VOL. 23 NO. 09 25TH JANUARY 2015
Father Ciaran Feeney Adm. 191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB.
Phone – 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net E-mail: stcolmcilles@hotmail.com
St. Joseph’s Primary School – www.stjosephsps.co.uk Phone – 9065 0039
St Colmcilles Pre school – www.stcolmcilles-preschool.co.uk. Phone – 9047 2724
THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – (Page 702, 452 & 499)
3rd Week in Ordinary Time
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 3
| EntranceAntiphon | O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord, all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place. |
| 1st Reading | (Jonah 3:1-5, 10) The people of Neneveh renouce their evil behaviour. |
| Psalm | Lord, make me know your ways. |
| 2nd Reading | (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) The world as we know it is passing away. |
| Acclamation | Alleluia, alleluia! The kingdom of God is close at hand; believe the Good News. Alleluia! |
| Gospel | (Mark 1:14-20) Repent, and believe the Good News. |
| Children | Jesus asks Peter, Andrew, James and John to stop being fishermen, and to follow him. He asks them to help to build the kingdom of God. |
| CommunionAntiphon | Look towards the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 6.30pm | 9.30amJohn Clarke | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30amAnointing of the Sick
|
| Confessions at 6.00pm | 11.30amAntonio Logronio, Pat Morris & Brendan Small |
Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
Begins this Sunday and ends on Sunday 1st February. The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2015 is: ‘Catholic Schools – Called to Serve’. This is an opportunity to celebrate the unique contribution that Catholic schools, both primary and post-primary, make to the mission of the Church in our local faith communities and throughout the wider church.
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – in conjunction with the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, St. Joseph’s Primary School are inviting all Grandparents to visit the school and see your grandchild hard at work, this Tuesday. Tea and tray bakes wil be provided for our special grandparents at 11.00am in the School Hall. Following this Grandparents are welcome to walk around the school, visit the classes and help your grandchild with their work.
SCHOOL MASS – the parish will join in the celebrations by having a special Mass at 9.30am this Wednesday with the children from St Joseph’s school.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a time of Christian commitment and renewal, a time of courage and growth. How appropriate that Confirmation in this parish usually occurs at the beginning of Spring, a time of new life, a time of year when plants have the courage to show their roots above the cold hard ground.
Next Sunday we celebrate the conferring of the Sacrament of Confirmation on young people of our parish during the 11.30am Mass. The visiting prelate is Bishop Tony Farquhar and we welcome him to St. Colmcille’s. This is an occasion of great joy for the whole parish. It is a time for all of us to renew our commitment to our Christian calling. Please remember especially in your prayers the 50 young people who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We pray that the Holy Spirit will come into the lives of all who are asking to be confirmed in their faith.
2015 The Year of Consecrated Life
The Diocesan Commission for Religious is holding a celebratory service in St Peter’s Cathedral next Sunday from 3.00pm to 4.00pm. This is a celebration for the whole church. All are invited to attend this celebration, in particular members of St Vincent de Paul, Apostolic Workers, Legion of Mary, members of Koinonia John The Baptist, Teachers and Young People.
CREATING PASTORAL COMMUNITIES
As we look towards the future in our diocese we have learned quite a bit from the experience of other dioceses in Ireland and around the world. They have learned that successful communities are focussed on mission, have good working relationships between clergy and laity and a substantial population. They should reflect existing community networks and, in rural areas, they should be gathered around a central hub. You are invited to read the Consultation Document available on the Diocesan Website perhaps paying particular attention to our local proposed Pastoral Community. www.downandconnor.org
FUNDRAISING WITHIN THE PARISH
Due to the many financial appeals to parishioners, it has become necessary to regularise special collections and fundraising events, so that parishioners don’t feel overburdened.
Therefore, permission to collect money within the Parish will be required. If the fundraising event is being hosted outside the Parish, organisers will be able to advertise in the bulletin, but will not be able to market the event in the Parish grounds.
In order for collections to be evenly spread out and for parishioners not to feel overburdened, an application form needs to be completed at least 3 months before the event. Application forms are available to download from the parish website or from Philomena in the Parish Office.
PARISH FAMILY
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.
