Lent:  As a community let us begin our Lenten Journey to Easter with hope in our hearts.  On Ash Wednesday we bless the ashes. These ashes are made from the palms which were blessed on Palm Sunday last year. The sign of the cross is made as the ashes are put on our foreheads the priest says ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel,’ or similar words. The signing with ashes reminds us of our dying to the old way of life and challenges us to live our lives in the light of faith. We encourage everyone to make an effort to get to Mass on Ash Wednesday and during Lent, if possible.

Lent is a time for polishing up basic Christian skills:
Prayer: on one’s own and with the family or a group, daily Mass.
Fasting: practicing simplicity of  lifestyle ;
Almsgiving: making with others a real contribution to making the world a better place for all God’s children. Our Trocaire Box could be a help.

 Ash Wednesday 10th February  Masses 10am & 6pm. The 6pm Mass will continue each weekday during Lent.   Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the Masses.  At the 10am Mass on Ash Wednesday pupils from the schools in the Parish will be commissioned to bring the blessed ashes to their school where a ceremony will take place and they will impose ashes on the staff and fellow pupils.

“Walk with Me” On sale this weekend the booklet a Lenten Journey of Prayer – an ideal companion during the season of Lent. The theme for this Lenten “Walk with Me” is  “A Pilgrimage of Mercy”   This is an excellent booklet. Cost €1.30, available at the back of the Church.

Trocaire Family Fast Boxes are available at the back of the Church, and will also be distributed through the Primary & Secondary Schools. Last Lent through the Family Fast Boxes the great sum of €5,700 was raised from our Parish & Bun Scoil Chriost Ri.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick: 11th February the 10am & 6pm  Masses on that Day will be offered for the Sick.    Anointing of the sick will take place at both Masses.   Refreshments in the Parish Centre courtesy of the Parish Assembly after the 10.00 am Mass on Wednesday.  Consider offering a lift to a neighbour who may be housebound.

Date for your Diary:  To mark the “Jubilee Year of Mercy”  The Pastoral Development Office have invited Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor to speak  on “Pope Francis and the Gospel of Mercy”  here in Christ the King Church on Sunday  21st Feb. at 3pm. At this gathering Bishop Buckley will launch “The Year of Mercy Pilgrimage in Cork City”

The Matt Talbot Mass and Novena for all those who suffer because of living with addiction, will begin on Friday 12th Feb. at 7.30p.m. in the Way of the Cross Church, Togher. Fr. Michael O’Leary S.M.A., WIlton Parish will be the celebrant and preacher. There will be a blessing with the Relic of  Venerable Matt Talbot on this opening night.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes: takes place  11th -16th June  Booking form available for Pilgrimage from Joe Walsh Tours 117 Patrick St.  4277959.    Enquiries Sick/Assisted Section to The Pilgrimage Director Canon James O’Donovan 4292296.   Young Adult Helpers:  The pilgrimage organisers invite Young Adults 18-30 years old to come to Lourdes as helpers during the pilgrimage.  As helpers you will assist the sick and be involved in the full pilgrimage programme as well as a time of prayer, for making new friends and share in the story of Lourdes. Details from Fr. Charlie Kiely  4537603.    Pastoral  Office, Parochial House Ballyphane

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection to be taken up at all Masses next weekend 13th/14th Feb  subsidises individuals whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes.  It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

Death:   We remember in our prayers Ann Murphy, Heatherton who died recently and we extend our sympathy to her family.

The Parish Library is open at all Masses this weekend 6th/ 7th February, to get or return a book.

The Parish Assembly: will meet in the Parish Centre on this Monday 8th Nov. at 8pm

Parish Pilgrimage to Holy Land  16th – 24th Oct:  Will those who have given their names collect their booking forms and itinerary in the Sacristy.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society: will meet in the Parish Centre after the 10am Mass on Tuesday,  9th February

Confessions:   Saturdays after the 10.00 am Mass & after 6.00 pm Vigil Mass, or ask one of the priests at any time.