Altar Servers

We welcome the new altar servers who begin this Saturday evening at the 6.00 pm Mass.

Access to the sacristy on Saturday evenings is through the entrance at the far side of the sanctuary – not though the usual entrance. This is in accordance with safeguarding regulations.

Novena for the Holy Souls

Sincere thanks to the many people who shared their list of names of the deceased this past week. These sheets will be placed in the Remembrance Garden for the remainder of the month of November. Your offerings are gratefully appreciated too.

We thank Frank Speight and Eoin Duggan for the construction of the Remembrance Garden.

Afternoon of Prayer

An Afternoon of Prayer organised by Cork Regional Pioneer Council will be held in St. Benedict’s Priory, Cobh, ( P24 C438) on Sunday 19th November, beginning with lunch at 12.45 and finishing with Vespers at 5pm. Cost €25. For further details: Contact sorchaol@gmail.com. 0863642619 Booking essential. Everybody is welcome.

Morning Tea/Coffee

The Coffee Morning went very well on Tuesday. We had a full house and there was a great sense of community. Thanks to the Parish Assembly, especially to Rose Fitzgerald, for organizing such a pleasant get-together. Until next month…

National Come and See Weekend

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

November 19 & 20

Take the Risk for Christ

Come and See – Explore Priesthood

An opportunity for those who would like to find out more about the real-life experience of priestly life and what seminary formation is like. This “Come and See” weekend will take place in the Seminary in Maynooth and provide those attending the opportunity to meet seminarians and priests and hear of their personal vocation stories. All who are interested in attending or would like to find out more can email the National Vocations Office on: info@vocations.ie

Devotions for the Holy Souls will take place on Thursday 16th November 2023 from 3pm to 9pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Rochestown Road, Cork.

Mass will be celebrated at 3.15pm; again at 8.30pm.

There will be Adoration, confession, rosaries, & prayers for the Holy Souls.

Tea & coffee break at 6.00pm. All very welcome

Parish Assembly meets this Monday night, 13th November, at 8.00 pm

Second Collection next weekend is for Marriage support in the diocese.

Recent Deaths: Mary O’Connell, Ashdale Park and Rose Forde, Sliabh Mish Park. May they rest in peace. We offer our prayers and sympathy to the families.

Altar Servers

Good news: our new team of altar servers will begin to serve Mass next Saturday at the 6.00 pm Mass. Thanks to Rose and Sharon, our safeguarding representatives, who have prepared the children for this new adventure.

Please note: On Saturday nights access to the sacristy will be through the alternative entrance on the far side of the sanctuary. This is in accordance with safeguarding regulations.

Novena for the Holy Souls

From 2nd to 10th November. All Masses during this period are for the Holy Souls. There are no individual Mass intentions on those days.

Masses for those who died this past year

The 10.00 am and 12 noon Masses today are offered for all those who died in the past year. Families are invited to come to this Mass and to light a candle in memory their loved one. These candles are available at the entrances to the church. Proceed to the altar and leave the lighted candle on the altar rails.

Cemetery Sunday

Blessing of the graves in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Tory Top Road, will take place today, 5th November, at 2.30 pm. You are asked to bring a container for holy water. Holy water will be blessed during the ceremony and you can bring some of this water to your family grave for the blessing.

Morning Tea/Coffee

You are invited to come to the parish centre to meet and chat after the Mass on this Tuesday, 7th November. Tea and coffee will be served.

Ministers of the Word

The faith formation team of the diocese is organizing an afternoon of reflection, formation, and spiritual nourishment for current Ministers of the Word in our family of parishes. It will take place on Saturday next, 11th November from 2.00-4.00 pm. It will be held in the parish centre in Douglas: access through the sacristy entrance of St Columba’s Church. Please inform Christine or Maeve of your intention to attend as the organizers need to know the numbers as they will offer refreshments.

Recent Deaths in the Diocese:

We remember Fr Tim O’Sullivan and Fr Criostoir McDonald who have died. Requiescant in pace.

Feast of All Saints

Next Wednesday 1st November: Mass as 10.00 am

Feast of All Souls

Next Thursday 2 November: Mass 10.00 am

Novena for the Holy Souls

From 2nd to 10th November. All Masses during this period are for the Holy Souls. There are no individual Mass intentions on those days.

Mass for those who died this past year

The 10.00 am and 12 Noon Masses next Sunday will be offered for all those who died in the past year. Families are invited to come to one of these Masses and to light a candle in memory their loved one. These candles will be available at the entrances to the church. Proceed to the altar and leave the lighted candle on the altar rails.

