February 7th 2010 – 5th Sunday of Ordinary Time

World Day of Prayer for the Sick
Thursday the 11th of Feb is the Feast of Our Lady Of Lourdes is World Day of Prayer for those who are sick.  We think of the many people who are sick and not well in our parish, particularly those in hospital at the moment.  The courage, bravery and mind set of so many of these people is inspirational.  We think and pray for each of them and all those who care and look after our sick.  We also ask God's healing in our lives too.  There are areas where we all need healing.  Thursday is a good day to pray for such healing.
Lord, gently lay your hands on our sick and on me today.
Gently bring your blessings on us and especially your healing.
I also would like to pray and include ……………
(Mention their names here in your own quiet prayer)

Anointing of The Sick & Veneration of the Relic of St Bernadette.
The 10am Mass on Thursday 11th Feb. will be offered for the Sick and Housebound and their Carers.  The Anointing of the Sick and the blessing with the Relic of St. Bernadette will take place after the 10am & 6pm Masses.  (note extra Mass at 6pm)

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection
The special collection taken up at all Masses this weekend 6/7 Feb. is in aid of the Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. This collection subsidises individuals whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from traveling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

Tory Top Library, Ballyphehane
Friday 12th February at 11.00a.m. – Cúpla focal group. All welcome. Beidh cupán tae le fáil freisin.

Ministers of the Eucharist:  Preparation Course for new ministers begins on this Wed.10th Feb. at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Our thanks to those who have volunteered to serve in this ministry.  If you are presently a minister and would like to join in the talks you will be very welcome.

Ministers of the Word
New Rota now available and training will commence shortly for new members.

St Joseph's Young Priests Society: Monthly meeting this Tues. 9th Feb. after the 10am Mass

Turners Cross Community Association are holding a community event on Thur.11th Feb. entitled "Turners Cross Talent Factor".  This event allows young people to participate and show their talent in a community setting. There is no entry fee for this event.   Any queries can be made to Harry Harvey on 086 1568649.

Year of Priest: Holy Hour every Sunday at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church.  Come and pray for priests.

The Parish Assembly will meet on this Mon. 8th Feb. in the Parish Centre at 8pm

"Do This in Memory."
The Parent Representatives of the Four First Holy Communion Classes will meet in Fr. Kerry's House on this Mon. 8th Feb. at 7.30pm.  The next Do this in Memory Mass will be on the next Sun. 14th Feb. at 10.30am

Our Call:
The theme of today’s Reading is Vocation.  Most people, when they hear the word
“vocation”, think only of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.  This is too limited a concept.  There is a vocation to marriage or the single life.  Every vocation requires responsible, courageous people, capable of deep trust, who are unafraid of risk.  However, the majority of us live our vocation in our families – parents, children
and young adults.  All of us fulfill our call by our neighborliness, our concern for others, our friendship and by giving of our time to others. Priests and religious have a call to a particular way of life, a way that involves ministering to others in a special way.   God knows how desperately the church, at this time, needs men and women to meet that call.   In this year of priests, we should pray for those people who are discerning whether or not God is calling them to the priesthood or religious life. The Church itself is constantly being called by God to meet the challenges of every age and give meaning to the world that is forever in the making. Simon and his companions were exhausted, disappointed men and it was not easy for them to respond to Jesus’ instruction,  “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch”.  But they saw in Jesus something that moved them to hope and do His bidding.   Their response was rewarded abundantly.  Their great trust in God is the lesson we learn from todays Gospel story.  
So the question for all of us is –   Do I trust in God?   God can do all things, even when they appear to us impossible.  Here  I  am  Lord:  Send Me

"Youth 2000: prayer meeting for 16-35 year olds, every Mondays at 7:30 pm at the Bons Secours Convent, College Road. For more details visit www.youth2000.ie.

Preparing for Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 17th February 2010
Daily Masses during Lent    10am & 6pm

Lenten Message: Pope Benedict XVI has a Lenten Message for all of us –
http://www.kandle.ie/2010/02/04/benedict-xvi-lent-2010-message/

Lent in a time to turn back to God – The Archdiocese of Boston in the USA is encouraging people to return to the Sacrament of Confession – you may find their website helpful.
http://www.kandle.ie/2010/02/03/boston-archdiocese-confession/

“Walk with Me”
On sale this next weekend, linked with the season of Lent, a little book ‘Walk with Me’, a Lenten Journey of Prayer — an ideal companion during the season of Lent. Daily meditations in simple and accessible style, a great way to encourage people to prepare for Easter. This is an excellent booklet. Cost €1.30  It will be available at the back of the Church.

Lent a time for Giving
The Trocaire Family Fast Boxes will be available next weekend.
http://www.trocaire.org

Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. (11th Feb.) It is a day set aside to celebrate the anniversary of the apparitions witnessed by 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous and it also marks world day for sick people. Five million pilgrims visit Lourdes each year. Anyone who has been there will know it’s a significant and special place. Love bubbles everywhere in Lourdes. Its effects are felt by everyone. It is contagious, life giving, refreshing and so alive. Anyone who has been to Lourdes will often say, “If only I could bottle what’s here and bring it home’. It is at home but it may not always be as evident as it is in Lourdes. Today is a day to make sure that God’s greatest medicine called love gets shared. All of us are instruments of God’s healing love. We pray today for all who are sick and we include doctors, nurses, carers and anyone who needs our prayers on this special day.