Getting to the Root!
We all struggle with different realities every day. Life throws so many things our way that, we can get so caught up with our struggles, that we spend so much time and energy worrying and stressing over them.
The parable today, tells us that the owner of a vineyard, wanted to cut down one of his tree because, this one tree didnt bear fruit. Yet, the man who looked after the vineyard, thought differently. He told the owner that he would get to the root of the problem, by caring for and nurturing the tree.
It is from the root that things begin to grow. We all know that if we have a toothache that more often than not, the problem is with the root. And its similar with the problems we encounter in life. Unless we too get to the root of the issue or the problem, we will always have, or be in a certain amount of pain. We have to get to the root of the problem, name it and tame it, before we can move on and before we can begin to bear fruit in our lives. During Lent, we have time to prune the parts of our lives that need pruning, so that we can throw away the bad bits that inhibit our growth. Like Spring, Lent is about growing and bearing fruit.
Weekday Masses during Lent 10am & 6pm
Holy Hour:
On the Wednesdays of Lent there will be Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after the 10am Mass until 11am.
"God's Mission", The second part of the documentary detailing the lives of Bishops Shanahan, Galvin and Sr. Mary Martin, will be screened on RTE 1 on Tues. March 9th at 10.15pm .
The Bishops Commissions: This second collection to be taken up this weekend 6/7 March, helps fund the work of the Irish Bishops Conference and its agencies and commissions. These include Emigrants, Justice & Peace, Communications, CURA, etc.
Mothers Day:
Next Sunday 14th of March. That day there will be a special Mass for all our Mothers living or deceased at 12 noon. Special cards are available in the Sacristy after Mass and in the Parish Office this weekend. Easter Triduum Cards will also be available shortly from the Sacristy.
Ministers of the Eucharist: This weekend at the 6pm, 9am & 12noon Masses 15 new Ministers will be commissioned to distribute Holy Communion in the Church and bring Holy Communion to the sick in their homes. We congratulate them and thank them for undertaking this ministry.
Ministers of the Word Course:
Preparation Course for new and existing ministers begins on this Tuesday 9th March @ 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Our thanks to those who have volunteered to serve in this ministry. If anyone else who is interested and have handed in their names please come along on the night.
A parishioner wrote during the week –
Many of our Bishops spoke about their meeting with Pope Benedict in Rome recently as the beginning of a very important process. I really hope that this process will connect to all the members of the Church. In order for the Irish Church to be relevant and remain alive, it must fundamentally examine our structures of leadership. At ground level, our parish Christian community is alive and active, many of us continue to embrace and find relevance in participating in our local Church. It is at Diocesan and national level where many of us feel disconnected from and indeed excluded when it comes to representation, discussion and leadership.
Im a parishioner who loves the Church.
Journeying with Luke: 10am-4pm next Sat 13th March in St. Michaels Parish Centre, Blackrock (behind Church) No previous experience of studying the bible necessary. For more information contact Fr. Sean OSullivan 021-7336053, Fr. Kerry or email are@corkandross.org Cost 10 including lunch.
Spring Dues
We would appreciate if the Area Collectors would collect the envelopes for the Spring Dues in the Sacristy after Masses this weekend 6/7th March
St. Josephs Young Priests Society:
will meet this Tues. 9th March in the Parish Centre after the 10am Mass
Parish Assembly:
will meet this Monday 8th March in the Parish Centre at 8pm.
Death:
We remember in our prayers Jim Collins late of Capwell Rd. who died in England. We extend our sympathy and prayers to his Family
First Confessions:
The Girls & Boys of the Primary Schools in the Parish will be making the First Confession on Tues. & Wed of this week. at 7.30pm.
Missions:
Each year a Missionary Group speak at the Masses on a weekend about their work in spreading Gods message. This year it is the turn of The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Next weekend 13/14 March Sr. Angela Hurley (a native of the Parish) will speak at the Masses.
Cork & Ross Diocesan Vocation Information Day March 27th –
Ennismore Retreat Centre (11am to 5pm Lunch Included) An opportunity for young men to find more about being a priest today. Futher details on Church Noticeboard or by contact Fr Kerry or Fr Charlie
Year of the Priest:
MASS ~ HOMILY ~ PRAYERS, St Augustines (March 15th) Holy Trinity (March 16th) St Francis (March 18th) St Marys (March 19th) Preacher Fr Tomas Lane CM @ 7.30pm each evening.
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.