BREAD OF LIFE
Jesus said to the crowd you must eat my flesh and drink my blood, a statement which shocked them, how can this man give us his “flesh to eat”. The teaching was rejected by them and is rejected today also. But we remember our childhood faith and the living faith of those who taught us when we were preparing for our first Holy Communion and in our growing years, our parents, our teachers Liturgy and sermons in church. We remember the way were taught to make thanksgiving after Holy Communion to bow our heads and put our face in our hands so that we could be alone with the Lord. A good practice then a good practice now as well.
We reflect today on the importance of this ultimate gift. In our first reading lady wisdom says come and eat my bread and leave foolishness behind, and all are invited to find life, to find meaning, as Jesus says to each:
I am the living bread and I give my flesh for the life of the world.
Welcome
With great joy we welcome Pope Francis to Ireland this coming weekend, and wish him céad míle fáilte. As we welcome Pope Francis we remember that the principal reason for his visit is the international event, the World Meeting of Families and we join him in praying for families in Ireland and all over the world.
Call to Prayer
Traditionally church bells call God’s people to prayer. All church bells will be rung throughout the country on Tuesday evening next from 7.00 pm to 7.15 pm as a call to all people to pause and pray for families as we mark the beginning of the international World Meeting of Families.
Opening Ceremony in Cork
The Evening Prayer to officially open the World Meeting of Families will take place in Cathedral of Ss Mary and Anne on Tuesday 21st August at 7:30 pm. All are invited to join Bishop John Buckley for this Evening Prayer which will conclude with the Blessing with a relic of the True Cross. Bishop John asks particularly that families from the Parish Join him for this unique time of prayer in the Cathedral as we pray for all the families of Cork and Ross. The Moore family from our congregation will receive a World Meeting of Families candle from the bishop to be lit in the church each day until next Sunday as we pray for families.
OFFICIAL FAMILY PRAYER FOR
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018
God, our Father,
We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,
One family, in the Spirit of your love.
Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind,
gentle and generous,
welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
[we pause and remember family members
and others by name].
Increase our faith,
Strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love,
Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.
This we ask, through Christ our Lord,
Amen
Theme for WMOF2018
The main theme, is “The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World,” chosen by Pope Francis from the opening words of The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia). The events of each day will be guided by key themes from The Joy of Love as follows:
The Joy of Love in Families is also the Joy of the Church (Opening Ceremony).
The Family and Faith
(Pastoral Congress, Wednesday)
The Family and Love
(Pastoral Congress, Thursday)
The Family and Hope
(Pastoral Congress, Friday)
The Family: Celebrating with Joy
(Festival of Families, Saturday)
The Gospel of the Family: Joy for the World
(Papal Mass, Sunday)
Issues to be considered include the role of technology in the Family; the impact of conflict on families and children; building a more sustainable approach to the economy, work and the environment; faith and family; women’s leadership roles, globally and locally; and the role of education in raising families out of poverty.
LIVE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARISH CHURCH
The Television Broadcast of the Papal Mass in the Phoenix Park will be shown on a very large screen in the Church of Christ the King on Sunday afternoon. This is an opportunity for those not travelling to Dublin to participate as a Parish group. The transmission will be shown from 2.15 pm, in good time to include the Papal Mass at 3 o’clock. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament afterwards.
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Kevin O’Flynn, Pearse Road and Evelyn Sheehan, Windmill Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.
Deerpark CBS Annual Open Night on Tuesday 11th Sept. 7.00pm – 9.30pm, 4th, 5th and 6th class students welcome. For more information visit our Facebook page or www.deerparkcbs.ie <http://www.deerparkcbs.ie>
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Novena
Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, 31st August – 8th September, daily at 10.00am and 8.00pm.
Tory Top Library:Tuesday 21st Aug @ 11: Traditions of the past- are they lost forever? Come and share memories of growing up and living in Cork in the 1960’s and ‘70s. Admission Free. All welcome.
Cork Autism Conference 2018 – Re-Thinking Autism – A Positive and Integrative Approach, Sunday September 30th, Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas Cork. Conference provides a unique forum for Parents, Families, Caregivers, Adults with ASD, Employers, Educators, Professionals, Agencies, Advocates and anyone with an interest in autism and aspergers syndrome. call 089 239 8900 or see
www.bookwhen.com/corkautism <http://www.bookwhen.com/corkautism> .