WITNESS
In the Bible Readings of today’s liturgy the word “witnesses” is mentioned twice.  In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St Peter says that he and the apostles are witnesses to the risen Christ.  The second time it is on the lips of the Risen Jesus in the gospel reading as he opens the minds of the disciples to the mystery of his death and Resurrection, saying to them: “You are witnesses to these things.” (Lk 24:48). The Lord shown himself to his disciples so that the truth of his Resurrection would reach everyone by way of their witness. The Church has the duty to continue this mission over time. Every baptized person is called to bear witness, we are all called to testify that Jesus is alive.
Pope Francis comments that the content of Christian witness is not a theory, an ideology or a complex system of rules, but a message of salvation, a real event, a real Person, the Risen Christ.  He is the living and only Saviour of all. We can be witnesses through personal experience of Him, in prayer and in the Church.  That experience has its foundation in Baptism, it is nourished by the Eucharist, it is sealed in Confirmation, and included continual conversion in Penitence.  Every Christian can become a witness of the Risen Jesus, through a life lived by the Gospel, a joyful, courageous, gentle peaceful, merciful life. Such an example communicates the liberating power and infinite tenderness of the risen and living Jesus. We pray that, in spite of all our limitations, by God’s grace and the intercession of Our Lady we may be true witnesses, bringing the Lord’s gifts of joy and peace to a world which needs to hear the message of life.

Papal Mass in Phoenix Park on August 26th. 
Turners Cross Parish has taken one hundred and six tickets for the Croke Park Papal Mass with Pope Francis and has booked two coaches to travel to Dublin on Sunday 26th August.  If you wish to avail of one of the places please give your name as soon as possible to the sacristy or to one of the priests. The estimated cost including meals is € 50.00 and a booking deposit of € 5.00 is required. More detailed information will be available by the end of April, and we plan to have an information meeting for all who are interested early in May,

Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Richard Hurley, Capwell Avenue, Richard Mullins, Capwell Avenue and Alec McMullen, Upper Friars Road who died recently, and extend sympathy to their families.

“Do this in Memory” Mass on this Sunday 15th April at 10am.

Spring Dues:  We would appreciate if the Area Collectors could collect the envelopes for the remaining areas after Mass in the Sacristy. Many thanks.

A second collection at all Masses this weekend in support of Diocesan needs.

Vocations Sunday – 22nd April, 2018
An invitation to men who may be wanting to explore the call to Priesthood in our diocese to come together on Sunday next, 22nd April from 2:30pm to 5:30pm at the Pastoral Development Office in Ballyphehane to reflect and discuss on this vocation in their life.   If you would like to know more about the afternoon contact Fr Charlie Kiely 021 4537603

Coffee Morning: Wednesday 18th April after 10.00 am Mass the Parish Assembly invites us to tea or coffee in the Parish Centre.

Referendum
The Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on the referendum will be read at all Masses this week-end, and copies will be available after Mass.  Irish people are being asked to remove the unborn child’s right to life.  This is an important issue for all people, for people of faith and people of no faith.  Our faith tells us that we may never destroy innocent human life.  This is an issue that we cannot be silent on.    Go to Notices section on this website  for full the text of the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter.

Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Cork & Ross
The Permanent Diaconate is a voluntary service and deacons combine parish work with family life and fulltime careers.  Many of the functions which deacons perform can also be carried out by lay faithful, and the introduction of the Permanent Diaconate is not intended to change that situation. Deacons strengthened by the grace of ordination can play a key role in the development and coordination of lay parish work.
The diaconate is open to married and single men alike: married men must be at least 35 years on applying; celibate men can be accepted at 25. The preparation takes four years. It is intended to start a new formation course for candidates in Munster in September of this year. Those interested should contact their local priest or the Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate, Canon Bertie O’ Mahony, PP Ballineaspaig. Tel: 021- 434 6940, or Fr Billy O’Sullivan, PP, Turners Cross Tel 021-4313103.

