Parish Mission February 29 – March 8
A Time of Hope and Encouragement
Rejoice and be Glad
Members of the Ceílí Community Mission Team will be with us from Saturday next 22nd February.
Team accommodation and meals: Renewed thanks to those who have so generously volunteered to provide accommodation and evening meals. Whilst Mission Collections will be taken up, some parishioners have asked to contribute specifically to the cost of the midday meals.  Those who wish to do so are asked to leave an offering in the Sacristy and include their names on a donation register.

Death:  We pray for Thomas (Tommy) Newman, Connolly Road and Eileen (Irene) Corcoran, Westview, South Douglas Road, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

Do this in Memory: Preparation Mass for First Holy Communion this Sunday 16th February at 10.00 am.

Parish & Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 12th – 17th June, 2020
Bishop Fintan in his recent letter to all the Parishes expressed the wish that we would go to Lourdes as a Diocesan Pilgrimage.  Our Parish Group from Turners Cross will be part of the Diocesan Group that our New Bishop will lead.  Our Parish Group will stay in the Hotel Gallia et Lourdes (formally known as Hotel Chapelle) where we stayed last year, located near the Grotto.  We have provisionally booked 15 places.   If you would like to be part of our Parish Group, please put your name etc., on the list in the Sacristy and collect a booking form in the Sacristy and return it to Travel Agent Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street, Cork.

Holy Hour for vocations to religious life and priesthood:  Wednesday 19th February 2:30 pm to 3:30  pm, Daughters of Charity Convent, Knocknaheeny (next to Church). Prayer followed by tea/coffee.

52nd International Eucharistic Congress
Bishop Kevin Doran will lead our National Pilgrimage to the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest from 12th – 21st September 2020. Cost: From €1,050 per person sharing. For information see www.catholicbishops.ie <http://www.catholicbishops.ie> .

Physical and Spiritual Wellbeing
Tuesdays, March 3rd – April 7th 2020
7.30pm to 9.00pm at Nano Nagle Place (entrance Evergreen Street, no parking available).  A six session programme introducing meditation and movement that awaken and empower both physically and spiritually.  Facilitated by Sr. Mary Dineen.  To register phone 076-6849824 or email spirituality@nanonagleplace.ie.

Anam Cara Cork Bereaved Parents Support Evening on Tuesday 25th February at 7.00pm in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Rochestown Rd, Douglas, Cork. This free event is open to all bereaved parents and is run in conjunction with Pieta House and Feilacain.  To confirm numbers for teas, coffees, etc, RSVP to  info@anamcara.ie  before 24th February or call  085 2888 888.

Nano Nagle Birthplace, Ballygriffin
Sun 23rd Feb: Community Tree Planting at Ballygriffin, Killavullen 2pm – 5.30pm followed by musical entertainment. All welcome, bring a spade.

The Community Safety Forum for Turners Cross, The Lough, Ballyphehane, Pouladuff and surrounding areas will be held in Turners Cross Community Centre on Wednesday 19th February at 7.30 pm – All Welcome.

Human Life International: “Let’s Take Ireland back for Christ.”  Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co Cork, Saturday February 22nd at 7.30 pm.

Salt of the Earth, Light of the World
Jesus wants his followers to make a difference to the world around them, to be salt of the earth, and to remain salty, to be the light of the world, and to remain shining.  Salt in the ancient world was used extensively as a preservative to keep meat and fish healthy, from going bad, as well for flavour.  As followers of Jesus we are asked to keep society healthy, to be concerned about social justice and about the casualties of society, those who are oppressed or are in want. We are called to have standards based on something higher than self-interest.
If we are really the salt of the earth our Christianity will not be confined within little religious salt cellars. In response to Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel for this Sunday, we pray that if our saltiness has become insipid, that the Lord will renew us, if our light is a bit dim that the Lord will brighten us.  May we be a source happiness and joy, a source of flavour and light for our anxious and sometimes tasteless and dull world.

Death:  We pray for Ena Morrison, Loreto Park who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.                                                                                                                

“Do this in Memory” Mass next Sunday 16th February at 10.00 am.  Meeting of parent class representatives on this Monday 10th February at 7.30 pm in Fr Billy’s House.

Holy Hour to pray for vocations to religious life and priesthood:  Wednesday 19th February from 2:30pm to 3:30pm, the Daughters of Charity convent on Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny (next to Church) – all are welcome to join in prayer followed by tea/coffee.

The Annual Collection for the Lourdes Invalid Fund to be taken up at all Masses this weekend 8th/9th February subsidises individuals whose health and/or means would otherwise prevent them from travelling to Lourdes. It also subsidises the travel of essential care personnel.

