Priest on duty:Week 4th March 2018

Fr. Joe 026-41092. In case of an emergency the priest on call can be contacted on the parish mobile 087-3546364

Congratulations: Best wishes to all those who were confirmed by Bishop Crean last Tuesday in St Colman’s Church, a special word of thanks to all the families and the wonderful work done by the teachers in our Primary schools. It was truly a meaningful celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation

Message of Bishop William Crean for Safeguarding Sunday Cloyne Diocese 3rd/4th March 2018:

Dear Friends,
In August we will celebrate the World Meeting of Families, a wonderful opportunity for us to appreciate the importance of family life and to reflect on our own families where we should feel safe, nurtured, cherished. The Church too is a family; it is the ' Family of families' as Pope Francis calls it. In this family of Church, we too are nurtured, cherished and need to feel safe. In this family children and young people can also develop to their full potential.
Most young people today are familiar with the internet; it is now part of the process of growing up. We live in a world with wonderful opportunities for us to communicate with each other & the possibility to see what is happening in the present all over the world, this is due to the great advancements in technology & science, via TV and the internet. Pope Francis in his message for World Day for Communications in 2016 said: "The internet can help us to be better citizens. The internet can be used wisely to build a society which is healthy and open to sharing. It can help us to be better people". (Misericordiae Vultus, 23).

Last year at the Celebrations of Confirmation I spoke of the choices young people have to make for example 'social media is great but is has its snares for young people'. Social media and the internet can be of great use to us in our communicating. However, we are well aware of the danger the internet poses to children and young people which is evident from recent revelations in the media. It is possible now to abuse a child in their own home without being present physically to them. It is important that parents/guardians be ever vigilant towards their children, their online status and access to the world wide web. Families are meant to be safe places for young people to grow up, with access to social media and the world wide web that safety is threatened. May we all be more aware of the possibility of the internet and the danger that the internet poses to young people and children.
In the family of the Church we too need to be constantly vigilant. The internet now helps us to keep updated in Safeguarding and to ensure best practice for Safeguarding children. In this Diocese we have a dedicated website for Safeguarding Children which contains the Policy and procedures of the Diocese and in the future, we will also have the Safeguarding Statement which is now a legal requirement. I urge all people to look up the website and to read the Statement when it becomes available and to check the website of the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland.
We continue to work to make things better and to all who have suffered abuse from members of the Church, I once again express my sincere sorrow and my commitment to Safeguarding Children in the Diocese.
I encourage young people to become involved with the Church today. In the words of Pope Francis: "A better world
can be built also as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity. Do not be afraid to listen to the Spirit who proposes bold choices; do not delay when your conscience asks you to take risks in following the Master. The Church also wishes to listen to your voice, your sensitivities and your faith; even your doubts and your criticism. Make your voice heard, let it resonate in communities and let it be heard by your shepherds of souls." (13/1/2017)
I once again thank everyone involved in the Diocese working for Safeguarding Children. May we all communicate the good news that children and young people are welcomed, nurtured and cherished. May our families be safe places and may the Church, the Family of Christ, be a safe place for the young.
With prayerful good wishes + Wm. Crean

Bishop Crean invites applications for Permanent Deaconate

The Bend in the Road!

Sometimes we come to life’s crossroads,

And we view what we think is the end.

But God has a much wider vision

And he knows that it is only a bend.

The road will go on and get smoother

And after we stopped for a rest,

the path that lies hidden beyond us is often the path that is best.

So, rest and relax and grow stronger.

Let go and let God share your load.

Have faith in a brighter tomorrow.

You have just come to a bend in the road.

Helen Steiner Rice

THE CHURCH UNSLEEPING - ITS WORK UNCEASING

Amazing Heroes of the Kingdom of God on Earth.

Hero No.2: Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski Primate of Poland:

v  Renowned for his principled stand against Nazism and later against Communism and its repressive totalitarian governments in Poland. 

v  Ordained priest in 1924...consecrated bishop in 1946, archbishop in 1948 and created Cardinal and Primate of Poland on 12th January 1953.

v  Imprisoned by communist government from 1953 to 1956.

v  Credited with the survival of Christianity in Poland during the persecution and repression of the Communist regime.

v  Regarded as a Polish national hero.

v  Played a key role in persuading a fellow countryman Karol Wojtyla to accept the papacy.

v  Cardinal Stefan Wyzynski died on 28th May 1981 in Warsaw in his beloved Poland.

v  His Motto was Soli Deo (To God alone).

v  He was faithful to his motto and played his part with distinction in the unceasing, unsleeping work of the Church - in the Kingdom of God founded by Jesus that has now reached the 'ends of the earth'.

v  Each of us has our part to play in the Kingdom of God on Earth. Our part may seem small to us, but it is still essential to the overall worldwide Work Unceasing of The Church- Unsleeping

v  *Pope Francis bestowed the title Venerable on the late Cardinal Wyszynski on 18th December 2017.

v  Let us rejoice and be glad.

Pilgrimage to Lourdes:      Monday 6^th -13^th August led by Fr John; seven nights full board €579.00 inclusive ex Cork. Booking will open on Monday 5^th February. Please contact Nuala 086-1544075 or Mary 087-2898518

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you -Jeremiah 1:5

BeRally to Save the 8th "All-Ireland RALLY FOR LIFE” Dublin, Saturday 10th March. Buses departing from Cork City and County. To book a seat please contact Gillian 089-4029445.

Bishops Launch Pro- Life Website:

The gift of a new child, entrusted by the Lord to a father and a mother, begins with acceptance, continues with lifelong protection and has as its final goal the joy of eternal life. By serenely contemplating the ultimate fulfilment of each human person, parents will be even more aware of the precious gift entrusted to them. For God allows parents to choose the name by which he himself will call their child for all eternity.” – Pope Francis, Amoris Laetitia, 166. The Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference has launched a new website http://www.chooselife2018.ie with resources and prayers. Please check out this website by visiting the above.

Parishes of Macroom and Aghinagh Parish Conversation: Pope Francis asked us to invite parishioners to participate in a six week ‘conversation’ on his document The Joy of Love (Amoris Laetitia) The Parish conversation uses engaging short videos and discussions; it will offer parishioners an opportunity to think about our vision and hopes for family and marriage and a chance to rediscover the gift that family is to the world. Venue: Fr. Ryan Hall, Macroom February Tuesday 20th, and 27th. March Tuesday 6th, Monday 12th, Tuesday 20th & Tuesday 27th. For more information and to book your place contact Fr. Joe on 086-8867936 or Noelle Sheehan on 087-9718068. Limited Places Available

The Sacrament of Confirmation was administered to the 6th class pupils of the primary schools of the parish at 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday 20th February by Bishop Crean DD. We pray for the confirmandi and their families at this time.

Trócaire Lenten Campaign 2018: This year’s Trócaire Lenten campaign focuses upon the Koroma family in Freetown, Sierra Leone who were affected by recent landslides in their area. This tragic event affected the Koroma family in various ways and cost them their home, possessions, work tools and changed the course of this family’s future forever. Janet Twomey will speak at all Masses on the weekend of 18th March in Macroom and Con Lynch in Aghinagh parish about the work of Trocaire worldwide and this year’s Lenten campaign. You have the power to make a difference; please take a Trócaire box home.


Thoughts for the week:

“Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.” Leo Buscaglia

“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.” Theodore Roosevelt

THE CHURCH UNSLEEPING -  ITS WORK UNCEASING

Missionaries

HELPING THE SICK AND WOUNDED.

"I was the only doctor at the hospital, the nearest hospital was perhaps 300 miles away. There was no anaesthetist. There were two or three Irish sisters and a few native-born sisters and myself. Everything that came in the gate, we had to deal with ourselves.  There was a massive epidemic of cholera and a massive epidemic of typhoid and injuries that I had never seen before.

My blood was O positive and often before operations I went down stairs put out my hand and gave blood. It was matched on a slide and if it matched, I did the operation.

 On one occasion, I amputated a man's leg beside a tree. I was strengthened in my work by the knowledge that my mother was praying for me in the kitchen at home (in Coolea)."

