Pope Benedict XVI Pastoral Letter to the People of Ireland
We welcome the Holy Fathers letter which was signed on Friday praying it is a means to renewal and healing for all those affected by clerical and relegious abuse and for all of Gods people. Copies of extracts from the Letter will be available at Masses this weekend and the full text and extracts are on the Parish Website:
Full Text Pastoral Letter: http://turnerscross.com/smf/index.php?topic=636.0
Extracts from Pastoral Letter: http://turnerscross.com/smf/index.php?topic=634.0
YouTube Video http://www.kandle.ie/2010/03/20/papal-letter-ireland/#more-17371
Forgiveness:
The incident of the forgiveness of Jesus for the woman caught in adultery, has very special lessons for all of us, during this Lenten season. We are all sinners to a certain degree and all of us offend the good God in so many ways. But thankfully we are not dealing with the scribes and Pharisees who made the woman stand there in full view of everyone. Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. No matter how many and how serious our sins are, the mercy and forgiveness of God are there for the asking.
A second lesson for all of us in todays Gospel is that we should try to imitate our Lords mercy in our dealings with others. Sometimes we judge too harshly the one whose sins happen to be made public.
Let us remember our Lords words to the Pharisees Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone. Then all of her accusers discreetly withdrew, leaving nobody there except Jesus and the woman. The woman was repentant and Jesus asked her to form a firm purpose of amendment and then He set her free. Go in peace and sin no more, were Jesus gentle words to her. Jesus does not condemn. He just wants to love us back to life. That is what He did with the woman caught in adultery. With our confessions next weekend we will have an opportunity to approach the same forgiving Jesus.
Confessions
Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins. We will have an opportunity to receive God's forgiveness.
Penitential Celebrations (Confessions) will take place after all the Masses next weekend 27th & 28th March. A number of priests will be available for confessions. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to Confession and encourage members of the family to avail of the opportunity of Confession for Easter. As St. Paul says: 'Now is the favourable time, this is the day of salvation.'
Palm Sunday
Palm will be blessed at all Masses next weekend. Please bring your palm branch to Mass.
Turners Cross Community Association is delighted to have community events included in the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival. On Thurs. 25th March we will celebrate Irish Culture at the Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Rd. All are welcome to a community celebration of conversation, ceol, ceili agus craic, with sean nós singing and a fun Irish conversation workshop. Bring your own musical instrument. Light refreshment served. Information: Alan Kennedy 087 6973206
St. Joseph's Cemetery: there will be a Tour of St. Joseph's Cemetery, Tory Top Rd. at 11am on Sat. March 27th. A local historian leads a walk through this important historical, cultural, religious and spiritual site which opened as a cemetery in 1868.
Meet at cemetery gates. Information: Alan Kennedy 087 6973206
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Kathleen ORiordan, Owen McTaggert & Marie Flynn who died recently. We extend our sympathy and prayers to their families.
Weekday Masses during Lent 10am & 6pm
Spring Dues
Our sincere thanks to the Area Collectors who are collecting the Spring Dues.
Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect their rota for the coming weeks in the Sacristy after mass
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. Further details on Church Noticeboard or by contact Fr Kerry or Fr Charlie
Easter Triduum Cards are available from the office after Masses this weekend and during the week The triduum of Masses will be celebrated on Easter Sunday, Monday & Tuesday
Tory Top Library , Ballyphehane– Lifelong Learning Festival. Tue. 23rd March at 3p.m. Flower arranging demonstration by Kay Nolan. Admission is free & all are
welcome.
Trocaire: as we move through Lent dont forget to use your Trocaire Box and think of those less fortunate then we are. Boxes will be collected in the Schools on Thursday and Friday before the children begin holidays and in the Church on Holy Thursday 1st April at the 6pm Mass.