St. Michael's Parish 
Lent
Ash Wednesday will be celebrated this week and is the beginning of the Lenten Season. Of course, the world is changing rapidly and while Lent was once a significant period in peoples lives now it is often reduced in the public consciousness to Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. However, that is to lose the depth and tone of a special time as believers in the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus. In a world of noise and confusion, Lent can be a sacred time of quiet prayer. For those for whom it’s possible, why not undertake more regular Mass attendance in the coming weeks? Why not undertake some genuine or real sacrifice that can remind us each day of the beauty of our faith? Why not again encourage children or grandchildren to visit the church or to undertake some initiative for Lent?
Lent is a beautiful time of the year leading us to Holy Week and Easter. This year, the miserable weather adds to our yearning for Spring and Easter. May the coming weeks be a time of renewal and prayer for us. This weekend, we reflect on how we will approach them. Please God, we will come to receive Ashes on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday and humbly begin a special time of the year. Fr. Michael
New Ministers of the Word & Eucharist – training for new ministers in Mahon parish and our Family of Parishes will take place in Blackrock Parish Centre on 10th & 19th March provided by the Office of Mission & Ministry in the Diocese.
Ash Wednesday – 18th February – Mass and Blessing of Ashes @ 9.30am.
Trócaire Lenten Appeal 2026 – Trócaire Boxes available in the church.
Do This in Memory Mass – welcome to the Communion children and their families to Saturday evening Mass this weekend. This is the fifth of eight such Masses for this school year in preparation for the First Confessions in March and the First Holy Communion in May. May the Lord bless the children, their families, schools and our parish.
World Day of the Sick – Celebration of the blessing and anointing of the sick will take place on Sunday 15th February @ 12.15pm Mass in Holy Cross Church.
Maranatha is a full-day faith-based, high energy music event for young people from
parishes across the diocese attending post-primary schools. Students from over half
of our post-primary schools have been preparing for Maranatha 2026. This cumulates in a concert in Cork City Hall on Thursday 26th February with over 500 young people singing together. Maranatha was created to bring young people together to celebrate their faith through music and have fun at the same time. Please support our young people by coming to this event. Tickets are €15 (plus booking fee) and are available to book on eventbrite.ie, search Maranatha. Doors open 7pm, with concert beginning at 7.30pm
Fr. Michael
085 8735905