The Call of the Disciples
Jesus calls us to follow him, just as he called the first disciples in today’s gospel reading. He invites us to listen to him, and to act, all of us called to play our individual part in building up the kingdom of God. At times we fail to heed, or indeed even hear, his call, because we are too busy, or because we feel that responding to it would involve an excessive commitment. Yet if we all do our bit, the burden will not be too much for any. Sometimes a parish seems a bit like a football match, a crowd in need of exercise watching a few who need a rest. The Lord wants us to listen and to respond to his call, and many in this parish do, and in many ways, as volunteer helpers and ministers. These include members of the new Parish Assembly who have responded to the Lord’s call and have given a commitment to serve. We pray that their experience may be fulfilling for them and fruitful for all of us.
Blessing of Recently Baptised Children next Sunday 28th January: Next weekend at the 12.00 noon Mass there will be a special Blessing for Children who were baptised in our parish during 2017 and for their families. We welcome parents and children, Godparents and Grandparents and family members. We thank the Baptismal Team for their help and commitment during the year in visiting families and helping them prepare for Baptism. As we begin the new year we pray God’s blessing on all our families.
Deaths: We pray for Geraldine Rattray, Loreto Park, Teresa Casey (nee Reid) formerly of Turners Cross and Anthony (Tony) McGuirk, Maiville Terrace, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.
Some 2018 Parish Calendars are still in the Sacristy. Perhaps Area Collectors could help to distribute them. Many thanks.
The Poor Clares Monastery, College Road, Cork
“Come and See” Vocation afternoon, Saturday 10th February
2.00 – 4.30 pm for young women considering a vocation.
Email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com www.poorclarescork.ie
South Central Community Safety Forum A meeting will take place on Tuesday 23 January 2018 at 7.30 pm. In the Ash Room, Nano Nagle Place. Please enter via Evergreen Street. This Forum is an opportunity to raise community safety issues
of concern to you in your area. Residents and Traders of the wider surrounding areas are welcome to attend.
Lourdes 2018–Young Adult Helpers.
The Diocese of Cork and Ross invites Young Adults 18-25 year olds to come to Lourdes as helpers from 11th to 16th June. As helpers you will assist with the sick and be involved in the full pilgrimage programme as well as time for prayer, for making new friends and sharing in the story of Lourdes. Limited number of places. Closing date for applicants is 28th February 2018. For further details contact Fr. Charlie Kiely 021-4537603, Pastoral Development Office, Parochial House, Ballyphehane, Cork or email: charliekiely@gmail.com
Diocesan Quarterly Collection at all Masses this weekend to support the work of the Diocese.
CORK MARRIAGE & FAMILY COUNSELLING CENTRE
For Marriage and Family Counselling call 021-4275679 to simply set up a preliminary appointment to see if counselling may help. Professional, Confidential and experienced clinicians. Supported by the Diocese of Cork & Ross, The Dept. for Children and the HSE.
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018 We continue our preparation at Turner’s Cross Parish next weekend when we ask God’s blessing on all families who celebrated a baptism during 2017, and in February when we remember St Valentine’s day.
The World Meeting of Families is held every three years in a different city and country. He Pope has chosen Dublin for the next meeting from 22nd to 26th August 2018. The World Meeting of Families will close on Sunday 26th August with a solemn Mass at which Pope Francis will be the principal Celebrant.