Parish Assembly Meeting  this Monday 10th February in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

World Day of Prayer for the Sick     Anointing of Sick after Mass at 10.00 am and 6.00 pm on Tuesday, 11th February, World Day of the Sick and Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes (note the extra Mass at 6.00 pm).  Consider offering a lift to a housebound neighbour or friend. Refreshments in the Parish Centre, courtesy of the Parish Assembly after the 10.00 am Mass, a cup of tea or coffee, biscuits and a chat.

Rotas for Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist are in the sacristy.

Parish & Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 12th – 17th June, 2020
Bishop Fintan in his recent letter to all the Parishes expressed the wish that we would go to Lourdes as a Diocesan Pilgrimage.  Our Parish Group from Turners Cross will be part of the Diocesan Group that our New Bishop will lead.  Our Parish Group will stay in the Hotel Gallia et Lourdes (formally known as Hotel Chapelle) where we stayed last year, located near the Grotto.  We have provisionally booked 15 places.   If you would like to be part of our Parish Group, please collect your booking form in the Sacristy and return to Travel Agent Joe Walsh Tours, 117 Patrick Street, Cork.   Please put your name etc., on the list in the Sacristy when you take your booking form.

Introduction to Eco-Congregation: the Parish Assembly in Mahon invite you to an introductory talk by Rev. Elaine Murray, Church of Ireland, Carrigaline and Monkstown about her experience of Eco-Congregation Ireland and how we in our homes and parishes may care for “the earth: our common home” in a time of environmental challenges to God’s creation. Monday 17th February 7:30 pm, meeting room, Holy Cross Church, Mahon.

Pope Francis on the Word of God:
Let us make room for the Word of God! Each day, let us read a verse or two of the Bible. We will discover that God is close to us, that He dispels our darkness and, with great love, leads our lives into deep waters.
We need God’s Word: so that we can hear, amid the thousands of other words in our daily lives, that one Word that speaks to us not about things, but about life.
God’s Word consoles and encourages us, it challenges us, frees us from the bondage of our selfishness and summons us to conversion; because it has the power to change our lives and to lead us out of darkness into the light.

Christ the King Parish Mission  “Rejoice and be Glad”
At our Parish Mission last Easter with Fr Alan Neville, we committed ourselves to a programme of Parish Renewal, and we continue that process of Renewal as we prepare to welcome the Ceili Community to lead our Parish Mission from February 22nd to March 8th. The mission team will visit homes and schools in the parish area, as well as preaching the Mission in the church from February 29th.
We are asked to provide accommodation and meals for the twenty or so visitors from the Ceili Community, and parishioners are invited to take a team member into their home for one or for two weeks.  Midday and evening meals will be served in the Parish Centre throughout the Mission.
We ask God’s blessing as we entrust our mission to Mary the Mother of God as we set out with hope and joy on a new phase of our journey of faith.
Mission Accommodation: Sincere thanks to those who have already volunteered so generously to help with meals and accommodation. We need additional accommodation and we appeal to anyone who has a free bedroom to consider putting up a team member. They require a light breakfast, are happy to serve themselves, and will be out of the house all day.  If you are able to help, please contact Patricia at (087) 948 2142 or leave your name in the sacristy. Thank you.

  Presentation of the Lord      We light candles at Mass as we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord. Jesus is the light to the nations, as Simeon says in today’s gospel reading. This recalls the promised servant who was to bring God’s salvation to the ends of the earth, a light to the nations. But the servant was also to endure suffering, to “pour out his soul to death, to bear the sins of many and intercede for transgressors.” Simeon says Jesus is a sign that will be rejected, and a sword will pierce Mary’s soul too.                   Pope Benedict XVI commented that Christ remains a sign of contradiction today, when God is seen as a limitation of our freedom. God’s love is resisted when it challenges us to transcend ourselves, and when it offers us freedom from the prison of our self-absorption. Our redemption comes at a price, the suffering of Our Lord on the cross. The light of hope and the cross belong together.

 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas):   Candles will be blessed at all Masses on this weekend as we celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. Beeswax candles (€1.50) are available at the back of the Church. It’s good to have a blessed candle in our home.

 Death: We pray for Donal O’Connor, Doyle Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to his family.

 Do this in Memory: Preparation Mass for First Holy Communion this Sunday 2^nd February at 10.00 am.

