SUNDAY BULLETIN
VOL. 23 NO. 16 15TH 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
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT– (Page 154, 493 & 121)
4th Week of Lent
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 4
| Entrance
Antiphon |
Rejoice Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast. |
| 1st Reading | (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23) The wrath and mercy of God are revealed in the exile and in the release of his people. |
| Psalm | O let my tongue cleave to my mouth if I remember you not! |
| 2nd Reading | (Ephesians 2:4-10) You who were dead through your sins have been saved through grace. |
| Acclamation | Glory and praise to you, O Christ! God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son; everyone who believes in him has eternal life. Glory and praise to you, O Christ! |
| Gospel | (John 3:14-21) God sent his Son so that through him the world might be saved. |
| Children | God loves us so much that he sent us his Son, Jesus. God sent Jesus into the world so that everyone can have new life with him. Jesus helps us to know God better. People can see by the way we behave that we love God. |
| Communion
Antiphon |
Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Sat. | Sun. | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thurs. | Fri. |
| 6.30pm | 9.30am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | 7.15am | |
| Paddy Macauley | Antonio
Fusco |
|||||
| 11.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | |
| Maureen Murphy | Anointing of the Sick | |||||
| 7.00pm
Joseph Forde |
TUESDAY IS THE FEAST ST. PATRICK –
and is a Holy Day of Obligation. Masses in the parish will be
at 7.00pm on Monday evening and 9.30am on Tuesday morning.
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. No 7.15am Mass this Tuesday.
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 ‘A Personal Pentecost”.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
Awakening Faith Programme – will take place this Sunday 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 next short talk is ‘The Church and Me.’
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 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
Proclamation of the Word – the course for new readers will continue this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in the Iona Room in the Parochial Hall. It is still possible to participate in the remaining parts of the programme. Come along on Wednesday 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
St Patrick’s Day – climb Slemish on St Patrick’s Day, after 11.00am Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Braid. You are welcome to join a group which celebrates St Patrick’s Day by walking around 12 miles. Refreshments available in Braid Old School. Consider getting some sponsors and donate funds to Trocaire’s Lenten Campaign.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
NEEDY PARISHES COLLECTION – will be taken up at all Masses this weekend. This collection was established to create a special fund to assist “Financially Needy” Parishes. There are already several Parishes within the Diocese that have accumulated debt and are financially stretched. However, through financial re-structuring schemes it is hoped that many of these parishes, with the aid of this fund, will be able to return to a positive financial position. Through this collection “better off Parishes” can help those less fortunate Parishes to have some hope of returning to sound financial footing.
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.
DECEASED
We pray for the repose of the soul of Mary McCann, who died recently We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Paddy Macauley, Maureen Murphy, Joseph Forde, Norah Rogan, and Antonio 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
Thank you to everyone who signed up to this year’s Parish Draw a couple of weeks ago. We are delighted to announce that the winners of the 1st Parish Draw for 2015 are: Fr Ciaran Feeney – £100, Raju Varughese- £75 & Cormac Browne- £25. 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 to sign you up over the weekend of 28th and 29th March. For those who have already purchased their tickets please speak to a member of the committee that 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 on 25th March 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 within the next five days.
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 next short talk is ‘The Church and Me.’
Scripture and Prayer Group – the meeting scheduled for this Tuesday evening, has been cancelled.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT – each Thursday evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.
THE GIFT – will take place on Friday Mornings after the 9.30am Mass. The next session in the series is ‘A Personal Pentecost”.
Ballyhackamore Golf Society – the first outing will be to Carnalea this Friday. The first tee is reserved from 1.15pm. Cost is £20. Members, guests and visitors are welcome to attend. For further information contact Peter 9076 3922.
stations of the cross – will be celebrated each Saturday evening at 6.00pm.
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
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 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!
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
Music for St Patrick’s Day – in Drumalis this Sunday 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.
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 on Tuesday 24th March – Building a Church of the People, begininning at 7.30pm. Voluntary donation. Everyone welcome!
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!
St Columba’s Knock, Ladies Guild – are hosting a talk about Traffiking in Northern Ireland this Wednesday 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.
Are you suffering the pain of loss? – looking for help and understanding?
Beginning Experience (for separated, widowed and divorced people) is holding a residential weekend from this Friday to next Sunday in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne. A few places still available. For further information please contact Phil on 9020 7645 or Marie on text: 075 4207 0835.
ORGAN RECITAL – by James O’Donnell, the organist at Westminster Abbey. In St Brigid’s Church, Windsor Avenue, this Friday at 7.30pm. All Welcome. There will be a Retiring Collection.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ST DOROTHEA’S CHURCH – to mark this special year, the church will be decorated with floral and fruit display from this Friday to next Sunday. On Friday and Saturday, the church will be open from 10.00am to 4.30pm and refreshments will be available. Next Sunday from 2.00pm to 4.30pm. Rev. Dr. Peter Thompson will give an organ recital on the Saturday afternoon at 2.30pm.
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.
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 on Friday 27th of March 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.