RECENTLY BAPTISED CHILDREN – if your child was baptised last year in the parish and you wish to keep your child’s card from the Baptism Tree it will be available in the Sacristy after all Masses this weekend.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
DECEASED
We pray all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially;
Pat Grant, Bridie Grant, Marcelino Dumalagan, Aileen Hurley, Maureen Brown,
John Clarke, Antonio Logronio, Pat Morris, Brendan Small, Claire Knox,
George Duffy, Charlotte Duffy, Mary Neeson and William Neeson.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT – we can be contacted on 074 5698 9458. Our members are Regiena Babu, Eileen Brogan, Eithne Daly, Maire Devine, Brenda McMeekin, David McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.
PARISH DRAW
This year’s Parish Draw is being launched on Saturday 7th February & Sunday 8th February. Committee members will be available at all the Masses for you to purchase a ticket. Tea & Coffee will be available after both Masses on Sunday in the Parochial Hall. Please show your support to the Parish by purchasing a ticket or two! Any queries please contact Roisin McMullan 078 5414 0019 or Mary Walsh 078 1549 3463.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
Have you ever considered a vocation to the priesthood? Have you felt called to serve Christ in the Church as a priest? If so, take this opportunity to gather with other men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood. This retreat will create the time and space to help you discern God’s calling in your life.
The retreat will take place in Drumalis Retreat Centre, from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th February. If you wish to attend this retreat or would like further information contact: Fr. Kevin McGuckien, on 9061 4567 or email:kevinmcguckien@hotmail.com.
VOCATIONS EVENING – in the Parish of Saintfield on Thursday 30th April 2015. For more information on vocations please contact Father Kevin McGuckien on 9508 8030.
THIS WEEK
DTIM – The ‘Do This In Memory of Me’ pre sacramental programme for children preparing for the sacrament of Holy Communion, will take place at the 9.30am Mass this Sunday.
PTA – cake sale on this Sunday in the Parochial Hall after each Mass. Proceeds are in aid of St. Joseph’s School.
OTHER NOTICES
BALLYHACKAMORE GAA CLUB – BBC Radio Ulster is making a radio documentary about the former Ballyhackamore GAA club which existed for a brief period between 1969-1971. We are looking for any information about the club and its members. In particular we’d like to speak to anyone who founded it or played for it in the short period of time in which it existed. The contacts are reporter, Kevin Magee on 079 6890 4616 or Kevin.magee@bbc.co.uk and producer Anna-Marie McFaul on 077 1996 4907 or Anna-Marie.mcfaul@bbc.co.uk.
Special Pioneer Meeting – of the Down and Connor Diocesan Pioneer Council will take place next Sunday at 3.00pm in Clonard Monastery, Falls Road, Belfast. Special Guest speakers will be Mr Robert Shannon (National President of the Pioneer Association) and Mrs Mary Brady (Development Officer for the Pioneer Association). All Pioneer Council representatives within the Diocese are warmly invited to attend this important meeting.
PRAYING THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS – with Padraig O’Tuama at Drumalis, Larne on Thursday 5th and Thursday 12th February. An opportunity over two evenings to deepen your prayer in preparation for Lent and Easter. Each session takes place from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, including tea/coffee. The suggested contribution is £5 per evening. If you would like to attend, please contact Drumalis to book a place on 2827 2196/2827 6455.
KNOCK METHODIST DRAMA GROUP – presents “The Wizard of Oz” in the Knock Methodist Centre from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th February at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets can be obtained from Nicola Peden on 078 0249 9628 or 9058 1069.
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA – from Thursday 25th June to Thursday 2nd July 2015. 7 nights full board en suite £589.00 fully inc. free insurance, free tax, free coach to airport. For more information contact the Spiritual Director Rita O’Neill on 075 5435 4157.
LIVING YOUTH – Summer Pilgrimage. Are you 17-23? Why not join us as we journey to celebrate the life and mission of St Columbanus in Milan, Piacenza, Bergamo and Bobbio. 2nd – 7th August 2015. £690 includes flights, transfers, accommodation, half board, t-shirts and hoodie. Application forms available from the Living Youth website www.livingyouthni.org. Closing date is this Thursday.