St. Michael's Parish 
Joy of Ministry
For a few days during the past week from Tuesday – Thursday, I had the opportunity to join the annual Diocesan Priests Retreat in East Cork. This year, 57 priests who serve in parish and chaplaincy appointments attended. Over the last five years that priests have gathered, we have had beautiful October weather and this year was no different.
I noticed two things at our retreat this year. Firstly, priests were in good form despite the many demands for their time. Each spoke of the great support that they receive from the people and parishes that they serve which sustains them and keeps them going. Secondly, the number of priests from other countries joining the diocese is growing in front of our eyes. The annual retreat brings us all together helping our new priests to get a better sense of Cork and of our parishes. The mood overall was one of quiet service and the goodness of so many people in parishes. Fr. Michael
Annual Remembrance Mass – for all those who have died in our parish over the last year will be celebrated on Monday 3rd November @ 7pm.
November Novena for the Dead – Sunday 2nd to Monday 10th November. There will be Mass each weekday @ 9.30am during the Novena. Envelopes and Lists are available in the church.
Blessing of Graves – on Sunday 2nd November @ 3pm in St. Michael’s Cemetery.
Do This in Memory – parish based programme for the First Holy Communion children and their families begins next Saturday 18th October @ 6pm with an Enrolment Mass.
Altar Servers – people are delighted to see our new altar servers involved at Mass. We would love to welcome more boys and girls to join our team.
Family of Parishes Alpha Programme – commenced on Wednesday 24th September in SMA Blackrock Road and continues there each Wednesday evening at 7.30pm until 20th November. People are welcome any Wednesday evening to participate.
Diocesan Mass for Opening of School Year – Tuesday 14th October @ 7.30pm in the Cathedral of St. Mary & St. Anne followed by refreshments in the Cathedral Visitor Centre.
SMA Parish – Sunday Masses have resumed temporarily @ 10am & 12noon in Crab Lane NS (Portakabin) off Boreenmanna Road.
Fr. Michael
085 8735905
CONNECT 7 – an invitation to young adults (18 to 35 years)
Connect 7 will take place on Saturday 18th October in the Cathedral of Saint Mary
and Saint Anne, Cork City. The day begins at 2pm and includes keynote talks from
Fr. Conor McGrath (Vocations Director, Diocese of Down and Connor) and Lorraine
Buckley (Faith Development Coordinator, Diocese of Cork and Ross). This year’s
theme is: ‘Finding purpose – God’s plan for my life’. As well as the talk, we will have
Mass, adoration, pizza, a panel discussion, confessions and much more! Registration
is €10 on Eventbrite.ie – search CONNECT 7.