CORPUS CHRISTI
This weekend we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and give thanks for the tremendous gift of the Eucharist.  When we receive Holy Communion, we share the life of Christ.  He is among us in a way that we can see, touch, taste and eat. Jesus is also present in the Word of God, proclaimed at Mass, and he is present in the sisters and brothers around us, for whom he died. Pope Francis comments that the Christ who nourishes us in holy communion is the same Christ we meet in everyday life. He is in the poor person who holds out his hand, in the suffering person who asks for help, in the brother or sister who asks for our time and waits for our welcome. He is in the child who knows nothing about Jesus or salvation, who does not have faith. He is in every human being, even the smallest and the defenceless.  Those who are nourished by the Bread of Life cannot remain indifferent to those who do not have their daily bread.
We pray that the life of Christ may be seen in us as we receive God’s blessing at the end of Mass and are sent out to bring the light of Christ into our world.

Corpus Christi Procession: Our Annual Procession will take place in Cork city on this Sunday 3rd June, 2018, an hour later than usual because of the Cork City Marathon. We will gather at the Church here in Turners Cross at shortly before 4.00 pm and walk in procession to Daunt Square. Most Reverend Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns will preach.           Come and join us.
Our Corpus Christi procession brings Christ, and the love of Christ, into our streets; into all the suffering, isolation, loneliness, temptations and fears of our life; a blessing for our city and our parish.

Cork City Marathon, Sunday 3rd June, 2018. 
There is Traffic Disruption this Sunday morning during the Marathon, and access to the Church from South Douglas Road/ Skabeg and Curragh Road will be affected. Signs will direct traffic from the South Douglas Road onto the Cross Douglas Road, travelling via Douglas Road to the church gates on Capwell Road. On leaving the carpark, the signs will direct traffic to return the way they came, with limited access from the southern end of Capwell Road left only onto the South Douglas Road.  Curragh Road will be closed to traffic.  The Church and church car park will be accessible from Evergreen Road.

 Our First Holy Communion Programme “Do This in Memory” concludes on Sunday next, 10th June at the 10am Mass.  After Mass there will be a short Eucharistic Procession in the Grounds of the Church with the First Holy Communion Children from Bunscoil Chríost Rí.

 Ice Cream Sunday: Sunday 10th June is also Ice Cream Sunday in support of Down Syndrome Ireland. Ice Cream will be available outside the church after the ten and twelve o’clock Masses.

Our Parish Novena to the Sacred Heart began last Thursday 31st May and continues to Friday 9th June, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.  Novena Prayers each morning at the 10.99am Mass or families may wish to pray the novena at home.   Novena Prayers – blue leaflet – are available at the back of the Church.
O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

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

WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES
Papal Mass in Phoenix Park on August 26th. 
We have fifty-three coach spaces for travel to Dublin on Sunday 26th August.  If you wish to travel on the coach please give your name as soon as possible to the sacristy or to one of the priests, a booking deposit of € 5.00 is required. More detailed information will be issued shortly.
 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:
[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

Exams:  The 10am Mass on Tuesday 5th June will be offered for all our young people beginning their exams on Wednesday.  We wish them every blessing and success.

All Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Exam Cards are available in the Sacristy.

Death:We remember in our prayers Eileen Collins, Evergreen Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to her family.

Cemetery Masses
 Mass for the bereaved will be celebrated at St. James’s Cemetery, Chetwynd (Maher’s Lane, off the Bandon Road before the Viaduct) on Tuesday 12th June at 7.30 p.m.

Mass on Remembrance will be celebrated in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Blackrock on Wednesday 27th June at 7.00 pm.

Cork Autism Conference 2018. Re-Thinking Autism – A Positive and Integrative Approach, Sunday September 30th, Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas Cork. Open to Parents, Families, Caregivers, Adults with ASD, Employers, Educators, Professionals, Agencies, Advocates and anyone with an interest in autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Call 089 239 8900. More information from <http://www.bookwhen.com/autismcork> .

