NOVEMBER
Starting with All Souls’ Day on 2nd November, this is the month when we remember and pray for our dead.  We experience again the grief and loneliness, and we remember good times and bad, the joys and sorrows.  We remember our dead in the context of our hope of eternal life for them and for us. When we think of our own death may we pray with the Psalmist  “I shall be filled when I awake with the sight of your glory, O Lord.”                                                                                                    We seek to follow Christ as his disciples, though living the Christian life in an age of scepticism and growing disbelief is not easy.  The Lord gives us comfort and strength in the face of opposition and so his word spreads.  Jesus met a fair amount of disbelief and opposition in his own time and the question put to him about the widow of the seven brothers in this Sunday’s gospel reading was intended to trap him.                                      In his reply Jesus explains something of the nature of eternal life.  He assures us that God is a God not of the dead but of the living, and to him all people are alive.  We pray in this month of remembrance that our beloved dead are among those of whom it is said: “They shall see the Lord face to face and his name will be written on their foreheads.  It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them.  They will reign for ever and ever.”

SONGS OF FAITH: A celebration of teen talent and Christian faith.
To mark the Year of faith young people from the parishes in the dioceses are inviting you to come and join them at their concert on Sunday 24th November at 5pm in Christ the King Church, Turner’s Cross.  Come and join our young people as they sing their songs of faith.   No charge – a collection will be taken up to defray expenses.

Certificate/Diploma in Catechesis
Applications are now being accepted for our two-year distance learning programme to be offered in Cork in partnership with the Maryvale Institute.  For more details and application forms contact: Pastoral Development Office 021 4537601.

Blessing of Graves &Prayers,                                                                        Sunday 10th November
St. Michael’s Blackrock 3pm
St. Catherine’s Kilcully  3pm

Don’t forget to visit and pray at the graves at the back of the Church.

PARISH ASSEMBLY: Meeting on Mon. 11th November in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm. Agenda can be collected in Sacristy at weekend Masses.  The present Assembly has completed its term and a new Assembly for 2014 to 2016 is being formed.  Please consider whether you would like to serve for a three year term on our Parish Pastoral Assembly.  Details at Masses this weekend and next weekend.

GOSPEL OF MARK  Our occasional series of  Biblical reflections continues with five talks on St Mark’s Gospel in the Parish Centre, Turner’s Cross on Tuesday evenings 19th November to 17th December, start time 7.30pm. These will include presentation of  material by Fr Billy O’Sullivan followed by tea and group discussion, all are welcome.

Frank Duff
The founder of the Legion of Mary, Frank Duff, will be commemorated at the 6p.m. Vigil Mass at Sts. Peter & Pauls Church on next Saturday, 9th. November.   All welcome.

An Evening with Christy Kenneally: Say ‘Yes’ to Life   An evening on the resources we can call on in times of crisis”   Wed. 13th Nov. 7.30pm.   Dining Hall Dept. of Tourism and Hospitality CIT Bishopstown Campus.  Free admission and car parking

Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Scriptures.  A Public Workshop with Dr. Jessie Rogers, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.  Saturday 16th November, 10am-1.30pm.  Venue: Sacred Heart Parish Centre Western Road.  All Welcome.  Details and booking: Anne Francis abfrancis@eircom.net 087-227-2134. Cost €5

Diocesan Quarterly Collection: will be taken us at all Masses next weekend. 16th/17th November.   This collection financially supports the diocesan office and diocesan initiatives. The central fund of the diocese is currently operating at an annual deficit of over € 300,000.

‘Rediscovering Mercy’ with Trocaire:  a four week interactive faith-based programme. Invites participants into a reflective space to rediscover God’s loving mercy for them and the world.  Contact Janet Twomey on 021-4275622 or email jtwomey@trocaire.ie.

Advent Evening of Prayer and Reflection for Parishioners and all those who serve in our Parish.  Thurs. 5th Dec. at 7.30pm.  St. Finbarr’s Hospital Chapel with Fr. Ray Riordan.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society: Monthly meeting in the Parish Centre this Tues. 12th November after the 10.00 am Mass.