Fr. Billy     I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, help and good wishes during the four weeks of illness resulting from my fall on January 1^st, I am blessed with good friends and colleagues in Turner’s Cross Parish.   Thanks from all of us are especially due to Fr Kerry and to Fr Eoin Whooley of the South Parish, as well as to Fr Mike Carroll, Fr Nick Motherway and Rev Frank McKevitt, to Jack Kiely our Sacristan for so much extra work, to Marion our Parish Secretary, to the Parish Assembly, to Bernadette and the 2020 Parish Retreat Coordination Team and to all the regular parish volunteers who keep the parish functioning so smoothly.

Feast of St Blaise – The blessing of throats will take place on this Monday, February 3^rd, after the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses (note the extra Mass at 6.00 pm).

World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was chosen by Pope Saint John Paul as World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. Today we pray for all those who have consecrated their lives to Christ, and we pray for vocations.

Gathering of Religious for the Celebration of Consecrated Life         At the invitation of Bishop Fintan over 200 religious, sisters, brothers and clergy will join in a celebration of consecrated life in the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne on this Sunday February 2^nd at 4.00 pm. We pray for this gathering at all our Masses this weekend and we invite the prayer groups in our parish to do so as well.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes Collection at all Masses next weekend 8^th/9^th February to help individuals whose health and/or means would prevent them from travelling to Lourdes, and subsidise travel costs of essential care personnel.

First Friday 7^th February. We will visit the sick and housebound during the week.

Southern Regional Alpha Training Day                                              Saturday 8th February at Coláiste Chríost Rí, Turner’s Cross,     10:00 am – 3:30 pm. An important day for those involved in parish Alpha Courses as they plan a new Alpha season. Lunch provided, no charge, donations gratefully received. Booking essential, contact theresa@alphaireland.org to book places and for further details.

    Sunday of the Word of God –                         In an Apostolic Letter of 30^th September last, Pope Francis established the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time as the Sunday of the Word of God, a day when we pray and reflect on the celebration, study, and spreading of the Word of God. Pope Francis emphasises that the relationship between the Risen Lord, the community of believers, and the Bible is essential.Our Sunday Mass is the unique moment in the week when our identity Christians is nourished by Word and Sacrament. Our celebration is founded on the Word of God, and every proclamation of the Word of God is itself sacramental.      This is not a new feast! The Word of God is proclaimed at every Sunday Eucharist, and one of the great blessings of the liturgical reform and renewal is a greater appreciation of the foundational role of the Word of God in every liturgical celebration, and we are reminded of the role of the Word of God in the life of faith.                                                                                                      This Sunday we are called to give greater attention to the Word of God and to honour that Word in our celebration of the Mass.

Death: We pray for Michael B. O’Shea, Doyle Road, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to his family.

Anointing of Sick on Saturday 1^st February after 10.00 am Mass.   Consider offering a lift to a housebound neighbour

“Do this in Memory” Mass next 2^nd February at 10.00 am. Meeting of parent class representatives on this Monday 27th January at 7.30 pm in the Parish Centre.

 Anam Cara Cork the organisation that supports bereaved parents, is holding a Parent Evening on 5th February at 7:20pm in The Clayton Hotel, Cork City . This is a free event and open to all bereaved parents.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Fr Kerry and Fr Charlie Kiely are planning another Pilgrimage in Early November 2020. Those interested should contact Fr Kerry on 087 2202022 or Fr Charlie on 086 8672377.     A Trip of a Lifetime!

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.  Next meeting January 31^st.

Totus Tuus Pilgrimage to Fatima.  September 5th to 12th. Flights from Cork. Day trips to Balasar, Valinhos/Aljustrel, Eucharistic Miracle of Santarem, and St Anthony’s birth place in Lisbon. Limited places. Spiritual Director: Fr Marius O’Reilly. Price €699 if booked before Feb 10th. Call Damien on 087 204 9048.

South Parish Historical Society      Meeting at 7.30 pm Wednesday 5^th February, St. John’s College, Sawmill Street. John Mulcahy will talk on “Jailbreak: The Rescue of Donnacadh MacNelis from Cork Prison 1918. All welcome – Fee €5 for non-members.

Conclusion of Week of Prayer for Christian Unity    This year the theme of the week of prayer for Christian Unity is Hospitality, showing Unusual Kindness.. As we pray for unity among the followers of Christ it is good to reflect on our connection to one another. We may rejoice in our diversity and in the richness that the different traditions bring to the Church as a whole. We can and must take care that our attitudes and relationships are based on respect and a genuine desire for the unity for which Christ prayed. We realise that the scandal of disunity between the churches is a rejection of God’s will and a rejection of the prayer of Jesus to the Father, that all may be one; and that as individuals we do not have to buy into that rejection.                                St Paul’s appeal to the Christians at Corinth is addressed to all of us; to be united in our belief and practice. We are called to a practical unity, not to be a matter of words only, it is a question of real love and service, of responding as followers of Jesus to his prayer that “all may be one.”                                                                                                             We are concerned with unity among Christians, relationships between the different Christian churches and within those churches, unity within our own church, in our local community and in our parish. We pray for unity within our immediate circle, in our family, our workplace, our neighbourhood, among our friends. In the end the call to unity is very personal.