Over 60’s Talent Competition:The final of the Over 60’s Talent Competition will take place at the City Hall on June 17th at 8.00 pm. This is the forty second year of the event. Tickets are on sale for €15 at Pro Musica, Oliver Plunkett Street, Blackpool Shopping Centre or call Paddy O’Brien 086 8105585. All proceeds go to The Irish Heart Foundation. Special guest on the night will be the Marina Melodics Choir who will sing at the Pope’s Mass in The Phoenix Park in August.

Lourdes:  Fr. Kerry travels to Lourdes with the Diocesan Pilgrimage on Monday 11th June. with some parishioners from our Parish. Our good wishes and prayers go with them.   Petitions to be placed at the Grotto in Lourdes may be put in envelopes – no money –and placed in the box at the altar rail, not later than Sunday 10th June.

 TRINITY SUNDAY
 Our redemption is the work and gift of the Blessed Trinity: the Son who offers himself, the Father to whom he offers himself and the Holy Spirit through whom he offers himself. This is the love we celebrate at every Mass.  
God is love, the love of the Father who is the source of all life; the love of the son who lays down his life for his friends, dies on the cross and rises again; the love of the Holy Spirit who makes us new and renews the face of the earth.   
Knowing that God is love teaches us to love and to give ourselves to others, as Jesus gave himself to us. Unselfish other-centeredness is at the heart of Christianity and in our practical experience the Other will always be a sister or brother for whom Christ died.
The fullness of Trinitarian life on earth, practised by the very first Christians (Acts 4:32-37), involves a spirituality of sharing, as commended by Pope John Paul and Pope Francis for our times. The new commandment “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34) amounts to an invitation to share in the life of the Blessed Trinity, the eternal Event of Love.

 Cork City Marathon, Sunday 3rd June, 2018.  There will be Traffic Disruption next Sunday during the Marathon, and access to the Church from South Douglas Road/ Skabeg and Curragh Road will be affected. Signs will direct traffic from the South Douglas Road onto the Cross Douglas Road, travelling via Douglas Road to the church gates on Capwell Road. On leaving the carpark, the signs will direct traffic to return the way they came, with limited access from the southern end of Capwell Road left only onto the South Douglas Road.  Curragh Road will be closed to traffic.  The Church and church car park will be accessible from Evergreen Road.

WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2018
 Papal Mass in Phoenix Park on August 26th.
We have fifty-three coach spaces for travel to Dublin on Sunday 26th August.  If you wish to travel on the coach please give your name as soon as possible to the sacristy or to one of the priests, a booking deposit of € 5.00 is required, the total cost including meals will not exceed € 50.00. More detailed information will be issued shortly.

Indulgences: Pope Francis will grant a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions to those who take part in World Meeting of Families events in Dublin next August.  A partial indulgence will be available to those unable to be in Dublin for the meeting but who follow it on radio and television.

A special collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend 26th – 27th May for the cost of hosting the World Meeting of Families in Ireland in August. The five-day event will culminate in the visit to Ireland by Pope Francis.

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:
[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

NEXT SUNDAY 3rd JUNE, CORPUS CHRISTI
 Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament   As we prepare for The Feast of Corpus Christi there will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament next Saturday 2nd June from 2.30 pm until the 6.00 pm Vigil Mass. It is hoped to have people in the Church throughout the afternoon ~ TIME SHEETS are available at the church entrances.

Corpus Christi Procession: Our Annual Procession will take place in Cork city on next Sunday 3rd June, 2018, an hour later than usual because of the Cork City Marathon. We will gather at the Church here in Turners Cross at 3.45 pm and walk in procession to Daunt Square. Most Reverend Denis Brennan, Bishop of Ferns will preach. Come and join us.
 Our annual Corpus Christi procession brings Christ, and the love of Christ, into our streets; into all the suffering, isolation, loneliness, temptations and fears of our life; a blessing for our city and our parish.

 Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Sylvia Roche, Kilcolman Lawn, John King, Doyle Road, Jim Cripps, Loretto Park and Declan O’Callaghan, Capwell Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.

 Our First Holy Communion Programme “Do This in Memory” concludes on Sunday week, 10th June at the 10am Mass.  After Mass there will be a short Eucharistic Procession in the Grounds of the Church with the First Holy Communion Children from Bunscoil Chríost Rí.

Ice Cream Sunday: Sunday 10th June is also Ice Cream Sunday in support of Down Syndrome Ireland. Ice Cream will be available outside the church after the ten and twelve o’clock Masses.

Poor Clare Vocations Afternoon, for young women considering a vocation, at the Poor Clare Monastery, College Road, on Saturday June 16th    2 – 4.30 pm. “Come and see.”
Email: vocationspoorclarescork@gmail.com, <http://www.poorclarescork.ie>

Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Exam Cards are available in the Sacristy.

First Friday: We will visit as many of the sick and housebound as possible this week.

Anointing of the Sick on Saturday next 2nd June at the 10.00 am Mass.  Consider offering a lift to a housebound neighbour.

Our Parish Novena to the Sacred Heart starts on next Thursday 31st May and concludes to Friday 9th June, the Feast of the Sacred Heart.  Novena Prayers each morning at the 10am Mass or families may wish to pray the novena at home.   Novena Prayers – blue leaflet – are available at the back of the Church.
 O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you

Cork Autism Conference 2018. Re-Thinking Autism – A Positive and Integrative Approach, Sunday September 30th, Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas Cork. Open to Parents, Families, Caregivers, Adults with ASD, Employers, Educators, Professionals, Agencies, Advocates and anyone with an interest in autism and Asperger’s syndrome. Call 089 239 8900. More information from www.bookwhen.com/autismcork <http://www.bookwhen.com/autismcork> .

Bring flowers of the rarest – our May hymn to Mary. We encourage you to pray the Rosary (even one decade), during May. The Rosary is prayed here before the 10.00 am weekday Mass.

     The Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

Bishop Buckley’s Second Pastoral Letter on the Right to Life
Within days Ireland will be facing a Referendum to remove the right to life of the unborn from the Constitution.  I am asking you to reflect on a number of issues and misinformation that people have brought to my attention since the publication of my Pastoral Letter.
Some people fail to see the humanity of the unborn and consequently their right to life. The baby and the inhumanity of abortion are rarely mentioned in the political debates.  All of us arc alive because our mothers chose to accept the life in their wombs. We cannot deny, now in 2018, that the baby in the womb is alive, vulnerable and an innocent baby, whose safety is in our hands. Many fathers and mothers have seen the amazing ultrasound pictures of their children. The baby’s heart starts beating at 21 days after conception.  Our Irish language has a beautiful word for the unborn –       beo gan breith – which means alive but not born.
It is often said that those who support life are not compassionate.  Compassion is not one sided. Compassion for the mother is vital but we must also extend our compassion to the child in the womb. There is no semblance of compassion involved in ending the life of the innocent child. Compassion means that we look after the mother and the child. It is our responsibility as a society to promote every support for women in a crisis pregnancy. We must be there for each other, always, all the days of our life.  Pope Francis has very comforting words for those who may have had an abortion and for whom it was a very painful decision. “Do not be discouraged,” the Pope said. “Believe in the mercy and forgiveness of the Lord.
Under the provisions of the 8th Amendment, no treatment is ever denied to an expectant mother.  The Church teaching is quite clear. A woman in pregnancy must be given every life-saving treatment that she needs, even if the child she is carrying will not survive this life-saving treatment. Doctors have always had to deal with situations where their intervention to save the mother’s life has resulted in the unavoidable death of the baby in the womb.
The Church has always taught that abortion is gravely wrong “and is not compatible with our Catholic faith in any way” (Pope Francis). If you vote Yes, you are actually voting for abortion. Many of our brothers and sisters in other Christian churches, in other faiths, and of no faith hold a similar view.
The question before us is quite clear: do we want abortion on demand for any reason up to 12 weeks, which is when 90% of abortions take place?  The right to life in the Constitution will be replaced by the right to end the life of an innocent person. The unborn baby will be left with no protection whatsoever. It is remarkable that the State, which under the Wildlife Act has so many legal protections for non-human life, is trying to remove the most basic right of the child in the womb.
I commend the work of the many pro-life groups – many of whom, of all ages, I have met around the city – to protect the unborn child. They are the voice of the voiceless.
As voters, we are the unborn babies’ last line of defence. I am encouraging you again to speak to your families and friends about the issues I have outlined but do so with respect and courtesy. Continue to pray for mothers and the unborn at this critical time.                                                           In the light of what I have said in my Pastoral Letter it is essential to vote NO if we are to build a truly compassionate society that values all life.

PRAYER FOR LIFE
Heavenly Father, we are all your children, sons and daughters of            the same loving Father, and for this we praise you.
We thank you for the gift of life.
Help us to appreciate the great dignity of every human being.
Open our hearts to welcome every child as a wonderful gift.
May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally                cherished and respected.
Help us to realise that every person is precious that every baby                  deserves love, that every baby deserves life.
Help those who make our laws to uphold the unique dignity                        of every human being from conception to natural death.
May Mary and St Joseph pray for us at this time.
We make all our prayers through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday after 10.00 am Mass until 11.00 am to pray for life.

The Annual Ecumenical Service for Christian Unity: In St. Luke’s Church, Douglas, on Sunday May 20th (Pentecost Sunday) at 7.30 pm.  All welcome.  This service is organised annually by the Cork Ecumenical Standing Committee which comprises: Rev. Geraldine Gracie, Methodist Church; Rev. Daniel Nuzum, Church of Ireland; Ms Valerie Fletcher, Presbyterian Church and Fr.  Christy Fitzgerald, Roman Catholic Church. The sermon will be delivered by Fr. Christy Fitzgerald.

First Holy Communion:  Congratulations, prayers and good wishes to the boys and girls of Bunscoil Chríost Rí who received First Holy Communion this weekend, to their families and teachers.

Thank you from the Pastoral Development Office – Fr Charlie Kiely wishes to acknowledge your generosity to the annual collection taken up last weekend and looks forward to meeting many of you over the coming year at our various events in the diocese.

The SMA National Novena in honour of Our Lady of Knock: Begins on Friday 18th May at African Missions Church, Blackrock Road and ends on Saturday 26th May which concludes with our Annual Pilgrimage to Knock.  The Novena will be celebrated at 7.30pm (except on Saturdays when it will be at 7.00pm).  For further information please contact SMA Blackrock Road at 021-4292871 or SMA Wilton at 021-4541069

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 Finbarrs Hospital, Douglas Road. Light refreshments provided free of charge. All welcome. Next meeting Friday 25th May.

Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Exam Cards are available in the Sacristy.

Bring flowers of the rarest – our May hymn to Mary. We encourage you to pray the Rosary (even one decade), during May. The Rosary is prayed here before the 10.00 am weekday Mass.

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 we have fifty-three coach spaces for 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 issued as soon as it becomes available.

Extract from Bishop Buckley’s Pastoral Letter on the Right to Life
The Supreme Court has stated that the unborn baby enjoys only one constitutional right, the right to life. We will be asked in the Referendum to remove the only remaining effective law to protect the unborn. We can choose to retain the 8th Amendment, under which doctors and hospitals will protect the lives of both baby and mother to a standard of care that is considered the highest in the world or we can repeal the 8th Amendment and leave babies with no protection whatsoever.
We will never again have a more important vote. There is no cause more noble than to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Never before in history have we had so much scientific proof that the unborn baby is, in fact, a living, breathing human being. The 8th Amendment is often not understood. It is up to all of us to explain its implications to people in our families, our work life and our friends. Have your answer ready but do it with courtesy and respect.
May the Virgin Mary, who gave birth to Jesus, protect all mothers, all unborn babies, all medical and nursing staff and all who make our laws.
  PRAYER FOR LIFE                                                                                    Heavenly Father, we are all your children, sons and daughters of the        same loving Father, and for this we praise you.
We thank you for the gift of life.
Help us to appreciate the great dignity of every human being.
Open our hearts to welcome every child as a wonderful gift.
May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally cherished and respected.
Help us to realise that every person is precious that every baby deserves love, that every baby deserves life.
Help those who make our laws to uphold the unique dignity of every human being from conception to natural death.
May Mary and St Joseph pray for us at this time.
We make all our prayers through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Annual collection for the Diocesan Pastoral Development Office will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.  Your generosity to this collection enables the office to continue to offer training and formation for pastoral groups and parish ministries, adult faith development opportunities, and the preparatory programme towards the World Meeting of Families.

Ministers of the Word: Copies of the new Rota are in the Sacristy for collection.

First Holy Communion:  The Girls and Boys from Bun Scoil Chriost Ri will receive their First Holy Communion next Saturday, 19th May at 10.30 am Mass.  We wish the young people and their families and teachers a very happy day. Note that there will be no Mass at 10.00 am on Saturday.                               

The Annual Ecumenical Service for Christian Unity: In St. Luke’s Church, Douglas, on Sunday May 20th (Pentecost Sunday) at 7.30 pm.  All welcome.  This service is organised annually by the Cork Ecumenical Standing Committee which comprises: Rev. Geraldine Gracie, Methodist Church; Rev. Daniel Nuzum, Church of Ireland; Ms Valerie Fletcher, Presbyterian Church and Fr.  Christy Fitzgerald, Roman Catholic Church. The sermon will be delivered by Fr. Christy Fitzgerald.

The SMA National Novena in honour of Our Lady of Knock: Begins on Friday 18th May at African Missions Church, Blackrock Road and ends on Saturday 26th May which concludes with our Annual Pilgrimage to Knock.  The Novena will be celebrated at 7.30pm (except on Saturdays when it will be at 7.00pm).  For further information please contact SMA Blackrock Road at 021-4292871 or SMA Wilton at 021-4541069

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Wednesdays after 10.00 am Mass until 11.00 am to pray for life until the Referendum.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa (CSN) Annual Plant Sale on Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th of May. Opening times 9am to 5pm. All welcome.

  2018 National Famine Commemoration There will be a Famine Commemoration ceremony on in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Sunday 13th May (at 12 noon) hosted by Lord Mayor Cllr. Tony Fitzgerald.  All welcome.
Our Students are remembered in our Shared Mass every Friday at 10am. Special Exam Cards are available in the Sacristy.

Traffic Disruption during Cork City Marathon, Sunday 3rd June, 2018.  Access to the Church from South Douglas Road/ Skabeg and Curragh Road will be affected. Signage will be in place to direct traffic from the South Douglas Road onto the Cross Douglas Road, travelling via Douglas Road to the church gates on Capwell Road. On leaving the carpark, the signs will direct traffic to return the way they came, there will be limited access from the southern end of Capwell Road left only onto the South Douglas Road.  Curragh Road will be closed to traffic.  The Church and church car park will be accessible from Evergreen Road.

Pilgrimage to San Giovanni Rotondo, on the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Padre Pio (St Pio), 29 September to 5 October 2018. Group leader:  Mrs Eleanor Lynch, Spiritual Director: Fr Ben Hodnett. Details and itinerary from Marian Pilgrimages 01-8788159 or www.marian.ie <http://www.marian.ie>  or Mrs Eleanor Lynch 0872190410
 
Bring flowers of the rarest – our May hymn to Mary. We encourage you to pray the Rosary (even one decade), during May. The Rosary is prayed here before the 10.00 am weekday Mass.

Christ-like Love
Peter in the house of Cornelius comes to realise that God does not recognise human distinction between Jew and Gentile, between Christian believer and unbeliever.  God does not have favourites.  All who seek what is good and true with sincerity of heart are acceptable to him.  The Jewish Christians who accompanied Peter on his visit to the pagan house of Cornelius were astonished when the Holy Spirit came upon the unbelievers, on the outsiders.  We, like those disciples, need to be open to others, to have respect for otherness.  God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son for all of us, not just for some.  God’s love is a unifying, life giving love, is the source of all authentic human love. That love of God for us is revealed by Jesus and indeed is revealed in the sending of Jesus by the Father.

