Ascension Sunday
This Sunday, 24th May we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. It is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter. It was originally celebrated on a Thursday and was a Holy Day of Obligation. Some years ago the Feast Day was moved to a Sunday.
At the end of His earthly life Jesus ascended triumphantly into Heaven. St. Luke tells us that Jesus led the eleven disciples to Bethany, a village on the Mount of Olives, where he instructs them to remain in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then He blessed them, departed from them and was carried up into Heaven.
We have the good fortune to know that death is not the end of man. It is rather the real beginning. Today’s Feast, the Ascension of our Lord in his human nature, to his Father’s and our Father’s home, is the confirmation and guarantee of this doctrine of our faith. We shall all rise from the grave with new glorified bodies and ascend to heaven as Christ did. There we’ll begin our true life of eternal happiness.
Laudato Si
This Sunday, we also commemorate the 5th anniversary of the publication of the Pastoral Letter of Pope Francis, called “Laudato Si”, which means “Praise be to You”, words from St. Francis of Assisi, the Saint of nature and God’s creation. We are asked to appreciate and care for it. In the past week especially we have been asked to be mindful of all that this means.
“Laudato Si” reminds us to be caring of all God’s creation. The present restrictions due to the Coronavirus, though devastating in so many ways, also gives us the opportunity to reflect. We are reminded that all life is connected around the world. We are living more simply. We are enjoying cleaner air. We are taking a break from fossil fuel use. More of us are cooking from scratch and looking for good local foods. More of us are taking to walking. Children and adults are more creative with what they have in their homes. We are not dashing across the world to find leisure but appreciate our own place in all its detail and in the changing seasons.
Amidst all the suffering, fear and anxieties there are moments to be grateful for, having time to appreciate our environment, to care more about each other within our communities, to be satisfied with having enough.
Pope Francis’ Pastoral Letter, “Laudato Si” is a truly prophetic document for us today and for all God’s creation and especially as we struggle through this time of Covid-19. We are mindful too that God is with us.
Pope Francis invites us the people of the world to join him in prayer today at 12noon to mark the 5th anniversary of the publication of Laudato Si on the 24th May, 2015.
A Prayer for our earth
All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.
Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts of those who look only for gain at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing.
To recognise that we are profoundly united with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Message from Trócaire
Every year Trócaire asks for your help during Lent to fund lifesaving programmes around the world. This year, of course, it was not possible to return Trócaire boxes through schools or Churches in the usual way. This is the worst possible timing coming just as the world’s poorest people need us most. Therefore, Trócaire are appealing to you to return your Lenten donation. Simply count or estimate what is in your box and donate in the following ways.
- Online at www.trocaire.org
- By phone: 1850 408408
- By post to Trócaire, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
- Or to the Churches or Parochial House. Ovens Church now open from 10 to 11am each morning and 6 to 7pm each evening. Farran Church open 7pm to 8pm each eveningl
The contents of each and every Trócaire box, no matter how small, come together to make a significant difference. This virus knows no borders, but neither does our compassion.
Reopening of Churches for Personal Prayer
Plans were put in place to reopen Churches for Personal Prayer from last Monday, 18t h May on a phased basis. This needed to proceed carefully so that people could visit churches safely, knowing that procedures were in place in line with Government advice and HSE guidelines. These are available on the Diocesan Website.
Ovens Church now open each day from 10am to 11am and 6pm to 7pm. Farran Church open each evening from 7pm to 8pm. It is important that these times are monitored. Anyone who would be willing to be part of a Rota to do so, please contact the following Parish Assembly Members:
Ovens: John McCarthy, 087 2205433, Siobhán O’Sullivan, 086 0667846 or Mary O’Callaghan, 087 6474186.
Farran: John O’Leary, 087 2201037 or Ted Forde, 086 1017176.
Fr. Liam may also be contacted for both Churches, 48 71180.
It would be very fitting if we could keep our churches open as places of prayer in this time of much need for all our people.
Replies would be appreciated as soon as possible.
Sunday Mass from Ovens/Farran Parish
From 10.30am onwards, Mass available via Ovens/Farran Facebook Page and the Parish Website: www.ovensparish.com
Anyone who sent a request for the Mass link to Roger O’Sullivan, 087 2297491, will be sent the new link today from 10.30am.
Mass can be distributed via Facebook, Emails, WhatsApp, Viber and standard text messaging.
Thanks to Roger for his work in this and in setting up the Parish Facebook Page.
COMMUNITY CALL
Éire Óg has joined up with other groups e.g. Gardaí, An Post, Civil Defence, Cork County Council to help the vulnerable or isolated in our community, if needed at this time of the Coronavirus pandemic.
If anyone needs help or knows of anyone who does, please phone 1800 805819 or locally John Hourihan 086 3178214, Éire Óg Co-ordinator.