BISHOP FINTAN GAVIN
We are delighted to welcome Bishop Fintan to Turner’s Cross to celebrate our Sunday Masses this weekend. This is his first Pastoral Visit to our Parish since he was ordained Bishop of Cork & Ross and is part of a series of visits to parishes interrupted by the coronavirus epidemic.
PENTECOST
The Jewish feast of Pentecost celebrated the covenant at Mount Sinai, when the law had been inscribed on tablets of stone. Jesus’ new law of love is inscribed on tablets of flesh, on human hearts. The fearful disciples experienced a sudden change, they go out, speaking boldly about the marvels of God. They have new courage, new insight and they declare that Jesus is risen, he is Lord. They speak with the courage and freshness of the Holy Spirit. We too in our time can be fearful, not wishing to speak of our faith, but the Holy Spirit can lift us up and Jesus tells us do not be afraid. Some people in Jerusalem would have preferred the apostles to stay quiet, to stay closed away at home and not to disturb. Today, many people want Christians to stay quiet, but the risen Lord sends us out in the power and joy of what happened on that Pentecost in Jerusalem.
When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive divine authority to spread the message of Jesus, not by powerful systems but by the spirit of God “not by might, not by power but by my spirit, says the Lord (Zachariah 4:6). We must ask ourselves, are we open or are we fearful, are we prepared to go a new path or do we want to stay in safe temporal structures which have become rigid and are not open. A fundamental element of Pentecost is surprise. No one expected anything much of the disciples, perhaps not even themselves, but suddenly an event occurs which inspires wonder. In our time we are called to be a church which surprises people with a new message of resurrection, a new language of love. Pope Francis comments that without the capacity to surprise the church is weak, sick and dying.
We have the same mission as our Master “as the Father said to me, so am I sending you.” There are problems in the world to which we are sent, problems in our church and in ourselves, we experience disillusionment, shamed by scandals, upset by division, by falling Mass attendance and all the problems and disappointments of our time. The Spirit gives us hope that it will be better, that the church can be new and vibrant as on that first Pentecost morning, the morning of the birthday of the Church. When God reveals himself there is a newness and a freshness as he asks for our trust, and the Spirit gives us courage.
So we pray today that we will be renewed by the Holy Spirit, that we will experience new heart, new courage, that we will experience the fullness of God’s peace and joy, with lives focused on God and on the sisters and brothers around us for whom Christ died. We pray that the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, will renew the face of the earth and renew the face of the church.
Dues & Donations
Many thanks for your generous Easter dues and donations for the upkeep of the Church, they are all greatly appreciated.
Church Cameras
Our Church is monitored by CCTV, which is on and recording at all hours. Our live-stream webcam is always on and Masses are normally recorded and can be viewed online within 90 days following the ceremony
COMPETITION
To mark Laudato Si’ week (May 16th – 24th) Nano Nagle Birthplace is launching a short story/essay/poetry/song competition.
The closing date is 30th June 2021. Details at www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie.
Reopening of our Church for Public Worship
Stewards
We are deeply grateful to volunteer stewards and those who sanitised and maintained the church to a very high standard over the last year. As public worship resumes, we are again indebted to these volunteers and need their continued help to keep our church open.
Safety in the church
For weekend Mass the church is separated into two sections, each having its own entrance and exit routes based on a one-way system, with directional arrows marked on the floor. A minimum distance of 4 metres is maintained between the sections, and each section may contain up to 50 people, subject to a 2-metre social distance requirement. There should be no movement of people between sections before, during or after Mass. Special arrangements are in place for Holy Communion, with separate distribution points in each section.
Personal Safety
Covid-19 Public Health safety rules must be observed in the Church, wearing masks, keeping our distance from others, sanitising hands on entering and exiting the Church and not congregating outside the church.
Weddings and Funerals
Not more than fifty people can attend Weddings and Funerals in a church, irrespective of the size of the church. Funeral services will continue to be live streamed to help reduce numbers attending.
Confessions
Confession will be heard by prior arrangement, either in the Parish Centre, or in the church, taking account of all relevant health measures.
Singing
Congregational singing and choir singing are not permitted at present. Solo singing with accompanist is permitted subject to HSE Covid-19 Guidance for Religious Services.
Year of St Joseph
Pope Francis has declared a year dedicated to St Joseph, from 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021. He says:
“Each of us can discover in Joseph – the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence – an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble.”
(Patris Corde – With a Father’s Love)
Prayers to St Joseph after 10.00 am Mass on Fridays until 8th December.
Deaths: We pray for Marie Sheehan (nee Downey), South Douglas Road who died recently. We extend our sympathy to her family.
National Synod
The Bishops invited submissions on what methods to adopt in the initial consultation period. Our thanks to those who met on zoom and prepared submissions, which have been sent to the Bishops’ Conference.
Dues & Donations
Many thanks for your generous Easter dues and donations for the upkeep of the Church, they are all greatly appreciated.
Church Cameras
Our Church is monitored by CCTV, which is on and recording at all hours. Our live-stream webcam is always on and Masses are normally recorded and can be viewed online within 90 days following the ceremony
COMPETITION
To mark Laudato Si’ week (May 16th – 24th) Nano Nagle Birthplace is launching a short story/essay/poetry/song competition.The closing date is 30th June 2021. Details at www.nanonaglebirthplace.ie.