21st December

VOL. 23 NO. 04  21ST DECEMBER 2014

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

 

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – (Page 29, 452 & 490)

4th Week of Advent

Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 4

Entrance

Antiphon

Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and bring forth a Saviour.
1st Reading (2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16)  The kingdom of David will always stand secure before the Lord.
Psalm I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.
2nd Reading (Romans 16:25-27)  The mystery, which was kept secret for endless ages, is now made clear.
Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia!  I am the handmaid of the Lord: let what you have said be done to me.  Alleluia!
Gospel (Luke 1:26-38)   Listen!  You are to conceive and bear a son.
Children God sent the angel Gabriel to take a message to a girl called Mary.  The angel said, “The Lord is with you and has blessed you!”  Mary was worried, but the angel told her not to be afraid.  He told Mary she would have a son and should call him Jesus.  Mary wondered how this could happen.  Gabriel said that God would be with her and the baby would be holy and be called the Son of God.
Communion

Antiphon

Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and bear a son; and his name will be called Emmanuel.    

 

MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK

Saturday Sunday Tuesday Christmas Eve Christmas Day Friday
6.30pm

Special Intention

9.30am

Special Intention

9.30am

 

6.30 pm

Kay O’Neill

9.30am

 

No Mass

 

Confessions at 6.00pm 11.30am

Lizzie & Joe Dawson

  12.00 Midnight

 

11.00am

 

 

 

Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve – 6.30pm and Midnight

Christmas Morning – 9.30am and 11.00am

 

Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds

in the evening please close the car park gates.

 

PARISH WEBCAM

Parishioners are invited to view parish Masses and other parish services with the help of the parish website: www.st-colmcilles.net where you will find the Webcam. Click on ‘WEBCAM’ and scroll to view. The picture quality has been greatly enhanced recently. The Webcam is normally on 24 hours a day. It should also work on iphones, ipads and Android devices. The sound is normally only on during Mass and other Church services.

 

PARISH OFFICE AND BULLETIN

The parish office will close this Tuesday at 12.00 noon and will reopen on Monday 5th January.   Material for the bulletins on Sunday 28th December and Sunday 4th January needs to be in the parish office by 10am this Tuesday morning.

 

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 20th January 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 FAMILY

Father Ciaran will attend the sick and housebound in the parish for Christmas this Tuesday.

BISHOP TREANOR’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE  –  copies are available at the back of the Church.

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.

SUNDAY MISSALS – our stock of missals has decreased by 70+ over the past months.  Perhaps you have borrowed one to reflect more on a Sunday’s readings, or in the hustle and bustle of meeting friends on the way out of Church have forgotten to leave the missal behind. At this time of the year with more visitors coming to our Church we need to have sufficient missals available.  Please, can you look around your home and car to see if you find one of our missing missals and return it to the Church next Sunday. Thank you for your cooperation!

MONEY MATTERS                        

Weekly Offering Cash Collection – £1,198.38

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

The Christmas Voluntary Collection will be taken up at all Christmas Masses.

DECEASED

We pray for the repose of the soul of Thomas McAuley, Joan McClure and Eileen Fleming,   who died recently.  We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially;

Colm McCoy,  Joseph Conway,  Mary Conway,  John Graves,

Bernard Murray,  William O’Neill  and  Bernadette Clarke

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.

PENITENTIAL SERVICES

“The Lord your God is in your midst,… He will renew you by his love.”  (Zephaniah 3)

This Saturday                                    St. Colmcille’s                       7.30pm

Sunday afternoon                              St. Brigid’s                               4.00pm

Monday evening                                Holy Rosary                           7.30pm

Tuesday evening                                Drumbo                                   7.30pm

ADVENT

ADVENT PRAYER SPACE –  Advent is the liturgical season that precedes and prepares for Christmas. It is a season of hope and longing, of joyful expectation, of prayerful and peaceful preparation. Advent refers to the “Coming of the Christ-child into the world” but also the “Second Coming of Christ” – the Advent of Our Lord. The traditional colour of Advent is VIOLET. The Advent wreath with its evergreen leaves and candles symbolises the approach of Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World.

