Presentation of the Lord We light candles at Mass as we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. Jesus is the light to the nations, as Simeon says in today’s gospel reading. This recalls the promised servant who was to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth, a light to the nations. But the servant was also to endure suffering, to “pour out his soul to death, to bear the sins of many and intercede for transgressors.” Simeon says Jesus is a sign that will be rejected, and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul too. Pope Benedict XVI commented that Christ remains a sign of contradiction today, when God is seen as a limitation of our freedom. God’s love is resisted when it challenges us to transcend ourselves, and when it offers us freedom from the prison of our self-absorption. Our redemption comes at a price, the suffering of Our Lord on the cross. The light of hope and the cross belong together.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas): Candles will be blessed at all Masses on this weekend as we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Beeswax candles (€1.50) are available at the back of the Church. It’s good to have a blessed candle in our home.
Death: We pray for Donal O’Connor, Doyle Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to his family.
Do this in Memory: Preparation Mass for First Holy Communion this Sunday 2nd February at 10.00 am.
Fr. Billy I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, help and good wishes during the four weeks of illness resulting from my fall on January 1st, I am blessed with good friends and colleagues in Turner’s Cross Parish. Thanks from all of us are especially due to Fr Kerry and to Fr Eoin Whooley of the South Parish, as well as to Fr Mike Carroll, Fr Nick Motherway and Rev Frank McKevitt, to Jack Kiely our Sacristan for so much extra work, to Marion our Parish Secretary, to the Parish Assembly, to Bernadette and the 2020 Parish Retreat Coordination Team and to all the regular parish volunteers who keep the parish functioning so smoothly.
Feast of St Blaise – The blessing of throats will take place on this Monday, February 3rd, after the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses (note the extra Mass at 6.00 pm).
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was chosen by Pope Saint John Paul as World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Today we pray for all those who have consecrated their lives to Christ, and we pray for vocations.
Gathering of Religious for the Celebration of Consecrated Life At the invitation of Bishop Fintan over 200 religious, sisters, brothers and clergy will join in a celebration of consecrated life in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on this Sunday February 2nd at 4.00 pm. We pray for this gathering at all our Masses this weekend and we invite the prayer groups in our parish to do so as well.
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection at all Masses next weekend 8th/9th February to help individuals whose health and/or means would prevent them from travelling to Lourdes, and subsidise travel costs of essential care personnel.
First Friday 7th February. We will visit the sick and housebound during the week.
Southern Regional Alpha Training Day Saturday 8th February at Coláiste Chríost Rí, Turner’s Cross, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm. An important day for those involved in parish Alpha Courses as they plan a new Alpha season. Lunch provided, no charge, donations gratefully received. Booking essential, contact theresa@alphaireland.org to book places and for further details.