Pope Francis in the Holy Land: Pope Francis has asked our prayers as he begins his pilgrimage to the Holy Land this Saturday 24th May, the greatest test of his diplomatic and inter-personal skills since he became Pope. On Saturday in the International Stadium in Amman Jordan he will say Mass. Visit to the Baptismal Site at Bethany beyond the Jordan
. Will meet with Refugees and Disabled Young People. Sunday morning He departs Jordan for the Palestinian Territories. He will celebrate Mass in Manger Square in Bethlehem. Lunch with families from Palestine in the Franciscan Convent of Casa Nova in Bethlehem. Private visit to the Grotto of the Nativity. Later he will greet children from Refugee Camps. On Sunday evening He travels on to Israel to Jerusalem for what will be the highlight of his pilgrimage – the ecumenical meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople to recall the historic meeting between their predecessors Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras in 1964. On Monday morning He will visit the Western Wall and The Dome of the Rock. In the afternoon Pope Francis will be with priests, religious and seminarians in Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. He will say Mass in the Room of the Last Supper before he returns to Rome on Monday evening . Our prayers and good wishes go to Pope Francis for his safety and the success of his Apostolic Mission. The hope must be that this visit will do much to unite Christians of all denominations in the land where Jesus walked, while showing to the other faiths that there is room for all to live side by side in peace and harmony
Christian Life and Witness There are around us those who reject the message of the gospel, sometimes because it is unwelcome, sometimes because those who present it have discredited the message. Those who reject the words of Jesus reject him, and reject the Father who sent him. His followers are called to a life of witness, to give example, and our proclamation of Christ is primarily through the witness of our lives, sometimes in a hostile environment. We may be called to suffer for the truth, to be subject to a certain amount of mockery or ridicule. And as well as witnessing by our day-to-day behaviour, we may at times be called to express our faith in words. St Peter tells us to proclaim in our hearts that the Lord is holy, and be ready to answer with respect and courtesy those who ask the reason for our faith.
There is a cost in being a disciple of Christ and we need the presence of the Lord in our hearts to withstand the pressure, to give us an interior peace in difficult outward circumstances. Jesus assures us that we will not be alone, “I will not leave you orphans.” He promises the Holy Spirit, who will live in us. That Holy Spirit gave us Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Incarnation, and through the work of his redemption Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to us, poured out at Pentecost and given through the ministry of his followers by baptism and the laying on of hands. Though Jesus has returned to the Father, he is now present for each of us through his Spirit, in our hearts.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will be holding a Clothing Collection at all Masses next weekend Sat. 31st May and Sun. 1st June. Please bring unwanted clothes to our van which will be located in the Church grounds. The members of the Society tell us that it was a huge success last year. Thanking you for your support.
Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Cards are available in the Sacristy for those doing and preparing for exams.
Cork Alzheimer’s Cafe – A safe space for people with memory problems including Alzheimer’s and other dementias, their carers, family & friends along with social and health professionals to meet. Last Friday of each month, 1.30-3.30 pm in the Activity Centre, St Finbarr’s. Next meeting Friday, 30th May.
Turners Cross Community Games Athletics Mon. 26th May, at 7.00 pm. Location: Bro. Colm’s Pitch (Old Nemo) entrance via Douglas Rd by Interflora. Contact: Sean Delea 086-3033472
Ministers of the Word can collect their rotas in the sacristy for the coming weeks
Anam Cara is holding its monthly Parent Evening on Wed 4th of June from 19:30 to 21:00 at the Silver Springs Hotel, Tivoli, Cork. Anam Cara Services are available free of charge to all bereaved parents. For further information please see www.anamcara.ie <http://www.anamcara.ie> or email info@anamcara.ie.
The Friends of the Residents of St Finbarr’s Hospital annual Garden Fete: On Sat. 7th June, in the Hospital grounds on Douglas Road between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. Amongst the stalls will be Garden Produce, Baking, Books, Toys, Bric a Brac and more, in addition to Fast Food and Ice Cream vendors. Musical entertainment all afternoon. Kieran McCarthy will conduct a historical walking tour of the Hospital. Come along and give your support, and maybe get a bargain as well.