Author Archives: Fr. Noel O'Sullivan

Bulletin 13th October, 2024

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Bishop of Cork and Ross invites people to respond to Church changes with a time of prayer, listening and discernment

The island associated with St. Finbarr’s monastic settlement in Gougane Barra had a capacity congregation for the annual pilgrimage on Sunday last. Bishop Fintan launched a year of prayer, listening and discernment in the diocese as the Catholic Church responds to challenges and opportunities presented by changes in society and church. He also introduced a special prayer which he is asking the whole diocese to pray during the coming year.

On a weekend when heavy rain and winds had blown across his diocese, it seems more than coincidence that a new pastoral message from the Bishop of Cork and Ross should begin with a scripture quote: “Even the wind and the seas obey Him”. Bishop Fintan Gavin read his message on Sunday to pilgrims attending the annual Mass at St. Finbarr’s Oratory, Gougane Barra. Bishop Fintan’s message is a call to the people of the diocese to commit to a year-long time of prayer, listening and discernment about the future of the Catholic Church in the parishes and chaplaincies of the diocese. In a time of unprecedented change in society and the Catholic Church in Ireland, people are understandably concerned about their parish’s future, he said.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): Would you or someone you know like to become Catholic or know more about the Catholic faith? The RCIA will begin in the Visitors’ Centre of The Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork, on Monday, October 21st 2024 (7.30pm – 9.00pm). Please contact the Office for Mission and Ministry (https://corkandross.org/office-for-mission-and-ministry) for more information.

Prayer Ministry Training for Alpha Teams:

The Office for Mission and Ministry are running Prayer Ministry Workshops for new and existing Alpha Teams: Wednesday, October 23rd 2024 (7pm to 9pm) in the Visitors’ Centre of The Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork. Please contact the Office for Mission and Ministry (https://corkandross.org/office-for-mission-and-ministry) for more information.

 

Parish Assembly meets Monday 14th at 8.00 pm

 

Second Collection today is for diocesan needs

 

Second Collection next weekend, Mission Sunday, is for the Propagation of the Faith

  

 

Medjugorje Pilgrimage June 2025

This pilgrimage travels to Medjugorje from Cork with Aer Lingus on 4th June 2025. Everyone is most welcome! For further information and full details please contact Jim Keogh 021 4885371 Early Bird Offer €100 off per person for bookings paid in full before 15 November 2024! N.B. As our places are strictly limited they are allocated on a first come first served basis.

 

 

Bulletin 6th October

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Mission Month

In the Catholic Church, October has long been associated with mission. The month starts with the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux  and draws to a close with World Mission Sunday on October 20th– a special day of prayer and global solidarity celebrated in all Catholic parishes around the world. Pope Francis has taken many steps to encourage all members of Catholic communities to recognise themselves as missionary disciples; working and praying together to share God’s love with everyone, everywhere. We remember all who work on mission fields far from family and friends, especially people from this parish.

 

Synod in Rome began on Wednesday and will continue until 27 Oct. This is the second part of the synodal process that was held last October. Participants are from various backgrounds and, for the first time, women have voting rights at the synod. Since the Vatican Council (1962-65) there has been a synod every three years but it was made up uniquely of bishops. At the opening ceremony on Wednesday, Pope Francis said, ‘Let us listen to the voice of the Spirit, feeling welcomed and accepted with love’. He asked participants to be the voices of their people, especially the smallest, most humble and most vulnerable. We pray for the success of the synod.

Priests’ Retreat

The priests of the diocese are on retreat this week which means that Mass will not be celebrated in the parish church from Monday to Thursday inclusive. Mass is available in Holy Trinity and the other religious congregational churches.

 

Gougane Sunday

You are invited to Gougane Barra today 6th October to mark the Feast of St Finbarr. Mass at 3pm preceded by the Rosary at 2.30 pm.

 

Special Commemoration

The 12 Noon Mass today will be a special commemoration of our organist and choir director, David O’Sullivan, who died recently.