MERCY
In God’s mercy, all of our infirmities find healing. His mercy seeks to meet all forms of poverty and to free this world of so many types of slavery. Mercy desires to reach the wounds of all, to heal them. Being apostles of mercy means touching and soothing the wounds that today afflict the bodies and souls of many of our brothers and sisters. Soothing these wounds, we make Jesus present and alive to others, so they can recognise him as their Lord and their God, as did the Apostle Thomas. This is the mission that is entrusted to us. So many people need to be listened to and to be understood. The Gospel of mercy requires generous and joyful servants, people who love freely without expecting anything in return. We encounter Jesus and the possibility of Easter joy every time we go to Mass, when we unite ourselves with him and he says “my peace I give you.”  With Thomas we answer, “my Lord and my God.”

Papal Mass in Phoenix Park on August 26th. 
Turners Cross Parish has taken one hundred and six tickets for the Croke Park Papal Mass with Pope Francis, and has booked two coaches to travel to Dublin on Sunday 26th August.  If you wish to avail of one of the places please give your name as soon as possible to the sacristy or to one of the priests. The estimated cost including meals is € 50.00 and a booking deposit of € 5.00 is required.

Easter Offerings: Fr. Billy & Fr. Kerry sincerely thank you for your Easter Offerings – much appreciated.

Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Thomas O’Sullivan, O’Connell Crescent, Carmel Long, Mount Pleasant Road, and Brother Justinian Collins, Presentation Brothers, Maiville who died recently, and extend sympathy to their families and community.

Diocesan Priesthood:  Come and find out more about being a priest in our diocese Sunday 22nd April, 2018 at the Pastoral Development Office, Parochial House, Ballyphehane. Many contemplating the possibility of a vocation to priesthood are nervous about taking the first step. This afternoon allows prospective students to explore the possibility of a vocation and make enquiries in an informal setting.  Fr Charlie Kiely 021-4537603 for more information

“Do this in Memory”  There will be a meeting of the Parent
Representatives in the Parish Centre on this Monday 9th April.
at 7.30pm. Our next Mass will be Sunday 15th April at 10.00 am

St. Joseph’s Young Priest Society next meeting Tuesday 10th April at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre.

Legion of Mary Acies will be held in St. Joseph’s Church, Blackrock on next Friday April 13th at 7.30pm (Rosary at 7.15pm). All active and auxiliary members welcome.

Parish Assembly meeting in the Parish Centre Thursday 12th April at 8.00 pm.

Spring Dues:  We would appreciate if the Area Collectors could collect the envelopes for the remaining areas after Mass in the Sacristy. Many thanks.
 

      Easter Garden, Christ The King Church, Turner’s Cross

JESUS IS RISEN, JESUS IS LORD  
At Easter when the Alleluia resounds again, we celebrate the Risen Christ, the centre and fulfilment of the universe and history. The one who was mocked and killed is King of Kings, is Lord.  He is the first born from the dead, risen as he said, the source of our hope as we journey through this valley of tears.  Pope Francis says the Christian belief in the Resurrection of Christ and in our own resurrection at the end of time is more than just wishful thinking, but rather is confidence in something certain

Pro-Life Rally: The Pro-Life Campaign and the Love Both Project have announced a series of regional rallies entitled ‘Stand Up For Life’, organized as part of a campaign to save the Eighth Amendment ahead of the referendum. A Cork rally will be held at 2.00 pm on Saturday next 7th April in the Grand Parade. Please come along, please ask others to come along.

The Poor Clares in Galway are hosting a Cloister day on Saturday, April 21st 2018 from 10am to 5pm to help young women between the ages of 21 and 40 to find out more about the Poor Clare way of life with a view to vocation discernment. Sr. Faustina at poorclaresgalwayvocations@gmail.com

Ronan Sheehan:  Ronan concludes his Seminary Parish Placement in Turner’s Cross today and begins a three-month Hospital Pastoral course next week in Dublin.  He participated as a hardworking member of the Parish Team and we thank him for his time with us and for his contribution to Parish life.

