VOL. 23 NO. 17 22ND MARCH 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
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT– (Page 159, 493 & 121)
5th Week of Lent
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, 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 | (Jeremiah 31:31-34) I will make a new covenant and never call their sin to mind. |
| Psalm | A pure heart create for me, O God. |
| 2nd Reading | (Hebrews 5:7-9) He learnt to obey and became the source of eternal salvation. |
| Acclamation | Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! If a man serves me, says the Lord, he must follow me; wherever I am, my servant will be there too. Glory to you, O Christ, you are the Word of God! |
| Gospel | (John 12:20-33) If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest. |
| Children | Jesus knew that he was going to suffer. He reminded his friends that when a grain of wheat dies it goes into the ground and produces new grains. Jesus wanted everything he did to be for God. He prayed to God, his Father. Then a voice spoke from heaven. The people who heard the voice thought it was thunder, or an angel. |
| Communion
Antiphon |
Amen, Amen I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single grain. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Sat. | Sun. | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
| 6.30pm | 9.30am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am |
| 11.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | |
| Gerry O’Flaherty & Antonio Fusco | Bernard Neeson | Kathleen Davey | Anointing of the Sick |
Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT
MORNING MASS – will be celebrated Monday to Friday mornings at 7.15am and 9.30am.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – each Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.You are invited to make a Lenten commitment to Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on one or more occasion, by adding your name to the Adoration timetable on the clipboard at the back of the Church.
THE GIFT – An inspiring and practical series aimed at people of all ages to help them encounter the Holy Spirit and empower them to share their faith. Everyone is invited to gather together at 10.00am this Friday morning, in the Iona room, where we will begin with refreshments. The final session in the series is ‘Living in the Spirit”.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
Awakening Faith Programme – will conclude next Sunday after the 9.30am Mass. Everyone is welcome for free refreshments in the Hall. Children are invited to the Iona room for activities. The theme of the final short talk is ‘Is Faith Possible Today’
TROCAIRE FAST BOXES – are available in the foyer of the Church.
SACRED SPACE – ‘One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’. (Matthew 4:4) Let us open our hearts to God’s holy word in scripture, for each of us personally, as we journey through this season of Lent. The purple cloth reminds us of the journey, with our offerings to God of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The ashes symbolize our penance and contrition. The crown of thorns reminds us that Christ offered Himself as the complete sacrifice for our sin. The candle is the symbol of Christ’s presence with us during our personal Lenten observances. Here we should pause for a time and re-commit ourselves to developing our personal relationship with Jesus, by placing a stone in the desert oasis.
MATCHED FUNDING FOR TROCAIRE LENTEN APPEAL – Trocaire has secured matched funding from the UK Government for their Lenten Appeal this year. It means that every pound that is donated to Trocaire from Northern Ireland will be matched by the government, meaning donations will be effectively doubled. In addition, Gift Aid can still be claimed. In order for Trocaire to benefit from the matched funding all Trocaire boxes need to return to the parish as soon as possible.
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, this Friday at 6.30pm in the Iona room, Parochial Hall. Contact Noeleen, 078 7949 8131.
CONFESSIONS AND PENITENTIAL
SERVICES IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER
Next Sunday (Palm Sunday) St. Colmcille’s 3.00pm
Monday 30th March St. Bernadette’s Parish 7.30pm
Tuesday 31st March Holy Rosary Parish 7.30pm
Wednesday 1st April Drumbo and Carryduff Parish 7.30pm
PARISH FAMILY
Proclamation of the Word – the course for new readers will conclude this Monday evening at 7.30pm in the Church. Come along on Monday evening or contact John Barry on 9065 4395 / 078 4072 8477 or email jb654395@yahoo.co.uk.
Parent & Toddler group – meets every Wednesday morning during term time in the Parochial Hall. It provides a friendly welcome to local parents/carers and their children. We need a few more volunteers to help with setting up equipment and clearing up afterwards, welcoming people, preparing and serving snacks and leading the singsong. We would also welcome anyone who would like to undertake an activity with the children (crafts/music/games etc). If you have a few hours to spare every week/once a month/once a term we would love to hear from you. Please contact Elizabeth 077 2978 2471.
ANNUAL 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) – £570 in hotel or £450 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17th) – £625; Youth Team (Age 16-25) – 8th-17th £520. Closing date for youth applications is 27th March. For more information see the poster in Church Porch or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email dcpilgrimage@gmail.com
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
OFFERTORY ENVELOPES FOR THE NEW YEAR – begin on Sunday 12th 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 leave your name, address and telephone number in the bulletin box and Philomena will be in contact with you during the coming week.
TROCAIRE 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 souls of Maureen Taggart, Brian McManus and Frank McGoverm, relatives of parishioners, who died recently and for Kathleen Davey, whose month’s mind occurs this weekend. We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Gerry O’Flaherty, Antonio Fusco, Bridie McMullan, Bella Logue, Willie Logue, Margaret Kerr, Bernard Neeson and Peter 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
Don’t worry it is not too late to enter this year, members of the Parish Social & Fundraising committee will be at the back of the Church after all Masses next weekend to sign you up. For those who have already purchased their tickets please speak to a member of the committee next weekend to receive your tickets. If you need any more information you can contact Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019 or Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463 or any member of the Social & Fundraising Committee.
PARISH SAFEGUARDING
Saint Colmcille’s Parish Safeguarding Committee is pleased to inform you that it will be hosting a Diocesan Safeguarding Information Session this Wednesday evening from 7.00pm to 9.30pm in the Parochial Hall for all those volunteers who work with vulnerable adults. This session is mandatory for all those who work with or intend to work with vulnerable adults. Eucharistic ministers who visit the sick and housebound and those who volunteer with SPRED have a mandatory obligation to do this training before they become active volunteers. The Diocesan Safeguarding Office recommends that members of the Bereavement Group take part in this training. As a matter of urgency we would like those from the parish who will be attending the session on 25th March to inform Karen Diamond 077 1110 9268 or Noeleen Dunn 078 7949 8131.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
We are greatly helped in our work of support for the poor and needy by “The Larder” the food bank attached to St. Christopher’s Church in Mersery Street. Over fifty of our clients have received generous food parcels from one to six times in the past year. The food is provided by neighbouring churches and we feel particularly as our clients are amongst the major beneficaries, we should try to contribute to them. So starting this weekend and up to Sunday 29th March members of the St Vincent de Paul will be in the Church Porch to receive donations of food for onward transmission to “The Larder”. The following are suggested items: cereal, jam, pasta, rice, pasta sauces, tinned fruit, tinned meat and fish, tinned vegetables, tinned soup, tinned tomatoes, biscuits, tea, coffee, toilet rolls, washing powder, toothbrushes, toiletries and washing up liquid. They have always loads of baked beans.
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.
VOCATIONS EVENING – in the Parish of Saintfield on Thursday 30th April 2015. For more information on vocations please contact Father Kevin McGuckien on 9061 4567 or email:kevinmcguckien@hotmail.com.
THIS WEEK
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – each Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
THE GIFT – concludes this Friday Morning after the 9.30am Mass. The final session in the series is ‘Living in the Spirit”.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME – the Sacramental Preparation Programme for those children who are about to receive First Holy Communion, will be held at the 9.30am Mass next Sunday.
Awakening Faith Programme – will take place next Sunday morning after the 9.30am Mass. The theme of the final short talk is ‘Is Faith Possible Today.’
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, 30th 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.
PARISH BREAKFAST – on Wednesday 1st April at 10.00am. If you would like to attend please sign your name on the sheet at the back of the Church and tick your choice of breakfast.
Concert – by St.Colmcille’s Choir, St. Joseph’s Primary School & the Sing for Life Choir will be singing an extravaganza of contemporary & familiar songs on Friday 17th April at 7.30pm in St. Colmcille’s Church, to raise funds jointly for Cancer Focus NI and our own Parish. Light refreshments included in the Parochial Hall afterwards. Tickets £10, Children 11-17 £5, Children under 11 Free. Please put the date in your diary now. Not to be missed!
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN LONDON
The Outreach Mission of the Philippine Embassy in London will be present in the Parochial Hall on Saturday 11th April from 9.30am to 5.00pm and Sunday 12th April from 9.30am to 12.00 noon. Contact details for on site arrangements are Katrina Albarico – 077 9678 7513 and Vhee Benasa – 078 2809 5361. The following services will be offererd: e-passport applications; Civil registration (reports of birth, marriage or death); Notarization and Legalization services (affidavits, SPAs, etc); NIB clearance form servicing (fingerprinting); Acceptance of application for visa to the Philippines; Philippine citizenship Retention/Re-acquistion; Overseas voter registration; Assistance to nationals and Advice on Philippine laws’ PAGIBIG membership/inquiries and SSS membership/inquiries. Applicants are advised to check the documentary and other requirments at www.philembassy-uk.org and to download the applications forms in advance from the same website.
OTHER NOTICES
THE POPE FRANCIS EFFECT – a series of talks being held in Tobar Mhuire, Crossgar during the Tuesday’s in Lent. Brian McKee will give the final talk this Tuesday evening – Building a Church of the People, begininning at 7.30pm. Voluntary donation. Everyone welcome!
The Class of 1971 – were you, or a relative, a student teacher who commenced their course (Cert Ed, BEd or Post Grad) in St Mary’s or St Joseph’s Colleges of Education, Belfast in September 1971? A Mass followed by a cup of tea will be held to celebrate 40 years associated with the Colleges as Alumni and to remember deceased friends and classmates. Venue: St Mary’s, Falls Road, this Friday at 6.00pm,in the College Chapel. Please contact John on 077 0133 6308 for more details.
Building Hope – a concert in aid of St Colmcille‘s/Gilnahirk Habitat for Humanity Project, India 2015 and celebrating 50 years of Corrymeela will be held in Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church this Friday at 7.30pm. Tickets £10 Adult, £5 child, available from Maureen Verdon on 079 2962 4395 and John Barry on 9065 4395 or 078 4072 8477.
St. Malachy’s College Annual Concert – on Sunday 19th April at 4.00pm in the Ulster Hall. Adults £10, Concession £8, Family(4) £30. Tickets available from College Reception on 9074 8285.
Apostolate of Eucharistic Adoration – third All Ireland pilgrimage to Knock, on Sunday 26th April. Buses will be available for this event. £15 pounds return. To book your seat phone or text 077 3828 2199.
Catholic Singles – is an organisation which helps single adult Catholics of all ages meet, either one to one or through social events. Please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website www.catholicsingles.org.uk or email info@catholicsingles.org.uk