 

Second Collection next weekend for diocesan needs

  

 

The Diocese supports parishes through all kinds of services such as Education,

School Religious Faith Formation support, Mission and Ministry, Youth Ministry,

Safeguarding, Stewardship and Governance and in areas such as Data Protection,

Finance and property advisory. This assistance to parishes is only possible through your ongoing generosity. In July the Diocesan Quarterly Collection amounted to €47,324.70 for which the Diocese is most grateful. These collections allow us to support the work in Parishes and Families of Parishes. This work is vital to enable our parishes to be renewed and invigorated as we rebuild after Covid and begin this year of Prayer, Listening and Discernment. As we respond to Christ’s Mission to build his Kingdom of Love and Peace and Justice, we discern over the next year how God is calling us to be his Church and Faith Communities into the future.

 

Bulletin 29th September

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Inter-Faith Marriages

  • Roman Catholics wishing to marry Christians of other denominations must approach their priest for a dispensation, usually the priest will grant this.
  • If one or other of the partners is not baptised, or belongs to a non-Christian religion or is an atheist, a dispensation  is needed. You must apply to the bishop of the diocese to grant this. Again your local priest will arrange that.
  • Catholic Ireland official wedding website: accord.ie

Irish State Marriage Information: www.groireland.ie/getting_married.htm

Foundations in Theology for Young People

The Diocese of Cork and Ross, working together with UCC Chaplaincy and the Presentation Brothers LEAF Project, are organizing a new 10-week introductory course exploring the fundamentals of our Christian faith, which is called ‘Foundations in Theology’. This is an exciting opportunity to delve more deeply into the foundations of Christian Theology. This 10-week introductory course is designed for young adults aged 18-35 years and will be led by local theologians. It will take place in Mardyke House, Cork, T12W8P, beginning on Wednesday 2nd October 2024, from 6 – 8pm, and will run for 10 consecutive weeks. Each session will begin with food and refreshments. To sign up or for more information, please email youthministry@corkandross.org

 

Gougane Sunday Postponed until next Sunday, October 6th due to weather warning.

You are invited to Gougane Barra today to mark the Feast of St Finbarr. Mass at 3pm preceded by the Rosary at 2.30 pm.

ALPHA INTER-CHURCH DOUGLAS, Autumn 2024 starts on Tuesday, 1 October, 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm, in the Ardfallen Centre, Douglas Road, and runs for 10 weeks.

Come and see for yourself on 1 October. Everyone is welcome!

Coffee Morning:

Tuesday, 1st October after the 10.00 Mass. All welcome.

First Wednesday: Liturgy of the Word will be led by the Legion of Mary at 10.00 am

Special Commemoration for David O’Sullivan

The 12 Noon Mass next Sunday 6th October will be a special commemoration of our organist and choir director, David O’Sullivan, who died recently. His son Cian has taken over as new organist and choir director.

  

 

Unfolding the Word

Cork Scripture Group in conjunction with the Office for Mission and Ministry are

offering two ‘Unfolding the Word’ workshops. No previous knowledge or experience

is required. The workshop will give practical experience of running a session and

provide resources that can be used in your parish.

Sacred Heart Parish Centre, Western Road, Cork on October 5 th (10.00am to

1.00pm)

Randall Óg GAA Club, Bunanumera, Dunmanway, Co. Cork on October 12 th

(10.00am to 1.00pm)

For more details and to register please https://corkandross.org/mission-and-

ministry/unfolding-the-word or contact the Office at 021-7355517.

 

Funeral Ministry Team Formation

The Office for Mission and Ministry will be offering three formation sessions for new

teams and for new members of existing teams in Sacred Heart Parish Hall,

Western Road, Cork on Tuesdays, October 8 th , 15 th , and 22 nd from 7.30pm to

9.00pm. For more details and to register please visit https://corkandross.org/mission-

and-ministry/funeral-ministry-team-formation or by contacting the Office at 021-

7355517.

