VOL. 23 NO. 52 22ND NOVEMBER 2015
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
OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE – (Page 827, 499 & 452)
34th Week in Ordinary Time
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 2
| Entrance Antiphon | How worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and divinity, and wisdom and strength and honour. To him belong glory and power for ever and ever. |
| 1st Reading | (Daniel 7:13-14) His sovereignty is an eternal sovereignty. |
| Psalm | The Lord is king, with majesty enrobed. |
| 2nd Reading | (Apocalypse 1:5-8) Ruler of the kings of the earth … he made us a line of kings, priests to serve his God. |
| Acclamation | Alleluia, alleluia! Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David! Alleluia! |
| Gospel | (John 18:33-37) It is you who say that I am a king. |
| Children | Jesus was taken by his enemies to the Roman leader, Pilate. They told Pilate that Jesus had said he was the king of the Jews. Pilate asked Jesus what this meant. Jesus explained to Pilate that his kingdom was not a kingdom like the ones on earth. Jesus said he had come to tell people the truth about God and that everyone on the side of God’s truth would listen to him. |
| Communion Antiphon | The Lord sits as King for ever. The Lord will bless his people with peace. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 6.30pm
Therese Carville |
9.30am
|
9.30am
|
9.30am
|
9.30am
Peter Kelly
|
9.30am
Anointing of the Sick |
| Confession at 6.00pm | 11.30am
William McCaffrey |
Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds in the evening please close the car park gates.
MONTH OF NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER IS THE MONTH OF DEVOTION TO THE HOLY SOULS – during the month of November Mass will be celebrated each day for the repose of the souls of those deceased whose names have been included in the November Dead Lists.
ANNUAL MASS FOR DECEASED TEACHERS – will be celebrated this Monday evening in the Good Shepherd Church at 7.30pm. refreshments afterwards in the adjacent Good Shepherd Centre.
Tidy Graves – are offering a great clean up service on a loved one’s grave and all from only £30 for a basic clean for the month of November. Contact Andrew on 9029 2140 or mobile 077 1828 2816
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 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 FAMILY
MINISTRY OF OUTREACH – packs will be ready for Ministers of Outreach to collect after all Masses next weekend.
PERMANENT DIACONATE – the Diocese initiated training for the Permanent Diaconate two years ago and twelve men have completed their Preparatory Year and are in their second year of formation. Preparations are under way to begin another Preparatory Year in 2016. Men, between 35 and 60 years of age who would like to consider the Permanent Diaconate should contact Father Alan McGuckian at the Living Church Office for more information and an application form. Phone 9096 0920, or email livingchurch@downandconnor.org. Completed applications should be returned to the Living Church on or before the 30th November 2016.
THE WEDNESDAY WORD – is a national prayer mission which links parishes throughout the country through regular weekly prayer. The Wednesday Word contains the following Sunday’s scripture readings and reflections and is an excellent way of preparing to come to Mass. It is available each week at the back of the Church to take home. Please do consider starting to use this Christ centred, scripture based, method of praying, in spiritual solidarity with many parishioners throughout the country
Eucharistic Prayer Vigil – for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life will take place in St. Comgall’s Church, Bangor this Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 10.00pm. The Vigil will conclude with Mass at 9.00pm.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
DECEASED
We pray for the repose of the soul of William McCaffrey, a relative of a parishioner, who died this week. We also remember Therese Carville, whose month’s mind occurs this weekend and all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
John Logue, Elizabeth Logue, Peter Kelly, John Allen and Jim McCrarren
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.
ADVENT
DAILY MEDITATION FOR ADVENT – copies of “Bible Alive” are available at the back of the church. Please put money in any of the Candelabra boxes.
WALK WITH ME – A journey of Prayer for Advent and Christmas. Copies are available at the back of the church. Price £1. Please put money in any of the Candelabra boxes.
ADVENT SERVICE – come celebrate the true meaning of Christmas on Sunday 13th December at 6.00pm in St. Colmcille’s Church. Join the Choir and St. Joseph’s Primary School Choir in singing the joyful story of the coming of the Lord. Refreshments served afterwards in the Hall.
TROCAIRE 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.
St Vincent de Paul
CHRISTMAS CARDS – will be on sale at a price of £3.00 per packet – there are 10 different designs – for those who still like to keep contact with friends and family in the traditional way. They will be on sale in the Chapel porch.
Christmas Appeal 2015 – continues to Sunday 20th December. Once again this year we are asking for donations of cash or shopping vouchers. Cash is required to buy essentials such as vegetables, meat and other fresh food and is also 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 any time up to Sunday 20th December. SVP Envelopes marked as Gift Aid can be found at the Chapel 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. As most of our families live near a Tesco store this would be the best supermarket voucher to donate. Heating oil stamps can be purchased from many oil suppliers or you can specify on the envelope if you wish us to spend your donation on fuel. The annual appeal in 2014 was a great success and as a result we were able to help many families in the East Belfast area, of which our Church plays an important part. No matter how small (every £1 counts) all donations help to relieve the dreadful pressure our families suffer. Many have the simple choice of heat or eat.
