THE PROMISED GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
In our gospel reading for this Sunday Jesus promises his disciples, and us, the gift of the Holy Spirit, to be with us for ever. But who is the Holy Spirit? In the Creed, we profess with faith: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life.” We acclaim the Holy Spirit as Lord, truly God. He is the great gift of the Risen Christ who opens our mind and our heart to faith, to friendship, to communion with God, and one another in Christ.
Pope Francis comments that the Holy Spirit is the inexhaustible source of God’s life in us. We are like travellers crossing the deserts of life, thirsting for living water: gushing and fresh, capable of quenching our deep desires for light, love, beauty and peace. Jesus gives us this living water, the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and whom Jesus pours out into our hearts. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Patrick (Pat) O’Donovan, Friars Road and Mary Coughlan, Doyle Road who died recently, we extend our sympathy to their families.
The SMA National Novena in honour of our Lady of Knock will bean on Friday 19th May 2017 at the African Missions Church, Blackrock Road, Cork, and will close with our Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on the 27th May, 2017. The novena will be celebrated each evening at 7.30 (except Saturday 27th May at 7.00pm). For further information please contact: SMA Blackrock Road at 021-4292871 or SMA, Wilton at 021-4541069
Pope Francis seeks the views of young people. Young people aged 16-29 are invited to complete the survey for Pope Francis with their views on church today, at www.corkandross.org <http://www.corkandross.org>
Thank you from the Pastoral Development Office – Fr Charlie Kiely wishes to thank you most sincerely for the collection taken up last weekend to support the work and administration of the Pastoral Development Office in the Diocese. We look forward to meeting many of you over the coming year at our events, courses and conferences.
All Ireland Rosary Rally, Knock Shrine, Saturday 3rd June (25 Anniversary of Fr Payton) Centenary Year of Fatima
Bus leaving Patricks Quay Cork at 7.00am for further information Contact Denise 086 0502727
SMA Pilgrimage to Lourdes 17th – 22nd September, 2017. Five nights, full board in the Hotel Roissy. Director: Fr. Hugh B. Harkin SMA, African Missions, Blackrock Road Tel: 021-4292871
Bring flowers of the rarest – this hymn to Mary will be sung during May. We encourage you to pray the Rosary, (even one decade), particularly during these weeks of May. The Rosary is prayed every morning here before the 10.00 am Mass.
Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Cards are available in the Sacristy for those doing and preparing for exams.
St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society Day Pilgrimage to Knock Saturday June 24th 2017. Contact Gretta Lynch 021 4291409 or 086 3524336.
Collection for the WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
A special collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend 27th – 28th May for the cost of hosting the World Meeting of Families in Ireland in August of next year. The five-day event will culminate in the proposed visit to Ireland by Pope Francis.
Cork Centering Prayer: a day of talks and prayerful reflection on Saturday 27th May from 10.30 a.m to 3.30pm led by Lesley Kavanagh at Blackpool Community Centre, opposite the Church. All welcome – bring a packed lunch. Tel 087 6719970/ 086 8920302 for more details.
Cork Parkinson’s Support Group Fundraising Coffee Morning, Monday 29th May, 2017 11.00am – 4.00pm. Venue: Tom & Mary O’Sullivan’s, Rathdermot, Lios Cross, Ballygarvan. Your support is appreciated.
Traffic Disruption during Cork City Marathon, Sunday 4th June, 2017 Access to the Church from South Douglas Road/ Skabeg and Curragh Road will be affected. Signage will be in place to direct traffic from the South Douglas Road onto the Cross Douglas Road via Douglas Road and onto Capwell Road. On leaving the carpark, the signs will direct traffic to return the way they came, there will be limited access from the southern end of Capwell Road left only onto the South Douglas Road. Curragh Road will be closed to traffic. Access to the Church and church car park from Evergreen Road will not be affected. A map of the route is on the notice board at the back of the Church.