Papal Mass in Phoenix Park on August 26th. 
Turners Cross Parish has taken one hundred and six tickets for the Croke Park Papal Mass with Pope Francis, and has booked two coaches to travel to Dublin on Sunday 26th August.  If you wish to avail of one of the places please give your name as soon as possible to the sacristy or to one of the priests. The estimated cost including meals is € 50.00 and a booking deposit of € 5.00 is required.

Priesthood Vocations Day. The Annual Vocations Information Day will be held this year at The Pastoral Development Office, Ballyphehane 021-4537603 on Sunday April 22nd from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Contact Fr Charlie Kiely (021) 4537603.

Trócaire Boxes: can be returned to the Sacristy during the week

Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Mary Loughlin, Capwell Road and Catherine Mary O’Flynn, Rochestown Road, who died recently.   We extend our sympathy to their families.

We are coming to the end of Lent, looking towards Holy Week and Easter, towards our remembrance of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We remember that we are never beyond the reach of God’s kindness or of his loving response to our repentance.  He takes us back, again and again if need be, and does not hold our faults against us. We say “pray for us sinners,” recognising our sinfulness and as we speak about repentance, we hope to do better.  Repentance involves more than sorrow and regret, it means a change of heart, a new attitude.  It means admitting we were wrong and swallowing our pride.
Our repentance and renewal is God’s work, not ours.  Reconciliation to God means more than repentance and forgiveness, it leads us to something greater, to our becoming signs of God’s goodness in the world, living signs of his kindness and magnanimity.   God appeals, but he does not force anybody to accept him, as he offers a peace that the world cannot give.  We pray for a spirit of confidence in God, and a spirit of practical kindness to others so that we may indeed represent the goodness of God to a sceptical world.

  PALM SUNDAY CONFESSIONS:  Next Sunday, Palm Sunday, we will have an opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness. Confessions will be available after all the Masses, including the Vigil Mass on Saturday. A number of priests will be available for confessions. True preparation for this Sacrament involves taking stock of the overall pattern of my behaviour, my attitudes, and trying to identify what’s holding me back from living a wholly integrated life with others and with God.

Palm for Palm Sunday. Please bring your branch of palm to Mass next weekend, palm branches will be blessed at each Mass

Easter Triduum Masses: will be celebrated on Easter Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. Cards available from the office after Masses this weekend and during the week.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

Deaths:  We pray Bridie Hallissey, Rosebank & Elizabeth Frost, Green Lawn, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

REFLECTION ON THE EUCHARIST
A Lenten reflection on the Eucharist as we approach Holy Week.  Our seminarian Ronan Sheehan will facilitate a meditation on the Scriptural roots of the Eucharist and the place of the Eucharist in our lives on Thursday morning 22nd March in the Parish Centre from 10.45am – 11.30 am.   All welcome.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes 11th – 16th June Our Turner’s Cross Parish group will be part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage staying in
the Hotel La Solitude. Booking forms available in the Sacristy.

Aer Lingus/Tuskar Rock Airplane Crash, 50th Anniversary Mass on 25th March, 2018 at 12 noon, Church of the Assumption, Ballyphehane.  All Welcome.  Please pass this information to any relatives/friends (at home or abroad) of those who died.

Lifelong Learning Festival: the following events will be held at Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road (next to Credit Union):

Tuesday 20th March at 7.30pm
Nostalgia with Liam O’Huigin, “In my Mother and Father’s time”

Wednesday 21st March at 7.30pm
Meditation, movement and minding yourself.

Friday 23rd March at 7.30pm
“The Golden age of Cork Cinema’s with John McSweeney

Encountering Family in the Gospel: Exploring family life in the Gospels in the light of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia, on the joy of love in the family.  Continuing on Wednesdays 21st & 28th March, 7:30 to 9:00 pm in Parish Centre.  Facilitated by Sr Karen– all welcome.

South Parish/Turners Cross Summer Scheme registration night will take place on Wednesday March 21st at 7p.m. in the South Parish community centre, Sawmill Street. Children between the ages of 4 and 15 years are catered for. The scheme will run for two weeks from Monday July 2nd to Friday July 13th.