THE LARDER – is a food bank in Mersey Street which has been most helpful in supporting many of the clients of our St. Vincent de Paul. The St. Vincent de Paul propose collecting food to deliver to the Larders throughout Advent and would particularly appreciate any donations of food. Boxes will be availabe in the porch for this collection, commencing at all Masses next weekend and concluding on the weekend of the 19th/20th December.
ANNUAL LOCAL COLLECTIONS – many volunteers from the Parish will be getting involved by standing at our local Spar and Tesco stores in Ballyhackamore and Supervalu at King’s Square on nominated days as organised by Paddy Donnelly. Those of you who have not already been approached to volunteer by Paddy, can still come forward if you wish. We would like to thank those volunteers for donating their time at this very busy time of the year.
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.
For further information on what SVP contributes to our society, check the web site at SVP.IE
THIS WEEK
11th Belfast Scout Group – the Annual General Meeting of the parish Scout Group will be held in the Scout Hall this Tuesday evening beginning at 8.30pm sharp. All parents, friends and supporters of the Group are invited to attend.
ST JOSEPHS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL – open morning this Wednesday at 10.00am, for all prospective parents who wish to enrol their child in the school for September next year. There will be a Principal’s address followed by a tour of the school. .
SOS – we are currently seeking volunteers, who would be able to assist housebound parishioners with shopping/errands, on a short term ad hoc basis. A meeting, where you can find out a bit more and register as a volunteer, will be held this Thursday evening at 7.30pm in the Iona Room.
MARY – A Biblical Walk Through the Bible, will be presented on Friday mornings in Advent, starting this Friday, at 10.00am with refreshments in the Iona Room. You will experience an extraordinary pilgrimage through Mary’s life and see why she is an essential part of our faith.
Advent Family Weekend in Corrymeela – from this Friday to next Sunday. Why not join our neighbours from Gilnahirk and fellow parishioners in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings of Corrymeela for a weekend of conversation, craic and relaxing walks on the beach or the forest, liberally interspersed with tea, coffee and home-made scones or biscuits? For more information please contact John Barry 078 4072 8477, email jb654395@yahoo.co.uk or Paula Sheils 075 9033 1477, email paula.sheils@hotmail.co.uk or Mary Walsh on 9029 5795.
APOSTOLIC WORK – the Christmas sale will held next Sunday. Tea, coffee and scones as usual. There will be a special Christmas stall in addition to the usual stalls. Please put the date in your diary and come along to support our missionary effort. As the sale is not on Saturday night, there will be an opportunity for anyone who cannot go on Sunday to make a donation at the back of the church after Mass on Saturday evening. Please give generously as funds are needed constantly.
BELMONT AND DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – will hold their Advent Service next Sunday in Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church at 7.00pm. The loose offering will go to Christian Aid’s Refugee Crisis Appeal. Everyone will be very welcome.
COMING EVENTS
Ballyhackamore Business Association – has always taken Christmas seriously, and this year is no exception. Engaging the irrepressible talents of Young at Art, Northern Ireland’s leading arts organisation for children and young people, this year Christmas is turning into a hunt for Santa. That’s right Santa has been kidnapped! The ‘Nearly True’ Christmas Tour is an exciting walking tour around the village of Ballyhackamore, where no stone will be left unturned in the search for Santa. The hour-long tour with the elves will be running every Saturday from 28th November to 19th December and further tours will be held on Monday 21st, Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd December to ensure that Santa is found before December 25th ! There are three tours each day beginning at 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available to buy from Greens Pizza in Ballyhackamore. Tickets are priced at £12 per child and £8 per adult and this will include a gift and a photo with Santa.
CHRISTMAS WITH CONCENTIO – on Monday 30th November at 8.00pm in St. Colmcille’s Church. Doors open at 7.30pm. You are invited to join SOS NI and the Conentio Chamber Choir for an enchanting evening concert. Admisson is free, although there will be a retiring collection on the night in support of SOS Bus services. The highly acclaimed Concentio Chamber Choir are an award winning classically trained choir who have performed across Europe.
