Salt of the Earth, Light of the World
Jesus wants his followers to make a difference to the world around them, to be salt of the earth, and to remain salty, to be the light of the world, and to remain shining.  Salt in the ancient world was used extensively as a preservative to keep meat and fish healthy, from going bad, as well for flavour.  As followers of Jesus we are asked to keep society healthy, to be concerned about social justice and about the casualties of society, those who are oppressed or are in want. We are called to have standards based on something higher than self-interest.
If we are really the salt of the earth our Christianity will not be confined within little religious salt cellars. In response to Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel for this Sunday, we pray that if our saltiness has become insipid, that the Lord will renew us, if our light is a bit dim that the Lord will brighten us.  May we be a source happiness and joy, a source of flavour and light for our anxious and sometimes tasteless and dull world.

Death:  We pray for Ena Morrison, Loreto Park who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.                                                                                                                

“Do this in Memory” Mass next Sunday 16th February at 10.00 am.  Meeting of parent class representatives on this Monday 10th February at 7.30 pm in Fr Billy’s House.

Holy Hour to pray for vocations to religious life and priesthood:  Wednesday 19th February from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, the Daughters of Charity convent on Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny (next to Church) – all are welcome to join in prayer followed by tea/coffee.

The Annual Collection for the Lourdes Invalid Fund to be taken up at all Masses this weekend 8th/9th February subsidises individuals whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

Parish Assembly Meeting  this Monday 10th February in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick     Anointing of Sick after Mass at 10.00 am and 6.00 pm on Tuesday, 11th February, World Day of the Sick and Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (note the extra Mass at 6.00 pm).  Consider offering a lift to a housebound neighbour or friend. Refreshments in the Parish Centre, courtesy of the Parish Assembly after the 10.00 am Mass, a cup of tea or coffee, biscuits and a chat.

Rotas for Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist are in the sacristy.

Parish & Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 12th – 17th June, 2020
Bishop Fintan in his recent letter to all the Parishes expressed the wish that we would go to Lourdes as a Diocesan Pilgrimage.  Our Parish Group from Turners Cross will be part of the Diocesan Group that our New Bishop will lead.  Our Parish Group will stay in the Hotel Gallia et Lourdes (formally known as Hotel Chapelle) where we stayed last year, located near the Grotto.  We have provisionally booked 15 places.   If you would like to be part of our Parish Group, please collect your booking form in the Sacristy and return to Travel Agent Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street, Cork.   Please put your name etc., on the list in the Sacristy when you take your booking form.

Introduction to Eco-Congregation: the Parish Assembly in Mahon invite you to an introductory talk by Rev. Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland, Carrigaline and Monkstown about her experience of Eco-Congregation Ireland and how we in our homes and parishes may care for “the earth: our common home” in a time of environmental challenges to God’s creation. Monday 17th February 7:30 pm, meeting room, Holy Cross Church, Mahon.

Pope Francis on the Word of God:
Let us make room for the Word of God! Each day, let us read a verse or two of the Bible. We will discover that God is close to us, that He dispels our darkness and, with great love, leads our lives into deep waters.
We need God’s Word: so that we can hear, amid the thousands of other words in our daily lives, that one Word that speaks to us not about things, but about life.
God’s Word consoles and encourages us, it challenges us, frees us from the bondage of our selfishness and summons us to conversion; because it has the power to change our lives and to lead us out of darkness into the light.

Christ the King Parish Mission  “Rejoice and be Glad”
At our Parish Mission last Easter with Fr Alan Neville, we committed ourselves to a programme of Parish Renewal, and we continue that process of Renewal as we prepare to welcome the Ceili Community to lead our Parish Mission from February 22nd to March 8th. The mission team will visit homes and schools in the parish area, as well as preaching the Mission in the church from February 29th.
We are asked to provide accommodation and meals for the twenty or so visitors from the Ceili Community, and parishioners are invited to take a team member into their home for one or for two weeks.  Midday and evening meals will be served in the Parish Centre throughout the Mission.
We ask God’s blessing as we entrust our mission to Mary the Mother of God as we set out with hope and joy on a new phase of our journey of faith.
Mission Accommodation: Sincere thanks to those who have already volunteered so generously to help with meals and accommodation. We need additional accommodation and we appeal to anyone who has a free bedroom to consider putting up a team member. They require a light breakfast, are happy to serve themselves, and will be out of the house all day.  If you are able to help, please contact Patricia at (087) 948 2142 or leave your name in the sacristy. Thank you.