Mother’s Day: We wish all mothers a happy Day. The twelve o’clock Mass this Sunday is being offered for all our mothers living and deceased. Special cards are available in the Parish Office after Masses.
A Mother’s Day Prayer
I thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother. I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth. Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace. Bless her this day and every day with your love. Amen.
“I will go to my Father”
The Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son is thought-provoking each time we read or hear it, and reminds us of God’s loving response to our repentance, taking us back, again and again, and not holding our faults against us. We need to guard against the hard piety of the elder son, who resented his father’s acceptance of the erring younger son. A hard-hearted false piety doest not reflect the heart of our Father, who loves all his children. God’s heart is for his little ones, and for the lost.
True repentance involves more than sorrow and regret, it means a change of heart, a new attitude. It means admitting we were wrong and swallowing our pride. Our repentance and renewal is God’s work, not ours. God does not force anybody, as he offers a peace that the world cannot give. We pray for confidence in God, and a spirit of kindness to others so that we may represent the goodness of God to a sceptical world.
Preparing for Easter: There will be an evening of Prayer & Reflection in the Chapel of St. Finbarr’s Hospital on Thursday 10th March at 7.30pm for all who serve and help in our Parish. Fr. Mike Burges OFM Cap who was with us for our Mini Mission in October will guide us through the evening.
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Olivia Mullane, St. Ann’s Pk., Sr. Bernadette O’Brien O.P., late of Curragh Rd who died in South Africa, Dan Kelly, Evergreen Road, and Mona O’Kelly, Old Blackrock Road. We extend our sympathy to their families and community.
St Joseph’s Young Priests Society: Meeting on Tues. 8th March in Parish Centre after 10.00 am Mass
The Parish Assembly: meeting this Monday 7th March in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm, note date.
Lent: Masses at 10.00 am & 6.00 pm each weekday.
Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament after 10.00 am Mass until 11.00 am, on Wednesdays of Lent.
Morning & Evening Prayer each Friday of Lent after the 10.00 am & 6.00 pm Masses
Confessions: Saturdays after the 10.00 am Mass and after the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass, or ask one of the priests at any time.
Ministers of the Eucharist: can collect their Rota for the coming weeks in the Sacristy
Daffodil Day Friday 11th March: The Parish Assembly has arranged for the sale of Daffodil Day pins after the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses on Daffodil Day as across Ireland we raise much needed funds for the Irish Cancer Society
Society of St. Vincent de Paul: The February Church Gate collection amounted to €1,361, somewhat less than the help given this month to the needy in our parish. The Society thanks you for your generosity and looks forward to your support with the Easter Collection on this weekend.
The Matt Talbot Mass and Novena will continue this Friday, 11th March. at 7.30 pm in Togher Church. The Celebrant and preacher will be Fr Tomas Walsh, C.C from the North Cathedral Parish. A cup of tea afterwards in the Parish Office
Christ King Girls Secondary School fundraising Table Quiz for the refurbishment of the PE Hall. South County Bar, Douglas, Thursday, 10th March at 8.00pm. Spot prizes and finger food. €40 per table of 4 people. Grand prize €100.
Bishops Commissions Collection next weekend 12th/13th March, for the work of the Irish Bishops Conference and its agencies and commissions. These include Emigrants, Justice & Peace, Communications, CURA, Child Protection etc.
Bru Columbanus
Pre loved dress & handbag sale on Sat. 12th March between 10am and 4pm in Bru Columbanus, Cardinal Way, Wilton. Bru Columbanus is a charity that provides accommodation to the relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork hospitals and the hospice, in particular relatives of sick children. For further details phone 021 4345754