Gaudete Sunday:
We light the third (pink) candle of the Advent Wreath on the third Sunday of Advent. This Sunday is called Gaudete, the Latin for “Rejoice,” after the first word of the Entrance Antiphon for today: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”

The Jesse Tree Symbols for the Third Sunday of Advent
The seventh symbol.  The prophet Nehemiah urges the people to change their ways and return to God. A wall on today’s ornament reminds us of the wall rebuilt around Jerusalem.
 The eighth symbol.   John the Baptist proclaims the coming of a new saviour and renewed life for all through repentance. The scallop shell on the ornament is a traditional symbol of baptism.
The ninth symbol.  The angel Gabriel tells Mary she will be the mother of our saviour, Jesus. The white lily on the ornament symbolizes new life and resurrection – hope for the future.

Memorial Acclamation. For the coming year the response to “The Mystery of Faith” will be:
 We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament: after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am on the Wednesdays of Advent.

Morning Prayer on Fridays of Advent:  Morning Prayer of the Church (Lauds) after 10.00 am Mass on each Friday of Advent.

The Parish Assembly: meeting this Monday 16th December in the Parish Centre at 8.00 pm.

Deaths:We pray for Sheila Warner, late of Deerpark, Friars Walk, and Doreen O’Donovan, Friars Road, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

Christmas & Triduum Cards in the Parish Office after all Masses. The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 December.

Trocaire Christmas Gifts are available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly during Sundays of Advent.

Walk With Me: An excellent booklet available at the back of the Church (Cost €1.30). A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2019.

GIVING SUNDAY: gifts may be placed at our Giving Christmas Tree in the Sanctuary.  We request non-perishable foods to help struggling families.  Any of the following items – tea, coffee, sugar, Tayto, chocolates, selection boxes, biscuits, soup, (no toys). Collected by St. Vincent de Paul Society after Masses.

Bambinelli Sunday: this Sunday families may bring their crib figure of the Infant Jesus to Mass for blessing.   After the blessing you are asked to take the figure home and gift wrap it so that on Christmas morning it is the first gift opened and then placed in your family crib.

Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve: 6.00 pm & 10.00pm.
 Christmas Day: 9.00 am, 10.00 am and 12.00 noon (note the extra Mass at 9.00 am).
St. Stephen’s Day: 10.00 am.

Altar Decoration for Christmas. Red Poinsettia plants would be much appreciated.

John Paul II awards for young people were launched by Bishop in conjunction with the Pastoral Development Office and we will introduce them in our parish in January. These faith achievement awards for young people between 16 and 18 are non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary and help young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development through helping in school, parish and community activities.

If you are interested in participating as a young person or if you would like to know more about what the award involves please contact one of the priests or a member of the Parish Assembly.

PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS
Christmas Penitential Services this weekend after 6.00 pm vigil, 10.00 am & 12.00 noon Masses.
Visiting priests will be with us for Confessions as we prepare for Christmas.  None of us is without sin and we are all in need of forgiveness. God offers us a most wonderful gift, the assurance that no matter how we have failed his forgiveness is there for us all.  In the words of Pope Francis: “Mercy is the Lord’s most powerful message”

Most are familiar with the procedure for this Communal Reconciliation Service, all you need to say to the priest when you approach for Confession is:  “I am sorry for all my sins, especially for  . . . .”
Then you tell your own sins simply, in the best way you can, asking for God’s Forgiveness. Be prepared to leave all your sins with the Lord and promise him that you will try to do better.

Examination of conscience
 An examination of conscience concerns our daily lives and our maturity as human beings. It is not preparing a grocery list of sins, but looking at the things we do and at the person who does them. It asks how do we relate to God and to our brothers and sisters for whom Christ died.
A good way of preparing for confession is to divide my life into a few general areas, and take a look at each.

1.   My relationship with God:
Do I give time to God?
Do I pray each day?
Do I attend Mass regularly?

2.   My home life
Am I hard to live with? Do I make my
home happy?
Am I moody and selfish?
Do I cause serious problems at home –
unfaithfulness, drunkenness, taking
drugs, violence, long cold silences?
Do I seek help?
Am I faithful to my commitments?

3.   My relationship with others:       
Am I tolerant of and unselfish ?
Am I kind in word and deed?
Do I pray for my enemies and forgive
them?
Do I respect others? Have I used others
selfishly? or irresponsibly?

     4.  My practice of justice  Do I respect the needs, rights, and
property of others?
Am I honest in my business dealings?
Do I pay my debts?
Do I cheat, or make false claims?
Do I pay my taxes?  Do I give to those
in need?

Act of Contrition
O my God I thank you for loving me. I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving you. Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again.   Amen.

Confessions: each morning this week after the 10.00 am Mass.

Frankfield Gospel Choir:
Sunday 15 Dec. at Frankfield Church, at 5.00 pm for Share a Dream Foundation.  Voluntary collection on exit.
Monday, 16 Dec. Rory Gallagher Theatre CIT in aid of Cork Stand Together (student homeless charity).  Tickets €10 from events.cit.ie <http://events.cit.ie> .

MISSION – PARISH RENEWAL
 Two-week Parish Mission
Advent is a season of preparation, as we prepare ourselves to welcome the Christ Child at Christmas.  This year we also prepare in prayer for a major Parish Event in the coming spring, a two-week Parish Mission. The mission will be given by the Ceili Community, a community of priests, religious and laity who provide a variety of mission programmes aimed at evangelising different age groups.
 Call to Renewal
In our three-day Parish Mission held last April 29th and 30th and May 1st, with Fr Alan Neville, we reflected on the role of the Parish in our lives, and changes suggested by parishioners are being gradually introduced.  The call to follow Jesus is made to each of us and to our parish as a whole, and we continue our process of Renewal with our 2020 Parish Mission from 22nd February to 8th March.
 The First Week
The first week from February 22nd to 28th will be primarily a week of visitation, visiting every home in the parish area, and two of the schools, Bunscoil Chríost Ri and Christ King Girls Secondary School. The second week from February 29th to March 8th will primarily be the week of the Preached Mission, with a visit to the remaining school, Coláiste Chríost Rí.
 The Retreat Team
The Retreat Team will include visitation teams, primary and secondary school teams and the preached mission team, some twenty-five members in all. We are asked to provide accommodation and meals, and parishioners living fairly close to the church will be invited to take a team member into their home for one or for two weeks.  Simple midday and evening meals will be served in the Parish Centre, pairs of parish families will provide one evening meal.
 Preparation
Clearly a lot of Prayer, preparation, organisation and work will be needed and Bernadette Hegarty, former Parish Assembly Chair and former Parish Catechist has agreed to undertake the role of Mission Coordinator. Bernadette has held an initial Coordination meeting and whilst preliminary work has started, the main work of preparation for our Mission will begin in January.
 Prayer
We begin our prayers for our Parish Mission on this first Sunday of Advent, asking God’s blessing on us, on the Ceili Community Mission Team, on our parish coordination team and on all those who will help in various ways.  We entrust our mission to Mary the Mother of God as we set out with hope and joy on a new phase of our journey of faith.

Memorial Acclamation. For the coming year the response to “The Mystery of Faith” will be:
We proclaim your death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again.

Parish Advent Mini Retreat in St.Finbarr’s Hospital Chapel Wednesday next 4th December at 7.30pm for all those all who serve and help in our Parish.  Principal Celebrant Fr. Alan Neville will preach. All welcome, refreshments served.

Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament: after 10.00 am Mass to 11.00 am on the Wednesdays of Advent.

Morning Prayer on Fridays of Advent:  Morning Prayer of the Church (Lauds) after 10.00 am Mass on each Friday of Advent.

 Death:  We pray for Kathleen (Kitty) Kelleher, Eldred Terrace who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to her family.

Anointing of Sick: next Saturday 7th December after 10.00 am Mass.

First Friday: Fr. Billy will visit the sick and housebound during the week.

 Christmas & Triduum Cards are available in the Parish Office after Masses from this weekend   The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 December.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception: As the Second Sunday of Advent is on December 8th,  the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is on Dec. 9th and will not be a Day of Obligation.

Trocaire Christmas Gifts will be available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly during Sundays of Advent.

Society of St Vincent de Paul: next weekend the second collection at all Masses will be the Christmas Collection for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, giving us all an opportunity to contribute financially to the support of those in need in our parish this Christmas. The Society thanks you for your continuing generosity and wishes a happy and holy Christmas to all.

Turners Cross Senior Citizen’s Party Nemo Rangers, 3.00pm, Sunday Dec. 8th.  Names to Christ the King Church by Sunday Dec 1st.

Nemo Rangers We wish Nemo success in the Munster club senior football final in Dungarvan on this Sunday (throw-in at 2.00 pm).

Cork Simon: Sale of original paintings, Sunday Dec. 1st 11.00 am to 4.00 pm Rochestown Park Hotel. Paintings only €50 each.

Sunday Coffee Morning, after 10.00am Mass this Sunday 1st December in the Parish Centre. A cup of tea or coffee, biscuits and a chat.

Congratulations to Rose Santry, O’Connell Cresent who is celebrating her 100th birthday.

Santa Claus in Turner’s Cross Community Centre Saturday December 7th, all welcome at 11.00 am for his arrival at 11.30.  Admission free, refreshments served.

L’Arche Christmas Festive Coffee Morning Sunday 8th December 10.00 am – 3.00 pm in L’Arche Day Service, Togher Road (between the School and the Church).

Walk With Me: An excellent booklet available at
the back of the Church (Cost €1.30). A journey of prayer for Advent & Christmastide 2019

Feast of Christ the King

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ENROLMENT
(10.00 am Mass only)

Priest: Today we give a special welcome to the children as they begin the parish preparation programme for First Eucharist. The names of the children will be written in a Book of Enrolment. The last time the children’s names were written in a book in church was on the day of their baptism. Today we remember and give thanks for the gift of faith that was received on that day, to be nourished by this community and by their families.
Promises of Children (Children stand)                                                                         Priest: Children, as you look forward to sharing the Bread of Life for the first time, do you promise to listen to all the people who will help you to learn about God’s love for us and who will tell you about Jesus and the way he wants us to live?
Children We do
Priest Do you promise to get to know God better by coming to Mass, by listening to God’s Word, by joining in the prayers and by praying at home with your family as often as you can?
Children We do
Priest My God bless you and may you know God’s love in your hearts and learn to share it with others
All Amen

Promises of Parents (Parents stand)
We welcome your parents and all those who love and take care of you. We ask God’s blessing on them all as they prepare with you to celebrate this sacrament. Now we invite the parents of all these boys and girls to stand
Priest Parents, do you promise to help your child to take part in this parish programme of preparation, to accompany them to Mass and to encourage them on their journey to share in the Bread of Life at the table of the Lord?
Parents We do.
Priest Do you promise to love, support and pray with your children as they grow in friendship with Jesus Christ?
Parents We do

RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL PROMISES
(all Masses)

Priest Now we ask the community of faith to journey with the First Holy Communion Families as their children prepare to become full members of the church. As a community of Faith, it is our responsibility to support, help and pray for these children. They remind us that through our Baptism we are all children of God.
And so, let us all stand and give thanks to God for the gift of our faith in Baptism, as we renew our baptismal promises.
Priest Do you reject Satan?
Response: I do.
Priest: And all his works?
Response: I do.
Priest: And all his empty promises?
Response: I do.
Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?
Response: I do
Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?
Response: I do
Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?
Response: I do
Priest: And may almighty God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace in Christ Jesus our Lord for eternal life.
All: Amen

Priest As we begin the work of preparation for the Sacrament of the Eucharist, may the love of God our Creator support us, may the light of Christ guide us, and may the Holy Spirit strengthen us.
All Amen

Family Mass: At the 12.00 midday Mass on this Sunday we ask God’s Blessing on the families of our congregation here in Turners Cross, represented by members of a single family who participate in the Mass and receive a special blessing. This month we are joined by Declan & Yvonne Murphy and their children.

Parish Christmas & Triduum Cards will be available in the Parish Office after Masses from next weekend The Triduum of Masses will be offered on 23, 24, 25 December.

Parish Advent Mini Retreat: An evening of Prayer & Reflection in St. Finbarr’s Hospital Chapel, Wednesday 4th December at 7.30pm, all welcome. Refreshments afterwards.

Death: We pray for Rita Warren, Beaufort Park, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to her family.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception: As the Second Sunday of Advent is on December 8th this year, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is transferred to December 9th and will not be a Holy Day of Obligation.

Ministers of the Word and Ministers of the Eucharist rotas are in the sacristy.

Trocaire Christmas Gifts will be available at the back of the Church from members of the Parish Assembly during Sundays of Advent.

Society of St Vincent de Paul Christmas Collection: a second collection at all Masses on Saturday and Sunday, 8th / 9th December.

Turners Cross Senior Citizen’s Party, Nemo Rangers H&F Club, 3.00pm, Sunday December 8th. All names to Christ the King Church by Sunday 1st December.

Munster Carer of the Year: Congratulations to Miah O’Donovan, Capwell Rd.who received this Award for his care for his mother Lucy and brother James.

Sunday Coffee Morning, after 10.00am Mass next Sunday 1st December in the Parish Centre. A cup of tea or coffee, biscuits and a chat.

Hope Foundation. Saoirse O’Shea, a Secondary School Student of this parish is selling Butlers Hope Chocolate Bars after Masses to raise funds for her volunteer visit to Kolkata to work with the Hope Foundation.

REALITY
Our standard of living in absolute terms is far better than anything that can be hoped for by the great mass of humanity living on the earth at this time. Yet many of the things we worry about, things covered by the incessant economic commentary, are passing material things. Whilst many among us suffer real hardship and deprivation, some of us need to get real.
The disciples marvelled at the size and magnificence of the temple in Jerusalem, but Jesus tells them it will all be destroyed, pulled down, nothing left. The temple was in fact destroyed about forty years later and the remaining lower part of its western wall, the Wailing Wall, is venerated to this day. The world as we know it will not last forever either, and of course for each of us it ends at the moment of our own death, however long it may last without us. We may ask ourselves what really matters, in the context of eternity, in the context of our own death. Such things as family love and connectedness, friendship and generosity are of primary importance and value, and should be unaffected even by an economic recession.
So while we wait for an uncertain future, we pray for the grace to live a Christian life in our time, place and circumstances; to be loving, other-centred and generous, to reach out to those who suffer, to help and comfort. And that means to live in happiness, with the peace of Christ, a peace that the world cannot give.

St Cecilia Youth Music Group:
Young people from Transition Year are invited to St Cecilia Youth Music Group meeting on Wednesdays 2.45-3.45pm in Nano Nagle Hall, Bunscoil Chriost Ri. Desirable requirements are ability to sing or play a musical instrument. Musicians please bring your instruments with you. Contacts: Mrs Beth O’Sullivan 085-2832707 or Brother Matthew 087-2634484.

Autumn Dues envelopes for the Area Collectors are in the Sacristy. Many thanks

                                       Pilgrimage to Lourdes

Bishop Fintan .

Bishop Fintan will lead the Annual Cork & Ross Pilgrimage to Lourdes from Friday 12th to Wednesday 17th June, 2020. The Bishop encourages parishes – gathered as communities of faith – to join him on this pilgrimage and in response to his invitation we are organising a Turners Cross Parish pilgrimage group.

It is his vision that we come together as a diocesan family to celebrate our faith at the shrine of Lourdes following Our Lady’s request to Saint Bernadette – “I want people to come here in procession.” He especially extends a warm welcome to young adults who he hopes will accept the invitation to come and be a helping hand to those who are sick or have special needs and require assistance.
To be in Lourdes and to share in this time of prayer and community is to be a witness to the Gospel message and bring to Our Lady our own intentions and those of our diocese.

A Little Lifetime Foundation: ‘Light of Life’ Tree Lighting Ceremony beside City Hall at the Plaza, The Mall, Cork, on Sunday 17th November at 2.00 pm featuring Christy Kenneally, all welcome. A Little Lifetime Foundation supports parents whose babies passed away at or around the time of birth.

Holy Hour to Pray for Vocations – Tues 26th November 3pm – 4pm in Sisters of Bon Secours Convent Chapel, College Road with refreshments after. All welcome. Call 0872209994 or email eavopost@gmail.com.

Parish Alpha Course  Concludes on 20th November
Alpha has been running in our Parish Centre every Wednesday evening (7.30 – 9pm) since 11th September. The last session of this Alpha will be on next Wednesday 20th November @ 7.30pm. Anyone interested in experiencing
Alpha is welcome to come along next Wednesday evening.
Alpha creates a space for people to bring friends for a conversation about faith, life, and God. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.

The Transition Year students in Christ King Girls’ Secondary School and Coláiste Chríost Rí are currently doing Alpha during school time.

Hail Holy Queen Conference: Saturday 23rd November, 9.30am in the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, with Bishop Phonsie Cullinan, James Mahon, Fr. Colm Mannion OP, Fr. Marius O Reilly, Kathy Sinnott, Méabh Carlin. Confessions and Mass, donation only. Buses from Cork City, contact Kay at 087 1165669.

Anam Cara West Cork Parent Evening on Tuesday 19th November at 7:20pm in the Munster Arms Hotel, Bandon. This is a free event and open to all bereaved parents.

