6th March 2016
4TH SUNDAY OF LENT – (Page 176, 452 & 493)
4th Week of Lent
Readings : Sunday Cycle C, Weekday Cycle 2, 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 | (Joshua 5:9-12) The People of God keep the Passover on their entry into the promised land. |
Psalm | Taste and see that the Lord is good. |
2nd Reading | (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) God reconciled us to himself through Christ. |
Acclamation | Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” Praise, and honour to you, Lord Jesus! |
Gospel | (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) Your brother here was dead and has come to life |
Children | A man has two sons. The younger one asked for his share of his father’s property. He then sold it and went far away with the money, which he wasted and so was left with nothing. This younger son had to take a job looking after pigs, but still was given no food. So he went back to his father, to say he was sorry and to ask him for a job. When his father saw his son coming he was so pleased that he threw a party to welcome him home. |
Communion Antiphon | You must rejoice, my son, for your brother was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found. |
Would those who are last to leave the Parish grounds in the evening please close the car park gates.
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 |
Maureen Bradshaw & Bridgeen Trainor | ||||||
11.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | 9.30am | |
Teresa Judge | Anointing of the Sick |
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.
MARY – A Biblical Walk Through the Bible, presented on Friday mornings in Lent, continues this Friday, at 10.00am with refreshments in the Iona Room. You will experience an extraordinary pilgrimage through Mary’s life and see why she is an essential part of our faith. The DVD presentation, by Dr Edward Sri, will guide us through “Mary Crowned with Glory” this week.
DO SOMETHING SPECIAL THIS LENT! – many people choose to abstain from alcohol during Lent. Why not take this opportunity to help someone you love with an alcohol or drug problem by offering up your sacrifice as a prayer for their freedom from addiction. Take the Short-Term pledge and make a difference to someone’s life! Register your pledge with local Pioneers or the Down and Connor Pioneer office- Tel: 9089 4070 or email dandcpioneers@gmail.com. Please give your name, address and phone number and you will be send a Pledge Certificate which includes the daily prayer.
TROCAIRE FAST BOXES – are available in the foyer of the Church. “Learn to do good, search for justice, discipline the violent, be just to the orphan, plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:10-17. Trócaire’s Lenten campaign 2016 is asking people here at home to join the fight for justice by supporting Trócaire’s work. The injustices faced by the world’s poorest people are many and can only be tackled with your help. To find out more visit trocaire.org/lent
YEAR OF MERCY – WELCOME THE STRANGER
“The mercy of God is his loving concern for each one of us. He feels responsible; that is, he desires our wellbeing and he wants to see us happy, full of joy, and peaceful. This is the path which the merciful love of Christians must also travel!” Pope Francis, Misericordia Vultus 9
EMBRACE is an inter-church organisation, which began as a support group for refugees and people seeking asylum. Their main role is one of encouraging church communities to be more welcoming places for all people from other countries and minority-ethnic backgrounds. Research their work on www.embrace.org and find out what help you could offer. Or perhaps you could adopt an attitude of openness and kindness to the next stranger you meet?
A PILGRIMAGE COMPANION FOR THE YEAR OF MERCY – is a book of prayers and reflection, and is available at the back of the Church. Price £1. Please put money in the box beside Confessional.
Mission of Mercy – a Lenten Mission of Mercy in St. Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast concludes this Sunday. The mission will be preached by the Dominican Fathers and take as its theme ‘The Church as the Door of Mercy’. Sunday Masses will be at 7.00pm (Vigil), 8.00am, 10.00am, 12.00 noon and 7.00pm. The Rosary will be prayed before all Masses and Confessions will be heard before and after every Mass. The priests and people of the diocese are most welcome to join the parishioners of St. Patrick’s for what is hoped will be a grace-filled period of preparation for Easter.
YEAR OF MERCY 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) – £550 in hotel or £430 in hospital; 7 nights (10-17th) – £600; Youth Team age 16-25 (8-17th) – £500. For more information contact the Pilgrimage Office on 9064 6040 or email Lourdes@downandconnor.org
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 15th 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 DRAW
If you wish to find out more information about the Parish Draw or sign up for this please contact Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019, Lucy Traynor on 079 0080 7589 or Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463.
PARISH FAMILY
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.
MINISTERS OF OUTREACH – packs for the Easter delivery are available in the porch after all Masses next weekend.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL – up to and including Palm Sunday the society is collecting foodstuffs, washing powder, toothbrushes, toilet rolls, toiletries and washing up liquid for “The Larder”, who provide help to approximately 150 people every month throughout East Belfast. The scriptures throughout the Season of Lent emphasise our duty to help the poor. Helping “The Larder” is a way for us to fulfil this duty. Boxes are available in the Church porch for your donations.
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.
BAPTISM – we welcome into the parish family Zhian Allen Dangcal, Jamie Robert Gailey Hamilton, Michael Desmond James Hutton, Riónach Catherine Anne Hutton and Sebastian Miguel Tanguanco who were baptised in St. Colmcille’s last weekend.
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 Bridgeen Trainor, whose month’s mind occurs this coming week, and for all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Maureen Bradshaw, Teresa Judge, Teresa Deane
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
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL – will meet this Tuesday at 7.30pm.
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, 21st 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.
Art of Caring Exhibition & Sale – is returning this year from Friday 8th April to Sunday 10th April in the Parochial Hall. This event raises money for Marie Curie Hospice Centre, St Joseph’s Primary School, St Colmcille’s Guide Unit, 11th Belfast Scout Group and St Colmcille’s Parish. More details will follow nearer the time but if you would like further information about the event or wish to put your name down for volunteering please contact either Artie O’Neill on 077 0326 9058 or Roisin McMullan on 078 5414 0019.
