Trinity Sunday
Whatever we make of the mystery of the Trinity, the readings today stress that God, no matter how we talk of God, is love – the God of tenderness in the first reading, and in the gospel God loved the world as to send his son. A picture of the Trinity is given by St Ignatius Loyola: think of the Trinity, he says, looking down on the world, and saying ‘our lovely world needs to be saved’. They saw people in darkness and wanted to send the light of the world, in grief and wanted to send the joy of their life into the world. Trinity Sunday is the feast of God’s desire to be with us in the dark times of life, as we are now in many areas of our life, to bring the light of the risen Lord.
God cannot do that alone. The picture of Ignatius ends with an account of the Son coming to earth in the womb of Mary who accepts this love to become the mother of God. As Mary was chosen, so is each of us in our own way. Married or single, we are called into the love and the service of God by our baptism, and our very birth.
Our  need to be saved through love, and a just society not what we have seen this past week.    Our planet needs to be saved from the damage and hurt caused to it. May we, in the words of the second reading’ live in peace’ – with each other and with our planet. We pray that we experience the love and care of God and each other in this time of pandemic, with a special prayer for those who are ill or have been bereaved.
I bless myself today and always: in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Our Parish Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will start on this Thursday 11th June and conclude on Friday 19th June (the Feast of the Sacred Heart.)    Novena Prayers will be available at the back of the Church. The Church is open each day except Sunday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Why not come and make the Novena privately or make it at home with with your family.   Novena prayers also after the live-streamed Masses from 11th to 19th June  <http://www.frbillyosullivan.ie>                                                               “O Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you.”

PRAYERS TO PRAY AT HOME DURING THIS PANDEMIC
Pope Francis has composed two prayers to Our Lady and asks us to to pray them with him, especially during the Month of May this year. He also asks people across the world to pray the Rosary. http://corkandross.org/pope-francis-let-us-pray-together-to-mary-in-may/prayers-we-can-say-during-covid19

OPENING OF THE CHURCH  FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
Our Church is open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday). special precautions  etc., are in place  relating to cleanliness and disinfection, social distancing, designated prayer spaces, access to the church and movement within the church.     The church is cleaned and disinfected before being opened each day, hand sanitisers have been provided at the entrances and everyone is asked to sanitise coming in and going out.

LIVE-STREAMED MASSES 
Fr Billy  says a live-streamed Mass from the Presbytery at 12.00 noon on Sundays and 10.00 am on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) on the separate internet address   frbillyosullivan.ie<http://www.frbillyosullivan.ie>   

   Pentecost:   The Spirit of God says that your looks and appearance can be very deceptive.  You must look into your heart, into the depth of your life to see who you really are. The Spirit of God says that failure can be more important than success.  We can learn even from the sad and difficult times.   The Spirit of God says that my vision must always be outward not inward and this will always  include others.   The Spirit of God says that love is about giving of myself even when I feel that I cannot. The Spirit of God says that forgiveness is the greatest reality that we know.  We sin, we fail, yet we can be freed to go on.  The Spirit of God says that honesty and commitment are the only things that matter in the end. The Spirit of God says that the sick and disabled are often those who are most alive for they know their dependence, they know that life is not in their control.  The Spirit of God says that death is not the end of life as the great spirit present in us is not extinguished but  transformed.
It would be a pity to let the weekend go by without a simple prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance, direction and a sense of hope and courage in everything we do.  Spirit of God teach us what is really important in life.           

  O come, O Holy Spirit, come!
                                                                       Come as holy light and lead us.
                                                                                Come as holy truth and teach us.    
[St. John Henry Newman]

SPIRITUAL CONFESSION  

Recently Pope Francis spoke about what we can do when we cannot go to confession because of the current restrictions. He advised: ‘It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, speak directly with God, your Father, and tell him the truth. Say, “Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,” and ask for pardon with all your heart.’ Make an act of contrition, the pope said, and promise God, ‘I will go to confession afterward, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.’ (Pope Francis, 20 March 2020)

OPENING OF THE CHURCH  FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
Our Church is open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday).  Special precautions against the spread of the Covid-19 virus will be in place, relating to cleanliness and disinfection, social distancing, designated prayer spaces, access to the church and movement within the church.
The church will be cleaned and disinfected before being opened each day, hand sanitisers have been provided at the entrances and everyone is asked to sanitise coming in and going out.  Disposable gloves are provided for use with the electric votive lights at the shrines, and may be placed in bins at each shrine after use.  Tissues may be discarded in the bins at the entrance and exit points.

LIVE-STREAMED MASSES 
Fr Billy  says a live-streamed Mass from the Presbytery at 12.00 noon on Sundays and 10.00 am on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) on the separate internet address  frbillyosullivan.ie (http://frbillyosullivan.ie).

         Feast of the Ascension
This is a sort of here and there feast! We celebrate that the Lord’s earthly mission is over, and the Easter apparitions have finished. He prepares to go to the Father and his followers will see this. He also has said that he ‘would not leave them orphans’, so we wonder how he is still with us.
Through the holy Spirit soon to be celebrated at Pentecost Jesus lives on. The Spirit of Jesus lives on in each person, given at baptism and confirmation. This Spirit is given to us all, so it is his followers today that Jesus lives on.
Where we give and share love in the ordinary times of our lives, where are pray to God and make time to be in the presence of God, Jesus is present. When we work for peace, justice, and when we show compassion and forgive – or try to forgive – each other, Jesus is present. We are not neglected by Jesus because he has gone to the Father – we are in the presence of Jesus because of the Spirit living in all of us.
It’s a feast that links heaven and earth. Jesus who is in heaven, also lives among us today. We pray also today that ‘where he is, we one day hope to be’. The presence of Jesus ascended to the Father is an eternal presence of love for us all.
‘Today is the feast of the Ascension. To those who wonder what it’s about: it’s the day when Jesus started to work from home’ !!    Donal Neary SJ,

                                             CARE OF OUR COMMON HOME

Pope Francis invites us the people of the world to join him in prayer on this Sunday 24^th May to mark the 5^th anniversary of the publication of Laudato si on this day in 2015.

Bishop Fintan Gavin will lead the people of the Diocese of Cork and Ross in prayer at the conclusion of the 11:30am Mass in the Cathedral on this Sunday approx. 12:15pm – you are invited to join via the webcam at    www.corkcathedral.ie

A prayer for our earth                                                                       All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST KING FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
Since last Monday  The Churches in the Diocese of Cork and Ross have been open for personal prayer. In a message to the priests of the diocese, Bishop Fintan issued guidelines which must be followed before each church can be opened.  “This needs to proceed very carefully so that people can visit churches safely knowing that procedures are in place in line with government advice and HSE guidance,” the Bishop wrote.  “This forms part of a phased plan towards being able to celebrate the sacraments with a congregation at a later date.
Our Church of Christ the King is open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday).  Special precautions against the spread of the Covid-19 virus will be in place, relating to cleanliness and disinfection, social distancing, designated prayer spaces, access to the church and movement within the church.  Notices giving full information will be in place and volunteer stewards will be on hand to give advice.
The church will be cleaned and disinfected before being opened each day, hand sanitisers have been provided at the entrances and everyone is asked to sanitise coming in and going out.  Disposable gloves are provided for use with the electric votive lights at the shrines, and may be placed in bins at each shrine after use.  Tissues may be discarded in the bins at the entrance and exit points.                                                                         From Monday the carpark gates will be opened for walking through each weekday from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, and the Capwell Road gate will be open to cars from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm.  Access to the Church will be restricted during Funeral Masses to the permitted number of mourners (at present family members only with a small number of close friends in special circumstances, subject to the overall total not being more than ten people).

LIVE-STREAMED MASSES 
Fr Billy and Fr Kerry are still unable to say Mass in the church due to the Covid-19 restrictions, and the church webcam is turned off except for Funeral Masses.  From Easter Sunday, Fr Billy has says a live-streamed Mass from the Presbytery at 12.00 noon on Sundays and 10.00 am on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) on the separate internet address  frbillyosullivan.ie (http://frbillyosullivan.ie). This will continue until the Church is opened for webcam Masses again. Mass is also celebrated and broadcast from the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne each day, Bishop Fintan celebrates the Mass on Sundays at 11.30am, and Mass on Monday to Saturday is celebrated at 10.15am.  RTE 521 Mass at 10.30am.   Details of other live-streamed Masses are given on the Diocesan Website.

Ignite 2020 – Be A Light In The Darkness  Hosted by Saint Mary’s Dominican Church Popes Quay    Ignite Conference On Saturday & Sunday (30th &31st May) Featuring: Bishop Fintan Gavin, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Sr. Miriam James Heidland, Ralph Martin, Sr. Mara Grace and more. Register for Free at www.dominicanscork.ie

“The All Ireland Rosary Rally Conference” live on Radio Maria Ireland from 5.30pm on Saturday June 6th (The First Saturday) featuring Fr. Donald Colloway, Dr. Mary Healy,        Fr. Patrick Cahill, Kathy Sinnott and Fr. Marius O’Reilly

SCRIPTURE SUMMER SCHOOL
This year the Dublin Diocese Scripture Summer School will be presented online as a series of Zoom Conferences because of COVID 19 and will be offered from 22nd to 26th June.  This is instead of the normal series of workshops in Dublin each summer. The online programme is offered at a reduced cost of forty euro.  Fr Sean O’Sullivan, PP Monkstown, in recommending the programme comments that he has personal experience of all three of this year’s presenters and have found each of them to offer wonderful insights into the scriptures in a way that is both accessible and engaging.  He recommends the Summer School to us as an opportunity to revisit the study of the scriptures from the comfort and convenience of our own homes, while we may have a little more time because of the current restrictions.  Full details of the Summer School are available online at www.tarsus.ie/page-28/

                                   CHRISTIAN LIFE AND WITNESS
We are all called to a life of witness, and our proclamation of Christ is primarily through the witness of our lives. Philip proclaimed Christ in Samaria, and the message was welcomed but this is not always the case, we may have to witness in a hostile environment. There are around us those who reject the message of the gospel, sometimes because it is unwelcome, sometimes because those who present it have discredited the message.  Yet those who reject the words of Jesus reject him, and reject the Father who sent him.  We may be called to suffer for the truth, to be subject to a certain amount of mockery or ridicule, and as well as witnessing by our day-to-day behaviour, we may be called to proclaim our faith in words.  St Peter tells us to proclaim in our hearts that the Lord is holy, and be ready to answer with respect and courtesy those who ask the reason for our faith. The Christian life is a commitment to live as Jesus wants us to; if we love him, we will keep his commandment to love each other.  We need the presence of the Lord in our hearts to withstand the pressure, to give us an interior serenity in difficult outward circumstances. Jesus assures us that we will not be alone, “I will not leave you orphans.”  He promises the Holy Spirit will live in us.

That same Holy Spirit gave us Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Incarnation, and through the work of his redemption Jesus gave the Holy Spirit to us, poured out at Pentecost and given through the ministry of his followers by baptism and the laying on of hands.  The Holy Spirit again gives us Jesus in the Eucharist when at Mass we pray that “by the power of the Holy Spirit the bread and wine may become the body and blood of Jesus.”  As we are nourished by the Eucharist, the presence of God within us is ever renewed. Jesus has returned to the Father, and is now present for each of us through his Spirit, in our hearts.  He promises us that we can be as close to him as he is to the Father, he invites us to share in his life and to live in the presence of God.

In our gospel reading for this Sunday Jesus promises his disciples, and us, the gift of the Holy Spirit, to be with us for ever. In our Alpha courses we ask: who is the Holy Spirit?  In the Creed, we profess with faith: “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life.” We acclaim the Holy Spirit as Lord, truly God. He is the great gift of the Risen Christ who opens our mind and our heart to faith, to friendship, to communion with God, and one another in Christ. Pope Francis comments that the Holy Spirit is the inexhaustible source of God’s life in us. We are like travellers crossing the deserts of life, thirsting for living water: gushing and fresh, capable of quenching our deep desires for light, love, beauty and peace. Jesus gives us this living water, the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father and whom Jesus pours out into our hearts. “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (Jn 10:10).

DEATHS
We pray for Mary Madden, Mercier Park, Patrick (Patsy) O’Riordan, Connolly Road, Brendan Horgan, Doyle Road, Josephine O’Regan, Ashdale Park, South Douglas Road, and Josephine (Joan) O’Neill (née Hickey), Upper Friars Road, , who died recently.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

 MONTH OF MAY
Pope Francis asks for prayers to Mary, the Mother of God, during this time of pandemic.  Two Prayers he composed for this time are to be found on the Cork & Ross website.
He also asks people across the world to pray the Rosary:  It is traditional in this month to pray the Rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us appreciate all the more this “family” aspect from a spiritual point of view (25th April, 2020).
As the church is closed and our movement restricted, we remember a little sadly the hymn to Our Lady, traditionally sung in our church in this month of May

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.
 
OPENING OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST  KING FOR PERSONAL PRAYER
We welcome the announcement that from Monday May 18th, churches in the Diocese of Cork and Ross will once again be opened for personal prayer. In a message to the priests of the diocese, Bishop Fintan has issued guidelines which must be followed before each church can be opened.  “This needs to proceed very carefully so that people can visit churches safely knowing that procedures are in place in line with government advice and HSE guidance,” the Bishop wrote.  This forms part of a phased plan towards being able to celebrate the sacraments with a congregation at a later date.
Initially our Church of Christ the King will be open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday).  Special precautions against the spread of the Covid-19 virus will be in place, relating to cleanliness and disinfection, social distancing, designated prayer spaces, access to the church and movement within the church.  Notices giving full information will be in place and volunteer stewards will be on hand to give advice.
The church will be cleaned and disinfected before being opened each day, hand sanitisers have been provided at the entrances and everyone is asked to sanitise coming in and going out.  Disposable gloves are provided for use with the electric votive lights at the shrines, and may be placed in bins at each shrine after use.  Tissues may be discarded in the bins at the entrance and exit points.

From Monday the carpark gates will be opened for walking through each weekday from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, and the Capwell Road gate will be open to cars from 2.30 pm to 6.00 pm.  Access to the Church will be restricted during Funeral Masses to the permitted number of mourners (at present family members only with a small number of close friends in special circumstances, subject to the overall total not being more than ten people).

ALPHA COURSE
A Turner’s Cross Parish on-line Alpha Course begins on Monday18th May, and runs on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm, concluding on Monday 22nd June.  To attend you need an email address and access to a desktop or laptop computer, or to an iPad or other tablet. Register by sending your email address to Brother Andrew Hickey at 086 1522160, or email andrewhickey@presentationbrothers.org. It is necessary to register as the meetings are in Zoom Meeting format.  A link will be sent to all the email addresses about fifteen minutes before the start of each session, just click on the link before the start time to join the Zoom meeting.                                                                                                                            This will be our sixth adult Alpha Course in Turners Cross since 2013. The other courses were held in the Parish Centre at Christ the King Church, on the basis of one session per week and those attending were very positive about Alpha.  Because of Covid-16 restrictions we are offering this course on an on-line basis, with twice-a-week sessions, over a shorter total period.                                                                                               Alpha is relaxed, friendly and enjoyable, and explores the faith in a “non-Churchy” and adult way.    Sessions cover topics such as Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How does God guide us? Why and How do I pray?  We don’t assume any background knowledge of or belief in Christianity and everyone is welcome.                                                                                                                         Each session starts with a short introduction followed by a video presentation covering one of the Alpha topics.  We then break into break into smaller groups to discuss the topic and questions arising from it.  No question is out of bounds and you are free to discuss as much or as little as you wish. Try it and see what you think: no pressure, no follow up, no charge.                                                                                                                           Alpha accomplishes an incredible task, in making people interested in faith and in making faith relevant to modern people  –  Father Raniero Cantalamessa OFM Cap, preacher to the Papal Household.

LIVE-STREAMED MASSES 
Fr Billy and Fr Kerry are still unable to say Mass in the church due to the Covid-19 restrictions, and the church webcam is turned off except for funeral Masses.  From Easter Sunday, Fr Billy has said a live-streamed Mass from the Presbytery at 12.00 noon on Sundays and 10.00 am on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) on the separate internet address  frbillyosullivan.ie (http://frbillyosullivan.ie). This will continue until the church is opened for webcam Masses again. Mass is also celebrated and broadcast from the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne each day, Bishop Fintan celebrates the Mass on Sundays at 11.30am, and Mass on Monday to Saturday is celebrated at 10.15am.  Details of other live-streamed Masses are given on the Diocesan Website.

Laudato si
Sunday, 24th May is a day of prayer for the environment throughout the world. Pope Francis has asked us to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of Laudato si with a special “week” from 16th to 24th May (nine days!).  The Cork & Ross Pastoral Development Office has prepared prayerful reflective resources based on the account of creation in the Book of Genesis and on Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home, and on the prayers for 24th May.  Each day’s reflection will be shared on the Pastoral Development Office Facebook page.

SCRIPTURE SUMMER SCHOOL
This year the Dublin Diocese Scripture Summer School will be presented online as a series of Zoom Conferences because of COVID 19 and will be offered from 22nd to 26th June.  This is instead of the normal series of workshops in Dublin each summer. The online programme is offered at a reduced cost of forty euro.  Fr Sean O’Sullivan, PP Monkstown, in recommending the programme comments that he has personal experience of all three of this year’s presenters and have found each of them to offer wonderful insights into the scriptures in a way that is both accessible and engaging.  He recommends the Summer School to us as an opportunity to revisit the study of the scriptures from the comfort and convenience of our own homes, while we may have a little more time because of the current restrictions.  Full details of the Summer School are available online at www.tarsus.ie/page-28/

SAINT POPE JOHN PAUL II
Monday 18th May is the 100th anniversary of the birth of John Paul II.  In this difficult time for us all – when we struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and question the future of our families and society – it is worth asking what he would he say to us today? The Church of his native Poland suggests these words from the homily inaugurating his pontificate. “Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ,” good spiritual advice

LIGHT
The fourth Sunday of Lent, “Laetare (joyful) Sunday,” marks the half way point in our Lenten journey and we begin to look forward to Easter.   The theme of the Mass is Light, the light given to the man born blind while the religious people who thought they knew it all were left in the dark.   Those who feel they know all they need to know are closed to the message of Jesus.  They may be people afflicted with a sort of rigid religiosity, a self- centred false piety, or those who buy into the prevailing secularism and take their cue from the media pundits.   Nowadays there is a so-called rationalism adopted by people who don’t actually think at all, and take their opinions ready made from the opinion shapers of our time.

The poor man born blind knew very little but could hear the message, his heart was open.   Jesus “anoints” his eyes with mud and sends him to bathe in the pool called Siloam.  The man receives his sight from the God who doesn’t see as we do.   We pray that we may be children of light, as St. Paul says to the Christians at Ephesus, that we may see our world in the light of Christ.  May we follow Paul’s advice to us to wake up, so that the light of Christ may shine on us.   We pray that like the man born blind we will be able to turn to Jesus and say, “Lord, I believe.”

Cancellation of Public Masses
For the duration of the Covid-19 Virus crisis, people in the Diocese of Cork and Ross are not bound by the Sunday Obligation to go to Mass, and all public Weekend, Holy Day and weekday Masses are discontinued. Funerals, weddings and baptisms may continue with attendance limited to family members and close friends and never exceeding 100 people.

Live-streaming of Parish Masses
Whilst public Masses may not be celebrated for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis, weekday and Sunday Masses continue in the Church behind closed doors.  These Masses are live-streamed from the church webcam, and can be picked up via the Parish Website at 10.00 am on weekdays, Monday to Saturday and at 12.00 midday on Sundays.  The Webcam will be turned on fifteen minutes before Mass times. The Parish Website is www.turnerscross.com <http://www.turnerscross.com> , to access the Webcam, just click on the following movie camera pictogram in the opening page:

We hope that some people of our parish, while not able to join together physically, will join us spiritually in these Masses.
Note also that Bishop Fintan hopes to celebrate the live-streamed Mass from the Cathedral at 11.30 am each Sunday, available at www.corkcathedral.ie <http://www.corkcathedral.ie> , and that daily Mass is also available on the rte news now channel each weekday morning at 10.30.

Prayer Resources for use whilst Public Mass is not available.
Prayer resources have been added to the diocesan website for people to use when they cannot attend Mass in person as well as when they cannot attend a funeral Mass and sympathise directly with a bereaved family.  Copies of the following Special Prayers are also available on a table at the back of the church.

Praying at home when we cannot attend Mass

Praying for our deceased loved ones at this time of the coronavirus Covid 19 when we cannot attend the Funeral.

Prayers in times when we cannot attend Daily Mass including Prayer for Spiritual Communion
 
Preventing the spread of the Virus
At the permitted Funeral and Wedding Masses and at Baptisms, we will continue to observe HSE guidance and Bishops’ norms, including:
Shaking hands including at the Sign of Peace is suspended. Alternatives such as a smile, nod or bow are acceptable.

Holy water fonts will not be used.
Holy Communion will be administered into the hands only and NOT onto the tongue. 

Having received Holy Communion, and before and after distributing, the priest and ministers will sanitise their hands.
During Holy Communion only the celebrant shall receive from the Chalice and no one else may drink from the same Chalice – this includes other priests as well as ministers of the Eucharist and members of the congregation.
Collection baskets will not be passed from hand to hand through the congregation.

Further information on the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website.
with Holy Oil and dispose of them appropriatFunerals
Attendance at funerals should be restricted to the immediate family and very close friends. Whilst the desire to offer condolences is commendable, during this difficult time condolences can be expressed in the form of a letter, a text message, an e-mail. The Covid-19 crisis will pass and there will be other possibilities for Mass or prayers to be said for those who die during this period. These Masses and prayers will enable people to come the church then and offer their condolences.  All Catholic funeral liturgies will be limited to the funeral Mass, without a removal to the church the evening before. The priest celebrating the funeral Mass will be the only priest officiating.

Sacrament of the sick for the dying (last rites)
It is essential that in anointing the sick, the priest should use a cotton bud or surgical glove for the anointing ely. The rite should be administered while at a distance of 1 metre. It is important to follow recommendations on hand hygiene after the celebration of the Sacrament. The priest must avoid contact with others in the house of the person who is seriously ill.

Parish pastoral calls to homes
Priests are advised against visiting homes at this time because priests themselves may be carriers of the virus without knowing it or the virus may be in the house.

 

Mothers Day: In spite of the Corona Virus, this Sunday is still Mother’s Day, and we pray God’s blessing on all mothers as we wish them a happy Day.  At the 12.00 midday Mass on this Sunday Prayers will be offered for all our mothers, living and deceased.
A Mother’s Prayer   Lord, here I am immersed in my daily routine of mothering a family, feeding, caring for, consoling, listening to those entrusted to me. May your joy erupt within me to brighten the thousand daily actions woven by the thread of life.  Lord stay with me, and let the little deaths of each day lead me along the path to eternal life.

Deaths:  We pray for John Holland, Doyle Road, Lil Cronin, Capwell Road, and John Bracken, Kilcolman Lawn, who have died.  We extend our sympathy to their families.

The Irish Catholic Newspaper
Copies of The Irish Catholic will continue to be left in the Church for purchase. 

 

Prayer for our protection
The Irish Bishops ask for prayers for those affected by the Coronavirus.  Placing all our trust in the Lord, and asking Our Lady to intercede for us, we invite everyone to pray these prayers:

From Saint Patrick’s Breastplate:
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Memorare: 
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence,
I fly to you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come,
before you I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy,
hear and answer them.
Amen.
 

  LIVING WATER                       Jesus tells the woman at the well that he offers “living water, welling up to eternal life.” He offers us the gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of living water. Every time we receive Holy Communion we are united with Christ, who gives us life and causes us to experience the Holy Spirit within us as we are invited to share the inner life of God the Blessed Trinity. God calls his people to union with him and with each other, union with Christ and union with the Body of Christ.   Of the mercy of God, Pope Francis says that ‘there is no sin or crime of any kind that can erase from the mind or heart of God even one of the children he has created’ (November 2013).
Imagine yourself looking into a well;
see the face of Jesus looking at you from its depths.
He looks at you with love.
Lord, send me the living water of the Holy Spirit.

