Parish Notices

BAPTISMAL CELEBRATION: We welcome Parents and their Child who were Baptised in this Church to join us, for a Blessing, at the 6.30pm Mass this Saturday 11th May.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS: We send our best wishes to the girls & boys of Scoil Niocláis who will receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion on the next two Saturdays 18/25th May at 11am. We hope they will all have a lovely day with their Teachers and Families. Due to the First Holy Communions the weekday Mass on these two mornings will be at 9.30am.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD & EUCHARIST: Rotas for May are now available in the Sacristy. The summer rotas for June, July & August will be available at the end of May. Please let us know your holiday arrangements as soon as possible if you do not wish to be rostered during the holiday period. Thank you. Kay 087-9821664.

Welcome and Congratulations

We welcome into the Christian Community those who were recently baptised:
Zoe Ellen O’Connor daughter of Dermot & Anne, Donnybrook.
Cian Joseph O’Donvan son of John & Triona, Clifton.
Mia Sophia Rogders daughter of Neil & Martina, Alderbrook.
Liam Denis Nyhan son of James & Amelie, Woodlands.
Ned James McSweeney son of Patrick & Sarah, Parkgate.
Emmet Emil Foley son of Edmund & Gergania, Maryborough Ridge.
Isabelle Margaret Holden daughter of Adam & Niamh, Greenvalley.
Anna Kathleen Hayes daughter of Darren & Chiara, Pinecroft.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is exposed every Friday from 10.30am – 8pm in the children’s room at the back of the church.

An Easter message from Fr John

Jesus said unto her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live”. John 11:25

Christmas Message from Fr John

‘We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us, it’s in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same’. Marianne Williamson.

Parish Bereavement Mass

An indroduction by Fr John: When someone we love dies, it seems that time stands still. What moves through us is a silence…..a guilt sadness….a longing for one more day…..one more touch. We may not understand why our loved one left us so soon, or before we could say goodbye, but, little by little, we begin to remember not just that they have died, but also that they have lived. Every year at this Mass we are reminded that death is no respecter of age or circumstance. Different faces join with those whose loved ones went to God in different years; yes faces change but the heartbreak of death is universal. And so you may have lost a loved one over the last few weeks, some months ago or wherever the loss occured; tonight the prayers of this community are offered for you.

Year of Faith

The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime.

                                                                                                  Pope Benedict XVI

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI declared a Year of Faith that will begin on 11th  October 2012, on the 50^th anniversary of the opening of the Second Ecumenical Vatican Council, and will conclude on 24th November 2013, the Solemnity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King.

Some things Catholics can do during the Year of Faith:

Attend Mass regularly

Go to Confession regularly

Spend time in prayer, especially in front of the Blessed Sacrament

Recite the Angelus daily

Read the Bible 

Read the Catechism in a Year: For this Year of Faith, Pope Benedict encourages us to study and reflect on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Well, here’s an easy way to do it. Simply enter your email address and – starting October 11, 2012 – you’ll start getting a little bit of the Catechism emailed to you every morning. Read that little bit every day and you’ll read the whole catechism in a year. If you would like to share the catechism follow this link www.flocknote.com/catechism and click on Simply share this link: and you will be requested to enter your email address.

Perhaps you could make an bigger effort to be an instrument of peace in your relationship with others, in the manner of St Francis of Assisi, by following his guidelines:

1. Focus on people’s good points. Tell all with whom you come into contact the good things you see in them.
2. Develop a positive approach toward life. Compliment more than you criticize.
3. Build a climate of trust and support in all your relationships. Cooperate with others instead of competing with them.
4. Use gentle, loving, respectful language dealing with others. They won’t hear your words if they’re too busy dodging your sharp tongue.
5. Take a genuine interest in the work and activities of others. Make a point to ask about new projects. 
6. Listen patiently, with your heart, when others are talking. It’s Christlike to put aside one’s own interests for the love of another.
7. Learn how to refuse with a smile. If you have to say “no” to something, do it respectfully. 
8. Put the devil of jealousy far behind you. Deal with your personal insecurities in some other ways, but don’t put others down to make yourself look better. 
9. Be loyal. Never allow yourself to tear down the kingdom of God by destructive, behind-the-back criticism of others.
10. Do extra little things that are nobody’s job. Be generous by volunteering— especially for the jobs for which there is no great reward.

 Let us learn to tame too what is wild and violent within ourselves and the world around us.

For diocesan information on the Year of Faith please visit their website:  www.corkandross.org 

Blessing of Pets/Animals and Their Owners

Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission – to be of service to them whenever they require it. If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men.

                                              Saint Francis of Assisi

To honour St Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is celebrated on October 4th each year, the parish assembly organised a blessing of all pets/animals and their owners in the church car park on Saturday, 6th October at 3pm.

We were blessed with a beautiful warm and sunny day; we can be forgiven to think St Francis, who loved all nature with a passion, had some influence on the weather! Just after 2.45pm parishioners began congregating with their pets, mainly dogs, though we did have guinea pigs, gerbils and one girl brought a photo of  her pet fish. All then assembled in the car park. It was a memorable sight to behold. A table held a statue of St Francis, kindly lent to us, for the occasion, by the Poor Claire Sisters, College Road, also, figures of animals, a floral display and a lighted candle graced the table.

Just after 3pm Fr John began the ceremony with the above quotation from St Francis. John, a parishioner, read from the Book of Genesis on the creation of the world, and five children read the Prayer of the Faithful in which we asked God’s blessing on our furry, and not so furry, friends. Fr John then prayed a blessing over all pets and their owners, and blessed them with holy water.

For single householders, a pet can be a true companion. Many people arrive home from work to find a furry friend overjoyed at their return. Many a elderly person has a lap filled with a purring fellow creature. Children, who are fortunate to have pets, learn to love, look after and care for them, and in doing so they learn how to be a little less selfish.

The bond between person and pet is like no other relationship, because the communication between fellow creatures is at its most basic. Eye-to-eye, a man and his dog, or a woman and her cat, are two creatures of love.

No wonder people enjoy the opportunity to take their animal companions to church for a special blessing. Church is the place where the bond of creation is celebrated.

Every creature is important, because they have been created by God. The love we give to a pet, and receive from a pet, can draw us more deeply into the larger circle of life, into the wonder of our common relationship to our Creator.

Fr John promises that this blessing will be an annual event and it is hoped that more and more parishioners will be prompted to bring their pets/animals to this ceremony. 

Prayer for Pets:  Almighty and everlasting God, Creator of all things and giver of all life, let your blessing be upon all these animals. May our relationships with them mirror your love, and our care for them be an example of your bountiful mercy. Grant the animals health and peace. Strengthen us to love and care for them as we strive to imitate the love of Jesus Christ our Lord and God’s servant Francis. Amen.

Annual Mass of Remembrance St John’s Cemetery, Ballinrea.

Death creates a heartache which in time will heal, love creates memories which death cannot steal.

The annual Mass of Remembrance and blessing of graves was held in St John’s Cemetery, Ballinrea on Wednesday, 8th August at 7.30pm. With every passing year the number of bereaved parishioners attending the Mass increases as more of our loved ones, and those of our neighbouring parishes, are called to God. Fr John was the chief celebrant with Fr Colin preaching the homily. Our two readers Sarah and Ciaran have loved ones buried in St John’s and we thank them for their participation in the Mass. We also thank Mary from Togher Parish for helping to distribute Holy Communion, and members of our parish assembly who helped organise the Mass. Many thanks too to Michael Meade, the cemetery caretaker for facilitating the celebration of the Mass, and to Finbarr, the sound operator, who ensured the Mass could be heard all over the cemetery.

The weather on Wednesday began very misty, despite promises by the meteorologist that it would be a fine day. To be fair the afternoon was quite pleasant and we dared to hope that the evening would be as well, as we had had rain the previous year in the cemetery. As the time for the Mass approached the sky clouded over and rain threatened to descend on the clergy and the congregation, it was indeed a very grey evening; but in retrospect perhaps the weather was only reflecting the feelings of grief and loss that accompanies the deaths of our loved ones. However, we are a resurrection people and our presence at the annual cemetery Mass and blessings of graves bear testimony to our hope and belief that one day we will be re-united with our loved ones who have departed this earthly existance. So next year Lord how about a little late evening August sunshine showing us that death is never the end and that there is room for rejoicing in the midst of all our grief? 

Parish Assembly News

Frankfield/Grange

Parish Assembly

Newsletter

The current Parish Assembly is now coming to the end of its second year. We would like to thank you all for your support. We continue to welcome your suggestions and input.

Chairperson:Sr Elizabeth Bradley,Vice Chairperson:Sheila Glavin, Secretary:Pauline Flahive.

 
         Community and Communications Group

The group continues to support the Active Retired Group on Wednesday mornings and presently the “Go for life” course which is being facilitated by Anna on Monday is a huge success. Over Easter, Ger kindly gave a festive flower demonstration to the Active Retired Group.

We made and distributed St Brigid’s crosses on February 1st and marked Ash Wednesday with hot cross buns. We would like to carry on these simple traditions into the future.

On May the 6^th, the Ateneo de Manila College Glee Club from The Philippines paid our parish a visit. Their beautiful singing was greatly appreciated and refreshments afterward were enjoyed by all.

For the Month of May – the reciting of the Rosary was encouraged among families. A named decade and beads were distributed. The rosary was “shared”.

It is planned to provide a defibrillator in the church and fundraising for same will commence in September – your support will be greatly appreciated.

Chairperson: Marion O’Connell       Secretary: Anna Heffernan

                            Liturgy Group

The Christmas Carol Service on Tuesday 20^th December was well attended by families and individuals, who joined in singing the traditional Christmas Carols. We hope to make this an annual event.

In February the group once again organised the annual Healing Mass in February which is growing in popularity as the years progress.

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil was placed on the sanctuary during Lent. The congregation was invited to write words, on cards provided, describing the good and evil in our world today, which they then hung on the tree.

Members of the group helped erect the Tomb during Lent and the Resurrection Garden at Easter. These remained on the sanctuary until the end of the Easter season. The group also placed on the sanctuary a tree for Pentecost displaying the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, which are received at the Sacrament of Confirmation.

To the left of the sanctuary the group placed a small table dedicated to the 2012 Eucharistic Congress which was held in Dublin from the 10^th to 17^th June.

In May there was a Mass of Intercessions organised by the Liturgy Group. This Mass was aimed particularly at students sitting college and Leaving Cert. exams, as well as for the special intentions of the parish community.

The group continues to organise the monthly Family Mass with the children’s own liturgy of the Word. This is for pre-first Holy Communion children.

Chairperson:  Kay Murray   Secretary:  Jachanthia Bracken

                 Faith Enrichment Group

 The group is very short of members with the result that it’s hard to plan any events. We organised 4 nights based on the Eucharist run by the diocesan support group based in The Holy Cross Parish in Mahon as a lead up to the Eucharistic Congress. The response was disappointing but as Marian Mortell the organiser said quoting Jesus “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.  We also had Evelina’s (our parish’s first  catechumen) Baptism during the Easter Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night. It was indeed a beautiful ceremony conducted by Fr. Colin. Evelina’s Father travelled from Lithuania for the occasion and how proud he was of his daughter on the night.

Chairperson:  Tom O’Byrne

The Parish Assembly hopes you all have an enjoyable summer break. Please continue to visit our website for the latest parish notices and news.