This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and give thanks for the tremendous gift of the Eucharist. When we receive Holy Communion, we share the life of Christ. He is among us in a way that we can see, touch, taste and eat. Jesus is also present in the Word of God, proclaimed at Mass, and he is present in the sisters and brothers around us, for whom he died. Pope Francis comments that the Christ who nourishes us in holy communion is the same Christ we meet in everyday life. He is in the poor person who holds out his hand, in the suffering person who asks for help, in the brother or sister who asks for our time and waits for our welcome. He is in the child who knows nothing about Jesus or salvation, who does not have faith. He is in every human being, even the smallest and the defenseless. Those who are nourished by the Bread of Life cannot remain indifferent to those who do not have their daily bread.
We pray that the life of Christ may be seen in us as we receive God’s blessing at the end of Mass and are sent out to bring the light of Christ into our world.
Our Novena to the Sacred Heart continues to Friday 19th June, The Feast of the Sacred Heart. Each morning Fr. Billy prays the Novena after the live-streamed Masses Sunday 12 noon and weekdays at 10am <http://www.frbillyosullivan.ie> Novena leaflets are available at the back of the Church take one home. “O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you.”
Deaths: We remember in our prayers Kelvin Dermody, Green Lawn. Rose Smithers, Connolly Rd, Desmond (Des) Dunne, Ballincollig and late of South Douglas Rd. and Anthony (Tony) Cronin Killard and late of St. Ann’s Park who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their Families
Act of Spiritual Communion
There are times when we are unable to receive Holy Communion through illness or at this time of Pandemic. Even though we may not receive ‘sacramental’ Communion, all are united in some way by the Holy Spirit. The traditional idea of ‘Spiritual’ Communion is an important one to remember and reaffirm. On this Special Feast of the Body of Christ let us make a Spiritual Communion
“My Jesus,
I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar. love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever.
Amen.”
OPENING OF THE CHURCH FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
Our Church is open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday). special precautions etc., are in place relating to cleanliness and disinfection, social distancing, designated prayer spaces, access to the church and movement within the church. The church is cleaned and disinfected before being opened each day, hand sanitisers have been provided at the entrances and everyone is asked to sanitise coming in and going out.
LOURDES 2020 A SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE
The Diocesan Pilgrimage was due to depart for Lourdes on Friday 12th June. However, this year that is not possible so we are inviting you to join us in a Spiritual Pilgrimage in the company of Our Lady and St Bernadette – as attached here. lourdes-2020-a-spiritual-pilgrimage-from-cork-and-ross
Let us remember one another in prayer over these days.
PLANNED REOPENING OF THE CHURCH
Following the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions, we plan to reopen the Church of Christ the King for public celebration of Mass and the sacraments on Monday 29th June. Special precautions to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus must be in place, and people who are vulnerable or unwell, and especially those with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection, should stay at home and, if possible, participate via webcam, social media, television, or radio. This also applies to those who have been in recent contact with someone who has the virus.
For the time being, there is no obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.
On 9th June the Bishops of Ireland issued a “Framework Document” for return to public worship, based on public health return to work protocols. The document contains guidelines for dioceses and parishes, which may be adapted to suit local circumstances. However, in all cases the safety and health of people, ministers, and priests must come first, and no church should be opened for public prayer or worship until satisfactory arrangements have been put in place.
The Turner’s Cross Parish Assembly members will act as our Covid-19 Support Team, and they met in a Zoom Video Conference format on Thursday to begin this work. Before the church can be opened we will need volunteers to help with the safe return plan, including stewards, ministers of the Eucharist, ministers of the Word, a hygiene group, a seating planning group and a signage group. Some preliminary work has already been done in preparation for the initial opening of the church for private prayer in May. Volunteer roles will be specified and training arranged during the week ending 27th June.
Social distance requirements are likely to be with us for quite some time, and many of the hygiene and disinfection practices will be permanent. Social distancing requirements specified by public health authorities will determine the maximum number of people in the church. The present limit of two meters restricts the overall number to about a hundred, a one meter distance would roughly double this.