O COME, O COME TO OUR ADVENT SERVICE  – this Sunday at 6.00pm in the Church.  A musical celebration of the Christmas journey.  Take time out from the hustle and bustle to listen to Advent music, hymns and carols performed by our Choir and by an 80 strong cast of children from our Primary School.  Admission is free but a retiring collection will be taken up with the proceeds going towards Cancer Focus.

CHRISTMAS MASS BOUQUET CARDS –  are available in the Parish office or Sacristy after Masses.

TAP CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS  –  give a really worthwhile Christmas present this year –  a Christmas Gift Card to support our Tanzanian Africa Project and our twinned parish of Moita Bwawani. Choose from 3 life-changing themes. Buy a year’s School Uniform for a Masaai Child for £10. Sponsor a Catechist to spread the Word of God, also for £10. Give pre-natal medical care to Masaai mothers-to-be with our Mother and Baby Care for £20.  Cards on sale in the Church porch this weekend.

11th Belfast Scout Group, St. Colmcilles  –  the Group held its annual investiture and AGM in the Parochial Hall on the 16th November. Members of the Group, parents and supporters packed out the hall and witnessed a large number of youth members making their scout promise and either joining the Group or moving from one section to the next. Following on from this, the Group registered the largest ever number of members with National Headquarters in Dublin, 20 Beavers, 40 Cub Scouts, 45 Scouts and 13 Venture Scouts, not to forget 23 Adult leaders.  Since then the various sections have been busy with weekly section meetings and in addition; the Beavers attended the East Belfast District Beaver Christmas Party at Gilnahirk; the Cubs attended the County activity held at W5; the senior Scouts held an overnight camp in the Mournes and hiked along the Brandy Pad to the Hare’s Gap and beyond. The troop then held its final troop meeting at the top of the Black Mountain, overlooking Belfast, following a hike to the summit in snow and ice!  The Venture Scouts are actively planning their annual expedition with attention turning to Poland, Germany or France as potential venues.  The Group wishes all its members, parents and supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

  1. VINCENT DE PAUL – wishes to thank Tesco Express, The Spar at Ballyhackamore and Super Value, Kings Square for giving us permission to hold collections outside their stores, which raised £1,316.65.  We would particularly like to thank our many collectors all of whom made a significant contribtion.

OTHER NOTICES

IHCPT  –  want to bring a smile to the face of a young person with a disability and make their year? Then join us (IHCPT) in Lourdes this Easter (5th to 11th April). IHCPT bring young people aged 11-30 with varied abilities to Lourdes each year from Easter Sunday until the following Saturday. We are looking for carers (aged 18 or over) to make 2015 for these young people. You can get more information on this experience by visiting http://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com. If you are interested please contact Kate Acton on 079 6653 6515.

THE WAY OF ST JAMES  –  Camino de Santiago. Sections from the Pyrenees to Santiago from 22nd to 28th May 2015.  6 Nights Hotel Accommodation, with Breakfast and dinner daily; Coach and back-up car with group throughout; Walk leader with group throughout; All airport and local taxes; Travel insurance included.  Flying from Dublin Airport.  Cost – £715.00.  Seats are limited.  Single room supplement is extra.  £50.00 deposit secures a seat.  For further details contact Jean Reynolds on 4483 0979 or email: jeanreynolds@hotmail.co.uk

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:  Thursday 29th January 2015.

 

 

 

11th Belfast Scout Group, St. Colmcilles  –  the Group held its annual investiture and AGM in the Parochial Hall on the 16th November. Members of the Group, parents and supporters packed out the hall and witnessed a large number of youth members making their scout promise and either joining the Group or moving from one section to the next. Following on from this, the Group registered the largest ever number of members with National Headquarters in Dublin, 20 Beavers, 40 Cub Scouts, 45 Scouts and 13 Venture Scouts, not to forget 23 Adult leaders.  Since then the various sections have been busy with weekly section meetings and in addition; the Beavers attended the East Belfast District Beaver Christmas Party at Gilnahirk; the Cubs attended the County activity held at W5; the senior Scouts held an overnight camp in the Mournes and hiked along the Brandy Pad to the Hare’s Gap and beyond. The troop then held its final troop meeting at the top of the Black Mountain, overlooking Belfast, following a hike to the summit in snow and ice!  The Venture Scouts are actively planning their annual expedition with attention turning to Poland, Germany or France as potential venues.  The Group wishes all its members, parents and supporters a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

  1. VINCENT DE PAUL – wishes to thank Tesco Express, The Spar at Ballyhackamore and Super Value, Kings Square for giving us permission to hold collections outside their stores, which raised £1,316.65.  We would particularly like to thank our many collectors all of whom made a significant contribtion.