- Sr. Eileen Healy OLA who died on 28th  June 2017

Let us rejoice and be glad

THE CHURCH UNSLEEPING -  ITS WORK UNCEASING

AMAZING HEROES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH

v  Born 1892; Ordained a priest in 1915 ....imprisoned for speaking out against the short lived Hungarian Soviet Republic.

v  Released in 1919. Consecrated bishop in 1944. Imprisoned the same year because of his protests against the Nazi affiliated government's including its oppression of its Jewish population. 

v  1946: Created Cardinal and Primate of Hungary.

v  Dec 1948: Arrested for protesting against oppression of the Communist government. Was stripped naked and dressed as a clown. Subjected to torture including - sleep deprivation, beatings, incessant noise and mind altering drugs.

v  Signed a confession after 40 days of this mistreatment.

v  8th Feb1949: Sentenced to life imprisonment.

v  Freed 30th October 1956 during the Hungarian Revolution.

v  Sought sanctuary in the American Embassy after the Russian invasion on 4th Nov 1956.

v  Was unable to leave the embassy grounds for the next 15 years.

v  1971 - left his native Hungary, moved to the Vatican and later to Vienna.

v  Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty suffered imprisonment because he had spoken for freedom and against oppression by The Hungarian Soviet government , by the Nazis and by the Communists.

v  Prohibited from returning home; died in exile 6th May 1975. 

v  He was reinterred in his native Hungary in 1991 subsequent to the collapse communism (1989).

v  In 2012, Cardinal Mindszenty was fully rehabilitated from legal, moral and political standpoints by legislation of the Hungarian Parliament and by ruling of the Hungarian Supreme Court.

(He has left us many beautiful quotes including a special tribute titled A Mother which will be featured in next week's newsletter).

THE CHURCH UNSLEEPING - ITS WORK UNCEASING SO THAT WE WILL HAVE LIFE AND HAVE IT TO THE FULL The Catholic Church:  cherishes each human being.  Upholds the rights of each person.  Nourishes and cares for us through the sacraments, particularly through the Eucharist.  Heals the damage we do to our souls and our spirit (through the Gentle Healing Sacrament of Reconciliation).  Through its many agencies, the Church tends the hungry, thirsty, sick, prisoners, the afflicted, the bereaved & tends to the needs of our souls. The Church:  Accompanies us in times of joy and of suffering and of sorrow.  Urges the development of each one's talents.  Obliges us to help others by our prayers, actions and sacrifices. The Church Unsleeping is Working Unceasing:  Is doing what Jesus asked so that "we will have life and have it to the full" and the members of the Church are doing these things each minute of each day 'from the rising of the sun to its setting'. It is good to belong in the Church. Let us rejoice and be glad

 World Meeting of Families 2018: As part of the preparation for the World Meeting of Families, in Macroom Parish there will be a special petition box placed in the Church so that petitions can be placed into it. The petition box will be left in front of the WMOF 2018 banner. We encourage families to write little petitions for their families and to place them into the box provided. At each Mass we will pray for the Intentions included.

Cloyne Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2018: will take place on 1 to 6 June. Booking through JWT, Patrick St., Cork. Tel 021 4277959.

Pilgrims who would like to travel with the Special Assisted Section may contact Fr. Donal Roberts, Fr. Joe O’Mahony, Fr. John Keane or Nuala O’Connell 087 2237109.The Annual Lourdes Mass will be celebrated in the Parish Church, Fermoy on Monday, 12 Feb at 7.30pm.

Rainbows Ireland      provides group support for children and young people who are experiencing grief and loss following a bereavement and parental separation. If you would like your child to participate please contact Macroom Family Resource Centre on 026-20561 for application forms. Completed forms are to be returned on or before Monday 19^th February 2018. Programme will commence on Wednesday 7^th March 2018 from 4.30 p.m. to 5.00 p.m

Pil

Work has commenced on repairs to the Parish Church roof 

The work to North Aisle roof of St. Colmans Church, Macroom is due to commence on site next Thursday 4^th August 2017. The Adoration Chapel will be closed for the duration of the contract. A temporary Adoration Chapel will be established in the old Mercy Convent to the South of the Church on Chapel Street. The access to the North of the Church will be closed for the duration of the works. There will be no access to the Sacristy and no access to the existing toilets. A temporary toilet will be provided on site outside the contractor�s compound. Part of the car park and the Church yard will also be cordoned off to facilitate the roof repairs. Car parking in the Church grounds will minimal. The Priests of the Parish wish to apologise to the parishioners and visitors to St. Colmans Church for any inconvenience that the proposed works may cause during the lifetime of the project.  

Website of the week:           www.jigsaw.ie     

JIGSAW Provides vital supports to young people with their mental health by working closely with communities across Ireland.