THE COVID-19 VIRUS                                                                                     Cancellation of All Masses     Weekend and Day Masses are discontinued until further notice.  Funerals, weddings, baptisms continue as long as the attendance does not exceed 100 people.  People are not bound by the Sunday Obligation

Live-Streaming  of  Masses during the Covid-19 Virus Crisis       Mass will celebrate  privately and  live-streamed from the Church of Christ the King for the people  at 12.00 midday on Sundays  and 10,00 am on weekdays,  it will be broadcast via the church webcam. To tune in go to   Google on iPhone, iPad or other device:   MNC Media.TV Turners Cross and scroll down to picture of Turners Cross Church.             We hope that  people  while not able to join together physically, will join us spiritually in that Mass each Sunday  at 12noon and Monday to Saturday at 10am.

Bishop Fintan hopes to celebrate the live-streamed Mass from the Cathedral at 11.30 am each Sunday, available at www.corkcathedral.ie.

Preventing the spread of the Virus  We will continue to observe HSE guidance and Bishops’ norms, including:    Shaking hands including at the Sign of Peace is suspended. Alternatives such as a smile, nod or bow are acceptable.

Holy water fonts will not be used .  Holy Communion will be administered into the hands only and NOT onto the tongue. Having received Holy Communion, and before and after distributing, the priest and ministers should sanitise their hands         During Holy Communion only the celebrant shall receive from the Chalice and no one else may drink from the same Chalice – this includes other priests as well as ministers of the Eucharist and members of the congregation.

Further information on the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) website.

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church.

LENT
Lent is a time for taking stock, for repentance and renewal, as we prepare to commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Our Lord at Easter. Repentance involves a renewal of attitudes, a change of focus from the self to others. We need to remember that there is no real relationship with Jesus outside community, and solitary Christianity is a contradiction in terms. In Lent we pray for a new spirit of community, and that we will recognise the sacred in the people around us, brothers and sisters for whom Christ died.

Ash Wednesday 26th February is a day of fast and abstinence. On Ash Wednesday we bless and the sign of the cross is made as the ash is put on our foreheads while the priest or minister says ‘turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel,’ or similar words. The ashes remind us of our dying to the old way of life and challenges us to live our lives in the light of faith. We encourage everyone to come to Mass on Ash Wednesday and during Lent, if possible.
Ashes will be blessed and distributed at the 10.00 am and 6.00 pm Masses on Ash Wednesday. At the 10.00 am Mass pupils will be given blessed ash to bring to their schools to impose on pupils and staff.

Parish Mission: February 29 – March 8
A Time of Hope and Encouragement
Rejoice and be Glad
We welcome members of the Céilí Community Mission Team who are with us from this weekend until the 8th March. Next week they will visit homes, schools and the sick of the parish. The Céilí Team welcome parishioners after 10.00 am Mass to tea/coffee and biscuits in Parish Centre.
The Preached Mission will start with Mass and Sacrament of the Sick on Saturday next 29th February at 3.00 pm, and will close with the weekend Masses on 7th – 8th March. The weekday Mission Celebrations will be at 7.30 pm from Monday March 2nd to Friday March 6th, and weekday Mission Masses will be at 7.30 am and 10.00 am.

Mission Prayer
God our Father
we ask You to bless our Parish Mission.
You invite us to come to you with all our hearts.
Pour out Your Spirit upon us.
May we experience
the healing power of Jesus.
May we be renewed in faith, hope and love.
May the peace of the Holy Spirit
light up our lives.
We make our prayer
through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Masses during Lent
Evening Mass at 6.00 pm on the first three weekdays of Lent, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next.
For the Mission week from 2nd to 6th the Lenten weekday Mass will be at 7.30 am.
Depending on the response during the Mission, we may continue weekday Mass at 7.30 am instead of 6.00 pm for the remainder Lent. We will consult Mass goers about this next week and a decision will be announced on Sunday 8th March.

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

Morning Prayer of the Church (Lauds) on Fridays in Lent after 10.00 am Mass.

Deaths: We pray for Elma Sexton, Summerhill South, and Charles (Charlie) Marshall, Greenhills Court, who died recently. We extend our sympathy to their families.

