Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes 11th February
What is special about Lourdes? Lourdes is special because of the events that took place here in 1858 when Our Lady appeared to 14 year old Bernadette Soubirous 18 times. The apparitions began on 11th February and ended on 16th July, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The messages Mary gave to the world through Bernadette were not esoteric; they were simply the Christian message as it had been taught by Christ and by the Church through the centuries. The message of Lourdes can be summarized in three words: prayer, penance and the Eucharist. Our Lady prayed the rosary with Bernadette at each of the apparitions. At the first apparition she showed the young girl how to make the sign of the Cross properly. She also gave her an instruction: ‘Pray, pray for the conversion of sinners.’ Let us learn to do the simple things well: make the sign of the cross deliberately and with a sense of what we are doing; ‘In the name …’ Learn again to pray the rosary attentively and with love. And let us pray for sinners: first of all, ourselves and then the world of sinners; ‘Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.’
Lourdes is special because it has become a holy place. It is where so many people’s faith is nourished. In Lourdes we come to appreciate the gift of faith in a deeper way; we learn to pray again. Given the very secular and increasingly atheistic culture in which we live we need this experience. We don’t have to try very hard because essentially it is a work of the Holy Spirit.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
The Cork and Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from Friday
22nd – Wednesday 27th September 2023. Further details are available on www.corkandross.org or via e-mail at lourdes@corkandross.org.
Information is also available from Joe Walsh Tours (01 2410800).
Second Collection next weekend is for the Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage Fund
World Youth Day 2023
The Diocese of Cork and Ross is delighted to announce that Bishop Fintan will travel with 20 young people (18 – 30 years) from around the Diocese to World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon (July 31st to August 7th). Two to four million young people from around the world are expected to attend and to pray with Pope Francis. It will be an experience of faith, fun and friendship. A special Information Evening will take place on Monday February 13th at 8pm in Mardyke House Cork City (T12 W8RP). The cost is €500 per person including flights, accommodation, food vouchers, tickets for transport within Lisbon, travel insurance, and bag allowance. Places are limited so if you are interested, please come along on February 13th to register your interest
Parish Assembly meets Monday 13th February at 8.00 pm
Recent Deaths We pray for those who have died: Siobhan Casey, South Douglas Road; Lily O’Callaghan, Mercier Park; Eva Johnston, Heather House.
We offer our sincere sympathy to their families.