REFLECTION  
In the rising of the sun and its going down . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the blowing of the wind and the chill of the winter . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the opening of the buds and the warmth of summer . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of Autumn . . . . . . . .
We remember them
In the beginning of the year and when it ends . . . . . . . .
We remember them
When we are weary and in need of strength . . . . . . . .
We remember them
When we are lost and sick of heart . . . . . . . . . .
We remember them
When we have joy and yearn to share . . . . . . . .
We remember them
So long as we live, they too shall live,
for they are part of us . . . . . . . .
We remember them
When we grow old and forgetful
we still know . . . . . . . . .
God remembers them

Remembrance Weekend
Those who died during the past year are remembered in a special way at our Masses this weekend. We give thanks for the wonderful gift of family, kind neighbours and friendship.  All of us are shaped and influenced by what has happened in the past.   Today and during November we pray for those who have died and acknowledge their influence in our own lives.

The Holy Souls
Novena of Masses continues to Saturday, 19th November. Mass each day at 10.00 am and also at 6.00 pm except Sunday. Novena envelopes available at the exit doors can be placed in the box at the altar rails.

Plenary Indulgence
A Plenary Indulgence for the souls of the departed may be gained by visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead once per day from Nov 1st to 8th, by all who confess their sins during the week before or after All Souls’ Day, receive Holy Communion between the 1st and 8th November and pray for the Pope’s intentions.

Death:  We pray for John O’Connell, Palaceanne Lawn, who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to his family.

PRAYERS & BLESSING OF GRAVES
 3rd Nov.         St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Tory Top Road at 2.30 pm.
Also at the following cemeteries:
2nd Nov         St. Oliver’s Model Farm Rd, Mass at 2.00 pm
3rd Nov          St. Michael’s, Blackrock, at 3.00 pm
3rd Nov         Rathcooney, at 3.00 pm
9th Nov          St Mary & St John Church,  Ballincollig; Mass at 12.00 noon
10th Nov         St. Finbarr’s, Glasheen, at 2.30 pm
10th Nov         St James, Chetwynd, at 3.00 pm
10th Nov         Douglas, at 3.00 pm
10th Nov         Rathcooney, at 3.00 pm
10th Nov         St Catherine’s, Kilcully, at 3.00 pm
 Don’t forget to pray at the Graves at the back of the Church

St Cecilia Youth Music Group: Young people from Transition Year (Secondary School) are invited to join St Cecilia Youth Music Group. It meets on Wednesdays 2.45 – 3.45 pm (during term time, starting 6 November) in Nano Nagle Hall, Bunscoil Chríost Rí, Turners Cross.  Desirable requirements when joining are ability to sing or play a musical instrument. Musicians please bring your instruments with you. Contacts: Mrs Beth O’Sullivan 085-2832707 or Brother Matthew 087-2634484.

Sunday Coffee Morning: After 10.00am Mass this Sunday. Join us in the Parish Centre for a cup of tea or coffee, biscuits and a chat.

Weekend of Prayer and Healing In the Charleville Park Hotel on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November, starting each day at 9.00 am. Keynote speaker will be Fr Pat Collins (Vincentian), other speakers: Sr. Josephine Walsh, Msgr Finbarr O’Leary and Fr John Keane. Music by Mir Ministries. Mass on both days and also opportunity for confession. Bishop William Crean will celebrate the Closing Mass on Sunday.  Admission free, for further information contact phone 0872505528, Celia on 0872405568 or Tom on 0876468658.

Vigil for the Holy Souls: St. Patrick’s Church, Rochestown Road, Friday 15th November. Commencing with Angelus and Mass at 6.00 pm, with confession, rosaries, prayers and hymns for our departed family and friends throughout the night. The vigil concludes with Mass at 12.00 midnight, attend all or part.

Anointing of Sick: next Saturday 8th November after 10.00 am Mass.

South Parish Historical Society meeting at 7.30pm Wednesday 6th November, St. John’s College, Sawmill Street.  Gerry White: “1918 – Victory, Virus and Votes”. An account of three critical events that occurred in 1918.

Anam Cara Cork supporting parents is holding a Bereaved Parent Evening on 6th November at 7:20pm in The Clayton Hotel.

Marriage Enrichment Weekend for married couples of all ages. The Lake Hotel, Killarney. Nov. 15 – 17.  See www.marriageencounter.ie or phone 064-6644319 or 086-6095168.

Cork Scripture Group: Working to Renew the Church. Fr Gerry O’Hanlon, SJ on Saturday November 9th 2019 from 10.00am -1.00pm, Sacred Heart Hall, Western Road, Cost: €10  corkscripturegroup@gmail.com