Pilgrimage to Fatima from Cork, 19th – 25th September 2018
Spiritual director Fr. Marius O’ Reilly. Price €699.00 Half Board,
all day trips included.  Contact:  Marian 087- 9370529 or Damien 087- 2049048

Do this in Memory: the next Mass will be Palm Sunday 25th March at 10.00 am. There will be a meeting of the Parent Representatives in Fr Billy’s house on Wednesday 21st March at 6.30pm.

REDEMPTION
The fourth Sunday of Lent, “Laetare Sunday,” marks the half way point in our Lenten journey and we begin to look forward to Holy Week and Easter, to the mystery of our redemption.  Nicodemus came to see Jesus at night in case anybody would see him.   He came out of darkness, and we may think of the darkness of our own time, hostility to the gospel of life and all the other problems of the world.  Jesus says “I am the light of the world.” He tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man must be lifted up for our salvation, lifted up on the cross.                          God loves the world so much that he gave his only Son, gave him at the incarnation, and at the crucifixion, so that through him the world might be saved. When the Word became flesh, he made our flesh holy and he redeems us as we are called to be children of God.  This is a call to holiness and indeed a call to happiness, to inner peace, a call to live through love in his presence.

Mother’s Day: We wish all mothers a happy Day.  All our mothers, living and deceased, are remembered at the 12.00 noon Mass this Sunday. Cards are available in the Parish Office.

A Mother’s Day Prayer 
I thank you, Creator of us all, for my mother.  I thank you that she gave me life and nurtured me all those years. She gave me my faith, helping me to know you and to know Jesus and his ways. She taught me how to love and how to sacrifice for others. She taught me that it was okay to cry and that I should always tell the truth. Bless her with the graces she needs and which you want to give her today. Help her to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that I love her. Give her strength and courage, compassion and peace. Bless her this day and every day with your love. Amen.

St. Patrick’s Day: Vigil Mass on Friday 16th March at 6.00 pm. Mass at 10.00 am and 12.00 noon on Saturday 17th March. (Note:6.00 pm Evening Mass on Saturday is the Vigil Mass for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.)

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

Deaths:  We pray for Dan Donovan, Curragh Road, and Anne Connolly, O’Connell Avenue who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

Encountering Family in the Gospel: Exploring family life in the Gospels in the light of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia, on the joy of love in the family.  Wednesdays 14th, 21st, 28th March, 7:30 to 9:00 pm in Parish Centre.  Facilitated by Sr Karen– all welcome.

Confessions:   Saturdays: after the 10am Mass & after Saturday Vigil Mass or ask one of the priests at any time.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church. Last Lent we raised € 4,204 for Trócaire.

Emigrants Collection: At the request of the Irish Commission for Emigrants an exit collection will be taken up after all St Patrick’s Day Masses, to support the vulnerable Irish overseas.

Bishops Commissions Collection this weekend 10th/11th March, helps fund the work of the Irish Bishops’ Conference and its agencies and commissions.  These include Justice & Peace, Communications, CURA, Child Protection etc.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Church gate collection on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th March cancelled due to the snow will be taken up on next weekend of 17th/18th March. The Society uses money collected to help the less fortunate in our parish.

The Cork Simon Coffee Morning campaign is taking place again this March. Would you consider holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Cork Simon?  To know more about how to host your own Coffee Morning 021 4321 166, email coffeemorning@corksimon.ie or visit the Cork Simon Website www.corksimon.ie/coffeemorning <http://www.corksimon.ie/coffeemorning> .

Pilgrimage to Lourdes 11th – 16th June Our Turner’s Cross Parish group will be part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage staying in
the Hotel La Solitude. Booking forms available in the Sacristy.

Aer Lingus/Tuskar Rock Airplane Crash, 50th Anniversary Mass on 25th March, 2018 at 12 noon, Church of the Assumption, Ballyphehane.  All Welcome.  Please pass this information to any relatives/friends (at home or abroad) of those who died.

All-Ireland Senior Club Football Final in Croke Park on
St Patrick’s day. Nemo Rangers v Corofin of Galway, throw in @ 2.00 pm. Best wishes to Nemo.

Encountering Family in the Gospel:    Exploring family life in the Gospels in the light of Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia, on the joy of love in the family.  Wednesdays 14th, 21st, 28th March, 7:30 to 9:00 pm in Parish Centre.  Facilitated by Sr Karen– all welcome.

Prayer for Families
God, our Father,
We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son, one family, in the Spirit of your love.  Bless us with the joy of love.
Make us patient and kind, gentle and generous,
welcoming to those in need.
Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.
Protect all families with your loving care,
Especially those for whom we now pray:
[We pause and remember family members and others by name].
Increase our faith, Strengthen our hope,
Keep us safe in your love, Make us always grateful
for the gift of life that we share.
This we ask, through Christ our Lord, Amen

Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

First Confessions: Girls & Boys from Bunscoil Chríost Rí will be making their First Confessions on next Wednesday 7th March at 7.30pm   We pray for them, for their parents & teachers.

Mother’s Day: Next Sunday 11th March.  All our mothers, living and deceased, will be remembered at the 12.00 noon Mass on that day. Cards are available in the Parish Office this weekend and in the Sacristy during the week.  Cards are on display in the Parish Assembly notice board at the back of the Church.

Parish Assembly:  Meeting this Thursday 9th March in Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes 11th – 16th June Our Turner’s Cross Parish group will be part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage staying in the Hotel La Solitude. Booking forms available in the Sacristy.

Lourdes 2018–Young Adult Helpers. The Diocese of Cork and Ross invites Young Adults 18-25-year-olds to come to Lourdes as helpers from 11th to 16th June.  As helpers you will assist with the sick and be involved in the full pilgrimage programme as well as time for prayer, for making new friends and sharing in the story of Lourdes.  Limited number of places, applications are now closing. For further details contact Fr. Charlie Kiely 021-4537603, Pastoral Development Office, Parochial House, Ballyphehane, Cork or email: charliekiely@gmail.com

Aer Lingus/Tuskar Rock Airplane Crash, 50th Anniversary Mass on 25th March, 2018 at 12 noon, Church of the Assumption, Ballyphehane.  All Welcome.  Please pass this information to any relatives/friends (at home or abroad) of those who died.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church. Last Lent we raised € 4,204 for Trócaire.

Rally to save the 8th.  Saturday 10th March, 2018 in Dublin.  Busses leave from outside St. Mary’s, Pope’s Quay at 8.45am. Mass in St. Mary’s 8.15am.  For further information contact Gillian on 089-4029445

Anam Cara, the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding its next monthly Parent Evening on Wednesday 7th of March from 19:30 to 21:00 in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. This event is open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether the death was recent or not.

The Cork Simon Coffee Morning Campaign is taking place again this year in the month of March. Would you consider holding a Coffee Morning in aid of Cork Simon?  A great way to get everyone together and support the fight against homelessness.  If you’d like to know more about how to host your own Coffee Morning 021 4321 166, email coffeemorning@corksimon.ie or visit the Cork Simon Website www.corksimon.ie/coffeemorning/

Confessions:   Saturdays: after the 10am Mass & after Saturday Vigil Mass or ask one of the priests at any time.

“Do this in Memory” Mass on this Sunday 4th March at 10am.

               
This is the first Sunday of Lent and we begin our Lenten observance of prayer fasting and almsgiving. In today’s gospel reading Jesus says that the time has come, the kingdom of God is here and we need to be ready.  The forty days of the Lenten season recalls the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, and indeed the forty years of wandering in the desert experienced by the children of Israel. We at times experience a wilderness in our own lives, times of temptations and dangers, and hardship

God has told us he will be with us, will hear us when we cry to him. He has made a covenant with us, and promised that his faithful love will not be withdrawn.  A covenant signified an agreement by which the participants are bound to each other in a family-like loyalty.  We hear in the reading from Genesis of the covenant with Noah, a covenant of safety, of salvation. Jesus is the new Adam who restores creation, he brings the safety and salvation promised to Noah, he fulfils the promises to Abraham, he brings the new law of love to complete the law of Moses, and he fulfils the covenant with David.  The Old Testament covenants foreshadow the new and eternal covenant of Jesus.  All the promises of the Old Testament covenants are fulfilled in Jesus,

WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018
Icon of the Holy Family
A specially commissioned WMOF2018 icon of the Holy Family has been made available to travel to each diocese in Ireland.   We welcome the Pilgrimage of the Icon to our Diocese of Cork & Ross from 22nd February to 5th March.  It will be brought to three venues here, the Cathedral in Cork, the Cathedral in Skibbereen and Bandon Parish Church.  Everyone is invited to come, pray, venerate the icon and place their prayer petitions in the box which will be taken to the Papal Mass on August 26th.  The following liturgies will take place in the Cathedral in Cork:
  Welcome celebration with Bishop Buckley    
  Thursday 22nd February, 7:30pm.
  Hour of prayer for vocations
Saturday 24th February, 3.00 pm.
Ecumenical Service
  Sunday 25th February, 3:00pm.

 Cork Alzheimers Café a safe place for people with Alzheimers and other dementias, their carers, family and friends along with social and health professionals to meet. Last Friday of each month 1.30–3.30 pm in St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road.
Light refreshments provided free of charge. All welcome.
Our next meeting: Friday 23rd February.

Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

“Walk with Me,” a Lenten Journey of Prayer – This is an excellent booklet. Cost €1.30, copies are available at the back of the Church.

Deaths:  We pray for PJ Murphy, Mayfield who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to his family.

Preparing for Easter:  Evening of Prayer & Reflection in the Chapel of St. Finbarr’s Hospital on Wednesday 21st February, Mass at 7.30 pm for all who serve and help in our Parish. Deacon Frank McKevitt will lead the evening.  All are welcome.

Mass and Novena Prayers in honour of Matt Talbot will begin on Monday 19th February at 7.30 pm in the Way of the Cross Church, Togher, and will continue for the 6 Mondays of Lent. The Celebrant and preacher this week will be Fr. Peter McVerry, S.J.

: Gospel Perspectives on Family facilitated by Dr Jessie Rogers (Maynooth) Sat. Feb 24th from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm in Sacred Heart Hall, Western Road, Cost: €10. email corkscripturegroup@gmail.com or phone 021-4295144

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church. Last Lent we raised € 4,204 for Trócaire.

Cork City Partnership digital skills course starting next Wednesday 21st February in Turner’s Cross Community Centre. Details of this and other free community education courses from  Linda Mc Kernan, Community Development Worker, Cork City Partnership, Tel: 087 1962025, lmckernan@partnershipcork.ie

A Hundred Years Agrowing: Our Prayers and good wishes to Tom O’Regan, Doyle Road who celebrates his 100th Birthday this Sunday.    Congratulations Tom!

Art Classes: Would you like to join Art Classes on Wednesday Afternoons in Turner’s Cross. For information call 087 2459369.

WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018
Icon of the Holy Family
A specially commissioned WMOF2018 icon of the Holy Family has been made available to travel to each diocese in Ireland.   We welcome the Pilgrimage of the Icon to our Diocese of Cork & Ross from 22nd February to 5th March.  It will be brought to three venues here, the Cathedral in Cork, the Cathedral in Skibbereen and Bandon Parish Church.  Everyone is invited to come, pray, venerate the icon and place their prayer petitions in the box which will be taken to the Papal Mass on August 26th.  The following liturgies will take place in the Cathedral in Cork:

Welcome celebration with Bishop Buckley
Thursday 22nd February, 7:30pm.
Hour of prayer for vocations
Saturday 24th February, 3.00 pm.     
Ecumenical Service
Sunday 25th February,  3:00pm.

