“He has risen”

RESURRECTION
This week is a week of joy as we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, a true, profound joy, based on the certainty that Christ is risen. The Gospel of the resurrection of Jesus Christ begins with the journey of the women to the tomb at dawn on the day after the Sabbath. A mighty angel says to them: “Do not be afraid” and orders them to go and tell the disciples, who are to go to Galilee. The Church throughout the world echoes the angel’s message to the women: “Do not be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised.  Come and see the place where he lay.”  The message which Christians bring to the world is that Jesus who is love made flesh, died on the cross for our sins, but God the Father raised him and made him the Lord of life and death. In Jesus, love has triumphed over hatred, mercy over sinfulness, goodness over evil, truth over falsehood, life over death. That is why we tell everyone: Come and see!  Love is more powerful, love gives life and hope. With joy in our hearts, today we turn to the risen Lord!  May he help us to seek him and to find him.
Galilee is the place where the disciples were first called, where everything began! They left everything and followed him.  For each of us, too, there is a ‘Galilee’ at the origin of our journey with Jesus, and by God’s grace Galilee moments on our journey of life.  Pope Francis comments that to go to Galilee means something beautiful, it means rediscovering our baptism, drawing new energy from the sources of our faith and our Christian experience. To return to Galilee means return to a blazing light with which God’s grace touches us. From that flame we can light a fire for today and every day, and bring heat and light to our brothers and sisters. That flame ignites a humble joy a good, gentle joy. The Gospel is very clear: we need to go back to our Galilee, to see Jesus risen, and to become witnesses of his resurrection.

May each of us have a truly happy and holy Easter!

Death: We remember in our prayers Catherine Winning, Woodview, Derrynane Road, Marie O’Donovan, Tower Street and Rita Lenihan, Doyle Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.

Come and see Information Day for priesthood in Cork & Ross. The Annual Cork and Ross Vocations Information Day will be held at St. Dominic’s Retreat Centre, Ennismore, Montenotte, Cork, on Sunday April 19th from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Many contemplating the possibility of a vocation to priesthood are nervous about taking the first step. This afternoon allows prospective students to explore the possibility of a vocation and make enquiries in an informal setting. Seminarians for the Diocese will also attend. Further information from:  Fr. Tom Deenihan 021 4301717 or Canon Bertie O’Mahony 021 4371684.

A Parish Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is planned for the 21st October 2016 with a flight direct from Shannon to Tel Aviv  – a trip of a lifetime.  If you are interested give your name in the Sacristy as we would like to have numbers before we offer places to other parishes.

 Soul Food: An evening of information and reflection for men (18-40) interested in religious life. Begins with food at 6.30pm, Wednesday 25th March at Presentation Brothers, Mardyke House. Contact Anthony at 086-0898120 or vocation@PresentationBrothers.org to book a place.  Visit <http://www.PresentationBrothers.org>

 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes:  11th – 16th June. Booking forms from Joe Walsh Tours 117 Patrick St.  See notice at back of Church

Jubilee of Mercy.  Pope Francis has announced the celebration of an extraordinary Holy Year. A “Jubilee of Mercy” will commence on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 8th December next, and will conclude on November 20th,  2016, the Solemnity of Christ the King. The papal Bull will be made public on Saturday evening, the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday, the Feast day instituted by St. John Paul II and celebrated on the Sunday after Easter.  The choice of this occasion for the publication of the Bull demonstrates the Holy Father’s particular attention to the theme of Mercy.

Happy Easter
From the Parish Assembly and the Priests of the Parish – “A Happy  Easter.”
Our prayer for you is that the Joy and Peace of the Risen Christ be with you this Easter.
Our sincere thanks to all who helped and were part with the Holy Week Ceremonies, The Parish Choir, Ministers of the Word & Eucharist, our Sacristan, Collectors, Altar Servers and those who care for the Church and decorate the Altars and those who put in place the lovely Easter Garden.

Easter Offering  Collection for support of Priests of the Parish.
The only collection in the Church on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday is for the support of our priests Fr. Kerry & Fr. Billy.