5th January 2014 – 2nd Sunday after Christmas

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION                                                                      Resolutions-300x200  New Year is a time for reflection and of course New Year Resolutions. As a parish we may look forward to 2014, and reflect on the role of the parish in our lives.  Pope Francis comments that the parish is not an outdated institution, it can continue to be the Church living in the midst of the homes of her people, really is in contact with people, and not a useless structure or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few. The parish is an environment for hearing God’s word, for growth in the Christian life, for worship and celebration.
There are of course dangers.  For example in a world of consumerism, human hearts may become self satisfied and greedy, feverishly seeking frivolous pleasures, with a blunted conscience.  There is no longer room for others, the quiet joy of God’s love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers, and those who fall prey to it end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life and it is not God’s will for us.
The word of God invites us to recognise that we are a people: “Once you were no people but now you are God’s people” (1 Pet 2:10).  The entire people of God proclaim the Gospel, and how we live as parishioners gives example, good or bad. Perhaps as God’s people of Turner’s Cross we might consider making a new year resolution to take up Pope Francis’ invitation of last November: I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord (Pope Paul VI).”

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NEW PARISH ASSEMBLY: Nominations have been received for the 2014 – 2016 Assembly and those nominated are being contacted at present and invited to an initial information meeting in the Parish Centre on Monday 13th November at 8.00 pm.  This will give details on what a parish assembly does, how it operates and how it relates to other parish groups, to the diocese and the Church as a whole.  If nominated, please consider whether you would like to serve for a three year term on our Parish Pastoral Assembly, we look forward to welcoming you.

Diary-DatesImportant Dates:
First Confessions: 4th March
Ash Wednesday:  5th March
Easter Sunday:   20th April
Parish Confirmations:   11th April
First Holy Communions:   10th May

pope-francis-speaksSynod on pastoral challenges to the Family:   Pope Francis has called this special Synod of Bishops for next year and has asked for wide consultation with priests and lay faithful in local churches.  A series of questions has been issued and Bishop Buckley wishes these to be discussed at Parish level.   As part of the consultation process a detailed questionnaire was made available in this church at Masses from the third Sunday of Advent  until the Sunday after Christmas.  Completed questionnaires due in by this weekend will be collated and considered by the priests and members of the retiring Parish Assembly on 6th January, and a composite response from our parish will be given to the Bishop on 9th January.  The diocesan return will be made by 15th January and the national return sent to Rome before 31st January.

imagesFeast of the Epiphany Monday 6th January, Holyday of Obligation.
Masses: 10am & 6pm  Please note there is no Vigil Mass on Sunday 5th January.

Death: Our prayers & sympathy to the family, friends and neighbours of Nancy Tempany, Greenhills Court who died recently.  May she be at peace with God.

Catholic Newspapers: The Irish Catholic, the Catholic Times & Catholic Herald are on sale each weekend   We encourage you to keep up to date on faith issues by purchasing a copy each week.

“Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!”
William Arthur Ward