3rd October 2010 – 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Day for Life:
Today is the day the Catholic Church in Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales dedicates to celebrating the dignity of human life from conception to natural death. This year its theme is the meaning of Christian death and care for those who are  dying.  Human death is not only a physical and psychological process; it is also a spiritual reality. Without this dimension all our attempts to understand death and dying remain limited and impoverished. In faith we know that all life has a value which cannot be measured or bargained away. No matter how short it may be, or whatever its condition, every life has a purpose and contains a grace. This is why we should not allow ourselves to be persuaded that incapacity or impairment somehow lessen the value of a person’s life, or make them less able to enrich others and give glory to God in whose image they are made and continue to grow. We do not possess our lives as we possess some material object, to be used and then disposed of at will. Life is a gift we hold from God, who not only gives life but redeems it.
Day for Life:   Bishops Letter   –
http://www.kandle.ie/2010/09/10/day-for-life-2010/

Reflection on Death by Cardinal Basil Hume  
Death is a formidable foe until we learn to make it a friend.  Death is to be feared if we do not learn to welcome it. Death is the ultimate absurdity if we do not see it as fulfilment. Death haunts us when viewed as a journey into nothingness rather than a pilgrimage to a place where true happiness is to be found. The human mind cannot understand death. We face it with fear and uncertainty, revulsion even; or we turn away from the thought for it is too hard to bear. But faith gives answers when reason fails. The strong instinct to live points to immortality. Faith admits us into death’s secrets. Death is not the end of the road, but a gateway to a better place. It is in this place that our noblest aspirations will be realised. It is here that we will understand how our experiences of goodness, love, beauty and joy are realities which exist perfectly in God.  It is in heaven that we will shall rest in Him and our hearts will be restless until they rest in God.

A Parish Presentation will be made to Bishop Kieran O’Reilly on the occasion of his welcoming  back to the Parish on the evening of the 17th Oct. at the opening of the  Parish Mission at 6.30pm.  If you would like to be part of this presentation – boxes are at the exit doors this weekend and next weekend or you can hand it into the Sacristy.

News of Parish Mission 16th – 20th October.

http://turnerscross.com/smf/index.php?topic=668.0

St. Aloysius School:  Open evening Wed. 6th Oct.  7.30 pm – 9.00 pm  (Principal’s Address 8.00 pm Girls from 4th 5th and 6th class Primary Schools with their parents are most welcome.

Christ King Girls Secondary: Open Evening is on Tue. Oct. 5th from 7-9 p.m. The Principal's Address will be at approximately 8 p.m.

Presentation Secondary School, Ballyphehane:  Presents “Hairspray” The Broadway Musical Dates: Tue. 5th, Wed. 6th and Thur. 7th Oct 7.30 p.m. Tickets available at the school 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m  Early Booking essential Tel. 021 4961765

Deaths:
We remember in out prayers Michael O’Sullivan, Ballinlough, Tony McDonald, Palaceanne Lawn and Michael O’Mahony, Douglas Rd. He served as a member of the Turner’s Cross branch of the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 54 years. We extend out sympathy to their families.

Autumn Dues: We would appreciate if the area collectors would collect the envelopes and information leaflet about Parish Mission and welcome for Bishop Kieran O’Reilly in the Sacristy after Masses this weekend.

Important Dates
13th Oct. Meeting with Parents of those who wish to be Confirmed will be held in the Church  at 7.30pm (Parents only)
16th-20th Oct. Parish Mission with Fr. Tom Ryan  Fr. Brendan Quinlivan
17th Oct. Welcoming  home for Bishop Kieran and opening of Mission  6.30pm
23rd Oct. Mission Sunday and Enrollment of those to be Confirmed in April 2011
6th/7th Nov. Remembrance Weekend  – all Masses will be offered for our dead. Blessing of graves in St. Joseph Cemetery at 2.30pm on Sun. 7th Nov.

Altar Servers: There will be a meeting of the new Altar Servers and their Parents in the Church on Tues. 5th Oct. at 2.30pm

Community – Belonging:
The Ceremony of Enrollment of the Children for First Holy Communion last Sunday was a lovely and meaningful ceremony.   Some parents expressed to us their feelings of remembering their own First Holy Communion and shared feelings of nostalgia which reminded them of what has been missing in their lives, it was good to be back. What they miss is not just the experience of having Jesus within them but also the sense of community which is lacking in those who don’t regularly worship together. I found out during the week how essential belonging to the Church Community is when two families contacted me to request prayers and support at the death of loved ones. and to come and bless their home. It is at times of grief or need that the Church shows the love and concern of Jesus that we sometimes take for granted.

Historical Society: Monthly Meeting on Wed. 6th Oct. at 7:45 p.m. in  St John’s College Sawmill Street,  Guest Speaker Tom Spalding will speak on Historical Street Furniture of the  South Parish All Welcome Non-members € 2