The Birthday of The Church
Pentecost Day is called the birthday of the church. The apostles had already received the Holy Spirit on Christs first appearance to them after His resurrection – today's gospel. But on Pentecost Day, the descent of the Holy Spirit was a public manifestation, which impressed the Jews who thronged Jerusalem. They went in huge crowds to the place where the apostles were staying. They explained the signs and wonders that manifested the coming of the Holy Spirit in the Upper Room. From this day forward, the apostles were men dedicated to one purpose and that was to bring the Good News, the gospel of Jesus to the world. They were helped by the divine power of the Holy Spirit, not only by the gift of tongues but more especially by the change His coming had on their own lives.
Today the voice of the Holy Spirit is still as strong as it was on the First Pentecost Day in Jerusalem. The Church needs men and women of generosity and people of principle, who will put kingdom values before personal convenience or earthly gain.
Let us pray that all of Jesus disciples be permeated by faith and openness to the Holy Spirit. Would that this Spirit continue to empower us to break barriers and blaze new trails, in sharing the Gospel of Jesus in our Community.
Great joy in Turners Cross Parish
It was with great joy and a sense of pride that we learned on Tuesday that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed one of our own Fr Kieran OReilly SMA as Bishop of Killaloe to succeed Bishop Willie Walsh. We congratulate him on his appointment, his parents, Sean and Teresa, of Fr. Matthew Rd. and his family.
We wish Fr Kieran every blessing as he undertakes a totally new dimension to his missionary calling. He takes up the task of Bishop at a time of opportunity for the Irish Church. We believe he is blessed with the gifts needed to face the challenges this new role will present.
A missionary bishop that sounds like exactly what Ireland might just need at this moment.
Bishop Elect Kieran was born on 8 August 1952, the eldest of five children. He attended the Presentation Brothers at Scoil and Coláiste Chríost Rí here in Turners Cross for his primary and secondary education. In 1970 he began his studies for the priesthood with the Cork-based missionary group, the Society of African Missions. After completing University studies in St Patricks College, Maynooth he was ordained to the priesthood on 17 June 1978 in the African Missions Church, Wilton. He has served in Liberia and Nigeria. With his academic and administrative experience Fr. Kieran was elected as the 11th SMA Superior General, in May 2001, the fourth Irishman to serve in this post. He was re-elected in 2007.
On hearing of his appointment Fr. Kieran said "I ask for your prayers as I face the task ahead. I commit myself to doing as much as I can, with you, to make Christ more present in our daily lives. May the Spirit of Pentecost fill each of us with Peace."
We assure Fr. Kieran of our prayers.
Our Students
College, Leaving and Junior Cert. students you are in our thoughts and prayers We wish you well with your revision and with your exams. The following prayer will, we hope, help to calm any nerves:
O Holy Spirit, give us your gifts of wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Enlighten my mind and inspire me to work hard that I may be successful in my examinations. Guide and direct me in all my undertakings and help me especially to discover my true vocation in life. Alay my fears and teach me always to live in your light, your love and your truth. I make this prayer through Christ, Our Lord. Amen
Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Cards are available in the Sacristy for those doing and preparing for exams.
Gramaphone Recital: will be held on next Tues. 25th May ot 7.30pm in the Parish Centre. Presenter Tom Maher.
Tory Top Library, Ballyphehane Tuesday 25th May 2010 At 3.00p.m. Gramophone Recital presented by Seán Higgins.
At 7.00p.m. Cork Film Archive presented by Cian O Sé. Come along & learn more about the work of the archive and view footage from some old films.
Admission is free & all are welcome.
CLM Lourdes 2010.
Departures ex-Cork from June 1st to September. Limited places and special subsidised fare of only 450. Further details from Máire Smye on 023-8833273.
Knock Summer Festival for youth 18 35 years. Further details from www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival <http://www.knock-shrine.ie/youthfestival> or Fr Ted Sheehan on 021-4866306
Turners Cross Community Games
Wednesday May 26th in Bro Colms Pitch at 6pm. Winners will represent Turners Cross at the Finals in Athlone further details from Sean Delea on 086 303347
A Thought
'Every time we say, I believe in the Holy Spirit, we mean that we believe that there is a living God able and willing to enter the human personality and change it. – JB Philips
The feast of Pentecost. It is a significant and important day for all of us. How does one describe the Holy Spirit? We have all been in a restaurant where the waitress has asked, Can I warm up your coffee for you? The cup may be half full and cold after sitting on the table for a while. When she pours the new coffee in, she refills and warms up the whole cup once again. In ways we are like the cup of coffee as well, perhaps we are spiritually cold and empty. We need a spiritual boost. The feast of Pentecost is asking God to fill each of us with the Holy Spirit, to renew and refresh, to instil hope and to impart life in each of us. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us and to teach us whats really important in life. It would be a pity to let the weekend go by without a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance, direction, a sense of hope and courage in everything we do each day. – James McSweeney www.2u.ie
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.
V. Send forth Your Spirit, and they shall be created,
R. And You shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray.
O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of Your faithful, grant that by that same Holy Spirit, we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen.