This weeks newsletter

Sunday 27th. June 2010...........13th. Sunday in Ordinary Time

Seeing your life through the lens of the gospels

In the opening verse Jesus is portrayed as having a new sense of clarity about his life that enables him to set out on the road 'resolutely'. Perhaps there have been such moments in your life, moments of insight and clarity about the road ahead. Recall such moments and what they were like for you. ?

As he walked the road Jesus found that not everyone supported the journey he was making. Some of his friends were angry and wanted to hit back, but Jesus restrained them. What has helped you to cope with opposition you have met in your life and continue your journey? ?

The response of Jesus to prospective followers seems harsh. He lets the first man know that discipleship is not a path to a comfortable nest. It is a way in which we never know what is going to be asked of us next. The disciple must be ready to move on. Where have you found good news in being open to change, confident in the presence of Jesus with you?

He also demands commitment. Being human it is easy for us to start thinking about times when our commitment was less than perfect. But can you also recall the times when you realised the truth of this story - that commitment brings its own fruits and blessings. What specific blessings can you bring to mind? ?

Next Friday is the 1st Friday of the month and the sick and housebound will be visited.

A traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated in St.Patrick's Church at 11am next Saturday 3rd July. All are welcome.

Monday 7th - Today is the memorial-day of St Iranaeus. He lived just after the time of the apostles and knew those who had seen and talked with them He became Bishop of Lyons, the largest trading centre in Gaul.

The note of moderation, the desire to win people to Christianity by love rather than by fear, was apparent from Irenaeus' work.

Tuesday 29th - We celebrate the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles.

St. Peter died by crucifixion and St. Paul by beheading within two years of each other. We celebrate the twin founders of the Church in Rome on the day traditionally considered in pagan Rome to be its foundation day by Romulus.

Wednesday 30th - Today is the memorial day of the First Martyrs in Rome who died under Nero in the year 64.

Thursday 1st - Today is the memorial day of St. Oliver Plunkett, bishop and martyr. He was from Irish nobility and supported King Charles I. He was ordained in Rome in 1654 and appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669.

He was arrested and tried for conspiring against the state by conducting his covert ministry during the suppression of priests. He was convicted of treason for promoting the Catholic faith and was condemned to a gruesome death. He was martyred on 1st July 1681 at Tyburn.

He was the last Catholic to die for his faith at Tyburn. He was the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified.

Saturday 3rd - Today is the feast- day of St. Thomas, apostle. He is said to have preached the Gospel in India where he was martyred. The faith that led him to know Christ (by his wounds) also sent him to the farthest places to preach Christ.

Did you ever watch that program on TV where a room or a house gets a whirlwind makeover? It is remarkable what can be done if we put our minds to it.

I wonder if the same can apply to ourselves? Are there aspects of our lives that we would like to change? Or are we too set in our ways, too comfortable even to do anything about it?

So how do we start? Find a quiet place to sit for a while and reflect. We ask ourselves to identify just one thing we would like to be different. A tip is to go for something small at first to develop a successful approach. Think about how that 'thing' might be improved and then carry out your change.

Regardless of the outcome we should reflect on and learn from the experience before we look for the next change we want! That's learning by doing!

Gluten free hosts are available for those who need them, Please advise the priest before Mass.

Josephine Cotter,
Annie Dineen,
Donal Griffin,
Margo Hogan,
John Howe,
Ireen Kinmonth,
Noel Sexton,
Rose Sullivan,
ena O'Leary,
Finbar Ronayne.

The happiest people are those who find that what they should be doing and what they are doing are the same things.

It used to be the terrible teens. Now it's the terrible tots. Crèches in Britain are suspending up to fourteen young children a day, aged five and younger, for physical assault. Incidents where testy tots use violence against classmates and teachers rose six per cent in a year.

I wonder what sort of tots the two disciples were in today's Gospel reading. If they weren't testy as tots they're certainly testy as adults. Inflated with importance they assume a power to 'command fire to come down from heaven' and torch to death the inhabitants of a Samaritan village. Not very Christian that now, is it? ?

Though close to Jesus physically as his followers they aren't yet close enough to him spiritually to recognise what sort of person and what sort of messiah he is.

It seems there's baggage blocking the way: religious baggage that inflates their sense of election, of being God's own people to the exclusion of others; political baggage that expects a freedom-fighter messiah to liberate the Jews from Roman tyranny; and social baggage that cultivates an elitist mentality that seduces them into thinking they can ride rough-shod over people like the Samaritans whom they despise.

Some ancient authorities add, 'as Elijah did' to v. 54 about commanding fire from heaven. In response to this hankering for former ways and attitudes Jesus rebukes them.

I wonder does he have any such rebuke for us today as we carry our baggage, whether it be personal, social or institutional in these testy and testing times

The Book of Kings
There are interesting parallels between details of this text and today's gospel passage - a willingness immediately to obey and follow.

St. Paul's letter to the Galatians
Paul encourages the disciples to become slaves of one another, by means of mutual love. This is not a contradiction of the opening line -'when Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free.' In Paul's understanding it is that very 'slavery' to one another in love and devotion that is the most wonderful human freedom there is.

One of the corporal works of mercy is to bury the dead. Did Jesus contradict this when he said 'Leave the dead to bury the dead'

The context of this saying is important. Jesus is speaking of the undivided commitment required in those who are called to dedicate their lives to proclaiming the gospel in action or word.

The person who receives this call is regarded as spiritually alive, whereas people lacking this enthusiasm are referred to as being dead.

It is this undivided commitment which enables missionaries to leave home and family, painful though it may be.

The Good Shepherd Sisters, Convent Ave., Sunday's Well, invites you to participate in the Summer Programme 2010:

Monthly Retreat Days: 10.30 to 4.30 pm including Mass, lunch provided, next session May 13th. (Please book 2 days in advance)

If you are aware that a neighbour is ill and housebound or has been
admitted to hospital please let us know by phoning the sacristy at :

Holy Family
Vigil (Saturday) 7pm,
Sunday 11:30am
Daily Mass 9:25am (except Saturday)

Parish Office
Open each weekday from 8am – 10am
Phone 021.451 8191 or Email stpatricksparishoffice@eircom.net

Parish Website
www. stpatrickscork.com
Email mail@stpatrickscork.com

Please let us know if you have a meeting / function or article that you would like to have included. You can send them by email to stpatricksparishoffice@eircom.net or drop a note into the letter-box in the sacristy.

This is the last issue of the Newsletter until September. We would like to thank all members of the Newsletters team who have helped produce and compile the weekly issues. Also we would like to thank all who have provided articles and content. Thank you for your continued support. We are always looking for new members. If you are interested please contact either Sacristy.

If you feel that our Newsletters are a bit sparce over this and the next few weeks, the reason is that our hard working Parish Secretary, Aonghus O'Broin, who normally compiles and prints the Newsletters has taken some weeks off.

And what does Aonghus do, he has taken his bike and set out to cycle about 3000 km. around the Irish coast. Aonghus is no stranger to this type of activity, he has travelled extensively throughout Europe in this manner and a more recent trip was to cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End - just for fun.

Aonghus, may you be free-wheeling all the way and we look forward to having you back.

Since Pope Benedict XVI announced that the 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012, people have been asking "what exactly is a Eucharistic Congress and what is its purpose?"

A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to:
- promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the ..Catholic Church
- help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy
- draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

These aims are achieved through a programme of liturgical and cultural events, lectures and workshops over a number of days every four years. The most recent Congress was held in Quebec in 2008 and was a source of renewal for the many thousands who took part.

Most people in Ireland are familiar with the fact that a Eucharistic Congress was held in Ireland in 1932. Our parents and grand-parents speak of it as a significant event in their own experience of Church. Some pupils in secondary school have undertaken special history projects on the Eucharistic Congress in preparation for their Leaving Certificate.

Improvements in travel since 1932 will provide a greater international perspective to the 2012 Congress. Technology will play an important part too in preparations but the most valuable aspect of the coming years is the sense of faith which can be kindled in the families and in every parish throughout the country.

One of the big things we celebrate today is the great gift of being forgiven by God. Maybe we take it for granted a bit? It's so easy - at every Mass we pray, "Lord have mercy…and "May Almighty God forgive us our sins…" Then there are often other references to the fact that we are in need of God in the prayers, and, of course, in the great prayer of Jesus, Our Father "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us…"
When Jesus speaks of forgiveness he usually gave as examples someone in debt. Debt was a huge factor in the lives of the poor of Jesus' day, as it still is. But a poor debtor had really no chance of ever paying back what he owed.
The Gospel story is a beautiful example of Jesus' tender forgiveness for a despised woman, and it contrasts the judgemental attitude of Simon and others of his guests to that of Jesus. In fact Simon doesn't really treat Jesus as a guest at all; doesn't offer the customary courtesies to him. But the woman does, by her tears and by anointing his feet. She is overcome, not only with sorrow for her own life, but with deep love for this Jesus who treats her with such respect. She knows she has been forgiven. Simon and his friends don't even recognise their own sin. As the song says, "Love changes everything…"

We wish all those young students from the schools in the parish who are doing their exams at the moment every success. May the Holy Spirit guide them now and in their future careers.

