14th February 2016 – 1st Sunday of Lent (C)

What-is-Lent-1Lent calls us to repentance.
But if our repentance doesn’t involve
a change of heart,
it will not lead to a change of life.
It will be like decapitating weeds
while leaving their roots intact.
But if  we change our hearts,
then our lives will also change.
Lord, grant that enlightened by the word of God,
and nourished by the food of the Eucharist,
we may turn our hearts away from evil,
and set them firmly on pleasing you.
[Fr. Flor McCarthy SDB]

Lenten Masses:   Here in Turner’s Cross it is good to see the number attending daily Mass for Lent,  it is a most positive thing to do. Our Masses here are at 10am & 6pm each day.  Masses are available in city centre churches.   St Augustine’s: 11am & 4pm. Holy Trinity:12.45pm & 7.30pm Ss.Peter & Paul’s 12.30pm  St. Francis: 12 noon St. Mary’s Popes Quay: 5.45pm

MonstranceExposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament on the Wednesdays of Lent after the 10am Mass until 11am, including our Mass we will have an hour with the Lord. Why not join us for an hour each week.  Silence and prayer are the key to peace. Give yourself this gift?

Morning & Evening Pray each Friday of Lent after the 10am & 6pm Masses

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

imagesSt Valentine’s Day this Sunday tells us about the God of  Love. God says to me: “You are precious and honored and I love you” God’s love for me enables me to say the same to others. Today I can remember in prayer all those with whom I especially share my love. I ask God to bless all those whose love has enabled me to be the  person I am.

“Do this in Memory”:   the next Mass will be next Sunday 21th Feb. at 10am,  Meeting of parent class representatives  on this Mon.15th Feb.  at 7.30pm in Fr. Kerry’s  house.    First Confession will be on Tues. 1st March. at 7.30pm

Trocaire Family Fast Boxes are available at the back of the Church

FullSizeRenderCardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor                                       To mark the “Jubilee Year of Mercy”  A talk by Cardinal Cormac  entitled “Pope Francis and the Gospel of Mercy”   here in Christ the King Church  on next Sunday 21st February at 3pm  The Cardinal is a good friend of Pope Francis,  He will share his thoughts with us for this Jubilee Year  and what it means to be a member of the Church.

Jubilee Pilgrimage in our City:  at the gathering in our Church on Sunday next Bishop Buckley will launch our local pilgrimage for the Year of Mercy. We hope many of you with your families will make the Pilgrimage with us in April or May when the weather improves !!!  and the details of the route are given.  More news later.

rediscovering mercyRediscovering Mercy:     four sessions to explore Mercy in a personal, local, global and prayerful context on Mondays 22nd, 29th February and Mondays 7th and 14th March beginning with coffee 10:30am and session from 10:45am to 12:15pm at the Pastoral Development Office, Ballyphehane, Cork – located in the grounds of Ballyphehane Church, access from Friars Walk where free parking is available.

Spring Dues:  We would appreciate if the Area Collectors would collect the envelopes for their areas next weekend 20th/21st February in the Sacristy.

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

Pioneer Lenten Challenge!   Many people abstain from alcohol and take the Short-Term Pledge for the duration of Lent.  Make your Lenten pledge by visiting www.pioneerassociation.ie   and joining online or by contacting your local Pioneer centre representative. Take this opportunity to help someone you know/love with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your Lenten sacrifice as a prayer for their freedom and well-being.  Go for it and make a difference to someone’s life!