SUNDAY BULLETIN
VOL. 22 NO. 13 2ND MARCH 2014
Father Ciaran Feeney Adm. 191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB. Tel. 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net E-mail: stcolmcilles@hotmail.com
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
PARISH OFFICE AND BULLETIN
The parish office will close this coming week.
PARISH PROGRAMME FOR LENT
MORNING MASS – will be celebrated Monday to Friday mornings at 7.15am and 9.30am.
DAILY MEDITATION FOR LENT – copies of “Bible Alive” are available at the back of the Church.
WALK WITH ME BOOKS – A Lenten Journey of Prayer for 2014, are available at the back of the Church. Price £1. Please put money in paper box beside Confessional.
BELIEVE – a DVD presentation on a series of reflections on the Creed, exploring the treasures of our faith as expressed in the Nicene Creed. This is an opportunity on Thursday mornings during Lent, to explore the beliefs that we proclaim publically, every time we attend Mass. Everyone is invited to gather together at 10.00am in the Iona room, where we will begin with refreshments.
TROCAIRE FAST BOXES – are available in the foyer of the Church from this weekend.
DOWN AND CONNOR PIONEER ASSOCIATION – Do you feel we live in a drinks culture? Are you concerned about alcohol abuse? Are you thinking of giving up alcohol for Lent? If so, we invite you to take a Temporary Pledge with the Pioneer Association, say a short prayer daily and offer up your decision not to take alcohol for the sake of someone else, perhaps someone who is living with addiction. You can make a difference. Register your pledge with the Down and Connor Pioneer office on 9089 4070 or email dandcpioneers@gmail.com. Please give your name, address and phone number and you will be sent a Pledge Certificate which includes the daily prayer.
PARISH FAMILY
DIOCESAN REVIEW – a leaflet giving a summary of the Diocesan Review which will be happening in each parish during this month is available at the back of the Church this weekend.
FIRST FRIDAY – Father Ciaran will attend the sick and housebound in the parish this Tuesday.
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 11th-16th) – £570 in hotel or £470 in hospital; 7 nights (10th-17th) – £635; Youth Team (Age 16-25) – 8th-17th £520, closing date for youth applications is 31st March. For more information see the poster in Church Porch or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email dcpilgrimage@gmail.com
DOWN AND CONNOR DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA – under the patronage of Bishop Noel Treanor from 14th to 21st August. Cost £649 – includes Belfast-Dublin Airport return coach, return flight to Lisbon, transfer from Lisbon to Fatima, 7 nights full board, based on sharing twin bedded rooms with facilities, in a 3 star hotel, full religious programme. Pilgrimage directed by Father Gerard McCloskey and Father Sean Gilmore. For further details contact Joe Catney on 9071 4401 or Anna Prior on 4484 1843.
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.
HOLY HOUR – this Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 8.00pm in St. Peter’s Cathedral to thank God for the gift of the Eucharist and to pray for priests and vocations. All are most welcome.
BAPTISM – we welcome into the parish family Mollie Anna Dunn, Emily Jessica Shipman and Jacob Thomas Smyth who were baptised in St. Colmcilles last weekend.
DECEASED – We pray for the repose of the soul of Veronica Tohill, who died suddenly last Sunday; Marie McCorry, who died recently and for Noel O’Hare whose month’s mind occurs this weekend. We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Grainne Ruddock, C J Joseph, Teresa Judge and Maureen Bradshaw
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
The Monthly Stipend Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.
PARISH DRAW
Thank you to everyone who signed up to the Parish Draw 2014 last weekend. Don’t worry it is not too late to enter this year. After all Masses this weekend members of the committee will be at the back of the church to sign you up. For those who paid by standing order last 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.
VOCATIONS
God promises never to forget us. If you feel distant from God, who has moved? Seek a closer relationship with God and all that you need will be given to you. (Isaiah 49: 14-15 and Matthew 6: 24-34. If you think God is calling you to be a priest please contact Father Murray for more information at 9091 3761 or e-mail: mail@frmurray.co.uk
DISCERNING VOCATIONS – a retreat for young women who are considering their vocation in the Church – a look at married life, the single life, lay missionary work, the religious life, consecrated life in the world and the contemplative life. Venue: Drumalis Retreat House, Larne on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March. Cost: a donation is acceptable. If interested contact the Diocesan Vocation Director: Fr. John Murray at 9091 3761 or email: mail@frmurray.co.uk or also contact Mags Tierney at 075 3741 4387 (text only) or magstierney08@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK
APOSTOLIC WORK – March meeting will be held in Iona Room at 8.00pm this Tuesday.
GIFT – Growing In Faith Together is a post Confirmation programme being offered to 1st and 2nd year pupils in our parish. The programme helps young people to continue on their faith journey through remembering their Confirmation, developing their gifts and talents, exploring age-related themes, engaging in fun activities, faith sharing with their peers and praying together. It is facilitated by parish adult volunteers and parents. It will run for five Thursday evenings beginning this Thursday in the Colmcille Room, from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. Enquiries to Noeleen : 078 7949 8131.
ST. JOSEPH’S PTA – warmly invite you to An Evening of Rock, Souls & Blues next Saturday evening at 8.00pm in the Parochial Hall. The event is BYO with tickets priced at £10 per person. All enquiries to the school or Mary O’Brien 077 6965 8755.
APOSTOLIC WORK LENTEN LUNCH – in the Parochial Hall after both Masses on next Sunday. If anyone cannot be there but would like to make a contribution please give it to any member of Apostolic Work at any time.
COMING EVENTS
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL – will meet on Tuesday 11th March at 7.30pm
ST. COLMCILLE’S ART EXHIBITION/ART OF CARING – from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th May we will celebrate 20 years of the Art of Caring. The exhibition will have the usual range of artists and activities Please put dates in your diaries. We need sponsors and buyers and lots of help particularly during the days before the opening. Proceeds as usual will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care, Scouts and Guides and St Joseph’s Primary School. Bring your family and friends To volunteer phone 077 0326 9058.
REPORTS
SAINT COLMCILLE’S GUIDE UNIT CAMP – on Friday 14th February annual unit camp took place at Crawfordsburn Country Park, this year was a “Wizard of Oz” theme. A total of 52 Rangers, Guides and Birgini attended the activity filled weekend. We arrived down on the Friday evening, cold and wet, yet optimistic and our spirits were not dampened. To start off we got settled into our dorms and were then placed into our patrols for the camp; the year and wish to continue paying by standing order please check with your bank to confirm how you set it up last year. You might need to set it up again this year. If you need any more
Crawfordsburn wardens visited us to give us a fire drill. Once in the patrols, we were given an exciting book with challenges we had to complete over the weekend, which we started right away. After some delicious supper consisting of soup and bread we headed to bed for some much needed rest. On Saturday morning the yellow patrol were woken up bright and early to set up breakfast for us all. All the leaders were very grumpy as the Brigini were up all night playing ‘knock and run’, whilst also brushing their teeth at 2am. Once breakfast was all cleared up and all the leaders had received a mug of coffee, we said our daily prayer. The Cygnets joined us for the day and did arts and crafts with the Brigini to start, which was followed with a visit from Jump, Jingle, Jive. The Guides and Rangers set out to do wall climbing on site, which was very challenging and fun. After we returned from wall climbing we helped prepare some lunch for us all. Everyone was very quiet during lunch filling up their bellies. In the afternoon the Cygnets decorated cup cakes and some colouring in, the Brigini were crate climbing, while Guides and Rangers had someone down to start a three week programme of Self Defence. Afterwards, the Rangers completed our thirsty work challenge which included making pancakes and tea or coffee for the leaders on trangias, whilst the Guides roasted marshmallows and made s’mores over an open fire in a tin can. Unfortunately it began to rain so the Guides jumped ship and received compensation free time. Around 6pm dinner was served and everyone tucked in. Our Saturday night consisted of a campfire and singsongs with everyone joining in and having fun. During the campfire, all the patrols completed The Rainbow Story challenge. The Orange patrol was voted the best and got the opportunity to perform at Mass the next day. Hot chocolate followed with two marshmallows. Bedtime was around 11, but let’s be honest no one went to sleep! It was the last day of camp and everyone was upset to go home. Next was a race, we made ‘red shoes’ for one person in each patrol and then we raced against each other, the orange patrol won. The last activity was a rainbow themed scavenger hunt. Father Ciaran came down and joined us and our parents to close the camp with Mass. The Orange patrol performed for the Homily and then the Mass continued. After Mass, the leaders showed some videos and a powerpoint presentation of what we all got up to in camp. Overall everyone had a great time and the camp was a great success. By Emma Cunningham, Anna McLaughlin, Rachael Kelly, Amy Owens, Ciara Verdon and Lauren McKissick
OTHER NOTICES
LIVE BELOW THE LINE WITH CONCERN – could you live below the poverty line for five days, feeding yourself on just £1 a day? The challenge is simple – £1 a day for food and drink for five days. You’ll have plenty of help from our community of past participants, encouragement form our ambassadors and a website full of useful resources. For more information and to sign up now please visit livebelowtheline.com/uk/partner/concern or text ‘LIVE’ to 81400.
