VOL. 23 NO. 14 1ST 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
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT– (Page 145, 452 & 121)
2nd Week of Lent
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 2
| Entrance
Antiphon |
Of you my heart has spoken: Seek his face. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me. |
| 1st Reading | (Gensis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18) The sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith. |
| Psalm | I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living. |
| 2nd Reading | (Romans 8:31-34) God did not spare his own Son. |
| Acclamation | Glory and praise to you, O Christ! From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard: “This is my Son, the Beloved, Listen to him!” Glory and praise to you, O Christ. |
| Gospel | (Mark 19:2-10) This is my Son, the Beloved. |
| Children | Jesus took his friends Peter, James and John up a high mountain. Jesus changed and looked different. His face shone and his clothes became bright white. Two prophets, Moses and Eiljah, appeared with him. The disciples heard God’s voice telling them that Jesus is his Son. Jesus’ friends were scared but Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.” |
| Communion
Antiphon |
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him. |
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 |
| C J Joseph | Jamie Shaw | Maura Woods | ||||
| 11.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | |
| Teresa Judge | Maureen Bradshaw | 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 on Friday mornings during Lent, in the Iona room, where we will begin with refreshments. The next session in the series is ‘The Gift of the Spirit”.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
Awakening Faith Programme – will take place this Sunday, Sunday 15th and Sunday 29th March 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 first short talk is ‘Can Mass make my life more meaningful?’
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.
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 17th March 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
FIRST FRIDAY – Father Ciaran will attend the sick and housebound in the parish this Tuesday.
Proclamation of the Word – the course for new readers will continue on Monday 9th March at 7.30pm in the Church. If you missed the first session it is still possible to participate in the remaining parts of the programme. Come along on Monday March 9th at 7.30pm or contact John Barry on 9065 4395 / 078 4072 8477 or email jb654395@yahoo.co.uk.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM – is a small group who meet on a weekly basis to add their voices to yours, presenting your needs to God. Requests for prayer can be made by completing a Petition Slip and placing it in the Prayer Request Box, both of which can be found in Our Lady’s Prayer Space, or by emailing colmcilleprayer@yahoo.co.uk. All requests are treated with the strictest confidence and you can make your request anonymously if you wish.
BAPTISM – we welcome into the parish family Brooke Rose Kerr, Erin Joy McCready, Mary Geraldine Olive McErlean and Kendra Mae Ruiz who were baptised in St. Colmcilles last weekend.
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.
The Monthly Stipend Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.
DECEASED
We pray for the repose of the souls of Kathleen Davey, a parishioner, who died on Tuesday, Paul Hoben, the father of a parishioner, Jamie Shaw and Maura Woods who died recently. We also pray for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
C J Joseph, Bob Roddy, Teresa Judge, Maureen Bradshaw, Josie O’Hanlon, Nora Casey,
Mary Paul, Brenda Quinn, Teresa Deane, Gabriel Mullaly and Florence Fusco.
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
There is still time for you to participate in this year’s Parish Draw. Please show your support to the Parish by purchasing a ticket or two by contacting Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019, Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463, or Philomena in the Parish Office.
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
Awakening Faith Programme – will take place this Sunday morning after the 9.30am Mass. The theme of the first short talk is ‘Can Mass make my life more meaningful?’
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – each Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
APOSTOLIC WORK MONTHLY MEETING – the monthly meeting is this Tuesday evening, in the Iona Room at 8.00pm.
THE GIFT – will take place on Friday Mornings after the 9.30am Mass. The next session in the series is ‘The Gift of the Spirit”.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
COMING EVENTS
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER – on Friday 6th March at 11.00am in May Street, Presbyterian Church and 8.00pm in St. Molua’s Church of Ireland, Upper Newtownards Road. All are welcome men and women, young and old to join this prayer service held across the world.
Concert – by St.Colmcille’s Choir, St.Joesph’s Primary School & the Sing for Life Choir will be singing an extravaganza of contemporary & familiar songs on Friday 17th April at 7.30pm to raise funds jointly for Cancer Focus NI and our own Parish. Light refreshments included. Please put the date in your diary now, not to be missed!
