LET US GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD OUR GOD
In today’s Gospel, Jesus praises the leper who returned to express his gratitude for being healed. It is good to give thanks and indeed giving thanks should be part of our daily life. Gratefulness is a way of life that can be developed, one single gift acknowledged in gratitude has the power to begin a change in us. Grateful living is prayerful living.

Eucharist means thanksgiving. We come to Eucharist as a community, to celebrate life together and to give thanks to God who has graced our lives, during the past week. At the end of the celebration, we are sent forth to love and serve the Lord in one another. Jesus, present in the bread and wine we have shared, challenges us to share life with others and to let the light of Christ shine forth from our hearts. Gratitude is an essential quality of faith.

Month of the Rosary
It’s probably fair to say, that for many younger Catholics, saying the rosary is something associated with an older generation. But at this time every year we are encouraged to see the rosary not as something of a bygone era, but as a real prayer. We are encouraged to use the rosary to reflect on different aspects of the life of Jesus. It is a Bible based prayer and invites us it to think about the principal parts of Christ’s life and the way in which we are is called to follow him. Some years ago Pope Benedict XVI commented on the month of the rosary saying: “It is as if every year Our Lady invited us to rediscover the beauty of this prayer, so simple and profound.”

Mission Month of October: The National day of Prayer for Children takes place on Friday next, the 14th October. Organised by the Society for Missionary Children, the occasion gives children a good opportunity to think of those children who are less fortunate, to pray for those less fortunate and to share with those less fortunate.Children have generous hearts, missionary hearts and so are open to the idea of including other little children in their thoughts.  The National Day of Prayer is now in its ninth year. For further information on the Society of Missionary Children or to make a donation please visit <http://www.wmi.ie> .

World Homeless Day 10th October: To mark this day we have  facilitated a clothes collection in the Parish Centre before and after all Masses on last weekend and this weekend, for either Cork Simon or SVP – you will choose which you want to support.

Training for Parish Catechists – Certificate in Catechesis. Two information sessions at the Blackrock Parish Centre on Wednesday 12th October 2:30 to 4:00pm and 7:30 to 9:00 pm, dealing with the course and the ministry. Contact Sr Karen at the Pastoral Development Office  021 4537601.

Aging Well Group for over 65’s. Find out more about physical and mental health, sleep habits, routines and interests, ways to overcome loneliness and safety in home and community. Meeting on Tuesdays starting 11th October for 8 weeks from 11am – 12.30pm at Tory Top Library, Ballyphehane. Free of Charge. Contact: Olivia 086-7871746  to book a place.

Ministers of the Word may collect copies of the Rota for October to November from the sacristy.                                                                                                                              Pilgrimage: Fr Billy will be on pilgrimage to the Holy Land from Thursday October 6th to Friday October 14th

Focus Ireland. There are over 6,000 people homeless in Ireland today and 1 in 4 now experiencing homelessness is a child. Focus Ireland are looking for volunteers to help with their annual bucket collection on Saturday the 5th of November in Cork city to the homeless. Please contact Margaret on 086 6042854 or colemanm@focusireland.ie.

Frankfield/Grange Parish invites you to two talks on the Eucharist given by Fr. Christy Fitzgerald P.P., Diocesan Director of Liturgy and Dr. Anne Francis: “The Eucharist, A Way to Pray, A Way to Live.”  Monday 17th and 24th October at 8.00pm in the Parish Centre, Frankfield.

The Catenians. The Catenian Association is an international brotherhood of Catholic laymen who meet socially, at least once a month, in local branches, known as Circles. Founded in 1908 in Manchester, there are over 10,000 members in Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, Malta, Africa, India and Bangladesh.  The Catenians are non political and are from all sections of professional and business life. The Cork Circle meets on the first Thursday of each month (except August) in the Rochestown Park Hotel. For further information see www.thecatenians.com <http://www.thecatenians.com>  and contact Ger Lowney on 086 3736691