OTHER NOTICES
ACCORD CATHOLIC MARRIAGE CARE SERVICE – need counsellors and facilitators in your area. Should you wish to avail of ACCORD’s services, or would like to be considered for the personally and professionally fulfilling work as an ACCORD Facilitator or Counsellor, please contact ACCORD on 9023 3003, email – info@acordni.com
BRING US HOME – a Lenten Reflecton faciliated by Hilary Musgrave and Monica Brown, this Thursday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne. An offering of £10 would be appreciated. Supper will be provided. Bookings are essential. Please phone Drumalis on 2827 2196. Hilary and Monica will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect on the scripture imagery and themes of this Lenten season through scripture story-telling, music, imagery and ritual, drawing people into a reflective space where they can ponder the meaning and relevance of the Paschal Mystery in their own life journey.
YOUNG ADULTS CONFERENCE – next Saturday in the Catholic Chaplaincy at Queens – a one day conference for Young Adults (age 18 to 40) will take place. Registration starts at 9.00am with the conference from 10.00am to 5.00pm. There will be talks, workshops, Mass, Adoration and Confession. The cost is £10, includes lunch and refreshments. For more details contact 077 5337 9110 or email cyaconference16@gmail.com
The Seven Last Words of Christ – by Fr Conor McCarthy is a new musical setting of the Lenten devotion, in St Anthony’s Church, Craigyhill, Larne this Friday at 7.00pm and in St Anne’s Church, Dunmurry, next Sunday at 7.00pm. It is a time of prayer and reflection on the words Christ speaks during his crucifixion. The music will be provided by Fiona Flynn (soprano), James McConnell (organ) and Fr Conor (cello). All are very welcome to attend.
CAPPELLA CAECILIANA – present their 20th anniversary concert at 7.45pm next Saturday in the Good Shepherd Church, Ormeau Road. The programme includes Vivaldis ‘Gloria’, with orchestra. The concert also features The Priests and worldwide composer James MacMillan. Tickets (£15, students £10) are available from Matchetts Music, Wellington Place and online at www.caecilian.org.
Music for St Patrick’s Day – in Drumalis next Sunday at 7:30 pm. This will be an evening of entertainment for St Patrick’s Day in the beautiful surroundings of Drumalis in Larne. The McAuley Traditional Singers and Players featuring a trio of harps 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 £28 per person and admission is by pre-paid ticket only. For further information or to book tickets, please contact Drumalis on 2827 6455/2827 2196.
Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church present ‘Noah’ – a thought provoking musical drama based on the life of Noah exploring thoughts around standing out from the crowd, sin, faith and new beginnings. The show is being performed on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th March at 7.30pm in the Jack Britton Hall at Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church. The cost is £5 (group reductions available) with all proceeds going to the Presbyterian Church in Ireland Youth and Children’s project ‘Change our World’. Tickets are available from Gilnahirk Church Office on 9040 3589 or gilnahirkpres@btinternet.com The target audience is secondary school aged youth and adults.
St. Patrick’s Day Charity Dinner Dance and Concert with ‘The Priests’ – St. Patrick’s Parish is delighted to announce a spectacular Dinner and Dance Event to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and raise much-needed funds for the Church’s Stone Restoration Fund. The Parish will host a Dinner Dance in Titanic, Belfast on Thursday, 17th March. The evening will commence at 7.00pm with a drinks reception. This will be followed by a sumptuous three-course meal at 8.00pm. Internationally renowned singing trio ‘The Priests’ will give an after-dinner concert. Guests can then dance the night away to swing sensation ‘Dave Martin and the Casino Cats’. Tickets are priced at £60 each. Tickets are available from the Church Sacristy after Masses and the Parish Office, Monday to Thursday from 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm or by contacting the parish by phone on 9032 4597 or by email stpatricks@downandconnor.org
Mass for Ireland – in the beautifully restored St. Mel’s Cathedral, Longford, Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, on Saturday 19th March, Feast day of St. Joseph, with prayers for wellbeing of families, and protection of human life. Rosary at 2.30pm, and Procession to Altar of The Holy Family. Mass at 3.00pm, Holy Hour 4.00pm. Bus leaving Belfast at 9.00am picking up at Sprucefield, returning to Belfast for 7.30pm. Tickets £10 return. Contact Orla 075 4545 2362 or email info@anteaghlachnaofa.ie. Further information available at www.anteaghlachnaofa.ie
Brain Injury Matters NI, – together with another brain injury charity are the beneficiaries of a Musical evening featuring Fr Martin O Hagan (from the Priests) and a number of choirs on Saturday 19th March in Campbell College. Brain Injury Matters is a local charity and all funds raised support children, teenagers and adults with brain injury to improve their quality of life through therapy and rehabilitative activity. For more information contact Brain Injury Matters on 9070 5125 or 075 5336 5895.
Matt Talbot Pilgrimage – the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Venerable Matt Talbot in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin takes place on Saturday 2nd April. Concelebrated Mass will take place in the Church at 12.30pm. For further details and booking, please contact Josephine O’Hagan on 9061 7116 or Mary Holden on 9442 3956.
HABITAT GALA BALL – for the fourth successive year Living Youth is sponsoring a Habitat team who will travel to Ethiopia in August. To help raise funds a Gala Ball will take place on Friday 22nd April in The Tullyglass House Hotel, Ballymena. Tickets £40 per person; £400 per table. Dancing to The Housem8s. Come enjoy a wonderful evening and help build hope. For more information or to reserve tickets please log on to info@habitatni.co.uk