The Cloyne Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock will be celebrated as a Virtual Pilgrimage this Sunday. Pilgrims are welcome to join the afternoon ceremonies from their homes. The schedule for the afternoon will include the praying of the Rosary at 2.30p.m. followed by Mass and Benediction at 3p.m. For more details contact Knock Shrine at www.knockshrine.

                Knock Shrine has recently been recognized by Pope Francis and the Vatican as an International Shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

                In August 1879 the Blessed Virgin Mary, St Joseph, and St John the Evangelist with the scriptures, appeared at the gable end of the church at Knock. The vision also included, an altar, a Cross, a Lamb and angels hovering about the place. It was a silent vision with a profound message.  

Viatores Christi a faith based development organization has specialized in the recruitment, training, and deployment of overseas volunteers since 1960.  VC runs an online volunteer preparation course covering: Community Development, Health, Global Awareness, Mission, etc. This is open to all!  Once completed, participants can be considered for volunteer roles through VC Aid Volunteer #EUAVI programmes. If you want to know more, visit the News section of our website www.vcvolunteers.ie or emailinfo@viatoreschristi.com

Recently Pope Francis spoke to grandparents and said, to them: “Ask what Jesus wants you to do and be brave”.  Speaking lately Archbishop Martin, Armagh, posed the question to Grandparents, What and who are we called to be in the lives of our grandchildren?  Talking to grandparents, Deacon Ken Henry told grandparents: “We have learned we can’t take much for granted though, our job is never complete – we plant the seed and we must continue to fertilize it.  Our grandchildren want to please us so they listen to us, at least most of the time, and that makes it easier to engage with them with our efforts.  This is our chance to write our signature on the souls of our grandchildren, make it bold, clear and legible.” 

                The Grandparents Association is offering a Faith Café to Grandparents in recent times.  Bishop Martin spoke the last time. The next Faith Café conference on zoom will be on the 11^th May and the Theme will be, “Share my Joy:  Mary’s Message”.  The Speaker will be Mons John Armitage P.P. St Margaret’s Canning Town and former Rector of Walsingham Shrine.  Registration is free. Email is:  info@catholicgrandparentsassociation.com     

                The association also expect Pope Francis to celebrate an evening Mass in Rome on Sunday the 25^th July which would normally be the Feast of Sts Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus. Recently the Pope told Grandparents to make the Sign of the Cross with their grandchildren and explain why we make it and how to make it properly.  

Masses 10a.m. and 12noon Sundays are online.

Weekday Masses at 10a.m. for this week.

 

CHANGES COMING UP

The church will be open for Masses from Monday 10^th May onwards. The weekday morning Mass will be at 10a.m. The usual Sunday Masses will begin with the Vigil Mass at 6.30p.m.on Saturday 15^th May and on Sunday at 10a.m., 12 noon and 7p.m.  Confessions on Saturday 12.30p.m. – 1.15p.m.

Funerals: Only 50 allowed into church for Funeral Mass. Only 6 allowed for gathering afterwards indoors or 15 outdoors.

Weddings: Only 50 persons allowed into the church but only 6 for party afterwards.

Diocesan and Parish authorities have yet to decide when Confirmation and Holy Communion will be celebrated. Last year only the Parents and child came to Holy Communion ceremony in church and we expect only the parents, child and sponsor to be allowed come to Confirmation ceremony. Plan accordingly for the day.

May 9^th: Virtual Cloyne Diocesan Pilgrimage to  Our Lady of Knock Shrine.

May 16^th : Ascension of Our Lord  

Sun. 23^rd May: Pentecost Sunday

Sun 6^th June: Feast of Corpus Christi

Fri. 11^th June:  Feast of Sacred Heart.

Sun. 15^th Aug: Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary