BLESSED
In today’s gospel reading we hear the eight beatitudes, which mark the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in St Matthews Gospel. They remind us that God’s ways are not our ways and that as Christians we are called to a value system very different to that of our prevailing culture, very different from that of any worldly culture. They also reflect something of Jesus’ own life on earth. He experienced poverty, he was meek and gentle, he knew grief and he longed for what is right, right living in accordance with the Father’s will. He was merciful and was indeed persecuted in the cause of right, persecuted even to death, and he gives us his peace, a peace which the world cannot give. As his followers, we are expected to share these experiences and as we do, he tells us that we are blessed, and that our reward will be great.
Parish Catechist Course
On Saturday of this weekend, 38 people began the Maryvale Certificate in Catechesis – the Pastoral Development Office together with Bishop John Buckley wish thank you the parishes who promoted the training, encouraged parishioners to participate and sponsored their studies. We ask you to remember them in your prayers as they begin this two year course in preparation their role as Parish Catechists.
South Parish Historical Society Monthly Meeting on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 7:30 pm in St John’s College, Sawmill Street. Ronnie Herlihy will speak on A Glimpse of Cork in the 1950s & 60s. Non-members €2. All Welcome.
There will no Anointing of the sick at the 10.00 am Mass on next Saturday 4th February.
Anointing of the Sick: This month Anointing of the Sick will take place on Thursday 11th February Feast of our Lady of Lourdes “World Day of Prayer for the Sick”, after the 10.00 am & 6.00 pm Masses (note extra Mass).
Anam Cara, is holding a Bereavement Information Evening on Wednesday 1st of February from 19:30 to 21:30 in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. This is a free event open to all bereaved parents. As Anam Cara will need to confirm numbers for event, please RSVP to info@anamcara.ie before Tuesday 31st January or call the Information Line on 085 2888 888.
St. Brigid: Wednesday 1st February, Secondary Patron of Ireland. Lá le Bríd coincides with longer days and the beginning of spring. We ask for her intercession for a new springtime of faith in Ireland.
Candlemas Day: Candles will be blessed at 10.00 am Mass on Thursday, February 2nd the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, commemorating the presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Beeswax candles (€2.00) are available at the back of the Church.
Feast of St Blaise – The traditional blessing of throats will take place on Friday Feb 3rd after the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses (note the extra Mass at 6.00 pm).
Death: We remember in our prayers Rita Murphy, Kilcolman Lawn who died recently. We extend our sympathy her family.
The Poor Clares in Galway Monastic Experience Day on Saturday, the 4th of February from 10am to 5pm. Designed to help young women between the ages of 21 and 40 to find out more about the Poor Clare way of life. Contact: Sr. Colette at poorclaresgalwayvocations@gmail.com
Society of St. Vincent de Paul The January Church Gate collection amounted to €1,157. Since that collection date the local conference has expended that amount of money and provided some extra assistance in the parish. Without your help the Society could not function and we thank you for your generosity and continued support. We look forward to your help with the February collection next weekend.
From Apocalypse to the first Arabic invasion of Syria – a talk by Fr. Fergus Ryan, OP on the exotic origins of the sung Ordinary of the Mass. Saint Mary’s Church, Pope’s Quay on Saturday 18th February at 2.00pm and Monday 20th February at 12.00 noon. Talk and singing last one hour. Free admittance – donations accepted.
Ennismore Retreat Centre are holding a 4 week Series “Lord Teach us to Pray” (Luke 11:1) on Tuesday 7th February, 14th Feb, 21st Feb & 28th Feb at 7.30pm – 9.30pm. call 021 450 2520 or e-mail: ennismore@eircom.net.
Vocations to Priesthood Weekend
An invitation is extended to men between 18 and 40 who are interested in the Diocesan priesthood as a way of life, to join with others for a weekend from Friday 17th 6pm to Saturday 18th 3pm February taking place in Thurles. There is no charge to attend the weekend – please contact Fr Charlie Kiely on 021 4537603 or at charliekiely@gmail.com for further details.
Graded course for Cantors and Church Musicians with optional final exam and certificate. Taught in Cork in February 2017 by Fr Fergus Ryan, OP, a Cork Dominican living and teaching liturgy in Rome. Emphasis on understanding the liturgy, leading congregations to gently sing the liturgy with their priest. Open to confident vocalists and musicians. Ideal for parish cantors, choir directors, college students of music and school teachers. For further details from course blog and Facebook page: CantorCourse.blogspot.com <http://CantorCourse.blogspot.com> & facebook.com/CantorCourse <http://facebook.com/CantorCourse> or fergusryanop@gmail.com
A talk has been added for good measure and wider appeal: