Author: JoeWalsh

VOL. 24 NO. 19  3^RD APRIL 2016

Father Ciaran Feeney Adm.  191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB.

Phone – 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net

E-mail: stcolmcilles@downandconnor.org

St.  Joseph’s Primary School – www.stjosephsps.co.uk   Phone – 9065 0039

St Colmcille’s Pre School – www.stcolmcilles-preschool.co.uk.  Phone – 9047 2724

 

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER – (Page 367, 452 & 495)

Easter Time

Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 2, Psalter Week 1

Entrance Antiphon	Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him, you may grow to salvation, alleluia.
1st Reading	(Acts 5:12-16)  The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily.
Psalm	Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his love has no end.
2nd Reading	(Apocalypse 1:9-13, 17-19)   I was dead and now I am to live for ever and ever.
Acclamation	Alleluia, alleluia!  Jesus said: “You believe because you can see me.  Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.  Alleluia!
Gospel	(John 20:19:31)  Eight days later, Jesus came.
Children	The special friends of Jesus were feeling sad and afraid.  They were hiding together in a house with the door locked.  Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you.”  Jesus’ friends were so happy to see him.  The disciple Thomas was not there, however, and he did not believe that they had seen Jesus.  Eight days later, Jesus appeared to his friends again.  He saw Jesus and touched his hands and side.  Thomas believed because he saw Jesus.
Communion Antiphon	Bring your hand and feel the place of the nails, and do not be unbelieving but believing, alleluia.

 

MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK

Saturday	Sunday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
6.30pm Ann Adair	9.30am Patrick Hughes	9.30am Comm. Service	9.30am Comm. Service	9.30am Comm. Service	9.30am Comm. Service
Confession at 6.00pm	11.30am Danny Acton

 

Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds

in the evening please close the car park gates.

 

 

YEAR OF MERCY – REMEMBER THOSE IN PRISON

“May the message of mercy reach everyone, and may no one be indifferemt to the call to experience mercy.  I direct this invitation to conversion even more fervently to those whose behaviour distances them from the grace of God.”  Pope Francis, Misericordia Vultus 19

Could you reach out to someone you know in prison or their family?  Simply write a letter or drop an email of encouragement.  Also, remember imprisonment takes many forms.  Those who are sick can be housebound and isolated.  Can you help someone trapped or suffering from sickness?

A PILGRIMAGE COMPANION FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY  –  is a book of prayers and reflection, and is available at the back of the Church.  Price £1.  Please put money in the box beside Confessional.

YEAR OF MERCY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES –  application forms are now available from the Parish Office.  Fare, inclusive of all charges, return flight from Belfast to Lourdes and full board in hotels in Lourdes, is: 5 nights (July 11-16^th) – £550 in hotel or £430 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17^th) – £600; Youth Team age 16-25 (8-17^th) –  £500.  For more information contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email Lourdes@downandconnor.org

CTS BOOKLETS  – for the Year of Mercy, are now available to purchase from the stand in the Church porch.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR BAPTISM IN OUR PARISH

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the most joyful occasions both for the family and the Parish and everyone is welcome.  The next Baptismal Course takes place on Tuesday 19^th April in the Iona Room from 8.00pm to 9.30pm, where parents will receive their Baptismal pack and can arrange the date for their child’s Baptism. Baptisms in the Parish take place on the first and last Sunday of each month and attendance at the course is arranged through Philomena in the Parish Office.

ADORATION

Coming to this parish soon!

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is spreading to many parishes in the Diocese of Down and Connor.

Why not St. Colmcille’s?  It is hoped to set up Eucharistic Adoration teams in our own parish.  You will find out more about what Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament means on 16^th/17^th April weekend and the blessings it will bring to you, your family and the parish.

Would you like to be on the parish team for Adoration?

All you need is one hour at your disposal in a week … and a willing heart!

PARISH DRAW

If you wish to find out more information about the Parish Draw or sign up for this please contact Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019, Lucy Traynor on 079 0080 7589 or Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463.

 

PARISH FAMILY

EASTER DUTY – “ … each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year.  This precept must be fulfilled during Paschal time unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.”  Canon 920.

HOLY GHOST MISSIONS  –  will be visiting the Parish and speaking at all Masses this weekend.

DAILY MEDITATION FOR EASTER  – copies of “Bible Alive” are available at the back of the Church. Price £2.50 each, please put money in either of the Candelabra boxes

CTS BOOKLETS –  a new range of resources is on sale in the Church porch. There is also a variety of cards to purchase, to celebrate special occasions. Payment may be placed in any of the money boxes in the walls next to the candelabras.

HALL BOOKINGS  –  Pat will not be available until Monday 11^th April to take bookings for the Hall.

MONEY MATTERS                 

Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.

The Monthly Stipend Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR THE NEW YEAR  –  begin this Sunday.  New boxes of envelopes, are in the foyer of the Church this weekend.  If you wish to contribute by Standing Order or by envelopes and do not do so currently, please leave your name, address and telephone number in the bulletin box and Philomena will be in contact with you.

TROCAIRE BOXES  –  parishioners are asked to return their Trócaire box to the parish as soon as possible.  Boxes may be left in the parish office or returned through the Offertory collection baskets at Mass.  It would be appreciated if any small coins could be changed to larger denominations.  All cheques should be made payable to Saint Colmcille’s Parish. 

DECEASED

We pray for the repose of the soul of Patrick Byrne who died on Monday and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:

Ann Adair,  Patrick Hughes and Danny Acton.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT  –  we can be contacted on 074 5698 9458.  Our members are Regiena Babu, Eithne Daly, Brenda McMeekin, David McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.

 

THIS WEEK

ART OF CARING EXHIBITION & SALE – is returning this year this Friday to next Sunday in the Parochial Hall. This event raises money for Marie Curie Hospice Centre, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Colmcille’s Guide Unit, 11th Belfast Scout Group and St Colmcille’s Parish. To make this event a success we need volunteers to help us with the set-up of the hall during the week leading up to the event and of course during the weekend itself.  The team of volunteers start on Monday 4^th April from 7.30pm to 9.30pm to clean the hall to get it ready to accept the art work on Tuesday morning.  The volunteers then work through the week starting around 10.00am each morning and finishing in the evening.  I know this sounds quite daunting but any help you can give even an hour will assist us in making this event a great success.  Free tea and coffee (and maybe a biscuit!) will be available for all your hard work.  If you are interested in helping this worthwhile cause or would like further information please contact either Artie O’Neill on 077 0326 9058 or Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019.  Look forward to seeing you there.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

ST LOUISE’S COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE  –  Post 16 Open Night for all students wishing to transfer to our sixth form on Tuesday 12^th April from 7.00pm to 9.30pm.

OTHER NOTICES

FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY  –  will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Cathedral, this Sunday, commencing at 2.30pm.  The Rosary will be followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Mass.  Confession available.  Car parking available.  All welcome.

LUX CHAMBER CHOIR  –  presents Motets to Madrigals, sacred and secular choral music from the Renaisance this Tuesday evening at 8.00pm in Clonard Monastry.  Admission: free, with a retiring collection in aid of the church and the choir.

1. AGNES’ CHORAL SOCIETY – are delighted to return once again to the Grand Opera House Stage, with the hit musical ‘9 to 5’. Performances are from 11^th to 16^th April, and tickets can be purchased from the box office on 9024 1919, or by going to www.goh.co.uk/nine-to-five. Please come and support our company, and enjoy some top class entertainment. This year St Agnes’ will be fundraising on behalf of Pretty’n’Pink Breast Cancer Charity.

HABITAT GALA BALL  –  for the fourth successive year Living Youth is sponsoring a Habitat team who will travel to Ethiopia in August. To help raise funds a Gala Ball will take place on Friday 22^nd April in The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena. Tickets £40 per person; £400 per table. Dancing to The Housem8s. Come enjoy a wonderful evening and help build hope. For more information or to reserve tickets please log on to info@habitatni.co.uk

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND  –  from 19^th to 26^th May.  Spiritual Director Canon Sean Rogan. Highlights  include tour of the old town of Krakow, the shrine of Madonna at Czestochowa, the birth place of St. John Paul 11, Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and Memorial Museum, Wieliczka Salt Mine & The shrine of Divine Mercy. Cost  £849 pp includes return direct flights from Belfast, seven nights accommodation in 4 star hotel, three course meal, four nights in hotel and one night in  city centre restaurant, all entrance fees (Wawel Hill, St. Mary’s Basilica Wadowice Museum, Auschwit, Salt Mine), full coach travel for all tours.  To book please call Downe Travel 4461 3288

2016 CENTENARY OF THE ANGEL OF FATIMA.  –  Pilgrimage to Fatima & Santiago de Compostela,   from 9^th to 18^th August 2016.  3 Nights H/B Los Abetos Hotel Santiago, 6 Nights F/B Hotel Avenida Fatima.  Visiting Pontevedra, Tuy & Balasar.  Spiritual Directors are Fr Gerry McCloskey & Fr Sean Gilmore.  Special Group Price £709 inclusive of tax & insurance. Full Religious Programme. For further details contact Joe Catney on 9071 4001 or 077 7642 5631. Early booking is advisable. Deposit secures.

