10th May
VOL. 23 NO. 24 10TH MAY 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
SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – (Page 349, 452 & 495)
6th Week of Easter
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 3
| Entrance
Antiphon |
Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia. |
| 1st Reading | (Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48) The Holy Spirit has been poured out on the pagans too. |
| Psalm | The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations. |
| 2nd Reading | (1 John 4:7-10) God is love. |
| Acclamation | Alleluia, alleluia! Jesus said “If anyone loves me he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we shall come to him.” Alleluia! |
| Gospel | (John 15:9-17) A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. |
| Children | Jesus is teaching his friends about how much he loves us all. Jesus says that he loves us just as much as God the Father loves him. Anyone can be a friend of Jesus. All we have to do is to follow what he says and love one another. |
| Communion
Antiphon |
If you love me, keep my commandments, says the Lord, and I will ask the Father and he will send you another Paraclete, to abide with you for ever, alleluia. |
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
| Saturday | Sunday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| 6.30pm
John Roddy |
9.30am
|
9.30am
|
9.30am
Special Intention
|
9.30am
|
9.30am
Anointing of the Sick |
| Confessions at 6.00pm | 11.30am Gerry Hughes &
Elsie Campbell |
Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
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 19th May 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.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Is one of the most memorable and joyful days in a child’s life and represents a sign of growth on their faith journey and the love of God for each and every child, since in the Eucharist we receive Christ Himself. Parents who put forward their child for First Holy Communion are fulfilling the vow they made publicly at their child’s Baptism, to be the ‘first and best teachers of the child in the ways of faith’. The home is the place where our children’s faith is nurtured, nourished and sustained. Parents have been supported by the school Alive O programme, sacramental parents meetings and the parish Do This In Memory Of Me Sunday Mass. The celebration of First Holy Communion each year is also a parish community celebration. Please pray for the sixty parish children who will receive their First Holy Communion next Sunday at the 11.30am Mass.
PARISH FAMILY
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL – young people are invited to join the team who read the prayers at Mass. Training will take place beginning this Sunday from 10.25am to 11.20am in the Iona Room; Sunday 24th May and Sunday 14th June from 10.25am to 11.15am in the Church. All welcome. Enquiries to Noeleen 078 7949 8131.
ALTAR SERVERS – formation and additional training: for post primary Servers attending next Sunday from 10.25am to 11.15am and Sunday 7th June 10.25am to 11.15am in the Church; for P6 and P7 servers continuing on Wednesday 20th May after school in the Church.
SUMMER CHILDREN’S WEEK – applications for the children’s holiday bible week ‘Under the Big Top’, on Monday 3rd to Friday 7th August, will be given out in St Joseph’s school and St Colmcille’s Pre School this week. Further forms available from colmcilleyouth@yahoo.co.uk
CTS BOOKLETS – a new range of resources is on sale in the Church porch. There is also a variety of cards to purchase, to celebrate special occasions. Payment may be placed in any of the money boxes in the walls next to the candelabras.
EXAM BUDDIES– all students preparing for exams are invited to take an exam pack from the table in the Church porch and to place their name on the Exam Buddies notice board there. Parishioners are invited to place their name on the Prayer Sponsors board and then pray for the students over the exam period in May and June.
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) – 8-17th £520. For more information see the poster in Church Porch or contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email dcpilgrimage@gmail.com
BAPTISM – we welcome into the parish family Cormac Domnhall Kelly and Anna Linda Macaulay who were baptised in St. Colmcilles during the week.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
Annual Diocesan Collection for the Education of our Student Priests – will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. This year our diocese has ten students in training for the priesthood. Fr. Andrew Black has just been ordained. Rev Conor McCarthy will be ordained in June. James O’Reilly will be ordained deacon later this month. The other students are Manuelito, Tony, James, Michael, Kevin, Christopher and Stiofan. Please keep them in your prayers. Your financial contribution is another concrete way of supporting our students as they journey towards priesthood for service in our parishes.
DECEASED
We pray for Gerry Hughes, whose month’s mind occurs this weekend. We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
William Kells, Nilda Fernandez, John Roddy, Elsie Campbell and Anne Coulter.
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.
CEMETERY SUNDAYS
City Cemetery – this Sunday. Please note that this year Prayers will take place in St John’s Parish Church at 3.00pm. Families who have loved ones buried in the Glenalina Section (Upper Section) are invited to gather in St John’s Church. Their graves will be blessed after the Prayer Service. Those who have loved ones buried in the Lower Section nearer the gatehouse are invited to stand at or near their graves, which will be blessed during the service. Speakers outside St John’s Church should reach the lower end of the Cemetery as far as the Gate House.
Milltown – on Sunday 24th May.Prayers and blessing of graves will be held at 3.00pm.
Hannahstown – on Sunday 31st May at 3.00pm. Mass will be celebrated in the grounds of St Joseph’s Cemetery, followed by the blessing of the graves.
St Peter’s, the Rock – on Sunday 7th June at 3.00pm. Prayers and blessing of graves.
THIS WEEK
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL – will meet this Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in the Committee Room.
GIFT – the Growing in Faith Together programme for young people in P7 to year 10, continues in the Iona room this Wednesday from 6.30pm – 8.00pm.
COMING EVENTS
BELMONT AND DISTRICT COUNCIL OF CHURCHES – will hold their Pentecost Service on Sunday 24th May, in Stormont Presbyterian Church at 7.00pm. All welcome.
Date for your diary – The Annual Parish Sirloin Steak/Chicken BBQ & Disco will be held on Friday 5th June, tickets £15 per person. More details to follow nearer the time.
ST. COLMCILLE’S SCOUT GROUP
Columbanus Shield 2015 – despite last weekend’s horrendous weather conditions, two patrols from St. Colmcilles took part in this year’s Columbanus Shield competition at Tollymore Forest Park and when the results were announced, the patrol led by Ronan Cunningham had achieved 1st place. The second patrol from St. Colmcilles, led by Eve Gilsennan was placed 4th from a total of 10 entries. All the scouts deserve great credit for their display of scouting skills last weekend, particularly in view of the weather conditions and their success guarantees participation in this year’s all Ireland Scoutcraft competition, the Phoenix which will be held in Limerick in August. Incidentally, this is the 3rd year in a row that the scouts have held the Columbanus, a record total of 19 wins in the competition.
Nepalese Earthquake – the Scouts are collecting unused sleeping bags or fleeces for shipment to Nepal. If you can donate any garments or sleeping bags, please leave to the Scout hall any Tuesday, Thursday or Friday evening at 7.00 pm.
OTHER NOTICES
ANNUAL LE CHEILIE/TOGETHER LECTURE IN ST MARY’S COLLEGE – this Tuesday at 7.00pm. Dr Leonardo Franchi, Head of the St. Andrew’s Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education and Director of Catholic Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow will deliver a public lecture entitled “Preparing for Mission: Catholic Teacher Education in the Contemporary Church.” RSVP to Eilis McAteer on 9026 8306 or email e.a.mcateer@smucb.ac.uk.
LIVING THROUGH LOSS – a 3 session course with Brenda Kelso being held in the Kairos Centre, Knock Presbyterian Church. This Tuesday – Seasons of Grief – Dispelling the Myths. Tuesday 19th May – Promoting Healthy Grieving in Children. Tuesday 26th May – Hope for the Hurting – What Helps and What Hurts? For more information contact Nicki Jemphrey on 078 4092 4505 or email njemphrey@knockpresbyterian.co.uk
TAIZE EVENT – this Friday is the International Day of Taize Prayer and solidarity to celebrate 75 years of the Christian Ecumenical Taize Community. Everyone is invited to share a light meal of soup, bread and cakes at the Dock Café, Titanic Quarter, Belfast at 6.00pm. It will be a simple prayer of ecumenical expression inviting people (particularity the young) to celebrate what we have in common, experience community and solidarity with all those of great or little faith and in solidarity with those praying across the world. Should you be going please contact Paddy Donnelly on 9065 1351.
Lough Derg – will hold a special Day Retreat ‘Hope and Encouragement for a New Beginning’ on Wednesday 20th May. Fr Ben Hughes, who promotes healing and well-being, will facilitate the day which will be beneficial to anyone who is living with or struggling with any issue that is holding them back or hurting their life. Advance booking is essential. For more information contact Lough Derg on 00353 71 9861518.
Habitat for Humanity – Northern Ireland is hosting a special evening of music and song with The Priests. The classical music trio The Priests will present a special fundraising concert in St Patrick’s RC Cathedral, Armagh on Friday 29th May. The evening will celebrate the fact that local people have helped Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland build over the last 21 years. Tickets cost £20 and can be purchased at www.habitatni.co.uk or from Armagh Parish Office on 3752 2813.
Forgiveness: the key to healing and happiness – a one day retreat to be held in Dromantine Retreat and Conference Centre on Saturday 30th May from 10.00am to 4.30pm. This day will provide an opportunity to reflect on ways to deal with life’s hurts and disappointments, so that we can let go, move on, and find peace and happiness and will be facilitated by Fr. Des Corrigan, SMA. Apply to the Secretary at Dromantine on 3082 1964 or email admin@dromantineconference.com.
COLUMBANUS BANGOR FOLK FESTIVAL 2015 – Ards CCÉ can confirm that the headline act for this year’s folk festival will be Dervish, supported by Ards CCÉ Entertainment Group. The concert will take place on Saturday 13th June at St Comgall’s Parish Hall and there will be a fully licensed bar available. Tickets are only £10 per person and are now available to purchase from Thomas’ Shop.
Living Church Down & Connor Lough Derg Pilgrimage – the third Living Church Lough Derg 3 day Pilgrimage will take place this year from Friday 3rd July to Sunday 5th July. The pilgrimage will be the traditional three day format. Those who took part in the pilgrimage over the last few years spoke of the many blessings they received from being on the island of Lough Derg, as countless people have throughout the years. There is quietness and deep spirituality to be found there that is very special. Please consider coming along this year. The cost of the pilgrimage is £60.00. The cost does not include travel to the island. For details of travel arrangements and to book a place please call the Living Church Office on 9069 0920 or email office@livingchurchdc.org by Friday 12th June.
- PETER’S FOLLOWERS OF THE CROSS – annual Pilgrimage to Lourdes from 7th to 12th October. Spiritual Director – Rev. Patrick McCafferty. Fare – £599 per person inclusive of Belfast/Lourdes return flights, full board accommodation and all taxes. For bookings and further information please contact James Hyndman on 9032 7218, Julieanne Hughes on 9024 6901 or Jimmy Barr on 90249745.