28th January 2024

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

PARISH PHONE NOS.
Fr. Liam O h-Icí: House: 4871180
Emergency No.: 087 0956190
Parish Centre / Sacristy: 4289768
Ring for bookings : Baptisms & Marriages etc.

WEEKEND MASSES 3RD/4TH FEBRUARY
The Vigil Mass will be in Ovens Church on Saturday next 3rd February at 7pm.

Ovens: Sunday: 11.30am.
Farran: 9.30am.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Ovens:
9.30am: Mon, Weds & Fri (1st Friday)
Confessions before 9.30am Mass.
Farran:
9.30am: Tuesday & Thursday.

FIRST FRIDAY: Friday next, 2nd February is the 1st Friday of February. Holy Communion will be brought to the Sick & Housebound at the usual times.

ANNIVERSARIES 3RD/4TH FEBRUARY
Ovens:

7pm: Tadhg Corcoran, Grange.
11.30am: Humphrey O’Callaghan, Kilcrea (3rd Anniversary).
Farran:
9.30am: Diarmuid Murphy, Currahaly (1st Anniversary)
May they Rest in Peace.

CONFIRMATION 2024
The Confirmation young people of Scoil na hUamhanna, Ovens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday, 27th February in the Church of St. John the Baptist at 10.30am.
In preparation, Fr. Laurence Gallagher, a Redemptorist Priest, will take a Preparation Retreat with them in the Parish Centre on Tuesday next.
Please remember them in your Prayers.

ST. PAUL
Thursday last, 25th January was the Feast Day of The Conversion of St. Paul.
St. Paul had a life-changing encounter with Jesus which changed the course of his life and led him on a new path proclaiming the Good News to all. That was not an experience of a lifetime: that was an experience of how to live life all the time. Every day, from dawn to dusk, we must make many decisions about how we will respond to life: what we will say or do, what we will reveal or conceal, what we will keep or share.
The story of St. Paul teaches us to turn to Christ Jesus for his cues and for his power as we navigate life and make good decisions for ourselves and those around us. St. Paul would say “it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me”.

LÁ FHÉILE BRÍDE, MUIRE NA NGAEL
On Thursday next, 1st February, we celebrate the Feast of St. Brigid, Naomh Bríd.
St. Brigid is one of Ireland’s 3 National Saints along with St. Patrick and St. Columba. She founded an abbey in Kildare, along with several convents of nuns. St. Brigid is associated with many miracles related to healing and so it is fitting that her feast day is on 1st February, traditionally the first day of Spring.
There are many traditions around St. Brigid, especially the St. Brigid’s Cross.

CANDLEMAS DAY, FRIDAY NEXT 2ND FEBRUARY
CANDLEMAS DAY IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION.
On that day we celebrate the occasion when the Virgin Mary, in obedience to Jewish Law, went to the Temple in Jerusalem, both to be purified 40days after the birth of Jesus and to present him to God as her firstborn. (Luke 2:22 to 38).
BLESSING OF CANDLES
At the 9.30am Mass in Ovens Church on Friday next, 2nd February candles will be blessed.
If you wish to have candles blessed they may be handed in to either Ovens or Farran Churches during the week.

FEAST OF ST. BLAISE
On Saturday next, 3rd February we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise.
St. Blaise was a fourth century Bishop at Sebaste in central Turkey. During a persecution, he was martyred in 316 AD.
St. Blaise is the patron saint of sore throats.
Using two crossed and unlighted candles (which were blessed the previous day, Candlemas Day), the Priest touches the throat of each person saying “Through the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop & martyr, may God deliver you from all ailments of the throat & from every other evil: in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit. Amen”.
Throats will be blessed at the 7pm Mass in Ovens Church on the Feast Day and at the 11.30am Mass on Sunday.
Blessing of throats will take place at the 9.30am Mass in Farran on Sunday.

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION FOR THE WEEK
STOP COMPLAINING

“The happiest people don’t worry too much about whether life is fair or not, they just get on with it”.
For Further Reflection:
Proverbs 16:20, John 6:43 & Philippians 2:14.

SPRING GATHERING FOR OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES, OVENS/FARRAN, BALLINCOLLIG & BALLINORA, FEAST OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES
On Thursday, 8th February, we celebrate World Day of the Sick in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farran, 7.30pm to 8.15pm.

Songs of Praise, Scripture Readings, Benediction, Sacrament of the Sick & Rosary.
Choirs from Ballincollig, Ovens, Farran Folk Group and Ballinora will attend.
Refreshments afterwards in Farran Hall.
All welcome.
If you cannot come, join us online: www.churchservices.tv/farran

DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
To mark the Day for Consecrated Life, Bishop Fintan is inviting members of Religious Communities throughout the Diocese of Cork and Ross to join him in praying Evening Prayer on this Thursday, 1st February at 5pm in the Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne. All are welcome to this special Diocesan Celebration.
Please let the Office for Mission & Ministry know if you wish to attend: 021 7355517

SCOIL MHUIRE, BALLINCOLLIG
The Board of Management invites applications for a School Bus Escort post in Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig.

Candidates should have experience in working with children, have an understanding of special needs & be able to deal with parents & school staff in a professional way. School Bus Escorts will be expected to travel to and from an agreed pick-up and drop-off point to meet the bus.
Applicants must supply suitable character references & Garda vetting is mandatory.
Hourly rate of pay is €13.40. The work will consist of approx. 3hrs per day 7.30am to 9am & 2.45pm to 4.15pm. Bus Escorts will not be paid during school holidays.
Please forward CV & cover letter to
principal@scoilmhuireballincollig.ie

OVENS/FARRAN ACTIVE CIRCLE
Meeting on this Monday, 29th January at 2.30pm in the Parish Centre.
We hope to see as many members as possible present & new members are always welcome.