Jesus calls us friends. Friends gaze together and see things in the same way, they have a shared viewpoint and confide in each other. Being called into friendship with Jesus means being called into his attitude of love towards those we love, and those we don’t love that much, or at all. He gives us a new commandment, “love one another as I have loved you.” Love one another in the same way that he loves us, a love of tenderness, forgiveness, love without conditions. St John in today’s first reading points out that if we fail to love, then we have failed to really know God at all.

Confirmation
Our thanks to Bishop John who presided at our Confirmation Ceremony on Thursday. Congratulations, prayers and good wishes to the forty-eight Bunscoil Chríost Rí pupils who were confirmed, to their families and teachers.

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

Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Dan Harris, Palaceanne Lawn who died recently, and extend our sympathy to his family.

St. Joseph’s Young Priests Society meet on Tuesday 8th May 7.30 pm.

Ministers of the Word: A new Rota begins this weekend, copies in the Sacristy for collection.

The SMA National Novena in honour of Our Lady of Knock: Begins on Friday 18th May at African Missions Church, Blackrock Road and ends on Saturday 26th May which concludes with our Annual Pilgrimage to Knock.  The Novena will be celebrated at 7.30pm (except on Saturdays when it will be at 7.00pm).  For further information please contact SMA Blackrock Road at 021-4292871 or SMA Wilton at 021-4541069.

Pre-School: Little Turners Community Pre-school at 25, Capwell Road, Turner’s Cross, are now enrolling for September 2018 – Free Child Care places available. Phone 021 4915934.

National Day of Prayer and Reparation for the protection of the Unborn & in Reparation for the ways Ireland has turned away from God on Sunday May 13th in St. Joseph’s Church, Wilton, at 1.30pm.  Please come along, urgent prayer is needed. Contact: Human Life International (Ireland), Knock. Tel: 094-9375993.

Annual collection for the Diocesan Pastoral Development Office will be taken up at all Masses next weekend – Saturday/Sunday 12th/13th May.  Your generosity to this collection enables the office to continue to offer training and formation for pastoral groups and parish ministries, adult faith development opportunities, and the preparatory programme towards the World Meeting of Families.

Colaiste Stiofain Naofa (CSN) will hold its Annual Plant Sale on Tuesday15th and Wednesday 16th of May. This plant sale showcases the work of the Horticulture students at CSN. Plants available include annuals, perennials, herbs, vegetables, trees, and shrubs. Opening times 9am to5pm. All welcome.

Data Protection Officer
The Dioceses of Cashel & Emly, Cork & Ross, Limerick, Cloyne, Kerry, Waterford & Lismore, and Killaloe invite applications for the position of Data Protection Officer – DPO.  This is a 2-year Fixed Term Contract.  The purpose of this role is to assist the Dioceses in Munster and their parishes and agencies in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Good pastoral care and respect for the dignity of every person requires that personal data should be sourced, stored, processed and eventually disposed of in an appropriate manner. A detailed job description and is available on www.cashel-emly.ie <http://www.cashel-emly.ie> .   Applications by post or email must be received at or before 5.00 pm on Monday, May 14th 2018 by the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly, Archbishop’s House, Thurles, Co Tipperary. Email: office@cashel-emly.ie <mailto:office@cashel-emly.ie> ,  Phone: (0504) 21512

South Central Community Safety Forum
Tuesday 8th May at 7.30 pm in the Ashe Room, Nano Nagle Place (Entrance via Evergreen Street). This is an opportunity to raise community safety issues of concern to you in your area.