OTHER NOTICES

IHCPT  –  want to bring a smile to the face of a young person with a disability and make their year? Then join us (IHCPT) in Lourdes this Easter (5th to 11th April). IHCPT bring young people aged 11-30 with varied abilities to Lourdes each year from Easter Sunday until the following Saturday. We are looking for carers (aged 18 or over) to make 2015 for these young people. You can get more information on this experience by visiting http://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com. If you are interested please contact Kate Acton on 079 6653 6515.

THE WAY OF ST JAMES  –  Camino de Santiago. Sections from the Pyrenees to Santiago from 22nd to 28th May 2015.  6 Nights Hotel Accommodation, with Breakfast and dinner daily; Coach and back-up car with group throughout; Walk leader with group throughout; All airport and local taxes; Travel insurance included.  Flying from Dublin Airport.  Cost – £715.00.  Seats are limited.  Single room supplement is extra.  £50.00 deposit secures a seat.  For further details contact Jean Reynolds on 4483 0979 or email: jeanreynolds@hotmail.co.uk

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:  Thursday 29th January 2015.

TROCAIRE’S GIFTS –  buy a Trocaire gift and make a lot more people happy. Booklets regarding this year’s Trocaire gifts are available at the back of the Church.  For more information log on to www.trocaire.org/gifts or call 080 0912 1200.

DIOCESAN VOCATIONS

VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR YOUNG MEN  –  in Drumalis Retreat House, Larne from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th February 2015.

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.

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS APPEAL

The St Vincent de Paul annual appeal finishes this Sunday. As with last year, we would like to request only cash and vouchers so that our families can buy exactly what they need. Cash is required to buy the essentials such as vegetables, meat and other fresh food. Money is also more practical as it may be used towards a top up card for the electric or gas meters or to buy heating oil stamps.

Your donations can be popped into our normal collection boxes with our members at the Church exits this weekend.

SVP Envelopes marked as Gift Aid can be found at the Church porch. If you are a UK tax payer then using the Gift Aid envelope will enable us to claim the money back from government increasing you donation.

We will let you know after Christmas, how your donations have been used but for now thank you so much for your invaluable kindness and support.

SCHOOL INFORMATION

St. Colmcille’s Pre-school Playgroup –  will be hosting an Open Night on Wednesday 7th January between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.  Please come along and bring your son/daughter to meet with staff, see our pre-school and view some of the wonderful arts and craft work by the children.   For application forms please call into the pre-school or telephone 9047 2724.

OUR LADY AND ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE, KNOCK  –  Open Morning on Saturday 10th January 2015, from 9.15am to  12.30pm.  Principal’s Address 9.30am and 11.00am.  All Year 7 Pupils and Parents are invited .  Prospective Year 13 students are also welcome.

St. Dominic’s Grammar School  –  for girls Open Day on Saturday 10th January 2015 from 9.30am to 1.00pm.  Principal’s Address at 9.30am and 11.30am.  Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils are welcome

  1. MALACHY’S COLLEGE – Open Nights will take place on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th January, commencing with the Principal’s Address at 7.00pm.
  2. COLMCILLE’S SCOUTS AND GUIDES –  would like to thank all those who supported our Christmas Fair last Saturday, it was a great success and we couldn’t have done it without the magnificent support of the parish. A special thanks to the volunteers who set up Santa’s Grotto and for Santa himself, who took time out of his busy schedule to pay us a visit.  We would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.

REPORTS

COLMCILLE’S SCOUTS AND GUIDES –  would like to thank all those who supported our Christmas Fair last Saturday, it was a great success and we couldn’t have done it without the magnificent support of the parish. A special thanks to the volunteers who set up Santa’s Grotto and for Santa himself, who took time out of his busy schedule to pay us a visit.  We would like to wish everyone a Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year.