Day of Joy:  Pope Francis was asked to describe the two late popes, He said Blessed John XXIII was “a bit of the country priest, a priest who loves each of the faithful and knows how to care for them. He was holy, patient, had a good sense of humor and, especially by calling the Second Vatican Council, was a man of courage.  The Council was an extraordinary grace and gift of God to the Church.  He came to be known as “Good Pope John,”                 As for Blessed John Paul II   “I think of him as  the great missionary of the church,” he proclaimed the Gospel everywhere.” There is little doubt that the sudden fall of Communism owed much to his witness and courage. He will surely  be recorded in history as Pope John Paul the Great. His heroic years of suffering before his death in 2005 are imprinted in so many people’s memories.   Pope Francis said both men were certainly guided by God and set the seed for the future of the Church.      Today we rejoice and give thanks to God for their lives and example.                                                                 St.  John XXIII and St. John Paul II, pray for us.

  Parish Easter Mission:                          With the joy of Easter still ringing in our ears our Easter Mission begins this weekend. with it’s theme “The Joy of the Gospel”.  We welcome    Fr. Adrian Crowley among us and  pray for him and that these day of Mission will be a time of hope and joy for all.  As St. John Paul said  “ Open wide the doors to Christ and do not be afraid ” .

Mission time table:                                Sunday 27th April Mission opening at 7.30pm.
Each weekday at 10am & 7.30pm.           Tuesday 29th at 11.30am  Mass with the pupils of Bun Schoil Chriost Ri.           Wednesday 30th Closing `Mass at 7.30pm. Confession will be available each day.

First Friday: Fr. Kerry & Fr. Billy will visit  the sick and housebound this Thursday & Friday at the usual times

Parish Funeral Ministry Team: Will meet in the Parish Center on  this Tuesday 29th April at 8.30pm (note change of date)

Easter Offerings
Fr. Kerry & Fr. Billy  sincerely thank you for your Easter Offerings – much appreciated

National Vigil for Life will take place on Sat, 3rd May in Merrion Square, Dublin from 3 – 4pm.  A bus will leave from St Mary’s Pope’s Quay at 10.30 am just after 10 am Mass. The Mass will be offered for the success of the vigil and the protection of the unborn. Contact Valerie 087 7431286 or email Neil Fox at qi.neil@yahoo.co.uk.   You may also book at the Dominican Pastoral Centre at Popes Quay.

Choir: This Sunday our choir is singing at Mass in the Church of the Holy Cross, Mahon. At our 12pm Mass today, we welcome the Choir from the Church of the Annunciation, Blackpool. This visit is a part of a series of Church Choir Interchanges that have been arranged by the 60th Cork International Choral Festival,

See Pope Francis in Rome: The Presentation Brothers are organising a Youth Pilgrimage to Rome for 16-35 year olds. 26th-30th October (mid-term break). Special Student rate: only €400. Full details from Ms Treise O’Callaghan at 085-8588338 or www.PresentationBrothers.org An ideal gift for a young relative!

Positive Psychology/Mindfulness and relaxation classes– Thurs. 1st May 7:30 to 9pm in Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road. 6 weeks  Contact Judy Phelan R.G.N. Phone 085-7142944

Death : We pray for Eoin Deasy a teacher from Colaiste Chriost Ri who died recently and extend our sympathy to his family.

Trocaire Boxes: Can be returned at the Masses during the week