MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Salt in the ancient world was used as a preservative to keep meat and fish from going bad, as well for flavour. As followers of Jesus we are asked to keep society healthy, to be concerned about social justice and concerned about the casualties of our society, those who are oppressed or in want. Jesus wants us to have a wide influence for good on the world around us, on our families, in our neighbourhood, at work, in our recreation. We are called to be in the world but to be different, to have standards based on something higher than self-interest. If we are really the salt of the earth our Christianity will not be confined within us as little religious salt cellars.
Our good works, our public Christianity, can be a light to the world around us, as the light of Christ shines through our lives. This includes loving our neighbour as ourselves, being honest and truthful, encouraging others rather than putting them down, showing help, kindness and patience at home and serving those on the margins of society. In this Sunday’s Old Testament reading from about five hundred years before Christ, Isaiah said that as we do away with aggression and oppression of others, as we give food to the hungry and relief to the oppressed, our light will rise in the darkness. In response to Jesus’ words in today’s gospel we pray that if our saltiness has become insipid, that the Lord will renew us, if our light is a bit dim that the Lord will brighten us. May we be a source of flavour and light for our anxious and sometimes tasteless and dull world.
Alpha
Our second Turner’s Cross Parish Alphabegins on Wednesday February 12th, and provides an opportunity to explore the faith in a friendly environment. It continues in the Parish Centre each Wednesday evening from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm for ten weeks. A talk is followed by a tea/coffee break and then we divide into small discussion groups. Alphais for everyone; no question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you wish. We don’t assume any background knowledge or belief and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to come to the whole course – just pop along for the first night and see what you think.
“World Day of Prayer for the Sick” this Tuesday 11th Feb. Feast of Our lady of Lourdes. Anointing of the Sick at the 10.00 am & 6.00 pm Masses (note extra Mass). The Parish Assembly invite you to a cuppa and a chat in the Parish Centre after the Anointing Ceremony at 10.00 am Mass
Diocesan Directory: The 2014 edition of the Diocesan Directory in on sale in the Sacristy 5
Death: We remember in our prayers Lill O’Sullivan, Congress Rd. We extend our sympathy to her family.
Confessions: Saturdays: after the 10.00 am Mass & after Saturday Vigil Mass
Beginning Experience is a specially designed Support Programme for people who have suffered the loss of a spouse by death , separation or divorce to work through the grief process, and to discover for themselves that merely “existing” in life can be transformed into “living” a new life, though a different one.The next weekend is being held in the Ennismore Retreat Centre.from Friday April 4th to Sunday April 6th, Application Forms and further details please contact 087 9886480 or email beginningexpeirence@gmail.com
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection to be taken up at all Masses this weekend 8th/9th Feb. subsidises individuals whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.
A Special Enriching Weekend: Celebrate your years of Marriage at the Cork International Airport Hotel on the 28th – 30th March …a weekend of discovery…….a lifetime of love……real quality time .fulfilment..joy. For booking or more information: Ring 064 6644319/ 087 6670418, 021 4381511 or visit www.marriageencounter.ie <http://www.marriageencounter.ie>
“Do this in Memory”: the next Mass will be next Sunday 16th Feb. at 10.00 am, Meeting of parent class representatives on this Mon. 10th Feb. at 7.30pm in Fr. Billy’s house.
St Joseph’s Young Priest’s Society: Monthly meeting on this Tues.11th Feb..after the 10.00 am Mass in the Parish Centre.