LENTEN CONFESSION
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.
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.

Easter Penitential Services
Confessions will be available after all the Masses next weekend, including the Vigil Mass on Saturday, and a number of priests will be present. Pope Francis has encouraged us “to discover anew the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) and to avail ourselves more frequently of the transforming power of its grace.”

 Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church.

NET Ministries Junior Youth Group (fifth and sixth classes) will meet in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 9th April from 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm.

Learn about Justice from a biblical perspective with the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles: video presentations and group discussion at Ardfoyle Convent, Ballintemple, Cork at 11am on Tuesdays 9th March to 16th April.   Info: justice@olaireland.ie or 021-4294076

Trócaire
‘Love no flood can quench, no torrents drown… ’ Song of Songs 8:7“““““““` 2.5 million people may have been affected by the devastating cyclone and floods that have hit southern Africa. Trócaire is responding on the ground with life-saving support and the Lenten campaign will help not only the people in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe but thousands of others facing hardship across the developing world. www.trocaire.org <http://www.trocaire.org>
 
Death:  We pray for Patricia (Patty) Desmond, Evergreen Road who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.

Turner’s Cross Parish Three Day Retreat April 29th and 30th, and May 1st, with Fr Alan Neville MSC and Fr. Maurice Colgan OP.  The theme of our retreat will be Parish Renewal, and parishioners are invited to offer ideas for a Parish Pastoral Plan.  Suggestion boxes will be available in the church in the weeks before the Retreat.

Do this in Memory: Meeting of the First Holy Communion Class Parent Representatives in the Parish Centre this Monday 8th April at 7.00 pm.

 Spring Dues envelopes are ready for collection by the Area Collectors in the Sacristy, together with Retreat Invitation letters to be distributed with the Dues Envelopes. Many thanks.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society meet on Tuesday 9th April in the Parish Centre at 7.30 pm.

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 from this weekend.

Parish Assembly:  Meeting this Monday 8th April in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.

Is God calling you to be a priest in our diocese?  Come to our information session on Sunday 12th May from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at the Pastoral Development Office, Parochial House, Ballyphehane.  Contact Fr Charlie Kiely  021 4537474.

Rosary at the Grottos:
Join thousands of people around Ireland as we go to our local Grottos to pray the Rosary each day during the month of May at 8pm (unless otherwise stated). To sign up your local Grotto simply visit www.coastalrosaryireland.ie <http://www.coastalrosaryireland.ie>  or call/text 087 278 6552.