Bulletin 2 February

2nd February, 2025

The Presentation of the Lord

 

Fr Noel O’Sullivan   Mobile: 087-2610276 email: noscork@gmail.com

Website: turnerscross.com

 

Sacristy:     Phone 4317263             

       Opening Hours, Monday to Thursday, 9.30 am –10.45 am.

       Saturday, 5.15 pm – 6.45 pm; Sunday, 9.30 am – 1.00 pm.

 

 

Entrance Hymn: Holy God, we praise thy name

 

The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Mary and Joseph must have pondered the words of Simeon and Anna, wondering what this meant for their child. They, like most new parents, probably had dreams for him but the prophecy of Simeon, and the words of Anna sounded somewhat ominous. Incidentally, the custom of blessing candles today comes from the fact in ancient Rome, the “station” for the Mass today was a church in the ruins of the Forum (Santa Maria in Foro) and, since it was in the middle of winter, it was dark and people needed the candles to find their way among the ruins. The devotion to the young Jesus, the Light of the World, presents him as one who overcomes the darkness

When new parents bring their precious bundle home from its birthing place, they feel that their child is the most precious baby in the world and they begin imaging all the great things this child will accomplish. As they share their dreams for their child with family and friends, there is always someone ready to throw a wet blanket on their hopes and remind them of the cost of child-rearing, both in financial and energy terms. The visitor would be better advised to say how lucky they are to have this precious bundle. S/he could then add this bit of advice, “Love your child with all your heart and soul. Encourage him/her in whatever interests s/he displays. If you do that, you will be great parents. But if you try to live out your dreams through what you child does or accomplishes, you will only be frustrated when your child makes his or her own life choices, especially if they are not the ones you had hoped to see.

Blessing of Throats

The blessing of throats will take place at the 10.00 Mass tomorrow, the memorial of St Blaise, bishop and martyr. He died in 315, having been bishop of Sebaste. Tradition states that he was a physician before becoming a bishop. Since the eight century he has been venerated as patron of those who suffer from disease of the throat. Hence the tradition of having our throats blessed on his feast. The candles blessed at Mass on the feast of the Presentation are used in the blessing.

Dates for our family of parishes:

The meetings of the Parish Assemblies and Finance Committees of Christ the King, Douglas and Frankfield parishes will take place on three consecutive  Mondays:  17th February; 24th February; 3rd March, at 7.00 pm in the parish centre in St Columba’s, Douglas.

 

Coffee Morning on Tuesday, 4th February in the Parish Centre. All welcome.

 

First Wednesday Prayers will be led today at 10.00 am by the Legion of Mary.

 

Senior Citizens Dinner at Nemo: Sunday, 9th February, at 3.00 pm. All welcome; no charge. Ring 021 4291038 or 086 3014461

 

Sacrament of Anointing will be offered on Tuesday, 11 February, at the 10.00 am Mass. This is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

 

 

Recessional Hymn: Now thank we all our God

 

Now thank we all our God

With heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things has done,

In whom his world rejoices;

Who from our mothers’ arms

Has blessed us on our way

With countless gifts of love,

And still is ours today

O may this bounteous God

Through all our life be near us,

With ever joyful hearts

And blessed peace to cheer us,

To keep us in his grace,

And guide us when perplexed,

And free us from all ills

Of this world and the next.