PILGRIMAGE “IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL” – Fr. Paddy Delargy is organising a Pilgrimage trip to Turkey following in the footsteps of St. Paul . Simplified itinerary is – Leving mid September. Fly Dublin to Istanbul to Izmir. Visit Ephesus and other sites associated with the Apostle, flight back to Istanbul, 2 night stay and tour of Istanbul and return to Dublin. Half board accommodation, guided tours all included. Approx. cost is £1000. If you are interested contact Fr. Paddy at 2564 1515.
ARTHRITIS CARE – would you like to learn new skills and ideas to manage your pain more effetively? If so, Arthristis Care is running a Challenging Pain Course in the Skainos Centre, Newtownards Road, this Monday and Monday 10th March from 10.00am to 1.00pm. For further details ring their training team on 9078 2940.
CHARITY QUIZ – in aid of Barefeet at the Errigle Inn, Ormeau Road, this Thursday. Starts at 8.00pm, admission is £5 per person, prizes for the
winning team and raffle. Barefeet helps children living on the stree in
Zambia (www.barefeettheatre.org)
BELFAST LIONS – are holding a charity quiz this Thursday evening at 7.30pm in the Wellington Park Hotel. Entry is £20 per team with a maximum of six in each team. The prize for the winning team is £100 with spot prizes on the night. There will be a raffle and the proceeds of this and the quiz will raise funds for Diabetes UK our charity of the year and local Lions projects. Belfast Lions club welcomes new members we meet on the first Wednesday of each month for further information contact Belfast.lions@aol.co.uk.
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – this Friday at 8.00pm in Sydenham Methodist Church, Sydenham Avenue. All welcome. The service has been written by Women of Egypt on the theme “Streams in the Desert.” Everyone including the men and youth are welcome. There is also a downtown service in May Street Presbyterian Church at 11am on 7th March.
CAR BOOT SALE – next Saturday, in St. Joseph’s College, Ravenhill Road, from 9.00am to 1.00pm. £5 per car, £10 per van. Refreshments and stalls available
CURIOUS CHRISTIANS – will meet on Monday 10th March in the Stye Brae Centre, Gilnahirk at 8.00pm. After studying Isaiah we have decided either to tell stories from our lives when we experienced something of God’s presence or to tell of bible stories which have special significance for us. All will be welcome.
COULD YOU GIVE ME LOVE, FUN AND SECURITY … ‘TIL I GROW UP? – across Belfast there are children of all ages who may never be able to live with their birth parents – they need a permanent home for the rest of their childhood. If you are resilient, flexible and have the energy and time to care for the demands of a child come along to our information evening to find out more on Wednesday 12th March from 7.00pm to 9.00pm in the Wellington Park Hotel. For more information conact Belfast Trust on 9504 0057.
FROM BERGOGLIO SJ TO POPE FRANCIS: “ THE MAKING OF A POPE” – Fr Conall O‘Cuinn, SJ will lead us in a dynamic seminar on getting to know and understand our charismatic new leader in the Good Shepherd Centre, Ormeau Road on Wednesday 19th March form 2.00pm to 4.30pm. A donation of £5.00 would be appreciated. Organized by the Conference of Religious of Ireland.
BEGINNING EXPERINCE – Are you suffering the pain of loss? Looking for help and understanding? Beginning Experience (a support group for widowed, separated and divorced people) is offering a Residential Weekend from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd March at Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre, Larne. For further information please contact Phil on 9020 7645 or Marie on 075 4207 0835.
TRAVELLING LIGHT IN LENT – a quiet retreat day at the Passionist Retreat Centre, Crossgar on Saturday 22nd March from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Cost £45. Leaflet and booking form available at back of Church. Refreshments and lunch included. Additional overnight on either Friday and/or Saturday can be arranged. For further details please contact Mary Cairns on 9087 7936 or 078 8120 4514