Cemetery Sunday

Blessing of the graves in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Tory Top Road, will take place next Sunday, 5th November at 2.30 pm. You are asked to bring a container for holy water. Holy water will be blessed during the ceremony and you can bring some of this water to your family grave for the blessing.

Second Collection

The second collection today is for the missions, traditionally termed Propagation of the faith.

Ministers of the Word

The faith formation team of the diocese is organizing an afternoon of reflection, formation, and spiritual nourishment for current Ministers of the Word in our family of parishes. It will take place on Saturday, 11th November from 2.00-4.00 pm. It will be held in the parish centre in Douglas: access through the sacristy entrance of St Columba’s Church.

National Come and See Weekend

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

November 19 & 20

Take the Risk for Christ

Come and See – Explore Priesthood info@vocations.ie

Recent Death:

The death has occurred of George Compagno, Upper Friars Road. We pray for him and sympathise with his family

Mission Sunday

Mission Sunday this year takes place in the context of the Synod taking place in Rome, 4th to 29th October. Until recently a synod was uniquely for bishops but this year things have changed. Men and women from different backgrounds have joined Pope Francis and bishops from around the world. The purpose of this year’s Synod is to put in motion a spirit of synodality throughout the Church. Synodality means to journey together with Christ and with one another. Christianity is not an individualistic way of life: it is social by nature. The three signposts of Synodality proposed by the Pope are Participation, Communion and Mission. Ultimately we are called to be missionary disciples of Christ. We pray for the success of the Synod at Mass this weekend.

Second Collection next weekend: Propagation of the Faith

Book Launch Tuesday 24th October: Diocesan Notice

Fr Noel O’Sullivan, has just published a book entitled, Sacraments in a Synodal Church. It is the fruit of his work in parishes here in the diocese and his years teaching in Farranferris and Maynooth. The book is a comprehensive exploration of the sacraments of the Catholic Church as they developed from the time of Christ and as they are understood today. What is particularly refreshing about this publication is that it is situated in the context of Synodality as presented by Pope Francis. The book will be launched by Bishop Fintan Gavin on Tuesday 24th October, at 7.30 in Mardyke House, Cork (T12W8RP). In order to plan for refreshments etc, it would be helpful if you could RSVP to info@corkandross.org

Teams of Our Lady: Come and See

St Mary’s, Pope’s Quay: Saturday Oct 28th, 12.15-1.15, followed by lunch. Teams of Our Lady support married couples in their spiritual growth. No charge. For information contact Paola 083 8619040 batori@btinternet.com

Cork Alzheimers Café

Last Friday of each month 11- 12.30 pm in St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road.

Friday 27th October the next meeting.

Featuring : Sinéad O’ Halloran – Speech & Language Therapy

Recent Deaths: The death has occurred of Margaret O’Leary, Ballinlough. May she rest in peace. Sincere sympathy to her son Eddie and family, O’Connell Avenue. The death has also occurred of Br. Michael O’Connor of the Presentation Community. We pray for him and sympathise with his community.

An Invitation to Remember…

A Service of Remembrance will be held by Cork University Maternity Hospital on Sunday 15th October (today) at 6pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork. All who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss are welcome to attend.

Second Collection this weekend for the diocese

The last Diocesan Needs Quarterly Collection in July amounted to €49,098 throughout the Diocese, which is much appreciated. This quarterly collection allows the Diocese to provide ongoing supports to parishes in many areas. It contributes to the day-to-day running costs of the Diocese including the cost of personnel, utilities (light & heat, phone, postage & stationery, repairs & maintenance, insurance), professional fees, primary and secondary school religious advisory costs, safeguarding, data protection, mission and ministry and levies paid by the Diocese for national hierarchy costs in Maynooth. People continue to be very generous to these quarterly collections over the years and your support would be greatly appreciated this weekend.

Mission Sunday next weekend, 22nd October

Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly (a native of Turner’s Cross) to celebrate televised Mass on World Mission Sunday Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA of Cashel & Emly, and chair of the Bishops’ Council for Missions, will celebrate a televised Mass for World Mission Sunday from the RTÉ studios in Dublin at 11.00am on 22 October.

Parish Assembly meets Monday, 16th at 8.00 pm

National Come and See Weekend

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

November 19 & 20

Take the Risk for Christ

Come and See – Explore Priesthood info@vocations.ie

Recent Deaths: The deaths have occurred of Valerie Cronin, Cross Douglas Rd;

Frank O’Keeffe, Tramore Villas; Eva O’Reilly, Westview, South Douglas Rd. May they rest in peace. Sincere sympathy to the grieving families.