St Valentine’s Day. In his document Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love), Pope Francis suggests that Saint Valentine’s Day is an opportunity for couples to celebrate the importance of romantic love by giving time and attention to one another rather than simply relying on the more commercial approaches to the Saints Day.  World Meeting of Families 2018 have produced St Valentine’s day cards and six free gift tokens that people can give to their loved ones, promising such things as a technology-free evening to do an activity of their choice, time for prayer together as a couple, sharing loads of tender hugs, for a hand-in-hand walk together, a special cooked by one for the other, praying to meet a special person etc.

Samples of the Cards and tokens are free and are available in the Sacristy while stocks last. Also available in the Sacristy are some of the attractive Icon Cards which include the official prayer for the World Meeting and are designed in such a way that they can be set up on a mantelpiece and used as a source of family prayer and reflection as we prepare for next August.

Turner’s Cross Pilgrimage to Lourdes
This Sunday 11th February is World Day of Prayer for the Sick and is the 160th anniversary of the first Apparition of Our Lady to St. Bernadette in Lourdes. This year Fr Kerry will lead a Turner’s Cross Parish Group forming part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes from Monday 11th June to Saturday 16th June. Those interested in participating are asked to leave their names in the Sacristy.  Booking forms can be obtained from: Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street, Cork, telephone: (021) 4277959.  Enquiries for Special Sick/Assisted Section should be directed to the Pilgrimage Director, V. Rev Canon James O’Donovan, Parochial House, Ballinlough, Cork, telephone (021) 4292296.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection   A special collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend 10th/11th February to help those whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

World Day of the Sick
This Sunday 11th February is World Day of the Sick, and we remember to pray for the sick in hospitals, in places of care or are looked after by their families in their homes.  We pray also for dedicated doctors, nurses, ancillary staff and chaplains.”

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday next 14th February is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and a day of Fast and abstinence.   Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses. At the 10am Mass on Ash Wednesday pupils from Bun Scoil Chríost Rí will be commissioned to bring blessed ashes to the school where they will impose ashes on staff and fellow pupils.

Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on weekdays of Lent.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday mornings in Lent after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am.

Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church (Lauds and Vespers) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church, and will be distributed through the Schools. Last Lent we raised € 4,204 for Trócaire through the Family Fast Boxes

Preparing for Easter:  The Parish Assembly have organized an evening of Prayer & Reflection in the Chapel of St. Finbarr’s Hospital on Wednesday 21st February at 7.30 pm for all who serve and help in our Parish. Deacon Frank McKevitt  will lead the evening.  All are welcome.

Deaths:  We pray for John Forde, Ballinhassig, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to his family.

Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.

Shrove Tuesday, 13th February – Coffee Morning in Parish Centre after 10.00 am Mass – Pancakes!

A CULTURE OF SERVICE?
Jesus came to bring hope and meaning to our lives, to bring light to a dark world.  His message of love lifts our hearts, and is for all.  He wants his followers to make a difference to the world around them, we are called to be in the world but to be different, to have standards based on something higher than self-interest.  We need to remember that a grumpy inward-looking Christian is a contradiction in terms.  Yet at times we may share the feelings expressed by Job in today’s Old Testament reading, being sick, joyless, restless and miserable. When circumstances bring us to this state, Job feels, life seems pointless, a matter of unremitting hard work, struggle and drudgery, virtual slavery.  In the second reading Saint Paul tells of a different experience of slavery, as an apostle and follower of Christ.  He travelled, preached, suffered and wrote, working hard to the point of making himself a slave of everyone.  His reward was the joy in spreading the news of a better way of living in love and peace, news of eternal life.  His enthusiasm never failed, the message was always fresh.

Turner’s Cross Pilgrimage to Lourdes
Sunday next 11th February is World Day of Prayer for the Sick and is the 160th anniversary of the Apparitions of Our Lady to St. Bernadette in Lourdes. This year’s Cork & Ross Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will leave Cork Airport on Monday 11th June, returning on Saturday 16th (5 nights, full board accommodation).   Fr Kerry will lead a Turner’s Cross Parish Group forming part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage and those interested in participating are asked to leave their names in the Sacristy.
Booking forms can be obtained from: Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street, Cork, telephone: (021) 4277959.  Enquiries for Special Sick/Assisted Section should be directed to the Pilgrimage Director, V. Rev Canon James O’Donovan, Parochial House, Ballinlough, Cork, telephone (021) 4292296.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection   A special collection will be taken up at all Masses next weekend       10th/11th February to help those whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

Anointing of the Sick.  Sunday 11th February is World day of the Sick, and the February Anointing of the Sick will take place on Saturday 10th February after the10.00 am Mass.