 

VOL. 24 NO. 18  27^TH MARCH 2016

Father Ciaran Feeney Adm.  191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB.

Phone – 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net

E-mail: stcolmcilles@downandconnor.org

St.  Joseph’s Primary School – www.stjosephsps.co.uk   Phone – 9065 0039

St Colmcille’s Pre School – www.stcolmcilles-preschool.co.uk.  Phone – 9047 2724

 

EASTER SUNDAY – (Page 291, 452 & 495)

Holy Week

Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 2, Psalter Week 1

Entrance Antiphon	I have risen, and I am with you still, alleluia.  You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia.  Too wonderful for me, this knowledge, alleluia, alleluia.
1st Reading	(Acts 10:34, 37-43)  We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.
Psalm	This day was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad
2nd Reading	(Colossians 3:1-4)   You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Acclamation	Alleluia, alleluia!  Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed; let us celebrate the feast then, in the Lord.  Alleluia!
Gospel	(John 20:1-9)  He must rise from the dead.
Children	Early on Easter morning, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where they had put Jesus when he died.  She discovered that the big stone had been rolled away from the entrance and the tomb was empty.  Mary ran to tell Peter and John.  They went into the tomb and found the cloths that had covered Jesus. Something amazing had happened.  Jesus was not there because he is alive!
Communion Antiphon	Christ our Passover has been sacrificed, alleluia; therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of purity and truth, alleluia, alleluia.

 

MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK

Saturday	Sunday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
9.00pm	9.30am
	11.30am

 

Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds

in the evening please close the car park gates.

 

PARISH OFFICE

The parish office will be closed until Monday 4^th April.  

 

YEAR OF MERCY – WELCOME THE STRANGER

“The mercy of God is his loving concern for each one of us.  He feels responsible; that is, he desires our wellbeing and he wants to see us happy, full of joy, and peaceful.  This is the path which the merciful love of Christians must also travel!”  Pope Francis, Misericordia Vultus 9

EMBRACE is an inter-church organisation, which began as a support group for refugees and people seeking asylum.  Their main role is one of encouraging church communities to be more welcoming places for all people from other countries and minority-ethnic backgrounds.  Research their work on www.embrace.org and find out what help you could offer.  Or perhaps you could adopt an attitude of openness and kindness to the next stranger you meet?

A PILGRIMAGE COMPANION FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY  –  is a book of prayers and reflection, and is available at the back of the Church.  Price £1.  Please put money in the box beside Confessional.

YEAR OF MERCY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES –  application forms are now available from the Parish Office.  Fare, inclusive of all charges, return flight from Belfast to Lourdes and full board in hotels in Lourdes, is: 5 nights (July 11-16^th) – £550 in hotel or £430 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17^th) – £600; Youth Team age 16-25 (8-17^th) –  £500.  For more information contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email Lourdes@downandconnor.org

CTS BOOKLETS  – for the Year of Mercy, are now available to purchase from the stand in the Church porch.

ARRANGEMENTS FOR BAPTISM IN OUR PARISH

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the most joyful occasions both for the family and the Parish and everyone is welcome.  The next Baptismal Course takes place on Tuesday 19^th April in the Iona Room from 8.00pm to 9.30pm, where parents will receive their Baptismal pack and can arrange the date for their child’s Baptism. Baptisms in the Parish take place on the first and last Sunday of each month and attendance at the course is arranged through Philomena in the Parish Office.

PARISH DRAW

If you wish to find out more information about the Parish Draw or sign up for this please contact Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019, Lucy Traynor on 079 0080 7589 or Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463.

 

PARISH FAMILY

PARISH LITURGY FOR HOLY WEEK AND EASTER  – a sincere thank you to our Choir and all the participants in the Parish Liturgy for Holy Week and Easter.  Our thanks to the members of the Liturgy Committee and also to the people who helped to prepare the Church for Lent and Easter.  The effort of everyone is very much appreciated.

EASTER DUTY – “ … each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year.  This precept must be fulfilled during Paschal time unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.”  Canon 920.

HOLY GHOST MISSIONS  –  will be visiting the Parish and speaking at all Masses next weekend.