Priests’ Retreat

The priests of the diocese will be on retreat this coming week from Monday to Thursday inclusive (9th to 12th October). As a result there will be no weekday Mass in the parishes on those days. The religious orders will still offer Mass, e.g. Holy Trinity.

ALPHA

This weekend we welcome to the parish Mr Brian O’Kane, Chair of Douglas Parish Assembly. He will speak at our Masses on the forthcoming Alpha course, which begins next Thursday, 12th September.

An Invitation to Remember...

A Service of Remembrance will be held by Cork University Maternity Hospital on Sunday 15th October 2023 at 6pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork. All who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss are welcome to attend.

Take the Risk for Christ

Year for Vocations to Diocesan Priesthood

National Come and See Weekend

St Patrick’s College, Maynooth

November 19 & 20

An opportunity for those who would like to find out more about the real-life experience of priestly life and what seminary formation is like. This “Come and See” weekend will take place in the Seminary in Maynooth and provide those attending the opportunity to meet seminarians and priests and hear of their personal vocation stories. All who are interested in attending or would like to find out more can email the National Vocations:

Office on: info@vocations.ie

National Vocations Office, Columba Centre , Maynooth Tel: +353 (0)1 505 3118 email: info@vocations.ie

ALPHA 3

A new Alpha course, organised by the Douglas Parish Assembly, starts on Thursday, 12 October, in the Parish Rooms, St Columba’s, and runs for 10 weeks, from 7.30 to 9.00pm each Thursday night. Alpha is an opportunity to explore your faith in an informal and friendly environment. If you’re asking: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today? How can I make the most of the rest of my life?, then Alpha is for you. To register, contact the Parish Office (parishofdouglas@gmail.com / 021 489 4128) or Brian O’Kane (alphateam2023@hotmail.com / 086 244 1633). 

Feast of St Finbarr, Gougane Sunday

You are invited to the celebrations at Gougane Barra on Sunday 1st October marking the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Finbarr. Mass at 3pm preceded by the Rosary at 2.30 pm. Fr Bernard Cotter will preach this year. Bishop Fintan will celebrate the Mass.

Altar Servers

Children who have already received their First Communion may become altar servers. I would ask parents and grandparents to talk to their children about altar serving. There have been no altar servers since 2019 – prior to Covid – so children are not familiar with the role. This could be a good opportunity for children to make connection with the Mass. Application forms available in the Sacristy.

Autumn Dues

Many of you will have received a request for Autumn Dues this past week. The Dues is the means by which the priests receive an income. Priests are not paid by the diocese as some may expect. I am well aware that the people of this parish are very generous but the number who contribute has greatly reduced in recent years. At one time the parish supported three full-time priests in Christ the King, now the parish just about manages to support one priest. This year the dues will also help finance the assistant priest in the family of parishes. Each of the three parishes will make a contribution to ensure that the he has an income. This will be taken from the dues, not from the offertory collections. These weekly collections go directly into the parish account to finance the running of the parish: heating, lighting, salaries, upkeep, etc.I sincerely thank all of you in advance for your support of the Autumn Dues.

First Wednesday Novena prayers will be led by the Legion of Mary at 10.00

Second Collection Today

The annual collection for the Priesthood Education Fund in the Diocese will be taken up this weekend of 23rd/24th September. This year two seminarians began studies in St. Patrick’s College Maynooth. Both have completed a year of initial formation in Vallodolid last year. Another man is studying for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese. The Priesthood Education Fund will finance their studies as well as costs for ongoing training and education for priests. In the region of €110,000 will be needed to meet these costs in the coming year. Last year €70,616 was raised in this collection which was very generous. Appreciating that these are difficult financial times, you are asked to be as generous as you can to the Priesthood Education Fund annual collection this year.

ALPHA 3

A new Alpha course, organised by the Douglas Parish Assembly, starts on Thursday, 12 October, in the Parish Rooms, St Columba’s, and runs for 10 weeks, from 7.30 to 9.00pm each Thursday night. Alpha is an opportunity to explore your faith in an informal and friendly environment. If you’re asking: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today? How can I make the most of the rest of my life?, then Alpha is for you. To register, contact the Parish Office (parishofdouglas@gmail.com / 021 489 4128) or Brian O’Kane (alphateam2023@hotmail.com / 086 244 1633).

