community spirit
In this weekly column, the clergy and members of the pastoral council offer an update on issues concerning the Church locally, nationally and globally
LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF THE GOSPELS MATTHEW 5:17-37: In this section of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus proposes standards that go beyond external ways of behaviour. He challenges our inner attitudes. When have you found that living out of inner conviction is more life-giving than keeping up appearances? Jesus applies his teaching to feelings of anger and sexual desire. He suggests that if we do not keep an eye on our feelings and thoughts we will not be able to control our actions. Perhaps you have experienced the truth of this. What has helped you to integrate your feelings so that you were able to live in right relationship with yourself and others? For Jesus, persons with genuine authenticity do not need to swear an oath to be convincing. Their “yes” or “no” suffices. Recall people who had this kind of credibility for you. When have you found that your simple, direct and honest communication had a positive persuasive force? John Byrne OSA, Veritas
MUSINGS POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI has a beautiful way of explaining creation, which according to him should be understood not with the model of a craftsman, but with the creative mind and creative thinking. The Church places freedom and dignity at the heart of its message about the unrepeatable uniqueness of every person from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. Human beings are not just mere individuals, but persons embodied with the gift of freedom. Life seems simpler if we blot out awareness of its mystery, but such a life is an impoverished one. Yes, there are the complexities of our human existence. There is a confusion and chaos where we cannot fully understand the meaning and events that make up our conscious experience – in relationships, in family, in faith, in prayer, in work, or whatever. But the swirls of events are the context wherein we discover a presence, a way, a possibility as cited in the last words of St Paul today, ‘for the spirit reaches the depths of everything, even the depths of God.’ Fr John Cullen, Veritas
GOING DEEPER THIS Sunday we have a third extract from the Sermon on the Mount. It can appear at first glance to be a series of moral statements and rules from Jesus. On closer reflection we can see Jesus’ message here is the call for each of us to ‘go deeper’. The Scribes and the Pharisees followed the letter of the law but without depth. Jesus is clear that he has not come to demolish the law, rather, this whole passage is a call to a more profound reflection on our lives; not ticking boxes but moving towards a deeper change of heart in dealings with others. Jesus gives many examples of how people might do this: warning against the hypocrisy of offering gifts and rituals at the altar when we may have huge anger and resentment towards another. Is the real sacrament not in reconciling that relationship first? Which offering is more life-giving? It is not enough to “not murder”, but we must watch our anger which can lead to violence. Jesus is calling on people to watch their thoughts which can lead to serious actions like murder and adultery. When we encounter Christ, the grace that this experience brings can make us aware of what is not ok in our lives. We are called to a radical conversion, a change of heart. And so we read today’s passage with our hearts, not our heads. It may help to recall a time when you felt God’s grace bringing you to a deeper realisation about your life. Jane Mellet, Veritas
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Killarney Advertiser 10.02.17
Support Groups
COULD YOU NOT WATCH ONE HOUR WITH ME? Eucharistic adoration. Church of the Resurrection-Tuesday 10.00am-10.00pm. St. Mary’s Cathedral Wednesday 10.30-6.00pm. St. Columbanus Church-Thursday 6.30 -7.30pm. The Friary-Friday 2.00-7.00pm. The Friary-Sunday 6.00-7.00pm METHODIST CHURCH, EAST AVENUE Sunday worship 9am & 11am; Prayer meetings Tuesday & Thursday 8am -9am; Parent & Toddler 10am - 12 noon (term-time); Wednesday 7.30pm Bible Study; Friday 11am Bible Study, 12noon Lunch. During December Friday morning Christmas Day service at 11AM Watchnight Service 31st December @ 11.15PM AWARE KILLARNEY DEPRESSION SUPPORT GROUP Aware Depression Support Group meets: Killarney - Mondays, KDYS at 8pm. Aware Support Groups are free to attend, no referral necessary. www. aware.ie EPILEPSY IRELAND
The next support meeting for people with Epilepsy will be held at the Epilepsy Ireland office, Park Road o Thursday next Tuesday 22nd November at 10.30am (The next meeting for parents will be held on December 6th at 10.30am) Please contact Kathryn at 064-630301 for further details KERRY POSITIVE OPTION CRISIS PREGNANCY COUNSELLING SERVICE Free -
confidential - non judgemental services. All options explored. Killarney Southwest Counselling Centre Emmett’s Road, Killarney Tel: 064 6636416. Open: Monday to Friday 9am -5pm.Saturday 10am-1pm. Funded by the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme. KERRY RAPE AND SEXUAL ABUSE CENTRE
provides a free professional counselling and support service for female and male survivors of sexual violence and their families in a safe and confidential environment with highly qualified and professional counsellors. It can be contacted by freephone 1800-633333 or by email krcc@ eircom.net KILLARNEY AL ANON The Killarney Al Anon meetings are held Tuesday nights at 8.30pm, also Thursday morning at 11am in St Claire’s,
Vincent De Paul Building, Tesco Car Park, Beech Road, Killarney. Contact Mairead 087-7808106. MS SUPPORT GROUP A support group for people with MS meets every Wednesday 11am to 1pm, at MS Meeting Rooms, Cheshire Homes Killarney. SUICIDE PREVENTION HELPLINES Console 1Life Suicide Freefone 1800247100, centre in Tralee 066 7129700 web: www.console.ie, Text HELP to 51444, 24-hour; Samaritans 1850609090 or freephone 116123; Pieta House, free counselling, 066-7163660 www.pieta. ie; South West Counselling Centre, Killarney, free suicide prevention and bereavement counselling, 0646636416/6636100; Living Links, Kerry, 087-9006300; HSE South: Suicide Prevention Helpline 1800 742 745, Farm & Rural Stress Helpline 1800742645. GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Sunday worship 11am at the Killarney Cultural Centre (East Avenue Rd.) Prayer and Bible study meeting Wednesday 8pm. at various homes. For more information tel. 6632600 or 6635461. Psalm 119:105 ‘Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” https://www. facebook.com/KillarneyBaptistChurch. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS If you think you have a problem with alcohol please contact 066-7128720 or 087-0522911. NEW BEGINNINGS MINISTRIES KILLARNEY NEW BEGINNINGS ARE HOSTING ELLEL MINISTRIES ON SATURDAY FEB 18TH FROM 10.00 AM TO 4.00PM AT THE TORC HOTEL ON THE MALLOW/RATHMORE ROAD OUTSIDE KILLARNEY,,AND ON SUNDAY FEB 19TH AT 12.00 NOON AT THE KILLARNEY COURT HOTEL ,THE THEME FOR THE WEEKEND IS “INNER HEALING WITH FREEDOM FROM FEAR, ANXIETY AND DERPESSION ETC,,ALL WELCOME,CONTACT (087)7068533 SOUTH KERRY PARKINSON’S The South Kerry Parkinson’s support Group next meeting is on 13th February, 2017, at the Methodist Church hall, next to the Killarney Avenue Hotel. For further information please contact Grace McCrae, president, 064-7758837. MUCKROSS I.C.A. Monthly meeting of Muckross guild of I.C.A. takes place on monday 13th February at 7.45pm in Loughquittane N.S. Annual quiz night.
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PLEASE CONTACT 064 6632215 FOR MORE DETAILS DEADLINE FOR EVENT INFO IS TUESDAY 5.30PM