A God who loves us: Our first, absolutely fundamental, most important belief is that God has shown his love in creating the universe, the world we live in, and us. If we did not believe this, then everything else we say or do or think would be meaningless. We gather here to be united with Jesus our Saviour, but if we did not believe that God created us and loves us, we would be foolish to talk about him sending his Son to bring us the fullness of life! Yet everyday we forget that we are made by God, that our lives and our world are his gifts. We behave as if we were the lords of life and the lords of creation, and all around us we see the misery, suffering and destruction that this greed and these mistaken notions about our status in creation cause us. Today we remind ourselves of another way of living with one another and with the creation: the way of trustfulness, appreciations and caring.
Ash Wednesday 5th March. Masses 10am & 6pm. The 6pm Mass will continue each weekday during Lent. Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the Masses. At the 10am Mass on Ash Wednesday pupils from the schools in the Parish will be commissioned to bring the blessed ashes to their school where a ceremony will take place and they will impose ashes on the staff and fellow pupils.
“Walk with Me” On sale this weekend a Lenten Journey of Prayer – an ideal companion during the season of Lent. The theme for this Lenten “Walk with Me” is rooted in Pope Francis recent exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel” in which he encourages us to rediscover the joy, hope and enthusiasm of the Gospel. This is an excellent booklet. Cost €1.30, available at the back of the Church.
Trócaire Family Fast Boxes are available at the back of the Church, and will also be distributed through the Primary & Secondary Schools. Last Lent through the Family Fast Boxes the great sum of €6,700 was raised for Trócaire from our Parish & Bun Scoil Chriost Ri.
First Friday: Fr Kerry & Fr.Billy will visit the sick and house bound this coming Thursday & Friday at the usual times. If you would like a visit please contact us.
Alzheimer Society meeting of the Saturday Club, Sat. 8th March at Bessboro Day Care Centre. From 2pm until 4pm. Music by Gerry Tuohy. The Carers Support Meeting will take place on Wed 12th of March from 3pm to 4.40pm in our Day Care Centre in Bessboro, Blackrock. Deaths: We extend our sympathies and prayers to the family of Paul Manning, Slieve Mish, and Tom Carroll, Cross Douglas Rd. who died recently. May they rest in eternal peace.
The Joy of the Gospel... What is it saying to us today? Fr. Kevin O’Gorman SMA will explore the contents of this latest document by Pope Francis and what it means for us today in our Parishes. Fr. Kevin will offer his insights from the document and offer an opportunity for discussion and questions. Venue: Blackrock Parish Centre (behind Church) this Friday 7th March 7.30 to 9.30pm all are welcome – no charge. To book places contact: 021 4537474. Re this Talk will Ministers of the Eucharist and Word, Baptismal Team and Parish Assembly collect a letter in Sacristy after Mass
South Parish/Turners Cross Summer Scheme A.G.M will take place on Wednesday 5th March at 8:15p.m in South Parish Community Centre Sawmill Street (behind Fiat garage) All Welcome.
Seachtaine na Gaeilge: The Parish Assembly to mark the week have arranged that the Rosary recited daily before the 10am Mass will be said in Irish & English on Monday 3rd March. After Mass there will a coffe/tea morning in the Parish Centre. All welcome
Parish Assembly: Members of the new Parish Assembly will be commissioned this weekend at all the Masses We wish them well as they begin their ministry in the parish community and say a sincere thank you to them to the retiring Parish Assembly. At the end of the ceremony we ask the congregation to pray with the priest this prayer ot blessing We pray to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit to bless our Parish Assembly May God the Father deepen your faith. May God the Son enthuse you with hope. May God the Holy Spirit fill your hearts with love. Amen.
Deaths: We extend our sympathies and prayers to the families of Paddy Joe O’Callaghan, Mercier Pk. Paul Manning, Slieve Mish, and Tom Carroll, Cross Douglas Rd. who died recently. May they rest in eternal peace.
First Confessions The Girls and Boys of Bun Scoil Chriost Ri will be making their first confession on Tuesday 4th March at 7.30pm in Christ the King Church.
Bishops Commissions Collection next weekend 8/9th March, helps fund the work of the Irish Bishops Conference and its agencies and commissions. These include Emigrants, Justice & Peace, Communications, CURA, Child Protection etc.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 11th – 16th June booking forms available for the pilgrim section from Joe Walsh 117 Patrick St. 4277959 Enquiries for Special Sick/Assisted Section to Canon Jim O’Donovan Ballinlough 4292296
Matt Talbot Novena will begin on Friday next 7th March at 7.30 and will run for the 6 Fridays of Lent in the Way of the Cross Church, Togher. While the focus of the Novena is mainly to pray for all those who suffer in any way because of addictions, we will also be remembering the intentions of all God’s people.
Cork South Parish Historical Society Meeting on Wed. 5th March at 7:30 p.m.in St John’s College Sawmill Street, Speaker Alicia St Leger “Whiskey Worlds” Glimpses of some Cork Distilling Families. All Welcome