WORKSHOP FOR PARISH CHOIRS/MUSICIANS: On Saturday 14th March we welcome Dom Richard Purcell (Abbot of Mount Melleray) to lead a workshop for choirs, cantors, musicians which will offer a selection of styles to suit different parish choirs/cantors for the season of Eastertide and into Ordinary Time. Venue: Blackrock Parish Centre Time: 10:00am to 12:45pm Cost: €10 per person to include music book. To reserve a place please contact us on 021 4537474 or by email o@corkandross.org

TROCAIRE LENTEN RESOURCE: On Wednesday 11th March Colm Hogan, the Parish Officer with Trocaire, will facilitate a workshop on the Lenten resource on climate justice, to help parishes to lead this Lenten reflection session. In the Pastoral Development Office, Ballyphehane from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. To reserve a place phone 021 4537474 or email pdo@corkandross.org

Trócaire Family Fast Boxes for Lent are available at the back of the Church, and will be distributed through the Schools.

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.

Nano Nagle Birthplace, Ballygriffin                                                                           Sat 29th Feb: Day of Meditation with Eileen Nash pbvm: 10.30 am – 3.30 pm, (registration 10am); bring a packed lunch; cost €25 incl. tea/coffee. 022 26411 or email secretary@nanonaglebirthplace.ie <mailto:secretary@nanonaglebirthplace.ie>

Cork Alzheimers Café for people with Alzheimers and other dementias, their carers, family and friends with social and health professionals, last Friday of each month 1.30 – 3.30 pm in St Finbarrs Hospital, Light refreshments, no charge, all welcome. Next meeting 28th February.

• This Lent, Pope Appeals for Prayer, Heartfelt Dialogue With Our Friend Jesus Which Changes Us
  Gives Advice for How This Favorable Season to Become Salt of the Earth & Light of the World
  Pope Francis says prayer must be at the heart of this Lent, for it is essential to have this heartfelt dialogue with Jesus our friend, in order to experience real conversion…
  The Holy Father expressed this in his Message for Lent for 2020, which was published today, Feb. 24, 2020, by the Vatican and presented today in the Holy See Press Office.
  Signed on Oct. 7, 2019, in the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran, the title of this year’s message is “We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God (2 Cor 5:20).”
  This year, the Holy Father says, the Lord once again grants us “a favorable time to prepare to celebrate with renewed hearts the great mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.”
  In the text, the Holy Father said he wished to share his words to young people in the Apostolic Exhortation Christus Vivit with all Christians, namely, “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be saved…”
  Among the text’s four different sections, Francis dedicated one to “the urgency of conversion,” focusing on the importance of prayer and contemplating more deeply the Paschal Mystery through which God’s mercy has been bestowed upon us.
  The experience of mercy, the Pope reminded, “is only possible in a -face to face- relationship with the crucified and risen Lord “who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20), in a heartfelt dialogue between friends.”
  “That is why,” he underscored, “prayer is so important in Lent.”
  More than a duty…
  “Even more than a duty,” he said, “prayer is an expression of our need to respond to God’s love which always precedes and sustains us.”
  Christians, the Holy Father reminded, pray “in the knowledge that, although unworthy, we are still loved.” Prayer, he acknowledged, can take any number of different forms, “but what truly matters in God’s eyes is that it penetrates deep within us and chips away at our hardness of heart, in order to convert us ever more fully to God and to His will.”
  During Lent, he encouraged, may we allow ourselves to be led like Israel was into the desert, “so that we can at last hear our Spouse’s voice and allow it to resound ever more deeply within us.”
  Pope Francis stressed that the more fully we are engaged with His word, the more we will experience the mercy He freely gives us.
  “May we not let this time of grace pass in vain, in the foolish illusion that we can control the times and means of our conversion to him,” he appealed.
  Before concluding, the Holy Father noted, “I ask Mary Most Holy to pray that our Lenten celebration will open our hearts to hear God’s call to be reconciled to himself, to fix our gaze on the paschal mystery, and to be converted to an open and sincere dialogue with him.”
  “In this way,” the Pope said, “we will become what Christ asks his disciples to be: the salt of the earth and the light of the world (cf. Mt 5:13-14).”

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.