PRAYER FOR LIFE
 Heavenly Father, we are all your children,
sons and daughters of the same loving Father,
and for this we praise you.
We thank you for the gift of life.
Help us to appreciate the great dignity of every human being.
Open our hearts to welcome every child as a wonderful gift.
May the life of a mother and her baby in the womb be equally cherished and respected.
Help us to realise that every person is precious that every baby deserves love, that every baby deserves life.
Help those who make our laws to uphold the unique dignity of every human being from conception to natural death.
May Mary and St Joseph pray for us at this time.
We make all our prayers through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

              Bring flowers of the rarest – our May hymn to Mary. We encourage you to pray the Rosary (even one decade), during May. The Rosary is prayed here before the 10.00 am weekday Mass.

Bring flowers of the rarest,
bring blossoms the fairest,
from garden and woodland
and hillside and dale;
Our full hearts are swelling,
our glad voices telling
the praise of the loveliest flower of the vale.

O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May,
O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels and Queen of the May.

Their lady they name thee,
Their mistress proclaim thee,
Oh, grant that thy children
on earth be as true.
As long as the bowers
are radiant with flowers,
as long as the azure shall keep its bright hue.

REMAINING BRANCHES OF THE VINE
As we listen to the encouraging readings in today’s Mass are encouraging, we may feel drawn to live a more fully Christian life.  St John tells us that whoever keeps God’s commandments lives in God and God lives in her, or him.  And Jesus tells us that those who remain in him, and he in them, bear plenty of fruit.  That sounds wonderful, but what do we actually?  Well, perhaps a start might be to pray, to renew (or restart!) a prayer life.  Simple, but in practice not that easy, we struggle at times to pray at all.  Jesus tells us to ask the Father for what we need, and Jesus says to us “when you pray”, not “if you pray.”

Jesus prayed, and taught us to pray. We can pray whenever and wherever we are in an ongoing conversation with God, but it is helpful to have a set time as well, it is good to have a pattern.  Prayer is that vital activity which enables us to remain part of the vine, to bear fruit, as Jesus says.  As we remain close to him in prayer, we are nourished and our relationship goes deeper, he guides us by his Spirit in the circumstances of our lives and helps us to be less self-absorbed and more concerned about others. He refreshes our soul, and gives us his peace.

Confirmations:  Bishop John will be with us for our Parish Confirmation ceremony on next Thursday May 3rd. Because of Confirmations there will be no 10.00am Mass on Thursday.  Mass will be at 9am with the Confirmation Mass at 10.30am.  Our prayers and good wishes to the 48 young people being confirmed, their families and teachers.

Deaths:  We remember in our prayers Mary O’Dwyer, Cross Douglas Road and Anthony Seymour, Cork and London who died recently, and extend our sympathy to their families.

 “Do this in Memory” Mass on this Sunday 29th April at 10am.

Pre-School: Little Turners Community Pre-school at 25, Capwell Road, Turner’s Cross, are now enrolling for September 2018 – Free Child Care places available. Phone 021 4915934.

Permanent Deacons
Bishop Buckley invites applications from men interested in serving as Permanent Deacons in the Diocese of Cork & Ross. The first two permanent deacons in our diocese were ordained last October and are now serving in city parishes.  One man is in his final year of training and is due to be ordained as Deacon later this year.
Applicants should have a good knowledge of the Gospel, a well-established spiritual life, and a willingness to serve others, even at some personal cost. The minimum age for ordination as a permanent deacon is twenty-five years for a celibate man, and thirty-five years for a married man. The maximum age is sixty years. While married men may be ordained, deacons who are widowed may not remarry.
Deacons continue in their family lives and secular employment. The four-year programme of preparation is part-time, as is the subsequent ministry. Initial contact should be as soon as possible as the application process must be completed in June for a course of preparation beginning in September 2018. It is probable that a course will not commence again in Munster until 2021.
Those interested should contact their local priest or the Diocesan Director of the Permanent Diaconate for Cork and Ross, Canon Bertie O’Mahony, PP, Parochial House, Model Farm Road, phone (021) 4346940 or (087) 2519940, or Fr Billy O’Sullivan PP, Turner’s Cross, phone (021) 4313103 or (086) 8235291.