Bulletin 22 September

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Preparing for a Catholic Wedding Ceremony

  • Marriage Registration Form (MRF) – issued by the Civil Registrar of Marriage confirming you are both legally free to marry
  • Prenuptial Enquiry Form (to be filled in by the priest of the parish where you live). This is done within six months of the date of your wedding
  • Seek a Baptismal certificate from the parish where you were baptised, within six months of the date of the wedding
  • Seek a Confirmation certificate from the parish where you were confirmed, within six months of the date of the wedding
  • A letter of freedom from each parish you have lived in since the age of 18
  • If you are getting married outside of the parish where you live you will need the name and address of the priest to whom the prenuptial enquiry form is sent

Pre-Marriage Course: You must complete a Marriage Preparation Course and provide a certificate to the priest who is filling in the prenuptial enquiry form for you. See accord.ie for more information.

 

SMA National Novena to St Thérèse

The SMA Novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux will begin on Monday 23rd September at St Joseph’s Church, Blackrock Road. It will continue until Tuesday 1st October. The Novena Mass will be celebrated each evening at 7.30 pm (except Saturday 28th when it will be celebrated at 7.00 pm). There will be a guest choir and singer each evening. All welcome.

 

Second Collection this weekend is for priesthood education

 

Gougane Sunday

You are invited to Gougane Barra on Sunday 29 th September to mark the

Feast of St Finbarr. Mass at 3pm preceded by the Rosary at 2.30 pm.

This year in Gougane Barra, the Diocese of Cork and Ross will be

launching the year of prayer, listening and discernment as we plan for

the future. Bishop Fintan looks forward to seeing you in Gougane

Barra.

 

First Communion 2025

The First Communion ceremony for children in Bun Scoil Chriost Ri will take place on Saturday, 17th May, 2025, at 10.30 am

  

 

 

Bulletin 15 September

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SMA National Novena to St Thérèse

The SMA Novena in honour of St Thérèse of Lisieux will begin on Monday 23rd September at St Joseph’s Church, Blackrock Road. It will continue until Tuesday 1st October. The Novena Mass will be celebrated each evening at 7.30 pm (except Saturday 28th when it will be celebrated at 7.00 pm). There will be a guest choir and singer each evening. All welcome.

 

Second Collection next weekend is for priesthood education

Collection for fund which supports seminarians and deacons. The annual collection for the Priesthood Education Fund in the Diocese will be taken up on the weekend of 21 st / 22 nd September. One seminarian continues his studies for the priesthood in St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, and another man is continuing his studies for the Permanent Diaconate. The Priesthood Education Fund finances their studies as well as costs for ongoing training and education for priests. Thank you for last year’s collection which came to €64,903. In the same year, the Fund spent €82,500. Appreciating that these are difficult times financially, you are asked to be as generous as you can to the Priesthood Education Fund annual collection.

 

ALPHA INTER-CHURCH DOUGLAS, Autumn 2024

A new Alpha Experience starts on Tuesday, 1 October.

Alpha is a 10-week series of interactive sessions, where anyone can explore life and the Christian faith in a friendly, open and informal environment. Every Alpha session has three key elements: food, talk, and discussion.

This is an inter-church programme, delivered by the Douglas / Rochestown,

Frankfield / Grange and Turner’s Cross family of parishes, the Douglas Union of Parishes and the Cork Methodist Church.

ALPHA INTER-CHURCH DOUGLAS, Autumn 2024 starts on Tuesday,

1 October, 7.30 pm to 9.00 pm, in the Ardfallen Centre, Douglas Road, and runs for 10 weeks

Come and see for yourself on 1 October. Everyone is welcome!

 

Interested in learning Spanish?  

CORK SPANISH CIRCLE will be holding night classes for adults at four levels from Beginners to Advanced level. Classes are held on Wednesday nights in the Cork Bridge Club, 36 Patricks Quay, Cork. Suitable for people who want to do the Camino de Santiago or to be a lay missionary in Spanish speaking countries or who just want to learn Spanish or to improve their level. Classes commence: Wed. 18th September at 7/8p.m. for first years, 7.30p.m./8.30p.m.for second years, 7.30p.m. for third years and  8.30p.m. fourth years   Fee:  €120 (Please note this fee is for the year, from September 2024 to May 2025). To make enquiries and to book a place, phone (021)4341409 after 6p.m. 0r email taprum4@gmail.com

Recent Death: Eric Sheehan (junior), formerly of Slieve Mish Park. May he rest in peace. We offer our sympathy to his family.

