Mission Sunday. Today is Mission Sunday and the Holy Father invites Catholics all over the world to contribute to a special collection. A second collection is normally taken up at all Masses this weekend as we support missionary activity abroad through our prayer, sacrifice and financial contributions. The funds collected help Churches who need financial support and are directed towards communities in need, both spiritually and materially. In recent years year Irish Catholics have contributed more than €1.6 million on Mission Sundays, and this collection was distributed to more than 1,000 young Churches in need. Contributions are used to build simple mission churches, to educate seminarians and female religious novices, and for the formation of catechists and lay leaders. We remember the work of missionaries throughout the world including more than 1,000 Irish missionaries.
MISSION SUNDAY IS ONLINE THIS YEAR BUT NEEDS ARE GREATER
The annual Mission Sunday collection for the support of the young churches in the other side of the world cannot be taken up in our churches this year. However, the Donate button on the Cork and Ross website can be used to make a secure donation for Mission Sunday.
To learn about some of these young churches have a look at the short video from World Missions Ireland on the Cork and Ross website.
NOVEMBER REMEMBRANCE OF OUR DEAD
Remembrance Weekend. All Masses on weekend 31st October – 1st November will be offered for our dead, especially those who died during the past year. Due to the Covid-19 restrictions, prayers and blessings of graves in our cemeteries cannot take place this year, but all our dead will be remembered in Masses throughout November.
The Annual Novena of Masses for the Holy Souls will be celebrated from Monday 2nd November to Tuesday 10th November. Envelopes for those who wish to have their dead remembered at the Novena are available in the church. These may be placed in the box at the alter rails.
COVID-19 Restrictions
Arrangements are as follows:
Christ the King
Open for Private Prayer
11.00 am – 6.00 pm
Monday-Saturday
Live Streamed Masses:
10.00 am Monday-Saturday
6.00 pm Saturday (vigil)
10.00 am and 12.00 noon on Sunday
BROTHERS AND SISTERS ALL
On the 3rd October, the eve the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis made his first trip outside Rome since the Covid-19 pandemic to sign his third encyclical letter at the tomb of St. Francis. The document in Italian has the title “Fratelli Tutti” and Pope Francis says he chose the title because “with these words, Saint Francis of Assisi addressed his brothers and sisters and proposed to them a way of life marked by the flavour of the Gospel.”
God is love, and sharing in that love, being part of it, we are called to be open to open to everybody, brothers and sisters to all. Thus, there are no “others,” no “them,” only “us!” With God we want an open world, a world without walls, without borders, without rejected people, without strangers. To achieve such a world, we must have an open heart prepared to be friends, to seek what is morally good, to seek justice for everyone, so we can truly be brothers and sisters.
There are shadows over our world leading to confusion, loneliness, and desolation. When we come upon a hurting stranger, we can pass by or we can stop to help. Whether we include or exclude the injured stranger tells what kind of person we are, and to what kind of social, religious or other group we really belong. Faced with those injured by the shadows of our sadly closed world, Pope Francis invites us to share the world’s deep desire for solidarity, starting with the recognition that we are created to be “Fratelli Tutti,” brothers and sisters all.
OCTOBER, MONTH OF THE ROSARY
It’s probably fair to s ay that for many younger Catholics, the rosary is associated with an older generation. However, at this time every year we are all encouraged to use the rosary to reflect on different aspects of the life of Jesus. This ancient and Bible based prayer invites us it to think about the principal parts of Christ’s life and the way in which we are is called to follow him. Some years ago Pope Benedict XVI commented on the month of the rosary saying: “It is as if every year Our Lady invited us to rediscover the beauty of this prayer, so simple and so profound.”
Ennismore Retreat Centre
Online Retreat with Fr. Peter McVerry
Jesus – “destined to be a sign that is opposed.” Luke 2, 34
Online event via Zoom
Saturday 24th October, 10:30 am – 4.00 pm, cost €45
Limited places available, to register email info@ennismore.ie
Registration closes Friday 23rd October at 2.00 pm.
For further information call 085 8080218