Brian O’Kane will speak at our Masses next weekend on the Alpha programme. Brian is the Chair of Douglas/Rochestown parish assembly

Novena

A novena in preparation for the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux will take place in St Joseph’s SMA Church, Blackrock Road, beginning on 23rd September and continuing until 1st October. The novena will be celebrated each evening at 7.30 pm, except on the Saturdays when it will be at 7.00 pm.

Cork Alzheimers Café

Last Friday of each month 11am to 12.30pm in St Finbarrs Hospital Activity Centre, Douglas Road. Friday 29th September the next meeting. Featuring: Dietician Helen Cummins speaking on the Importance of Diet

Feast of St Finbarr,

Patron of the diocese: Monday, 25th September.

A special Mass to celebrate the 1400th anniversary of the death of St Finbarr will be held in Gougane Barra on Sunday, 1st October, 3.00 pm, preceded by Rosary, at 2.30.

Family of Parishes

The priests of our family of parishes met last Monday to explore the possibilities offered by this new association of parishes. The main outcome was to offer the next Alpha programme to the three parishes: See details below. A meeting will be held shortly with representatives of the three parish assemblies. Fiacra Bracken and Maeve Kennedy will represent our parish.

Fr Pat Stevenson, the new Assistant Priest for the family of parishes, will celebrate the Vigil Mass next Saturday. He is a native of the parish and is looking forward to coming here.

ALPHA 3

A new Alpha course, organised by the Douglas Parish Assembly, starts on Thursday, 12 October, in the Parish Rooms, St Columba’s, and runs for 10 weeks, from 7.30 to 9.00pm each Thursday night. Alpha is an opportunity to explore your faith in an informal and friendly environment. If you’re asking: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today? How can I make the most of the rest of my life?, then Alpha is for you. To register, contact the Parish Office (parishofdouglas@gmail.com / 021 489 4128) or Brian O’Kane (alphateam2023@hotmail.com / 086 244 1633).

Novena

A novena in preparation for the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux will take place in St Joseph’s SMA Church, Blackrock Road, beginning on 23rd September and continuing until 1st October. The novena will be celebrated each evening at 7.30 pm, except on the Saturdays when it will be at 7.00 pm.

New Rotas for Ministers of the Word and Eucharist are available in the sacristy. They take effect from next weekend.

First Communion 2024: 18th May, at 10.30 am.

Recent Deaths:

Mary Dineen, Derrynane Road; Rena Murphy, Percyville, South Douglas Road; Robert Barrett, O’Connell Avenue. We pray for them and sympathise with their families. May they rest in peace.

Christian Witness in Nigeria

Last weekend Revd Dr Paul Kangkai spoke to us about the situation in the North East of Nigeria. He has sent us this summary of his talk:

Nigeria is a huge country with an estimated population of 223,804,632 people. The north east of Nigeria has a population of over 26 million people. These 26 million people have been the ones most affected by the deadly activities of an Islamic group known to the world today as Boko Haram. They are a new arrival on the religious landscape of the north east of Nigeria. The word Boko Haram in the local Hausa language means “western education is forbidden”. However, they define themselves as “people committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s (Mohammed) teaching and jihad.” The scale of their terrorist activities is enormous. According to the figures given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP, 2020), 35,000 people were killed. In 2022, UNDP updated their figures to 350,000 people. 13,000 Churches, 1500 schools were destroyed. 611 teachers lost their lives. Thousands of Mosques were destroyed too since Boko Haram attacked other Muslims who were not members of their sect. Most of the killings and destruction took place within the span of twelve years (2009-2022).

The good news is that despite all these challenges, the faith of our people remains strong. Our churches are full every Sunday and most times when we celebrate masses. The crisis has led to an increase in vocation to the priesthood and Religious life. Our lay people have become more involved in our parishes. Our first reading highlights the challenge of being God’s witness in difficult and violent circumstances with the story of Jeremiah. The Gospel of Matthew describes how being true disciples of Jesus includes carrying our crosses. For us in the north east of Nigeria, violent Islamic terrorism has been our cross. There are many types of crosses for you in Ireland today. However, the call to true witness in love, according to the mind of Christ, is the same. We are asking you to continue to pray for us; for our people, priests, Religious and volunteers from around the world who are still working there. Thank you.

Parish Assembly meets on Monday 11th September, at 8.00 pm.

Recent Death: Rita Kehoe, Hawthorn Villas, South Douglas Road. We pray for her and sympathise with her family. May she rest in peace.