Bulletin 8 September, 2024

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Congratulations to Elizabeth Kenny and Cathal Murphy who were married in Christ the King Church yesterday. Elizabeth is a former altar server who served here for many years. We offer them every blessing as they enter the sacrament of marriage.

 

Thinking of getting married?

In the next couple of weeks we will publish on the newsletter details of how to organise a church wedding. If you had a civil wedding already in Ireland or in another country you can still receive the sacrament of marriage. It makes such a difference having the grace of this sacrament in your relationship. Remember: when Jesus comes to a wedding, he stays for the marriage.

 

Parish Assembly meets on Monday 9th September, at 8.00 pm.

 

Turner’s Cross Active Retired Ladies Club is reopening on Tuesday next September 10th

 

Consoling and Being Consoled: A Journey of Hope and Renewal for Funeral Ministry Teams: – The Office for Mission and Ministry is offering an opportunity to gather for new and existing Funeral Ministry Teams in two venues: Wednesday, 11 September 2024 (Visitors’ Centre of the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, Cork) and Tuesday, 17 September (The Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway). Both events take place from 7:30pm to 9:00pm. Our guest speaker is Rev. Bruce Pierce who has written and spoken extensively on caring for the carer, and on loss, death, dying and bereavement. Please register your interest if you wish to attend as we will be providing light hospitality: https://corkandross.org/mission-and-ministry/consoling-and-being-consoled

 

Recent Deaths

The death has occurred of Catherine Foley, late of Ashdale Park. We pray for her and sympathise with her family. May she rest in peace

Bulletin 1 September 2024

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Fr Silvester O’Flynn’s reflection on today’s Gospel: Danger of hypocrisy

 

Where do we stand today?

While the Pharisees concentrated on regulations about washing and cooking, Jesus said that what makes a person unclean is what comes out of the heart.  It is from within us that either goodness or evil will emerge.  Many people have such a fixation about sexual thoughts that they overlook their failure to have a heart that cares for those in need. Jesus summed up all commandments and regulations as loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind; and loving our neighbour as oneself.

Examining conscience

A good way of examining conscience is to see oneself in the light of a favourite prayer or passage of scripture. Perhaps the best-known examination text is Saint Paul’s description of Christian love.

“Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.” (1 Cor. 13: 4-7). 

Far more important than cosmetic cleanliness is cleanliness of mind and heart.

Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.

 

Thanks

A huge thanks to all who welcomed Fr Paul Kangkai in July. He was most appreciative of the way in which people responded to him. I too was most impressed by this talented Nigerian priest.

We said farewell this week to Fr Michael Carroll, who returned to his diocese in California. He loved coming to Christ the King for Mass and I know our parishioners loved having him.

 

Coffee Morning

First Coffee Morning after the summer will be held on Tuesday next, 3rd September, in the Parish Centre after the 10.00 Mass. All welcome.

 

First Wednesday: On Wednesday next, the first Wednesday of the month, the Marian Novena will be led by the Legion of Mary at 10 am

 

Parish Assembly meets on Monday 9th September, at 8.00 pm.

 

Recent Deaths (since the last bulletin):

Martin Lynch, Green Lawn; Helen Kenneally, Model Farm Road; Nellie Murphy, Derrynane Road; Daniel Murphy, Kilcolman Lawn; Breeda Barry, South Douglas Road; Eileen Hayes, Kanturk and Capwell Rd; Bernie Isaac, Capwell Rd; Geraldine Sheehan, Slieve Mish Park; Gary Browne, Monkstown; Thomas (Tom) Henry, Green Lawn; Michael O’Connell, Friars Rd.  We pray for them and sympathise with their families. May they rest in peace.