Experiencing The Risen Lord makes a difference
Nobody likes to fail.
The apostles had failed.
But the Stranger on the shore got them to say:
‘We caught nothing – we failed. ’
If we can say these words in the presence of someone we trust,
then suddenly failure loses its power over us.
It is sometimes easier to say them
to a sympathetic stranger than to a friend.
Then the Stranger told them to let down the net once more.
They did so and made a large catch of fish.
This shows that even when Christ is only
a shadowy figure on the margins of our lives,
we are still okay if we do what he says. But once Peter recognised the Stranger
he wanted to encounter him,
he wanted to be near him. There is a world of difference
between those who have encountered the risen Lord,
and those who obey a stranger.
The risen Lord nourishes those who encounter him,
and he gives them a task to do.
He says to them:
‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep’.
“The Joy of Love” – Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis on Love In The Family
was published, Friday 8 April 2016.
“The Joy of Love” runs to 261 pages and is divided into nine chapters as follows: • Chapter One – In The Light The Word
• Chapter 2 – The Experiences And Challenges Of Families
• Chapter 3 – Looking To Jesus: The Vocation Of The Family
• Chapter 4 – Love In Marriage
• Chapter 5 – Love Made Fruitful
• Chapter 6 – Some Pastoral Perspectives
• Chapter 7 – Towards A Better Education Of Children
• Chapter 8 – Accompanying, Discerning And Integrating Weakness Chapter 9 – The Spirituality Of Marriage And The Family
Pope Francis’ Prayer to the Holy Family (which he shares at the end of “The Joy of Love”
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love;
to you we turn with trust.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.
Amen
Diocesan Quarterly Collection: at all Masses this weekend. 9/10th April. This collection supports the diocesan office and diocesan initiatives. The diocese is currently operating at an annual deficit of over €300,000
Youth 2000 will be hosting a Catholic youth retreat in St. Brendan’s College, Killarney 15th-17th April for ages 16-35. The weekend will consist of inspiring talks, music, prayer, workshops & time to chill out & meet new people. Please bring a sleeping bag if staying on site. Donation only event. For more info contact Marie 087 9361812 or check out www.youth2000.ie
Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.
Come and See Information Day for Priesthood in the Diocese of Cork & Ross. The Annual Vocations Information Day will be held this year at The Pastoral Development Office, Ballyphehane 021-4537603) on Sunday April 17th from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. The afternoon allows prospective students to explore the possibility of a vocation and make enquiries in an informal setting. Seminarians for the Diocese will attend. We currently have four men studying for the priesthood in our Diocese one is due to be ordained to the priesthood on the 3rd June and another to the diaconate on 29th May. Keep them in your prayers. Further information from: Fr. Tom Deenihan 4301717, Fr Charlie Kiely 4537603 or Canon Bertie O’Mahony 4371684.
Annual Parkinson’s Mass: St. Patricks Church, Rochestown Road, on Thursday 14th April at 7.00 pm. All Welcome. Sacrament of The Sick will be administered.
Parish Assembly: Meet on this Monday 11th April at 8pm in the Parish Centre
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society: meet on Tues. 12th April at 7.30pm in Parish Centre.
First Holy Communion: As the special day draws near we welcome the girls and boys and their parents to our “Do this in Memory Mass” this morning. May we all prepare well for this important day on the 14th May.
Important Dates: 12th April: Confirmation Retreat in Nemo Complex 9am and Service of Light in the Church with Young People & Parents at 7.30pm 17th April Come and See Information Day for Priesthood in Pastoral Development Office, Ballyphehane 2.30pm 19th April: Parish Confirmations 10.30am 
14th May: Parish First Holy Communions. 10.30am 20th May: Parish Pilgrimage of Mercy Walk in the City
for our Parish 29th May : Eucharistic Procession in Cork
Safeguarding Children; There will be a meeting with our Parish Child Protection Representatives in Fr. Kerry’s house on Mon. 11th April at 7pm.
Life Long Learning Festival events in Turners Cross Community Centre Curragh Road ( next to Credit Union) Mon. 11th April at 7:30pm The Women of 1916, enjoy a 50 minute presentation by Phil O’Regan
Tues. 12th April at 7:30pm. Enjoy an introductory workshop on Mindfulness & Positive Psychology, given by Judy Phelan;
Wed. 13th April at 7:30pm History Talk by Local Historian Liam O’hUigín on the life and death of Terence MacSwiney. All Welcome.
South Parish & Turners Cross Summer Scheme AGM on Thurs 14th of April at 8pm in South Parish Community Centre Sawmill Street. All Welcome.
Death: we remember in our prayers Teresa Hourihan, Friars Rd. who died recently. We extend our sympathy to her family.