WALK WITH ME BOOKS – An Eastertide Journey of Prayer for 2015 are available at the back of the Church.  Price £1.  Please put money in either of the Candelabra boxes.

DAILY MEDITATION FOR EASTER  – copies of “Bible Alive” are available at the back of the Church. Price £2.50 each, please put money in either of the Candelabra boxes

CTS BOOKLETS –  a new range of resources is on sale in the Church porch. There is also a variety of cards to purchase, to celebrate special occasions. Payment may be placed in any of the money boxes in the walls next to the candelabras.

HALL BOOKINGS  –  Pat will not be available until Monday 11^th April to take bookings for the Hall.

MONEY MATTERS                 

Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.

The Easter Voluntary Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR THE NEW YEAR  –  begin next Sunday.  New boxes of envelopes, are in the foyer of the Church this weekend.  If you wish to contribute by Standing Order or by envelopes and do not do so currently, please leave your name, address and telephone number in the bulletin box and Philomena will be in contact with you.

TROCAIRE BOXES  –  parishioners are asked to return their Trócaire box to the parish as soon as possible.  Boxes may be left in the parish office or returned through the Offertory collection baskets at Mass.  It would be appreciated if any small coins could be changed to larger denominations.  All cheques should be made payable to Saint Colmcille’s Parish. 

DECEASED

We pray for the repose of the souls of Brian Trickett and Michael Ranaghan, who died recently and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:

Jim Norton,  Bella Logue,  Willie Logue,  Norman Fusco,  William Judge, 

Martin Rosaupan,  Maureen Nugent  and  Nell McNicholl.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT  –  we can be contacted on 074 5698 9458.  Our members are Regiena Babu, Eithne Daly, Brenda McMeekin, David McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.

COMING EVENTS

ART OF CARING EXHIBITION & SALE – is returning this year from Friday 8^th April to Sunday 10^th April in the Parochial Hall. This event raises money for Marie Curie Hospice Centre, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Colmcille’s Guide Unit, 11th Belfast Scout Group and St Colmcille’s Parish. To make this event a success we need volunteers to help us with the set-up of the hall during the week leading up to the event and of course during the weekend itself.  The team of volunteers start on Monday 4^th April from 7.30pm to 9.30pm to clean the hall to get it ready to accept the art work on Tuesday morning.  The volunteers then work through the week starting around 10.00am each morning and finishing

in the evening.  I know this sounds quite daunting but any help you can give even an hour will assist us in making this event a great success.  Free tea and coffee (and maybe a biscuit!) will be available for all your hard work.  If you are interested in helping this worthwhile cause or would like further information please contact either Artie O’Neill on 077 0326 9058 or Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019.  Look forward to seeing you there.

 

SCHOOL INFORMATION

ST LOUISE’S COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE  –  Post 16 Open Night for all students wishing to transfer to our sixth form on Tuesday 12^th April from 7.00pm to 9.30pm.

 

OTHER NOTICES

Matt Talbot Pilgrimage  –  the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Venerable Matt Talbot in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin takes place next Saturday. Concelebrated Mass will take place in the Church at 12.30pm. For further details and booking,  please contact Josephine O’Hagan on 9061 7116 or Mary Holden on 9442 3956.

MOVIES AND MUSICALS –  with Laganside Sinfonia for Alzheimer’s Society.  After a successful concert at Christmas which raised over £2,000 for the NI Hospice, Children’s Hospice and St Patrick’s we would be delighted if you could join us next Saturday at 7:45pm for an evening of music from stage and screen in St Anne’s Church, Dunmurry. Highlights will include music by John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Claude-Michel Schönberg and many more! Concert entry is free with a retiring collection in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and will be followed by light refreshments.

FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY  –  will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Cathedral, next Sunday, commencing at 2.30pm.  The Rosary will be followed by the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Mass.  Confession available.  Car parking available.  All welcome.

LUX CHAMBER CHOIR  –  presents Motets to Madrigals, sacred and secular choral music from the Renaisance on Tuesday 5^th April at 8.00pm in Clonard Monastry.  Admission: free, with a retiring collection in aid of the church and the choir.

1. AGNES’ CHORAL SOCIETY – are delighted to return once again to the Grand Opera House Stage, with the hit musical ‘9 to 5’. Performances are from 11^th to 16^th April, and tickets can be purchased from the box office on 9024 1919, or by going to www.goh.co.uk/nine-to-five. Please come and support our company, and enjoy some top class entertainment. This year St Agnes’ will be fundraising on behalf of Pretty’n’Pink Breast Cancer Charity.