Deaths:  We pray for Denis O’Driscoll, Tory Top Road, Louise Leahy, St. Anne’s Park, and Liam Jones, Capwell Avenue, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

“Do this in Memory”  There will be a meeting of the Parent Representatives in the Parish Centre on this Monday 5th Feb. at 7.30pm.  Next Mass on Sunday 11th Feb. at 10.00 am.

The Parish Assembly:  meeting this Thursday 8th February in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

Ministers of the Word may collect their Rota from the Sacristy.

The Poor Clares Monastery, College Road, Cork
“Come and See” Vocation afternoon, Saturday 10th February 2 – 4.30pm for young women considering a vocation Email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com,<http://www.poorclarescork.ie> 

 A parent and toddler group has started in the Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road (next to the Credit Union), at 10.00 a.m. each Tuesday morning, all parents and new parents are welcome. For further information please contact Linda McKernan on 087 1962025.

Dates for your Diary
13th February    Shrove Tuesday – Coffee Morning in Parish Centre – Pancakes!
14th February    Ash Wednesday, Beginning of Lent – Day of fast and abstinence
Wednesdays of Lent Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after 10.00am Mass
Fridays of Lent   Morning Prayer of the Church  after 10.00am Mass
7th March  First Confession for Bunscoil Chríost Rí at 7.30pm
30th March    Good Friday
1st April          Easter Sunday
3rd May            Confirmation Day
19th May           First Holy Communion Day

St. Brigid: Thursday 1st February, Secondary Patron of Ireland. Lá le Bríd coincides with longer days and the beginning of spring. We ask for her intercession for a new springtime for the faith in Ireland, may we face our many challenges with confidence.

Candlemas Day: Candles will be blessed at 10.00 am Mass on Friday 2nd February, the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, and World Day for consecrated life, when we commemorate the presentation of the child Jesus in the Temple. Beeswax candles (€2.00) are available at the back of the Church. It’s always good to have a blessed candle in our homes

Feast of St Blaise – Traditional blessing of throats on Saturday 3rd February after the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Vigil Masses, and after 10.00 am and 12.00 noon Masses on Sunday 4th February.

Anointing of the Sick. Sunday 11th February is World day of the Sick, and the February Anointing of the Sick will be deferred until Saturday 10th February after the10.00 am Mass

First Friday: Fr. Billy will visit the sick and housebound this week. If you would like a visit please contact us.

The Poor Clares Monastery, College Road, Cork “Come and See” Vocation afternoon, Saturday 10th February, 2 – 4.30pm for young women considering a vocation. Email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com <mailto:vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com> www.poorclarescork.ie <http://www.poorclarescork.ie>

Anam Cara the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Bereavement Information Evening on Wednesday 7th February at 7:30pm in the Clayton Hotel, Silver Springs, Tivoli, Cork. This is a free event and open to all bereaved parents. As we will need to confirm numbers for teas, coffees, etc, please RSVP to info@anamcara.ie before Tuesday 6th February or call the Information Line on 085 2888 888.

A parent and toddler group has started in the Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road (next to the Credit Union), at 10.00 a.m. each Tuesday morning, all parents and new parents are welcome. For further information please contact Linda McKernan on 087 1962025.

The Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Centres (Cork University Hospital and the Bon Secours) are currently looking for volunteers to support cancer patients and their families. Duties will include – welcoming patients and their families into the centre, talking, listening and identifying their needs, then signposting them to appropriate sources of information and support. Training will be provided. For more information please contact: Deirdre Murphy on 01 231 0564 or email dmurphy@irishcancer.ie <mailto:dmurphy@irishcancer.ie>