Christmas Party – Calling all you who are just over 60 as it’s time to get ready for the Christmas party! It is on Sunday 6th December in the Parochial Hall at the slightly earlier start time of 4.00pm, dining at 4.30pm and finishing at 7.00pm. Bring your friends and enjoy this lovely event, delicious food and of course Santa will be there! We are delighted to say that Alan will be back by popular demand to provide the music and entertainment. It is important for the catering that we get numbers so please let us know as soon as possible how many places you wish to book. Also if anyone needs transport to attend let us know as this can be easily arranged. The social and fundraising committee will be in the porch after all Masses this weekend for your queries or to take your booking, or you may call Roisin McMullan 078 5414 0019, Mary Walsh 078 1549 3463 or Lucy Traynor on 079 0080 7589. It really is a great event, help us make it even better.
Reunion Dinner – to mark the 50th anniversary since the re start of the Scouts in the parish, a 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance has been arranged for the 6th February 2016 in the Stormont Hotel. All ex members of the Group, leaders and committee people are invited to attend, as are all parents and supporters. The Scout Group has been an integral part of the youth provision in St. Colmcilles Parish during good and bad times and it’s fitting that we celebrate the continued success of the Group. Please let family members no longer living in the parish know of this event. A dedicated Facebook page will be developed and further details about the reunion will be given as they become available.
LIVING YOUTH – Habitat for Humanity Ethiopia Team 2016: Following our successful Habitat for Humanity projects over the past three years Living Youth is excited to announce recruitment for another youth team due to travel to Ethiopia next summer. Provisional dates: 8th to 22nd August 2016. Applicants should be 18 years or over and all team members will be expected to contribute to the cost of the trip as well as engage in an extensive fundraising campaign. The budget for this trip is £2,000 p/p. This includes a non-refundable deposit, travel, in-country expenses and a £600 minimum donation to Habitat’s work. To register or get more information visit: www.habitatni.co.uk, call 9263 5635 or email gv@habitatni.co.uk
OTHER NOTICES
To mark the 1400th anniversary of the death of St. Columbanus – there will be a Concelebrated Mass in St. Comgall’s church, Bangor at 7.30pm this Monday evening. The chief celebrant will be Bishop Anthony Farquhar and Bishop Denis Nulty of Kildare and Leighlin will be the preacher. This concludes the Year of St. Columbanus in Bangor, Luxeuil and Bobbio. All will be most welcome.
JESUS HEALS – Koinonia John the Baptist invites you to a meeting of healing through praise, prayer and the Word of God. Venue: St Paul’s Pastoral Centre, Falls Road, (beside St Paul’s Church) this Wednesday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Come and enjoy a new experience of faith and return home refreshed.
SOS BUS SLEEP OUT – this Friday from 7.00pm to 7.00am in Writer’s Square, Belfast. Registration £20 + suggested sponsorship £100. Please help SOS raise funds for their services and awareness of homelessness and vulnerable people on the streets of Northern Ireland. To register phone 9066 4505 or email alison.steers@sosbusni.com
LEPROSY MISSON CHRISTMAS FAIR AND COFFEE MORNING – next Saturday in Knock Presbyterian Church, from 10.00am to 12.30pm. Come and buy your Christmas cards and gifts and support the work of the Leprosy Mission.
Christmas at Tobar Mhuire – Santa is coming again to the annual Craft Fair in Tobar Mhuire next Saturday and Sunday from 1.00pm to 5.00pm. There’s something for everyone – face painting , shopping, tombola and delicious refreshments. All welcome! Our popular annual Christmas Candlelight Dinner is on Friday 4th December, with music and song by award winning singing sensation Matthew Campbell. To book please call 4483 0242 or email secretary@tobarmhuirecrossgar.com
Trócaire with Christian Aid – invite you to an Ecumenical Service in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast next Sunday at 1.15pm, followed at 2.00pm with a People’s climate rally in Writer’s Square, Belfast. Together we gather on the eve of the world leaders climate change talks in Paris. People from all walks of life will come together to show their support for climate action and a future free from poverty. We hope you can join us.
KNOCK ALL NIGHT VIGIL – buses will depart from King Street and Kennedy Way on Monday 7th December at 3.00pm returning to Belfast on Tuesday 8th December at 12.00 noon. Price £40, this includes dinner and breakfast. To book please call the Pilgrim Shop, on 9031 1652. £10 deposit required. Vigil starts at 11.00pm and consists of the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Benedicition and finishes with Mass at 4.00am
Advent Day of Reflection – at Tobar Mhuire Retreat Centre, Crossgar on Saturday 12th December from 10.00am to 5.00pm. The theme will be ‘Looking At The Biblical Themes Of Mercy Through The Lens Of Luke’s Gospel’. Pope Francis has declared this coming year as the Year of Mercy. Sean Goan links this Year of Mercy to the Year of Luke in the lectionary, in his own reflective and scholarly way. A wonderful preparation for Christmas and for celebrating the Year of Mercy. For more information contact Tobar Mhuire on 4483 0242 or email secretary@tobarmhuirecrossgar.com