The Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist Jesus refers to himself as bread: ‘I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh’ (John 6:51). Now this is not a spiritual communion only. We are familiar with the prayer of spiritual communion in our livestreamed masses. But Jesus intends us to eat the bread of life in a physical way. St John appreciated that because he uses a very physical term for ‘to eat’ (trogein); it really means to chew/to bite, and it is not the usual verb for eating in Greek (phagein). We can take from this that Jesus intended us to consume the bread of life physically and not just spiritually. In addition, we can say that the climax of the Mass is the reception of Holy Communion and not the words of institution. It is the whole Eucharistic Prayer which is consecratory and not just the words of institution. So, we have a huge challenge in convincing our people that to participate fully in the Eucharist we need to receive communion.
Eucharistic Procession Today Sunday, 11th June. We are invited to assemble at 2:30pm at the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne to begin the Procession at 3pm. Alternatively, people can go directly to Ss Peter and Paul’s Church and follow the procession on line and be present for the conclusion of the ceremony which will consist of a Homily and Benediction celebrated by Most Reverend Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross. First Holy Communion children and their families are especially welcome.
Parish Assembly Monday, 12th June. The agenda will focus on the prospect and implications of becoming a Family of Parishes, together with Douglas/Rochestown and Frankfield/Grange.
Feast of the Sacred Heart: Next Friday, 16th June. The Sacrament of the Sick will be offered after the 10.00 Mass on Friday.
Novena to the Sacred Heart: Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork. Thursday June 8th to Friday June 16th 2023: Daily 10 am & 8 pm
Diamond Jubilee of Priestly Ordination This month Fr Kerry Murphy O’Connor and an tAth. Tomas O Murchu (a native of Derrynane Road) celebrate sixty years in the priesthood. A special Mass will be celebrated next Sunday, 18th June in Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield, at Noon. It was in this church that they were ordained on the 8th June, 1963. Included in this celebration is Fr Colin Doocey who was ordained 30 years ago. These three priests have 150 years of ministry between them. We are all invited to this Mass and to the open-air party afterwards.
Saturday, 17th June, 2-4 pm Poor Clare Monastery, College Road, Cork. For young women considering a vocation Email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com www.poorclarescork.ie
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