The Feast of Christ the King is the final Sunday in the liturgical calendar. To understand more fully what this feast means we need to lay aside a lot of the cultural baggage about Kings and Kingdoms. Jesus’ Kingship is very different to the kind we are familiar with. There are no trappings, no palaces, no pomp and ceremony. The picture painted by today’s Gospel shows us Jesus as a King who is found in those considered to be on the very fringes of society. This passage comes at the end of the Gospel of Matthew and it is a challenge, a call to be Christ to others and to see Christ in others.    Mother Theresa said ‘If now we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten how to see God in one another. If each person saw God in his neighbour, do you think we would need guns and bombs?’

Altar Servers: there will be a meeting of all Servers and those who have applied to be Altar Servers and their Parents in the Church on Friday next 28th Nov. at 2.35pm.

Senior Citizens Christmas Party will be held in the Nemo Complex on Sun. 7th Dec. at 3.30pm.   Please give names by the  1st December.

Parish Child Safeguarding Representatives  The role of Parish Child Safeguarding Representatives is to ensure that all information about child safeguarding procedures is available and that Diocesan procedures for safeguarding children are implemented in our parish, thus ensuring that our parish is committed to best practice in respect of children and young people. Our Parish  Representatives are  Rose Fitzgerald and Deirdre Horgan  they will attend an updating training course with Fr. Kerry & Fr. Billy on this Monday 24th Nov.

Day of Joy:   On this Sunday 23rd.  Marius O’Reilly will be ordained to the priesthood  for our Diocese by Bishop John in Curraheen Church at 2.30pm.  Marius is a native of Bishopstown and attended both Scoil and Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh.   Marius is an avid sports fan, he played football and hurling with Bishopstown, and rugby with Highfield.  After school Marius went to UCC  and then completed a MSc in Marketing.   Worked in London, for a number of years, before discerning his call to the priesthood. He studied in Maynooth and Rome. When asked about his ordination on Sunday, Marius said   “The sense of peace, joy and fulfilment I feel is only understood by the Lord’s own words ‘the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.’    We pray for Marius today. The Ordination will be broadcast on C.U.H – 102FM Hospital Radio

Down Syndrome Bazaar, in SMA Hall, Wilton, Sunday, 23rd November at 2.00 p.m.  Proceeds in aid of Down Syndrome Cork.

Death: We remember in our prayers  Archdeacon Michael G. O’Brien who died recently. We extend our sympathy to his family.

Advent Evening of Prayer and Reflection for Parishioners and all those who serve in our Parish of Christ the King.  Wed.  3rd Dec. at 7.30pm.  St. Finbarr’s Hospital Chapel with Fr. Cormac Breathnach.  What better way to prepare for Christmas. Will the Area Collectors collect a note for themselves in the Sacristy.

Advent: Public Morning and Evening Prayer will be celebrated on Tuesdays in Advent.  Morning Prayer (Lauds) will be celebrated in the church after 10.00 am Mass, and Evening Prayer (Vespers) will be celebrated at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre, all are welcome.

Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards     – will be available in the Parish Office after Masses next weekend   The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 Dec.

A Coming Christ in Advent: Our occasional series of  Biblical reflections continues with four talks on the Gospel Narratives Preparing for the Birth of Jesus, to be held in the Parish Centre, Turner’s Cross on Tuesday evenings in Advent from 2nd to 23rd December starting at 7.45 pm. These will include presentation of material by Fr Billy followed by tea and small group discussion, all are welcome

Cork Alzheimer’s Cafe –  A safe space for people with memory problems including Alzheimers   Last Friday of each month at 1.30pm in  Activity Centre, St Finbarr’s Hospital. All welcome.

Christmas gifts with a difference.  Last year there was a very good response to the Gift with a difference. Are you searching for a Christmas gift idea?    You can purchase one of the Trocaire gifts  and get the card to sent or give to a friend. They will be  available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly in the first week of December.   Taking a moment to think of others is what todays Gospel and Christmas is all about and this is your chance to change someone’s world with a gift they truly need.

Mass from the Poor Clare Convent in Galway will be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 Extra (LW252) on this Sun. 23 Nov at 11am.

Today’s Gospel, Jesus said “I tell you in so far as you did this to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters you did it to me”
Pope Francis washing the feet of young people in a youth prison on last Holy Thursday