HABITAT GALA BALL  –  for the fourth successive year Living Youth is sponsoring a Habitat team who will travel to Ethiopia in August. To help raise funds a Gala Ball will take place on Friday 22^nd April in The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena. Tickets £40 per person; £400 per table. Dancing to The Housem8s. Come enjoy a wonderful evening and help build hope. For more information or to reserve tickets please log on to info@habitatni.co.uk

NI CANCER PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES  –  from Friday 27^th May to Wednesday 1^st June.   The price of £599 (with price reduction for Cancer Patients) will include: Return flights from Belfast International Airport, operated by JWT License T.O. 052. Full board and accommodation at the Hotel Agena in Lourdes for five nights based on twin/double/treble rooms.  Travel insurance cover for persons up to 85 years on date of return.  The party will consist of patients, ex-patients, relatives and friends accompanied by medical, nursing and other staff.  To enquire or to obtain a booking form please contact:-Mrs Jean Clarke, Hon. Secretary,  c/o Drumbo & Carryduff Parish,  6 Knockbracken Drive,  Carryduff,  Belfast,  BT8 8EX, or speak to us on 075 1675 9646, or  e-mail  mail@nicancerpilgrimage.org.uk  Chairman:- Dr Seamus McAleer, Spiritual Directors: Rev. Dermot McCaughan, Fr. Adrian Eastwood, Fr. Andrew Black.

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND  –  from 19^th to 26^th May.  Spiritual Director Canon Sean Rogan. Highlights  include tour of the old town of Krakow, the shrine of Madonna at Czestochowa, the birth place of St. John Paul 11, Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and Memorial Museum, Wieliczka Salt Mine & The shrine of Divine Mercy. Cost  £849 pp includes return direct flights from Belfast, seven nights accommodation in 4 star hotel, three course meal, four nights in hotel and one night in  city centre restaurant, all entrance fees (Wawel Hill, St. Mary’s Basilica Wadowice Museum, Auschwit, Salt Mine), full coach travel for all tours.  To book please call Downe Travel 4461 3288

2016 CENTENARY OF THE ANGEL OF FATIMA.  –  Pilgrimage to Fatima & Santiago de Compostela,   from 9^th to 18^th August 2016.  3 Nights H/B Los Abetos Hotel Santiago, 6 Nights F/B Hotel Avenida Fatima.  Visiting Pontevedra, Tuy & Balasar.  Spiritual Directors are Fr Gerry McCloskey & Fr Sean Gilmore.  Special Group Price £709 inclusive of tax & insurance. Full Religious Programme. For further details contact Joe Catney on 9071 4001 or 077 7642 5631. Early booking is advisable. Deposit secures.

Summer school  – The Cultural Dimensions of Christian Spirituality  – from Monday 11^th to Friday 22^nd July in the University Sant’Anselmo, Rome (Italy).  Organiser is the Monastic Institute.  The Monastic Institute of the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo was founded in 1952 and is dedicated to teaching and research in the Theology of Spirituality from a Benedictine point of view.  In July 2014 we launched a new short formation programme (60 European transferable credits). It is entitled Cultural Dimensions of Christian Spirituality.  The Master programme is aimed at members of monastic communities, clergy (ministers), oblates, professionals in religious or social areas, scholars, etc. Applicants are welcome from those who want to earn European Credits, as well as for personal formation or further education.  The courses are run in English in a two-year cycle, requiring presence in Rome for two weeks in each year. New enrolments are possible and welcome in every year.  Students will be accommodated (full board) in the Benedictine College of Sant’Anselmo.

 

 

VOL. 24 NO. 16  20^TH MARCH 2016

 

Father Ciaran Feeney Adm.  191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB.

Phone – 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net

E-mail: stcolmcilles@downandconnor.org

St.  Joseph’s Primary School – www.stjosephsps.co.uk   Phone – 9065 0039

St Colmcille’s Pre School – www.stcolmcilles-preschool.co.uk.  Phone – 9047 2724

 

PALM SUNDAY – (Page 186 & 493)

Holy Week

Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 2

 

Entrance Antiphon	Six days before the Passover, when the Lord came into the city of Jerusalem, the children ran to meet him; in their hands they carried palm branches and with a loud voice cried out:  Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!  O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors.  Let him enter, the king of glory!  Who is this king of glory?  He, the Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory.  Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed are you, who have come in your abundant mercy!
1st Reading	(Isaiah 50:4-7)  I did not cover my face against insult – I know I shall not be shamed.
Psalm	My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
2nd Reading	(Philippians 2:6-11) He humbled himself, but God raised him high.
Acclamation	Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory:  Christ was humbler yet, even to accepting death, death on a cross.  But God raised him high and gave him the name which is above all names.  Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory.
Gospel	(Luke 22:14-23:56)   The passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Children	Jesus shared a meal with his disciples and then went to pray in the garden of Gesthsemane, where he was arrested. Two of Jesus’ disciples let him down.  Judas pointed Jesus out to the soliders and Peter said he didn’t know Jesus three times before the cock crowed in the morning.  Jesus was treated very cruelly; the soliders beat him and called him names, they made him a crown of thorns and he was sent to be crucified.
Communion Antiphon	Father, if this chalice cannot pass without my drinking it, your will be done.

 

 

MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK

Sat.	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Holy Thursday	Good Friday
6.30pm	9.30am	7.15am	7.15am	7.15am	7.30pm
Gerry O’Flaherty & Paddy Macauley					Francis Quigley
	11.30am	9.30am	9.30am	9.30am
	Bernard Neeson

 

Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds in the evening please close the car park gates.

 

 

PARISH OFFICE AND BULLETIN

The parish office will close this Wednesday at 1.00pm and will reopen on Monday 4^th April.   Material for the bulletins on Easter Sunday and Sunday 3^rd April needs to be in the parish office by 10.00am this Wednesday morning.

THE PARISH LITURGY FOR HOLY WEEK

PALM SUNDAY  –  Holy Week begins with the Blessing of Palms and the Solemn Procession to commemorate the Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem which takes place before the 11.30am Mass on Sunday morning.  Palms will also be blessed at the Vigil Mass and the 9.30am Mass.  Holy Week is a time for the whole parish family to come together as a faith community and follow in the footsteps of Christ.

MONDAY                       Masses at 7.15am and 9.30am.

Parish Passover Seder Meal at 7.30pm.

TUESDAY                      Masses at 7.15am and 9.30am.

Liturgy for Good Friday, Stations of the Cross, is being prepared by young people in the parish. There will be a practice for all those who would like to become involved, at 6.30pm in the Church. Contact Noeleen, 078 7949 8131.

WEDNESDAY                Masses at  7.15am, 9.30 am.

HOLY THURSDAY        If anyone has any daffodils in their garden and would like them to be used for decorating the Church on Holy Thursday, please leave them in the Church porch by 10.00am on Holy Thursday Morning.

                                      Parishioners are invited to join the Bishops, Priests and Laity of the Diocese for the Mass of Chrism which will be celebrated in St. Peter’s at 11.00am.

The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at 7.30pm.

Night Prayer of the Church at 9.15pm

GOOD FRIDAY              Good Friday (a day of fast and abstinence)

The Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3.00pm.

                                      Stations of the Cross have been prepared by young people of the parish, and will take place on Friday at 7.30pm. A collection for Catholics in the Holy Land will be taken up at both ceremonies.

HOLY SATURDAY        The Easter Vigil at 9.00 pm

EASTER SUNDAY         Mass in St. Colmcille’s at 9.30 am & 11.30 am

Mass in Ulster Hospital at 10.45 am.

MINISTERS OF THE WORD  –  notes and commentaries for the readings on Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil are now available from the Sacristy after Mass.  If you are reading at any of the ceremonies, please collect your copy after Mass this weekend.   Copies of the Passion for Good Friday are available from the Sacristy.

 

CONFESSIONS AND PENITENTIAL

SERVICES IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER

This Saturday                          St. Colmcille’s                        7.30pm

Palm Sunday                             St. Brigid’s                             4.00pm

Monday evening                         Holy Rosary Parish                  7.30pm

Tuesday  evening                        Drumbo and Carryduff Parish     7.30pm

Wednesday evening                     St. Bernadette’s Parish              7.30pm

 

YEAR OF MERCY – WELCOME THE STRANGER

“The mercy of God is his loving concern for each one of us.  He feels responsible; that is, he desires our wellbeing and he wants to see us happy, full of joy, and peaceful.  This is the path which the merciful love of Christians must also travel!”  Pope Francis, Misericordia Vultus 9

EMBRACE is an inter-church organisation, which began as a support group for refugees and people seeking asylum.  Their main role is one of encouraging church communities to be more welcoming places for all people from other countries and minority-ethnic backgrounds.  Research their work on www.embrace.org and find out what help you could offer.  Or perhaps you could adopt an attitude of openness and kindness to the next stranger you meet?

A PILGRIMAGE COMPANION FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY  –  is a book of prayers and reflection, and is available at the back of the Church.  Price £1.  Please put money in the box beside Confessional.

YEAR OF MERCY DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES –  application forms are now available from the Parish Office.  Fare, inclusive of all charges, return flight from Belfast to Lourdes and full board in hotels in Lourdes, is: 5 nights (July 11-16^th) – £550 in hotel or £430 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17^th) – £600; Youth Team age 16-25 (8-17^th) –  £500.  For more information contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email Lourdes@downandconnor.org

CTS BOOKLETS  – for the Year of Mercy, are now available to purchase from the stand in the Church porch.

BAPTISM

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the most joyful occasions both for the family and the Parish and everyone is welcome.  The next Baptismal Course takes place on Tuesday 19^th April in the Iona Room from 8.00pm to 9.30pm, where parents will receive their Baptismal pack and can arrange the date for their child’s Baptism. Baptisms in the Parish take place on the first and last Sunday of each month and attendance at the course is arranged through Philomena in the Parish Office.

PARISH DRAW

If you wish to find out more information about the Parish Draw or sign up for this please contact Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019, Lucy Traynor on 079 0080 7589 or Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463.

PARISH FAMILY

FIRST FRIDAY – Father Ciaran will attend the sick and housebound in the parish during the coming week.

MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION – please volunteer for Holy Week ceremonies and Easter weekend Masses, by writing your name on the sheet on the notice board in the porch, or by texting / emailing  Noeleen 078 7949 8131 or colmcilleyouth@yahoo.co.uk

WALK WITH ME BOOKS – An Eastertide Journey of Prayer for 2015, are available at the back of the Church.  Price £1.  Please put money in paper box beside Confessional.

DAILY MEDITATION FOR EASTER  –  copies of the “Bible Alive” are available at the back of the Church.  Price £1, please put money in either of the Candelabra boxes.

HALL BOOKINGS  –  Pat will not be available till Monday 4^th April to take hall bookings

INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM  –  is a small group who meet on a weekly basis to add their voices to yours, presenting your needs to God. Requests for prayer can be made by completing a Petition Slip and placing it in the Prayer Request Box, both of which can be found in Our Lady’s Prayer Space, or by emailing colmcilleprayer@yahoo.co.uk.  All requests are treated with the strictest confidence and you can make your request anonymously if you wish.

ST VINCENT DE PAUL  –  up to this Sunday the society is collecting foodstuffs, washing powder, toothbrushes, toilet rolls, toiletries and washing up liquid for “The Larder”, who provide help to approximately 150 people every month throughout East Belfast.  The scriptures throughout the Season of Lent emphasise our duty to help the poor.  Helping “The Larder” is a way for us to fulfil this duty.  Boxes are available in the Church porch for your donations.

WEDDING  –  our congratulations and best wishes go to Stephen Morrissey and Alice Canning who were married on Saturday 12^th March in St. Colmcille’s.

MONEY MATTERS                 

Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.

NEEDY PARISHES COLLECTION  –  will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.  This collection was established to create a special fund to assist “Financially Needy” Parishes.  There are already several Parishes within the Diocese that have accumulated debt and are financially stretched.  However, through financial re-structuring schemes it is hoped that many of these parishes, with the aid of this fund, will be able to return to a positive financial position.  Through this collection “better off Parishes” can help those less fortunate Parishes to have some hope of returning to sound financial footing.

OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR THE NEW YEAR  –  begin on Sunday 3^rd April.  New boxes of envelopes, will be in the foyer of the Church this weekend.  If you wish to contribute by Standing Order or by envelopes and do not do so currently, please speak to Philomena after any of the Masses this weekend.

TRóCAIRE BOXES  –  parishioners are being asked to return their Trócaire box to the parish this Sunday, Palm Sunday, if possible.  After Sunday, boxes may be left in the parish office or returned through the Offertory collection baskets at Mass.  It would be appreciated if any small coins could be changed to larger denominations.  All cheques should be made payable to Saint Colmcille’s Parish.

DECEASED

We pray for the repose of the souls of  Patricia Clydesdale, the sister of a parishioner, who died this week and for Rory McVeigh, who died recently and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:

Gerry O’Flaherty,  Paddy Macauley, Bernard Neeson, Francis Quigley  and  Margaret Kerr, 

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT  –  we can be contacted on 074 5698 9458.  Our members are Regiena Babu, Eithne Daly, Brenda McMeekin, David McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.

