Ascension Day How do we make sense of Ascension Day? In St. John’s gospel – Resurrection, Ascension and the Spirit at Pentecost – is seen and experienced as one reality. ”I will be with you always” was the promise of Jesus to his disciples. The ascension of Christ therefore is a mandate to all of us. It is the empowerment and inducement to us to go out and be witnesses to Christ in our community. There are many opportunities to impart the touch of God’s love and care to those we meet and those who are in need.. The words St.Teresa of Avila give us a sense of how we can make Jesus present to others as we live our lives. The challenge of Jesus is to make the difference..
Christ has no body now on earth but yours No hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christs compassion looks out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. And yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now.
The Referendum next Friday is a call to us all to rediscover the deep foundations of marriage based on the union of a man and a woman who are created to complement each other and where possible to bring new life into the world.
– If the Constitution is changed we ask ourselves – Will parents who hold that marriage is only between a man and woman be free to teach this to their children ?– Will every school, Catholic, Protestant or Muslim, etc., be free to teach according to its ethos?
– Will people who work in adoption agencies and other jobs dealing with the public be free to act according to their conscience?– Will the terms ‘father’ and ‘mother’ have any real meaning in the future?
– People should consider very carefully the profound implications this constitutional amendment would have on the family environment and on our understanding of parenthood
– We respect the views of people who think differently to us, trusting that our sincerely held views grounded in faith, will also be respected. Is there anything more vital to the well being of society then marriage and family ?
Joyful Celebrations: We have had joyful celebrations recently here in the Parish, our congratulations to the Girls and Boys from Bun Scoil Chriost Ri who received the Sacrament of Confirmation and those who received their First Holy Communion this Saturday. We had lovely ceremonies and say well done to the Children, their Teachers, Parents and The School Choir who sang so beautifully.
Viatores Christi Do you want to learn more about the possibility of overseas volunteering and/or training in Overseas Development & Mission? Viatores Christi (VC) will hold an Information & Recruitment Session on Saturday 23rd May 2015 at 12.00 at VC HQ, 8 New Cabra Road, Phibsboro, Dublin 7 Tel. 01-868 9986 info@viatoreschristi.com www.viatoreschristi.com
Coffee Morning: There will be a Coffee Morning in the Parish Centre this Monday 18th May after the 10am Mass all are very welcome.
PROCLAIM 15 – proclaiming Christ in 2015. The leaflets for the third week of the programme of short faith and scripture reflections will be available as you leave Mass today. The material is suitable to help personal reflection and for use in families and small groups, If you missed the last two weeks give it a try this week.. There will be a public sessions in the parish centre at 8pm this coming Wednesday at 8pm.
Deaths: We remember in our prayers George Jefferies, South Douglas Rd., Bertie Hurley, Curragh Rd. Piara Bhatti and Labhai Kashmira who died recently in India. We extend our sympathy to their families
Parish Pilgrimage to Mount Melleray Abbey. The Pilgrimage takes place on next Sunday 24th May – Pentecost Sunday. Cost € 10.00, names and payment may be given in to Sacristy. The Bus will leave at 12noon
Exam Time: The Students Candle is lit at every Mass. They are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday. Special Cards are available. i
Peru Mission: on Wed. May 20th a Mass of Thanksgiving will be concelebrated at St. Patrick’s Church, Rochestown, at 7pm for all who have contributed in any way to the work of the mission – the missionaries, the Peruvian people and the people of Cork and Ross, Kerry, Cloyne and beyond, who generously supported the mission over 50 years. Especially remembered and named at the Mass will be the missionaries who have died. All are welcome.. After the Mass, refreshments will be served at the Rochestown Park Hotel
Prayer of Pope Francis: Holy Family of Nazareth, Guide us to make the kind of decisions that will support family life, protect marriage and respect the dignity of children.
Holy Family of Nazareth hear our prayer.