VOL. 24 NO. 16 13TH 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
5TH SUNDAY OF LENT – (Page 181, 452 & 493)
5th Week of Lent
Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 2, Psalter Week 1
| Entrance Antiphon | Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength. |
| 1st Reading | (Isaiah 43:16-21) See, I am doing a new deed, and I will give my chosen people drink. |
| Psalm | What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. |
| 2nd Reading | (Philippians 3:8-14) Reproducing the pattern of his death, I have accepted the loss of everything for Christ. |
| Acclamation | Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! Seek good and not evil so that you may live, and that the Lord of hosts may really be with you. Praise to you, O Christ, king of eternal glory! |
| Gospel | (John 8:1-11) If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. |
| Children | A woman, who had behaved badly, was brought to Jesus. The law said that she should be punished by having stones thrown at her. The men who brought her to him asked Jesus what he thought. He said that if any of them had never done anything wrong they could throw the first stone at her. They all left straight away. Jesus told the woman to go home and not behave badly again. |
| Communion Antiphon | Has no one condemned you, woman? No one, Lord. Neither shall I condemn you. From now on, sin no more. |
THURSDAY IS THE FEAST ST. PATRICK – and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses in the parish will be at 7.00pm on Wednesday evening and 9.30am on Thursday morning.
Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds in the evening please close the car park gates.
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Sat. | Sun. | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
| 6.30pm | 9.30am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | |
| Moya Boyle & Desmond
Anderson |
||||||
| 11.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | |
| Norah Rogan | Anointing of the Sick | |||||
| 7.00pm | ||||||
| Joseph Forde |
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT
MORNING MASS – will be celebrated Monday to Friday mornings at 7.15am and 9.30am.
FRIDAY MORNING GROUP -as we draw close to the end of Lent and the conclusion of the Friday Lent programme, there will be a light breakfast for those who would like to join us in the Iona Room after Mass this Friday.
TROCAIRE FAST BOXES – are available in the foyer of the Church.
DAFFODILS FOR 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.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS – liturgy for Good Friday is being prepared by young people in the parish. There will be a practice for all those who would like to become involved, on Tuesday 22nd March at 6.30pm in the Church. Contact Noeleen, 078 7949 8131.
CONFESSIONS AND PENITENTIAL
SERVICES IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER
Next Saturday St. Colmcille’s 7.30pm
Palm Sunday St. Brigid’s 4.00pm
Monday 21st March Holy Rosary Parish 7.30pm
Tuesday 22nd March Drumbo and Carryduff Parish 7.30pm
Wednesday 23rd March 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 11-16th) – £550 in hotel or £430 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17th) – £600; Youth Team age 16-25 (8-17th) – £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 this Tuesday evening 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
EASTER OUTREACH – Ministers of Outreach have started to visit every home in the parish with a pack containing an Easter Card from Father Ciaran detailing the times of Holy Week Services and the 2nd edition of St. Colmcille’s Causerie.
HALL BOOKINGS – Pat will not be available from this Wednesday to Monday 4th 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 and including Palm 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.
DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN DIRECTORY – copies of the Down & Connor Diocesan Directory, price £3.00, are on sale at the back of the Church. Please put money in either of the Candelabra boxes. The Directory gives information about every parish in the Diocese, listing the names and addresses of the Priests and Religious, the times of Masses, Parish Schools, Pastoral and Spiritual organisations and useful contact numbers.
BAPTISM – we welcome into the parish family Anna Grace Barbour, Ned Brown and Joss Alexandra Haslam who were baptised in St. Colmcille’s last weekend.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
NEEDY PARISHES COLLECTION – will be taken up at all Masses next 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 3rd 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 next 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 soul of Moya Boyle, who died recently and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Desmond Anderson, Mayoyo Marelino, Kevin Crummy, Maureen Murphy,Brendan McGuckian, Joseph Forde and Nora Rogan
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
Scripture and Prayer Group – our next meeting will be this Tuesday evening at 8.00pm. Venue is 14 Kensington Gate. For further information call 9070 5412.
FRIDAY MORNING GROUP -as we draw close to the end of Lent and the conclusion of the Friday Lent programme, there will be a light breakfast for those who would like to join us in the Iona Room after Mass this Friday.
artisan market – will be held in the Church Grounds next Saturday from 10.00am to 2.00pm. Volunteers to help stallholders set up and pack up would be greatly appreciated.
COMING EVENTS
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 the Monday evening of Holy Week, 21st March, 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.
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.
REPORTS
11th Belfast Scout Group 50th Anniversary Dinner – the Scout Group’s 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance, held on 6th February past was an outstanding success. 188 ex members, current members, friends and supporters attended, including two from the original intake in December 1965. We had ex members who travelled from Indiana, (Gerry Gillen) Boston, (Dominic Grew) Dubai, (Sean Rogers) Brussels, (Robert Wright) Peru, (Megan McCrea) and Seoul, (Matthew Dawson). These intrepid travellers were joined by fellow guests from all over the UK, including, Glasgow, Leeds, London, and Exeter. The craic was mighty, the dinner great, the band superb and all in all the event was a tremendous celebration of all the Scout Group has contributed to the development of young people in the parish over 50 years. To cap the proceedings, £1340 was raised to support the work of the Concern Charity, support the Group has given over many many years. Make a note to your diaries.. the next reunion will take place in February 2021, the venue is already booked!
OTHER NOTICES
Music for St Patrick’s Day – in Drumalis this Sunday at 7:30 pm. This will be an evening of entertainment for St Patrick’s Day in the beautiful surroundings of Drumalis in Larne. The McAuley Traditional Singers and Players featuring a trio of harps under the direction of Loreto McAuley will perform a selection of Irish and Scottish music and there will be a fork supper. The cost of the evening is £28 per person and admission is by pre-paid ticket only. For further information or to book tickets, please contact Drumalis on 2827 6455/2827 2196.
Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church present ‘Noah’ – a thought provoking musical drama based on the life of Noah exploring thoughts around standing out from the crowd, sin, faith and new beginnings. The show is being performed this Thursday and Friday at 7.30pm in the Jack Britton Hall at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church. The cost is £5 (group reductions available) with all proceeds going to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Youth and Children’s project ‘Change our World’. Tickets are available from Gilnahirk Church Office on 9040 3589 or gilnahirkpres@btinternet.com The target audience is secondary school aged youth and adults.
St. Patrick’s Day Charity Dinner Dance and Concert with ‘The Priests’ – St. Patrick’s Parish is delighted to announce a spectacular Dinner and Dance Event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and raise much-needed funds for the Church’s Stone Restoration Fund. The Parish will host a Dinner Dance in Titanic, Belfast this Thursday. The evening will commence at 7.00pm with a drinks reception. This will be followed by a sumptuous three-course meal at 8.00pm. Internationally renowned singing trio ‘The Priests’ will give an after-dinner concert. Guests can then dance the night away to swing sensation ‘Dave Martin and the Casino Cats’. Tickets are priced at £60 each. Tickets are available from the Church Sacristy after Masses and the Parish Office, Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm or by contacting the parish by phone on 9032 4597 or by email stpatricks@downandconnor.org
Mass for Ireland – in the beautifully restored St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, next Saturday, Feast day of St. Joseph, with prayers for wellbeing of families, and protection of human life. Rosary at 2.30pm, and Procession to Altar of The Holy Family. Mass at 3.00pm, Holy Hour 4.00pm. Bus leaving Belfast at 9.00am picking up at Sprucefield, returning to Belfast for 7.30pm. Tickets £10 return. Contact Orla 075 4545 2362 or email info@anteaghlachnaofa.ie. Further information available at www.anteaghlachnaofa.ie
Brain Injury Matters NI, – together with another brain injury charity are the beneficiaries of a Musical evening featuring Fr Martin O Hagan (from The Priests) and a number of choirs next Saturday in Campbell College. Brain Injury Matters is a local charity and all funds raised support children, teenagers and adults with brain injury to improve their quality of life through therapy and rehabilitative activity. For more information contact Brain Injury Matters on 9070 5125 or 075 5336 5895.
YEAR OF MERCY GOOD FRIDAY FALLS/SHANKILL WALK – on 25th 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 13th Annual Good Friday Prayer Walk. All are welcome! Contact Ed Petersen in Clonard for more details on 9044 5950.