VOL. 24 NO. 06 3RD JANUARY 2016
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
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER THE NATIVITY – (Page 83, 452 & 490)
Season of Christmas
Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 2, Psalter Week 2
| Entrance Antiphon | When a profound silence covered all things and night was in the middle of its course, your all-powerful Word, O Lord, bounded from heaven’s royal throne. |
| 1st Reading | (Ecclesiasticus 24:1-2, 8-12) The wisdom of God has pitched her tent among the chosen people. |
| Psalm | The Word was made flesh, and lived among us. |
| 2nd Reading | (Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18) He determined that we should become his adopted sons through Jesus. |
| Acclamation | Alleluia, alleluia! Glory, be to you, O Christ, proclaimed to the pagans; Glory be to you, O Christ, believed in by the world. Alleluia! |
| Gospel | (John 1:1-18) The Word was made flesh, and lived among us. |
| Children | Today we learn about Jesus, God the Son. We learn how he has lived with God the Father since the beginning of time and how he was born on earth so that we could come to know and love God more. |
| Communion Antiphon | To all who would accept him, he gave the power to become children of God. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 6.30pm
Harry McKenna |
9.30am
|
9.30am
|
9.30am
Rose Mary McCullagh |
9.30am
|
9.30am
Anointing of the Sick |
| Confession at 6.00pm | 11.30am
|
7.00pm
|
WEDNESDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY – and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses in the Parish are on Wednesday morning at 9.30am and Wednesday evening at 7.00pm.
Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds in the evening please close the car park gates.
YEAR OF MERCY
Pope Francis has announced an Extraordinary Jubilee Year, dedicated to living out in our daily lives, the mercy which the Father constantly extends to all of us. By showing mercy to others, we are witnessing to our faith in God.
CTS BOOKLETS – for the Year of Mercy, are now available to purchase from the stand in the Church porch.
BAPTISM
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 19th 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
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.
PARISH CENSUS – is constantly changing due to new families moving into the parish, and existing families moving homes. The parish makes a conscious effort to ensure the information we hold is correct and up to date, but we need help from all families to ensure this is done. If you have moved into the parish and have not registered, please complete a yellow census card at the back of the Church, and place in the bulletin box. If you have moved house please fill out a white card at the back of the Church, and again leave in the bulletin box. Parishioners who are moving out of the parish are asked to inform Philomena in the office when they have moved. Your co-operation in keeping our census up to date is appreciated.
MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION – who take the Blessed Sacrament to the housebound, should sign their name on the list in the Sacristy on each occasion.
Opportunity – part time SPRED Coordinator sought to help support fellow parishioners with learning disabled in our Diocese. Duties include providing training for our groups, giving presentations, raising awareness, recruitment, administration and planning. 15 hours per week @ £8 per hour. For more information and to apply, please contact or send your CV to spreddc@gmail.com Closing date for applications, 3rd January 2016.
Lourdes 2016 – we are currently seeking doctors (post foundation training) and nurses (on the NMC live register) to join the volunteer staff of the Diocesan Pilgrimage (11-16thJuly 2016). For more information please email us at lourdes@downandconnor.org
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
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.
DECEASED
We pray for the repose of the soul of Patrick Joseph Proctor, the grandfather of a parishioner, who died last week, and for Rose Mary McCullagh, whose month’s mind occurs this coming week. We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Harry McKenna, John Graves, Marie Kerr and Eileen Nelson.
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.
THIS WEEK
WEDNESDAY CLUB – the club resumes this Wednesday. The year kicks off with a six week programme of the very popular games with John. Why not join us in the Iona Room each Wednesday afternoon and get fit and energetic for 2016.