REPORTS
APOSTOLIC WORK LENTEN LUNCH – thank you to all who supported our fund-raising event last weekend and to Paul Browne and the Scouts who set up the furniture andto all those who helped in the clear-up. Thanks to your generosity we raised £1,350 for use on the Missions.
PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN LONDON
The Outreach Mission of the Phillipine 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 Philipine 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
Cardinal Peter Turkson – will give a public lecture in St. Brigid’s Church, Windsor Avenue, Belfast at 7.30pm, this Wednesday evening. The title of the lecture is: Pope Francis and the Joy of the Gospel: The Social Dimension. Cardinal Turkson is President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in The Vatican. He comes from Ghana; born in 1948, he was Archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, 1992-2009. Regarded as “one of Africa’s most energetic leaders” he was called to Rome by Pope Benedict XV1 to head the Church’s Council for Justice and Peace and reappointed by Pope Francis. The subject of Cardinal Turkson’s lecture is based on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the proclamation of the Gospel in today’s world. The Cardinal will pay particular attention to the social dimension of evangelization as outlined in Chapter Four of the Pope’s document where Pope Francis “raises social issues of great importance for the future of humanity” such as justice, care for the vulnerable, peace, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, religious freedom. The Pope makes explicit the inescapable social dimension of the Gospel message and encourages all Christians to demonstrate it by their words, attitudes and deeds.
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 following talks: this Tuesday – A Voice in the Wilderness? Tuesday 10th March – Pope Francis – Where does he fit into the papacy? Tuesday 24th March – Building a Church of the People. Each evening begins at 7.30pm. Come along for one evening or for the full series of talks. Voluntary donation. Everyone welcome!
IN JOYFUL HOPE – All are welcome to an “In Joyful Hope” Eucharist at 7.30pm this Tuesday evening in St Peter’s Cathedral. Obeying the mandate of Jesus “Do this in Memory of Me” Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists and members of the Church of Ireland will worship together in this celebration, keeping faith with our Catholic discipline. “In Joyful Hope” is a new step in Eucharistic Communion.
ST MARK’S CHURCH – are running an early evening programme on a Wednesday evening until 25th March. The timing for each evening is: 6.00pm – Lenten Office in the Church; 6.30pm – Supper in the Church Hall; 7.00pm – after Supper Speaker. People are welcome to come for the entire evening, or even just for supper and/or the speaker. There is no cost for each evening, although there will be an opportunity to contribute towards the cost of supper each week on an entirely voluntary basis. Please phone St Mark’s Parish Office on 9065 9047 if you are planning to come for supper, just to give us a sense of numbers for catering!
Rosary Crusade to protect Ireland from abortion – Begins with a 9 Day Novena of Rosaries this Friday ending with a Rosary Vigil at Parliment Buildings, Stormont (Main Gates) Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast on Saturday 14th March at 3.00pm. Join thousands of people from across Ireland to pray and be a voice for our unborn children at this critical time. For more information please contact Rosary Crusade for Ireland on 028 9027 8484.
FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTIONS – will take place in St. Matthia’s Church, Glen Road, next Saturday commening with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Confessions at 3.00pm, followed by Mass at 4.00pm.
St Columbas’ Knock, Ladies Guild – are hosting a talk about Traffiking in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 18th March at 7.45 pm, in St. Columba’s Church. This topic has been talked about on the media for many months and now you will have an opportunity to learn how to help these poor people who have been brought here under false pretences.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST. DOROTHEA’S CHURCH – to mark this special year, the church will be decorated with floral and fruit display from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd March. On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st, the church will be open from 10.00am to 4.30pm and refreshments will be available. On Sunday 22nd March from 2.00pm to 4.30pm. Rev. Dr. Peter Thompson will give an organ recital on the Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm
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
Music for St Patrick’s Day – in Drumalis on Sunday 15th March at 7:30pm. The McAuley Traditional Singers and Players under the direction of Loreto McAuley will perform a selection of Irish and Scottish music and there will be a fork supper. The cost of the evening is £25 per person and admission is by pre-paid ticket only. For further information or to book tickets, please contact 2827 6455 or 2827 2196 during office hours.
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, March 27th at 6.00pm,in the College Chapel. Please contact John on 077 0133 6308 for more details.