Bandon Parish Bulletin Parish: www.bandonparish.ie Diocese: www.corkandross.org Tel: 023 884 1666 Sunday 22nd March 2015 No. 2313 Fifth Sunday of Lent There is a very short parable in today’s Gospel describing a seed which has fallen on the ground and eventually dies. It may remain a single seed or it may yield a rich harvest. This concept of losing what one has to give way to something new and life giving is frightening for some. We get so attached and lifestyle changes are tough. In this passage Jesus knows that his hour has come; this is his crisis moment. But Jesus’ time of anguish moves from a cry of ‘save me’ to one of glorifying God ‘let it be as You not I would have it’. We are at an ‘hour’ in terms of climate justice. This is the time where big decisions and commitments must be made and there is no other option but to opt for life; to listen to God’s will, not ours. The priorities of wealthy nations must change, must turn outward and take risks if we are all to experience peace and security. We remember the horrendous storms which battered Ireland last year and which will continue to do so as our climates change. We are called to be stewards of the earth and this means making different choices: ‘I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life, and all men and women of goodwill: Let us be protectors of creation, protectors of God’s plan inscribed in nature, protectors of one another and of the environment.’ POPE FRANCIS PENITENTIAL ACT I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. FIRST READING Jr 31:31-34 A reading from the prophet Jeremiah. I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind. See, the days are coming - it is the Lord who speaks - when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, but not a covenant like the one I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. They broke that covenant of mine, so I had to show them who was master. It is the Lord who speaks. No, this is the covenant I will make with the House of Israel when those days arrive - it is the Lord who speaks. Deep within them I will plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I will be their God and they shall be my people. There will be no further need for neighbour to try to teach neighbour, or brother to say to brother, ‘Learn to know the Lord!’ No, they will all know me, the least no less than the greatest - it is the Lord who speaks - since I will forgive their iniquity and never call their sin to mind. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM R. Ps 50:3-4. 12-15 A pure heart create for me, O God. SECOND READING Heb 5:7-9 A reading from the letter to the Hebrews. He learnt to obey and became for all the source of eternal salvation. During his life on earth, Christ offered up prayer and entreaty, aloud and in silent tears, to the one who had the power to save him out of death, and he submitted so humbly that his prayer was heard. Although he was Son, he learnt to obey through suffering; but having been made perfect, he became for all who obey him the source of eternal salvation. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! If a man serves me, says the Lord, he must follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! Jn 12:26 GOSPEL Jn 12:20-30 A reading from the holy Gospel according to John. If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest. Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. These approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him, ‘Sir, we should like to see Jesus’. Philip went to tell Andrew, and Andrew and Philip together went to tell Jesus. Jesus replied to them: ‘Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain; but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it; anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him. Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say: Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!’ A voice came from heaven, I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again’. People standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder; others said, ‘It was an angel speaking to him’. Jesus answered, ‘It was not for my sake that this voice came, but for yours’. ‘Now sentence is being passed on this world; now the prince of this world is to be overthrown. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.’ By these words he indicated the kind of death he would die. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. Acclamation When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again. PALM SUNDAY Sunday next is Palm Sunday. Palms will be blessed at each mass and will be available at the doors as you leave. The Annual Pentential Service for Easter will take place Palm Sunday evening 29th March in the Parish Church at 7.30pm TROCAIRE The annual Lenten Collection for Trocaire will be taken up at all the masses this weekend. RECENT BAPTISMS Fiadh Eilish Twomey, Derrycool, Szymon Bondyra, Thornfields, Zach Kieran Hurley, Cloughmacsimon, Ellie May Molly Power, Woodfield, Katelyn May Smithers, Templemartin, Matthew Dylan O’Mahony, Whitethorn Grove and Adalynn Louise O’Neill, Castle Oaks. GOOD FRIDAY PASSION DRAMA ON CALVARY’S HILL Friday, April 3rd at 7.30pm in St Patrick’s Church In recent years the Good Friday Passion Drama has been an integral part of the Holy Week ceremonies in our parish. This year’s drama presents the story of the last day of Jesus’ life on earth - his trial and crucifixion, his suffering and persecution. Some of the principal characters of the Passion reflect on the impact that Jesus had on their lives. It is produced by Sr Alphonsus and directed by Esther Sinnott and Pat Brennan. The cast is made up of people from all walks of life and from different denominations. This powerful drama is an opportunity to again call us back to the profound reality of the cross and to experience the greatest story ever told. All are welcome. COFFEE MORNING In aid of Daffodil Day in Parish Centre after 9.30am Mass on Wednesday 25th March. All welcome. ROTARY DAFFODIL DAY BREAKFAST In aid of the Irish Cancer Society will take place this Friday morning 27th March at 8am in the Munster Arms Hotel. Your support would be very much appreciated. Tickets €20 available from Rotary Club Members or can be purchased at the Munster Arms Hotel. All proceeds go to the Irish Cancer Society. IRISH CANCER SOCIETY COFFEE MORNING Town Hall Bandon Friday 27th March from 9.30am. Please support. DAFFODIL DAY COFFEE MORNING & CAKE SALE In Chaplin’s Bar, Kilbrogan Hill on Friday 27th March from 10am-2pm. All are welcome. GRAMOPHONE CIRCLE Monday March 23rd 8pm in Gateway Hall. Everyone welcome. CONCERT A visiting US Choir, Lakeville South Chorale from Minnesota will perform, supported by the Spiro Singers in St Peter’s Church on Tuesday 31st March at 8pm. Donations accepted which will go towards the upkeep of St Peter’s Church. THE OPINION April issue is out on Thursday next, 26th March. THE CARERS ASSOCIATION Delivers QQI Fetac level 5 Healthcare Award training. The training is delivered one module at a time each module being delivered one day a week for five weeks. For further information please contact the Training Unit on 057 932 2920 or email [email protected] BANDON TOASTMASTERS Next meeting Wednesday 25th March at 8.15pm in The Munster Arms Hotel. At Toastmasters we like to talk. If you want to be able to speak in public or deliver a presentation we can help you overcome your fear of public speaking. Why not join us and have a free coffee/tea and listen to speeches and topics. GAGGIN COMMUNITY ALERT Will meet in the Community Hall Gaggin on Wednesday March 25th regarding Text Alert. LECTIO DIVINA Every Monday from 8-9pm at Presentation Convent. ‘And when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself’ When Jesus suffered and died on a cross, then he removed all barriers to our understanding the reality of God’s love for us. Bandon Print & Sign 023 884 4455