COMING EVENTS
11th Belfast Scout Group, St. Colmcilles 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance – Plans are now very advanced for the Scout Group’s 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance. We have ex members and current members flying in from Seoul, Brussels, USA, Dubai, Glasgow, London, Leeds, and friends joining us from all parts of Ireland. We want all our ex members, friends and supporters to join us in celebrating our anniversary – 50 years of quality scouting in St. Colmcilles and 50 years of fun, friendship and achievement. Because we can’t contact everyone, we need your help in spreading the word. We have established a dedicated Facebook page which can be accessed via the scout troop Facebook page and details of the dinner can be seen there. Tickets at £35 are now available from Paul Browne at 9029 1935.
ST Colmcille’s Pre-school
We are holding an Open Evening this Thursday evening at 7.00pm. Everyone welcome!
Application forms are available at www.eani.org.uk/admissions for those who wish to apply online. Paper copies of the application form will be available to collect from the Pre-School at our open evening and until the closing date. The deadline for submission of forms is noon on Wednesday 13th January 2016.
All children in their pre-school year are entitled to apply for a place in St Colmcille’s Pre-school. We offer free places to 96 children and have a long-standing tradition of providing pre-school education in the area. The places are allocated according to criteria drawn up by the Management Committee of the pre-school.
We aim to provide a stimulating, happy and friendly environment where children, staff and parents can learn from and support each other.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Our Lady and St Patrick’s College, Knock – Open Morning next Saturday from 9.15am to 12.30pm for Year 7 Pupils and Parents. Principal’s Address at 9.30am and 11.00am. Prospective Year 13 students are also welcome.
- MALACHY’S COLLEGE – Open nights on Wednesday 13th and Thursday 14th January. Principal’s Address at 7.00pm in the College Hall. Primary 6 pupils are welcome to attend on the Thursday night. If coming by car, please access via Lincoln Avenue.
OTHER NOTICES
IRISH DANCE CLASSES – starting on Thursday 14th January 2016 from 3.00pm to 5.00pm in St Colmcille’s Parochial Hall. Age 4+. For more information or to book a place contact Nicola Oakes on 077 1892 7242 or email: leonardnicola@hotmail.com
The Live Crib in Belfast – is now open at St Mary’s Church, Chapel Lane, Belfast. Come along to The Grotto and meet the Holy Family, Shepherds and Kings. Also featuring: Henry and Poppy the donkeys; goats Emily, Billy and Gruff; sheep Sean and Larry; and Alpacas Chewy and Snowy. School groups, choirs and carol singers are welcome. The crib will run until this Wednesday. Animals arrive at 10.30am and go home at 5.00pm each day. Entrance is free. Donations to the crib will go towards Tuesday’s Child Following Yonder Star Christmas Appeal for children in Gaza, Kenya, Nigeria and child boat refugees rescued in the Mediterranean. There will be prayers each day in the crib for peace for every child, born and unborn. For further details e-mail events@tuesdayschild.org.uk or text 078 0881 4807.
ALHomecare – we provide live-in carers for the elderly in their own home. Our service is a lot more affordable than nursing home care. Our service costs from 350 euros per week for a live-in carer. Our website is www.alhomecare.ie.
Interested in fostering? – Do you think you have the skills, patience and desire to support vulnerable young people- then we would like to talk to you. We are currently looking to recruit 8 foster carers in your local area. We offer a good financial package to support young people in placement. Please contact Action for Children duty social worker on 02890460500 or email: nioffice@actionforchildren.org.uk
2016 CENTENARY OF THE ANGEL OF FATIMA. – Pilgrimage to Fatima & Santiago de Compostela, from 9th to 18th August 2016. 3 Nights H/B Los Abetos Hotel Santiago, 6 Nights F/B Hotel Avenida Fatima. Visiting Pontevedra, Tuy & Balasar. Spiritual Directors are Fr Gerry McCloskey & Fr Sean Gilmore. Special Group Price £709 inclusive of tax & insurance. Full Religious Programme. For further details contact Joe Catney on 9071 4001 or 077 7642 5631. Early booking is advisable. Deposit secures.