THIS WEEK

CHRISTIAN PASSOVER SEDER  –  the Jewish Passover is the oldest festival of the Hebrew Liturgical Calendar.  It commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from Egyptian bondage – the Exodus.  Our Christian Passover remembers the Exodus but also defines so much of what we celebrate in the Liturgy of the Eucharist and Holy Communion.  The Parish Pastoral Council invites all parishioners to join them for the Passover Seder which will be held in the Parochial Hall at 7.30pm on this Monday evening, three days before we celebrate the beginning of the Triduum with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Some idea of numbers is needed to help plan the evening, so if you would like to take part in the prayer and ritual of Passover, please put your name down on the list at the back of the Church after Mass this weekend.

 

COMING EVENTS

Art of Caring Exhibition & Sale –  is returning this year from Friday 8th April to Sunday 10th April in the Parochial Hall.  This event raises money for Marie Curie Hospice Centre, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Colmcille’s Guide Unit, 11th Belfast Scout Group and St Colmcille’s Parish. More details will follow nearer the time but if you would like further information about the event or wish to put your name down for volunteering please contact either Artie O’Neill on 077 0326 9058 or Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019.

OTHER NOTICES

YEAR OF MERCY GOOD FRIDAY FALLS/SHANKILL WALK  – on 25^th March beginning at 4.45pm outside Clonard Church and finishing there through Clonard’s Holy Door at 6.00pm. Join with others in marking this special Year of Mercy with the 13^th Annual Good Friday Prayer Walk. All are welcome! Contact Ed Petersen in Clonard for more details on 9044 5950.

Matt Talbot Pilgrimage  –  the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Venerable Matt Talbot in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin takes place on Saturday 2^nd April. Concelebrated Mass will take place in the Church at 12.30pm. For further details and booking,  please contact Josephine O’Hagan on 9061 7116 or Mary Holden on 9442 3956.

5. AGNES’ CHORAL SOCIETY – are delighted to return once again to the Grand Opera House Stage, with the hit musical 9 to 5. Performances are from 11^th to 16^th April, and tickets can be purchased from the box office on 9024 1919, or by going towww.goh.co.uk/nine-to-five. Please come and support our company, and enjoy some top class entertainment. This year St Agnes’ will be fundraising on behalf of Pretty’n’Pink Breast Cancer Charity.

HABITAT GALA BALL  –  for the fourth successive year Living Youth is sponsoring a Habitat team who will travel to Ethiopia in August. To help raise funds a Gala Ball will take place on Friday 22^nd April in The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena. Tickets £40 per person; £400 per table. Dancing to The Housem8s. Come enjoy a wonderful evening and help build hope. For more information or to reserve tickets please log on to info@habitatni.co.uk

NI CANCER PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES  –  from Friday 27^th May to Wednesday 1^st June.   The price of £599 (with price reduction for Cancer Patients) will include: Return flights from Belfast International Airport, operated by JWT License T.O. 052. Full board and accommodation at the Hotel Agena in Lourdes for five nights based on twin/double/treble rooms.  Travel insurance cover for persons up to 85 years on date of return.  The party will consist of patients, ex-patients, relatives and friends accompanied by medical, nursing and other staff.  To enquire or to obtain a booking form please contact:-Mrs Jean Clarke, Hon. Secretary,  c/o Drumbo & Carryduff Parish,  6 Knockbracken Drive,  Carryduff,  Belfast,  BT8 8EX, or speak to us on 075 1675 9646, or  e-mail  mail@nicancerpilgrimage.org.uk  Chairman:- Dr Seamus McAleer, Spiritual Directors: Rev. Dermot McCaughan, Fr. Adrian Eastwood, Fr. Andrew Black.

PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND  –  from 19^th to 26^th May.  Spiritual Director Canon Sean Rogan. Highlights  include tour of the old town of Krakow, the shrine of Madonna at Czestochowa, the birth place of St. John Paul 11, Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and Memorial Museum, Wieliczka Salt Mine & The shrine of Divine Mercy. Cost  £849 pp includes return direct flights from Belfast, seven nights accommodation in 4 star hotel, three course meal, four nights in hotel and one night in  city centre restaurant, all entrance fees (Wawel Hill, St. Mary’s Basilica Wadowice Museum, Auschwit, Salt Mine), full coach travel for all tours.  To book please call Downe Travel 4461 3288