NOVEMBER
This is the month when we remember and pray for our dead in the context of our sure and certain hope of eternal life for them and for us. When we think of our own death we pray with the Psalmist: “I shall be filled when I awake with the sight of your glory, O Lord.”
In today’s gospel reading Jesus emphasises the primacy of love and we remember that we have a sure and certain hope for ourselves and for those we love.  Jesus tells us he has prepared a place for each of us and will return to take us to himself, so that, as he says, “where I am you, may be too.”  We live in that hope, in that promise, as we pray that our beloved dead “shall see the Lord face to face and his name will be written on their foreheads.  It will never be night again and they will not need lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will be shining on them.  They will reign for ever and ever.”

REFLECTION                                                                                   In the rising of the sun and its going down . . . . .
We remember them
In the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter . . . . . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the opening of the buds and the warmth of summer . . . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn . . . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the beginning of the year and when it ends . .
We remember them                                                                   When we are weary and in need of strength . .  .
We remember them
When we are lost and sick of heart . . . . . . . . . .
We remember them
When we have joy and yearn to share . . . . . . . .
We remember them
So long as we live, they too shall live
for they are part of us . . . . . .
We remember them
When we grow old and forgetful
we still know . . . . . . . . .
God remembers them

 Remembrance Weekend.  Those who died during the past year are remembered in a special way at our Masses this weekend. We give thanks for the wonderful gift of family, kind neighbours and friendship.  All of us are shaped and influenced by what has happened in the past.   Today and during November we pray for those who have died and acknowledge their influence in our own lives.
We remember Parishioners and family members who have died, especially those who died since November, 2017.

Josie Casey
Finbarr O’Connor
Barry Bevan
Jim McMullen
Michael O’Connell
Tom Hayes
Kevin Clancy
Denis Carey
Mary Kenneally
Bobby McGinty
Joan Burke
Mary Canavan
Eileen O’Donovan
Teresa Casey
Tony McGuirk
Denis O’Driscoll
Louise Leahy
Liam Jones
John Forde
Patrick (PJ) Murphy
Marie O’Byrne
Josephine (Josie) O’Connor
Bridget (BB) Healy
Tim Pierce
Ann Millard
Dan Donovan
Ann Connolly
Elizabeth Frost
Bridie Hallissey
Mary Loughlin
Catherine Mary O’Flynn
Br. Christy Minihan
Aaron Maye
Thomas O’Sullivan
Br. Justinian Collins
Carmel Long                                                                                               Richard Hurley
Richard Mullins
Alec McMullen
Mary O’Dwyer
Anthony Seymour
Dan Harris
Sylvia Roche
John King
Jim Cripps
Declan O’Callaghan
Eileen Collins
Patrick McMahon
John Bickerstaffe
James Coughlan
Lena (Bean Uí Shé) O’Shea
Deirdre Crowley
Joan Higgins
Breda Davis
Dan Long
Kevin O’Flynn
Evelyn Sheehan
Mary O’Shea
Michael Dorgan
Eddie O’Regan
Josephine O’Leary
Sr. Gabriel Fenton
Peggie Hallahan
Elizabeth (Elsa) Collins
Ted Watkins
Nora O’Keeffe
Con Connolly
Kathleen O’Mahony
Evelyn Maher
John Graham
Josie Maxwell                                                                                                  May they all be at peace with God

The Holy Souls Novena of Masses continues to Saturday, 10th November. Mass each day at 10.00 am and also at 6.00 pm except Sunday. Novena envelopes available at the exit doors can be placed in the box at the altar rails.

A Plenary Indulgence for the souls of the departed may be gained by visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead once per day from Nov 1st to 8th, by all who confess their sins during the week before or after All Souls’ Day, receive Holy Communion between the 1st and 8th November and pray for the Pope’s intentions.

Deaths:  We pray for Josie Maxwell, Friars Road, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.

Baptism Preparation Team. The Pastoral Development Office is offering two sessions of training for new members of Parish teams on Tuesdays 13th and 20th November from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. If you are interested in participating, please give your name to the Sacristy or contact one of the priests.

Music Workshop for parish choirs, cantors and musicians – led by Dom Richard Purcell (Abbot of Mount Melleray) on Saturday 10th November from 10am to 1:15pm in Blackrock Parish Centre. Contribution €10 per person to include music book. Places limited –contact the Pastoral Development Office  021 4537474.

PRAYERS & BLESSING OF GRAVES

3rd Nov.   St. Oliver’s Model Farm Rd.
Mass at 2.00 pm

4th Nov.    St. Joseph’s Tory Top Rd.  2.30pm
St James Chetwynd. 3.00 pm
Douglas. 3.00 pm
St. Michael’s, Blackrock. 3.00 pm
Rathcooney. 3.00 pm

10th Nov. St. Mary & St John Ballincollig.
Mass at 12.00 noon

11th Nov.   St. Finbarr’s, Glasheen Rd. 2.30 pm
St Catherine’s, Kilcully. 3.00 pm
Don’t forget to pray at the Graves at the back of the Church.

 South Parish Historical Society meeting at 7.30pm Wednesday 7th November, St. John’s College, Sawmill Street.  Ronnie Herlihy: The Imperial Hotel, 200 years of service to Cork.

November Holy Hour to pray for Vocations –  Thursday 8th November  5pm to 6pm at the Chapel, OLA Convent, Ardfoyle, Ballintemple – all welcome.  Refreshments served.