Sunday :29th of May 2005

Corpus Christi.
Fr. Teddy.

The Feast of Corpus Christi dates back to 1264. It was the Church's response to doubts that had arisen regarding the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Popular piety, also, encouraged this process which led to the institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi. This feast inspired the development of new forms of Eucharistic piety among the people. Among these was the Corpus Christi Procession. These processions have continued down to the present time in many countries. People who participate are very much aware of being the People of God, journeying with the Lord and expressing their solidarity with others. In the words of the late Pope John Paul II: "Jesus walks by our side in the Eucharistic Procession as He walked with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus".
The Procession is a Parish event in this Parish. It rotates each year between the three Churches. This year it's the turn of Canovee. I am confident that the people of Canovee will see to it that the event is worthy of the Parish in this the Year of the Eucharist. I trust the people of the Kilmurry and Cloughduv sides of the Parish will support the Procession well on Sunday. We're not talking football on this occasion! We're talking the unity of our Parish and our unity in the Lord.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for a continuous period in the Church is also very much encouraged on this day. So on Sunday there will be Exposition in Canovee Church from the time the Procession finishes until 8.30p.m. The last hour will be a Holy Hour of conducted Prayer concluding with Benediction. I would encourage you to consider giving a little bit of your time on Sunday to the Lord quietly during the afternoon or evening. You could say your Rosary, sit still in the presence of the Lord, read Holy Scripture or do your meditation.
The Procession takes place in Cork city on Sunday afternoon culminating in Daunt's Square (at the junction of Grand Parade and Patrick's Street) at approximately 3.30p.m.. Then the special sermon on Religion and Culture, and the blessing of the sick, and all present with the Blessed Sacrament will take place.
This year, Cork's year as European City of Culture, the guest preacher is Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster, whose parents were born in Cork. The Cardinal maintains close contact with his relations here.
We cannot let this week-end pass without remembering the girls who died so tragically in Navan on Monday last, and their families. May God comfort them.

Mass next Saturday at 8.30pm in Kilmurry will be for all the young people of the Parish doing exams. Students are encouraged to attend and to participate actively in that Mass.
Volunteers are invited to do the Readings, lead the Prayers of the Faithful, and to present the gifts.
It is hoped that the musical and vocal gifts of the people of all three Churches will be pooled for the occasion.
It will also be an opportunity for us to show our solidarity with the Navan families whose girls should be starting their exams on Wednesday week, as well as a family from Durrus whose son should be starting his Leaving Cert. at St. Goban's in Bantry.