New Parent and Toddler Group: You are invited to a Coffee Morning in Turners Cross Community Centre, Curragh Road, on Friday 4th May at 10.00 am to discuss a new Parent & Toddler Group starting in Turner’s Cross. Toys and fun for the little ones and a chance for parents to have a cuppa and a chat!  New parents and babies most welcome. Contact Joe on 086 2591362.

      GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY

All of us are members of the Body of Christ and there is no such thing as a member who does not share in the mission of Christ.  When we follow God’s call, the result is joy and fulfilment, whether our vocation is an overtly religious one or not.

April 22nd is Good Shepherd Sunday, the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  We are more and more conscious of the fall in the number of priests and the reduced number of vocations to the priesthood in Ireland.  Today in spite of sceptical attitudes, of the decline in priestly and religious vocations, in spite of the scandals and troubles in the Church, people still follow faithfully and joyfully their lay or religious vocations, enriching their own lives and the life of the Church community to which they belong.  Jesus asks us to recognise his voice and follow him, and he promises us eternal life, and a peace in this life that the world cannot give.
There are different vocations, different ways of living out our Christian calling.  The vocation to a married or single lay life is the norm, and such vocations are the mainstay of the Church.  The men and women who are members of religious orders, congregations and societies spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through a variety of ways, whatever you want to do in your life you can do as a religious Sister, Brother or Priest.
The ordained priest and the ordained deacon are to be fellow disciples and brothers among the brothers and sisters in the family of God, whilst fulfilling their roles of service to the people of God.  Their first task is to announce the Gospel of Christ. We are all called to give witness to joy and life in our individual vocations, to witness to the love of God for all his people and especially those who are weak, hurt or vulnerable. The signs of a true vocation include deep friendship with Christ, the generous gift of oneself, joyful communion with brothers and sisters in Christ, a life which proclaims the love of Christ.
Jesus promises he will lead us to springs of living water, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit whose fruits in our lives include peace, gentleness and joy, and the awareness of being fully alive.  The Lord has a plan for each of us, he calls each one by name.  We are called to witness, to love and to serve, vocations are about following Christ.  A generous response to a vocation is a source of happiness and joy, as we realise and experience that “it is in giving that we receive.”

“Do this in Memory.” There will be a meeting of the Parent Representatives in the Parish Centre on this Monday 23rd April at 7.30pm. Our next Mass will be Sunday 29th April at 10.00 am

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

  Vocations Sunday Invitation:
Men considering a call to Priesthood are invited to the Pastoral Development Office in Ballyphehane on this Sunday from 2.30 pm to 5.00 pm.  This is an opportunity to discuss a possible vocation to serve as a priest in our diocese, in a friendly and informal setting. Contact Fr Charlie Kiely at 021 4537603, or just turn up.
We are all invited to pray for vocations to the priesthood.  Pope Francis recently said that every vocation is the fruit of the prayer of a parent, grandparent, friend or community.

Referendum. The Bishop’s Pastoral Letter on the referendum was read at all Masses last week-end, and copies are available in the church. Bishop John commented that: the Supreme Court has stated that the unborn baby enjoys only one constitutional right: the right to life.  We will be asked in the Referendum to remove the only remaining effective law to protect the unborn.  We can choose to retain the Eighth Amendment, under which doctors and hospitals will protect the lives of both baby and mother to a standard of care that is considered the highest in the world, or we can repeal the Eighth and leave babies with no protection whatsoever.

Cork Alzheimers Café for people with Alzheimers and other dementias, their carer’s, family and friends along with social and health professionals. Last Friday of each month 1.30–3.30 pm in St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road. Light refreshments provided free of charge. Our next meeting Friday 27th April.   All welcome.

The World Meeting of Families 2018.  Over two thousand people from sixteen to over seventy years of age have already volunteered to help in the running of the event in Dublin.  Details of how to get involved are available on the WMOF2018 website and are summarised on the WMOF display board in the church. Thousands more volunteers are needed! These volunteers will be the backbone of WMOF2018 and will ensure that all families and pilgrims at the event receive a warm, Irish welcome.

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.