CHRIST THE KING PARISH, TURNER’S CROSS
22nd February, 2023 First Sunday of Lent
Fr Noel O’Sullivan Mobile: 087-2610276 email: ctkc1931@gmail.com
Website: turnerscross.com
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Entrance Hymn: Amazing Grace
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Preparing for Lent 2026
The weather begins to change, calendars continue to turn, Christmas and New Year’s celebrations drift further into the rear-view mirror. All are signs that Lent is drawing near. Lent is one of the five seasons of the Catholic liturgical calendar, along with Advent, Christmas, Easter, and Ordinary Time. It precedes Easter and is a solemn period centred on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. While Lent is often associated with the Catholic faith, many Christians–including Protestant and Orthodox–observe it. There is no better time to reconnect with or deepen one’s faith than Lent. During this time, we can draw closer to God as we prepare for the joyous celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection at Easter.
Lent offers us opportunities to redirect our lives in a fuller Christian way. One very important part of that redirection is attendance at Mass in person. While livestreaming has been beneficial during Covid, and continues to be so for people who are physically unable to come to the church, it is no substitute for being present in person with the community and receiving Holy Communion, which is the climax of the Mass.
Personal Prayer
This is a gift of the Holy Spirit, whereby we can communicate with God. He is always with us; Lent is an opportunity to be more open to his presence. We respond when we recollect ourselves and open ourselves to this presence. Sometimes we use words – prayers we have learned or spontaneous prayer – at other times we are just silent before the Lord. This can be our deepest prayer. Jesus says, ‘When you pray, go to your private room (tameion) and, when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who sees all that is done in that secret place’. The tameion was the room at the centre of a classic Greek house where the valuables were kept. Using this term in reference to prayer suggests that our prayer is at its best when it is in the heart. Going to our ‘private room’ is not a place; it is the centre of our life, our heart. O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place my trust in Thee.
Boiler Fund Prior to this weekend the amount received is over €7000. Mile buiochas to all who have responded to this latest parish need.
Maranatha Announcement
Maranatha is a full-day faith-based, high energy music event for young people from parishes across the diocese attending post-primary schools. This cumulates in a concert in Cork City Hall on Thursday 26th February with over 500 young people singing together.
Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate their faith
through music and have fun at the same time. Please support our young people by coming to this event. Tickets are €15 (plus booking fee) and are available to book on eventbrite.ie, search Maranatha. Doors open 7pm, with concert beginning at 7.30pm.
New Sunday Mass Schedule From 12th April Sunday Mass will be at 11.00 am. Saturday evening Mass continues at 6.00 pm.
Recent Death: The death has occurred of Brother Michael McGrath, Presentation Brothers Community, Maiville. May he rest in peace. We assure the Brothers of our prayers on the loss of one of their community
Recessional Hymn: Here I am, Lord
| I, the Lord of sea and sky I have heard my people cry All who dwell in dark and sin My hand will save I, who made the stars of night I will make their darkness bright Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send? Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? |
I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain. I have wept for love of them. They turn away. I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone. I will speak my word to them.
Whom shall I send? Chorus |