We are coming to the end of Lent, looking towards Holy Week and Easter, towards our remembrance of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We remember that we are never beyond the reach of God’s kindness or of his loving response to our repentance. He takes us back, again and again if need be, and does not hold our faults against us. We say “pray for us sinners,” recognising our sinfulness and as we speak about repentance, we hope to do better. Repentance involves more than sorrow and regret, it means a change of heart, a new attitude. It means admitting we were wrong and swallowing our pride.
Our repentance and renewal is God’s work, not ours. Reconciliation to God means more than repentance and forgiveness, it leads us to something greater, to our becoming signs of God’s goodness in the world, living signs of his kindness and magnanimity. God appeals, but he does not force anybody to accept him, as he offers a peace that the world cannot give. We pray for a spirit of confidence in God, and a spirit of practical kindness to others so that we may indeed represent the goodness of God to a sceptical world.
PALM SUNDAY CONFESSIONS: Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, we will have an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness. Confessions will be available after all the Masses, including the Vigil Mass on Saturday. A number of priests will be available for confessions. True preparation for this Sacrament involves taking stock of the overall pattern of my behaviour, my attitudes, and trying to identify what’s holding me back from living a wholly integrated life with others and with God.
Palm for Palm Sunday. Please bring your branch of palm to Mass next weekend, palm branches will be blessed at each Mass
Easter Triduum Masses: will be celebrated on Easter Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. Cards available from the office after Masses this weekend and during the week.
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.
Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.
Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.
Deaths: We pray Bridie Hallissey, Rosebank & Elizabeth Frost, Green Lawn, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.
REFLECTION ON THE EUCHARIST
A Lenten reflection on the Eucharist as we approach Holy Week. Our seminarian Ronan Sheehan will facilitate a meditation on the Scriptural roots of the Eucharist and the place of the Eucharist in our lives on Thursday morning 22nd March in the Parish Centre from 10.45am – 11.30 am. All welcome.
Pilgrimage to Lourdes 11th – 16th June Our Turner’s Cross Parish group will be part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage staying in
the Hotel La Solitude. Booking forms available in the Sacristy.
Aer Lingus/Tuskar Rock Airplane Crash, 50th Anniversary Mass on 25th March, 2018 at 12 noon, Church of the Assumption, Ballyphehane. All Welcome. Please pass this information to any relatives/friends (at home or abroad) of those who died.
Lifelong Learning Festival: the following events will be held at Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road (next to Credit Union):
Tuesday 20th March at 7.30pm
Nostalgia with Liam O’Huigin, “In my Mother and Father’s time”
Wednesday 21st March at 7.30pm
Meditation, movement and minding yourself.
Friday 23rd March at 7.30pm
“The Golden age of Cork Cinema’s with John McSweeney
Encountering Family in the Gospel: Exploring family life in the Gospels in the light of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia, on the joy of love in the family. Continuing on Wednesdays 21st & 28th March, 7:30 to 9:00 pm in Parish Centre. Facilitated by Sr Karen– all welcome.
South Parish/Turners Cross Summer Scheme registration night will take place on Wednesday March 21st at 7p.m. in the South Parish community centre, Sawmill Street. Children between the ages of 4 and 15 years are catered for. The scheme will run for two weeks from Monday July 2nd to Friday July 13th.
Pilgrimage to Fatima from Cork, 19th – 25th September 2018
Spiritual director Fr. Marius O’ Reilly. Price €699.00 Half Board,
all day trips included. Contact: Marian 087- 9370529 or Damien 087- 2049048
Do this in Memory: the next Mass will be Palm Sunday 25th March at 10.00 am. There will be a meeting of the Parent Representatives in Fr Billy’s house on Wednesday 21st March at 6.30pm.