The Deep End – Credible Witness
There are some people who have an instinct for recognising talent, whether its recruiting the perfect person for a job or discovering the next big thing in the world of entertainment. There have always been talent shows, but the past few years have seen our TV screens awash with public searches for the next big star, complete with celebrity judges whose endorsement can make or break a career. The right words from the right person can make all the difference. It all depends on the credibility of the witness.
The theme of witness is central to the Gospel of John, and one of the most prominent witnesses is John the Baptist. He is the first to publicly reveal who Jesus is. And although he says he did not know Jesus when he preached about his coming, when he sees Jesus coming towards him he recognises immediately that there is something special about him; that he is the Chosen One.
John recognises him as the one of whom he himself said A man is coming after me who ranks before me because he existed before me. He sees himself in the inferior position of a witness, nothing more and nothing less. His job is to point to Christ. He has laid the groundwork and made straight the path, and he is the first credible witness to point to the enormity of the work Jesus has come to carry out.
Beatification of Pope John Paul II
Pope Benedict has approved a miracle attributed to the late Pope John Paul II and set May 1st 2011 as the date for him to be beatified in Rome. Pope Benedict declared in a decree, issued today by the Vatican, that the cure of a French nun who suffered from Parkinsons disease was miraculous, the last step needed for the beatification. We welcome the news that Pope John Paul II is to be beatified. Many people here remember with great affection his visit to us in 1979. We thank God for the powerful witness of his life and teaching, as well as the astonishing example he gave in suffering and death. His heavenly intercession will be sought by many. John Paul died in 2005 after 26 years as pope. A second miracle is needed for John Paul II to become a Saint.
Preparation for First Holy Communion Do this in Memory Programme
The next Mass for the children and their parents will be on Sunday, 23rd Jan. at 10.30am.
There will be a meeting of the parent class representatives in Fr. Kerrys house on this Monday 17th Jan. at 7.30pm
Tragic Death
We have all been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius during the week we extend our sympathy to John and the McAreavey and Harte families.
If you would like to express your sympathy and support to the families there is a Book of Condolences at the back of the Church. We will forward the book to the families during the week.
The sick & the housebound
Fr. Kerry will visit the Sick and the Housebound of his area on this Thurs. 20th & Fri. 21st Jan. at the usual times. Fr Charlie will visit on 3rd & 4th February at his usual times.
Altar Servers Rotas
Rotas for the coming year are now available from the Sacristy.
The New Turners Cross Parish Assembly.
Those who have been nominated are invited to an information meeting on this coming Monday January 17th at 8pm in the Parish Centre in the Church Grounds.
Holy Land: In recent times we have had two very successful and memorable pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Going to the Holy Land is truly a trip of a lifetime.
If you are intrested in travelling to the Holy Land on the Parish Pilgrimage please give your name to Fr. Kerry as soon as you can, Dates 13th Sept. to 22nd Sept. 2011 direct flight from Cork. To date 24 people have given their names.
Diary of last Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
http://turnerscross.com/smf/index.php?topic=603.0
Thank You
A letter of thanks from from Bishop Kieran O'Reilly to the People of Turner's Cross is on display on the Parish Assembly notice board at the back of the Church.
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.