June 13 - 18 : Relaxation Retreat
June 20 - 26 : 'A Spirituality of Imperfection' or 'The Gospel of Falling Down'
June 27 - 3 July : ' He spoke in Parables'

Please consult brochure for July Retreats Tel.021 4502520

A warm welcome into the Catholic community is extended to baby Cynthia Patricia Catherine Logan, Wellington Rd. daughter of Aidan and Cynthia, who was baptised recently in Holy Family church.
May she grow in grace and wisdom.

" Michael Dorgan, St. Lukes Villas (died 2002)
" Harry Burke, Rathmore Lawn (2007)
" Mary Woods, Montenotte (2006)
" Margaret Hogan, Dillons Cross (2008)
" Millie 0' Leary, The Lough (2008)
" Elizabeth Hogan (2008)
" Dick Ryan (1999)
" John Lillis, Brian Dillon Park
" Catherine 0' Mullane, Grenagh

Congratulations to Anne and Christy Costello, Mayfield who were married in Holy Family church 50 years ago.
Christy is a former member of the Southern Command army band, based in Collins Barracks.
We salute you both and wish you all the best. Holy Family congregation applauded the happy couple and their family at 11.30 Mass on Sunday last, June 6th.

St. Vincent de Paul society provides a reputable, honest and trustworthy outlet for used clothing and shoes.
Through our network of shops good quality clothes, shoes, school uniforms, etc are available to people at nominal rates, or free of charge if necessary.

The 50th International Eucharistic Congress will be held in Dublin in June 2012. A Eucharistic Congress is an international gathering of people which aims to:
" promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church
" help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy
" draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist.

Ireland in 1932. Our parents and grand-parents speak of it as a significant event in their own experience of Church

Holy Family/St. Patrick's/ St. Joseph's were well represented at Sunday's Eucharistic procession. Thank you to all to came to honour the Blessed Sacrament.

The Polish, the school groups and the groups from Kerala, India, made the procession very colourful in the blazing sunshine.

Fr. Noel O'Sullivan from Glanmire gave the homily in which he stressed that the torch of faith must be handed on to rising generation.

Like to join the Newsletter Team? Names of volunteers for this service are now being taken. Please apply to the Sacristy.

The Holy Family Choir invites new singers to join them in praising God. This is a very worthwhile ministry, open to everybody. Please contact Sr. Thadeus or any member of the Choir. Names can be taken at the sacristy also. We look forward to welcoming new members.

Call for Altar Servers

Boys, Girls, Parents, we need You. Please contact Mary O'Reilly, Sunville, Wellington Road, Tel. 4557753.
Don't delay, do it now!

This confidential listening service is for older people, by older people, for the price of a local call. It is supported by the HSE.

At a recent policing meeting the Community guards stressed that concerned citizens must immediately report any breaking of the law. There is a 24-hour complaints service in Mayfield and Watercourse Rd. stations.
Mayfield Tel: 4558510
Watercourse Rd. Tel: 4558260

Emergency (priest on duty) 087-825 2284
Parish Office is at Holy Family Church each Tuesday, from 9 to 11;
Phone 450 9311 (leave a message)

MASS TIMES
Holy Family
Vigil (Saturday) 7 pm
Sunday 11:30 am
Mon - Friday 9:25 am
St Patrick's
Vigil (Saturday) 6 pm
Sunday 10, 12 am & 6 pm
Daily Mass 10 am

The parish secretary, Aonghus O' Broin will be in attendance for certificates and any other business on Mondays instead of Tuesdays from now on in Holy Family church after the 9.25 Mass.

The festival is for all people aged between 18 and 35. There will be talks, workshops, drum, dance, prayer, music and reflection.

This is a great opportunity to step out of the busyness of life to question, explore, ignite and celebrate your

faith. The festival costs €70 but this includes accommodation, food, and access to all that is happening.

If you know of anyone who is sick or convalescing, in hospital, nursing home or in their own home and who would like the priest to visit them, please contact the sacristy with their details.

Congratulations to those who took part in Cork City Marathon on the Bank holiday in adverse weather conditions.
Many charities benefited from the efforts of the runners.

Holy Family News is available at the church and at nearby businesses. Local notices and news welcome (birthdays,anniversaries, bereavements). Drop a note into the box in the church porch or phone the church (450 9311), or email holyfamilycork@eircom.net

(Other items as contained in the Holy Family News are included in St. Patrick's Parish Newsletter above)