May 13th 2012 6th Sunday of Easter Vol.18 No.20

First Reading Ref: Acts 10:25-26.34-35.44-48
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
The first Christians had all been Jewish. The baptism of Cornelius marks a turning point, the reception of the first Gentiles to receive the grace of baptism, showing that God's salvation is offered to all.

As Peter reached the house Cornelius went out to meet him, knelt at his feet and prostrated himself. But Peter helped him up. Stand up, he said, I am only a man after all!
Then Peter addressed them: The truth I have now come to realise, he said, is that God does not have favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears God and does what is right is acceptable to him.
While Peter was still speaking the Holy Spirit came down on all the listeners. Jewish believers who had accompanied Peter were all astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the pagans too, since they could hear them speaking strange languages and proclaiming the greatness of God. Peter himself then said, Could anyone refuse the water of baptism to these people, now they have received the Holy Spirit just as much as we have? He then gave orders for them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterwards they begged him to stay on for some days.
This is the word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
This is one of the enthronement psalms, which celebrated God's victory reflected in the enthronement of Israel's king. During the Easter season we celebrate the victory- the resurrection - in which God triumphed over sin and death.

(R) The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

Sing a new song to the Lord
for he has worked wonders.
His right hand and his holy arm
have brought salvation. (R)

The Lord has made known his salvation;
has shown his justice to the nations.
He has remembered his truth and love
for the house of Israel. (R)

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
Shout to the Lord all the earth,
ring out your joy. (R)

Second Reading Ref: 1 John 4:7-10
A reading from the first letter of St. John
This passage contain what has been said to be the most important statement ever made about God. John says that Christian must love one another because love comes form God. Loving is the only way we can really know God and share in His life.

My dear people, let us love one another since love comes from God and everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God. Anyone who fails to love can never have known God, because God is love. God's love for us was revealed when God sent into the world his only Son so that we could have life through him; this is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God's love for us when he sent his Son to be the sacrifice that takes our sins away.
This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Ref: John 15:9-17
Jesus talks about the love that binds him to the Father and the love that should bind the disciples to him and to one another. The supreme proof of his love is giving his life for them. He has chosen them and sent them into the world to bear fruit - the fruit of love.

Jesus said to his disciples:
'As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my own joy may be in you and your joy be complete. This is my commandment: love one another, as I have loved you. A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if you do what I command you. I shall not call you servants anymore, because a servant does not know his master's business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father. You did not choose me, no, I chose you; and I commissioned you to go out and to bear fruit, fruit that will last; and then the Father will give you anything you ask him in my name. What I command you is to love one another.'
This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Anniversaries: John and Josephine Howard, Beal na Blath
Tim O'Riordan, Bellmount Place, Crookstown
Fr. Denis Kehilly PP Kilmurry
Derek Healy Bellmount Place, Crookstown

St. Vincent de Paul
Please support a monster collection of clothes, books, bric-a-brac etc in aid of Saint Vincent de Paul. Bring any unwanted items to county council mart area Macroom on Saturday 19th May. Collection 12 noon to 4pm.

First Communion
Congratulation to the children of Cloughduv and Kilbonane who celebrated their First Communion on Saturday May 12th. With 15 children from Kilbonane, this was the biggest ever class.
The children of Canovee will celebrate their First Communion on Saturday next, May 19th at 11.00 a.m

Anniversary Mass will be offered for
Derek Healy Bellmount Pl, Crookstown
Tues 15th May in Cloughduv Church
Mass this week: Cloughduv

Masses next weekend 19/20th May.
Vigil
Canovee 6.30 p.m.
Kilmurry 8.00 p.m.
Sunday
Kilmurry 10.00 a.m.
Cloughduv 11.30 a.m.

Special Collection
As announced last weekend, the annual collection for Parish Pastoral Services in the Diocese will take place at all Masses this weekend.

Spring Stations
There are still a number of Station Areas on the westerns side of the parish where no arrangements have been made for the Spring Stations. Anyone wishing to host a station can contact Fr. Donovan to arrange a suitable time and date:
- Ballymichael & Kilbarry
- Crookstown West
- Bellmount Place
- Currabeha & Clodagh
- Teeraveen, Dunmarklum & Clearagh
- Curraclough, Hornhill & Knockboy
- Pullerick
- Dooniskey East & Carrigdarrery

Macroom Community Hospital
The supporters of Macroom community Hospital in association with the management have organised a special event on Saturday next, May 19th
10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. A day long marathon with a host of local singers, musicians and speakers will entertain the residents and visitors. Members of the public are warmly invited to drop in and share the joy over a cup of tea.

St. Padre Pio Mass
The annual St. Padre Pio Mass will be celebrated in Enniskeane Parish church on Friday, May 25th at 7.30 p.m. Blessing with the relics of St. Pio will be given before and after Mass.

CIT Course
Higher Certificate in Business for Mature Students (age 23 or over). Would you like to acquire new skills and a third level qualification ? Get ready to compete in a changing job environment? Interested in Business?
CIT may have the course for you! Application Forms from Louise Byrne (021) 4335150 or email louise.byrne@cit.ie
Closing date: May 25th

Canovee ICA Garden Walk at D. J. Murphy's, Ovens, on Thurs May 31st at 7pm
If you are interested ring 026-4000 or 021-7336611 before May 27th

Prayer for Today
"God, I thank you for this day. I know I have not accomplished as yet all you expect of me, and if that is your reason for bathing me in the fresh dew of another dawn, I am most grateful.
I am prepared, at last, to make you proud of me.
I will forget yesterday, with all its trials and tribulations, aggravations and setbacks, angers and frustrations. The past is already a dream from which I can neither retrieve a single word nor erase any foolishness."
Og Mandino