.What is your child looking for. 2. Responsible Parenting. 3. Encouraging, 4. Listening ,
5. Communicating. 6. Disciplining children. Talking things out together. Bringing it all together.
If there is any parent who would like to join us there is still time, phone Fr. Kerry on the Parish Mobile:  087-2610276 before this Monday evening.

Every New Year marks an opportunity to begin again. There are many feelings that we can experience as we now enter the journey of 2010. The reality for so many of us is that things can only get better.  For many I’m sure it has been a difficult year, those who lost loved ones during the year. Many good people who have found themselves overburdened as a consequence of unemployment and debt. Our Church, despite the crisis it finds itself in, has a real opportunity to begin in a new way. Leadership must be open to a real dialogue and humble enough to consider the enormous task in rebuilding public confidence. Conversion and healing will come from the reality of victims whose courage made this dark secret public. Our prayer and hope for them and all of us is that this New Year will bring a recovery to all sectors of our society.

Important Dates 2010
Sun. 24 Jan.  “Do this in Memory Mass”
Tues. 9  March  First  Confessions  Girls 7.30pm
Wed. 10 March First Confessions Boys 7.30pm
Thurs. 15th April  Retreat for those Preparing for Confirmation in the Nemo Complex.
Thurs. 15th April  Service of Light for those being confirmed and their Parents in the Church at 7.30pm
Thurs.  22 April    Parish Confirmations
Sat. 8  May  First Holy Communion Boys  10.30am
Sat. 15 May  First Holy Communion Girls 10.30am

Deaths:
We remember in our prayers Con Curtin, Friars Rd, Maura Looney, Congress Rd.
& Mary O'Regan, St Finbarr's Hospital.  We extend our sympathy and prayers to their Families.

Turners Cross Parish Assembly:
The Parish Assembly will meet on this Mon. 11th Jan. in the Parish Centre at 8pm.

St Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society
Monthly meeting on this Tues. 12th Jan. after the 10am Mass in the Parish Centre.

Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect their rota for the coming weeks in the sacristy after Mass. Training for those who have volunteered to serve as Ministers of the Eucharist will begin shortly.

The Coláiste Chríost Rí Past Pupils Union will be holding a dinner to celebrate the school’s 50th Anniversary on Fri. 12th of Feb. in Rochestown Park Hotel. Tickets (€50) are now on sale from the school office (021 4274904) or through the Past Pupils Union (email: <A href="mailto:ccrppu@gmail.com">ccrppu@gmail.com</A>). All welcome.

Turner’s Cross Active Retired Group
are reopening at the Social Services Centre, Capwell Rd. this Tue. 12th Jan. at 7.30pm.  New members are welcome.

Mass Readings:   http://www.corkandross.org/feeds.jsp?feedtype=reading

Severe Weather.
An appeal to the elderly and infirm to be aware of the current severe weather which we are experiencing at this time and not to come out unnecessarily.  We ask neighbours to call in and check on them and to bring shopping etc to them.  Thank You.