News

Walk with singer-songwriter Dana in the footsteps of St Patrick with pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly on September 23rd. Dana has just written a new song Light the Fire for St Patrick. Begin the six-mile camino adventure at the Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick with IMAX film about St Patrick, take guided river walk to ruins of 12th Century Inch Abbey, and then journey to Saul to visit the site of Patrick’s first church & his grave, Down Cathedral. Bus transfers, pilgrim passport & lunch included is £45. Book The Saint Patrick Centre 02844 619000 www.saintpatrickcentre.com

ONE DAY LOUGH DERG PILGRIMAGE SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2023
The Living Church Office are organising a one-day pilgrimage to Lough Derg. As this is a One Day Retreat, fasting and walking barefooted is not required. Cost £55 includes luxury coach transfers, tea, coffee & scones on arrival, retreat day, light lunch, concluding with celebration of the Eucharist. Bus departs 7am from St Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street. Places are limited so early booking is recommended.

Contact Claire Tel: 02890 690920 Email: livingchurch@downandconnor.org

Facilitated by ASCERT
Join us every Thursday at 2pm-4pm at the Atlas Centre, 7 Bachelors Walk, Lisburn, for our free SMART Recovery meetings. These sessions equip individuals with practical tools to effectively manage addictive behaviours, fostering motivation, coping strategies, thought management and a balanced life.

Our goal is to empower Adults to lead fulfilling lives, free from addictions and its stigma. No booking required.

For futher informationo@ascert.biz or phone 0800 254 5123.

Parents of children attending NON-PARISH SCHOOLS who wish their child to receive the SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION 2024, are asked to contact the Parish Office as soon as possible on 028 92 660206

SMA DROMANTINE: Worklshop Friday 1st September (5.00pm) – Sunday 3rd September (2.00pm)

Stop Missing Your Life: Stress, burnout and discovering a calmer you.

As we move into a post pandemic world, more and more people are reporting symptons of numbness, frustration and exhaustion. This compassionate and optimistic workshop will transform the way we think about and manage stress and burnout, empower participants to thrive under pressure and enjoy meaningful yet balanced lives. Learn time-tested lifestyle habits that promote resilence & nurture a calmer you.

Led bt Fr. Hugh Lagan SMA. Cost £225. Tel: 028 30821224.

Email: admin@dromantineconference.com

As a young priest, Fr. Eddie McGee officiated at his first Christening here at St. Patrick’s in July 2003. Twenty years have passed! With the exception of a brief holiday each year he has served and shared in this parish each weekend with incredible energy, loyalty and enthusiasm. He was also present for Feasts of Christmas and Easter and any other significant occasions. A joy to work with he never ever let us down. Unfortunately there is an acute shortage of priests in the Diocese at the moment. Some parishes don’t even have a priest for Sunday Mass.

Fr. Eddie had been assigned by the Bishop to help out in those areas of greatest need. We genuinely thank him for all he has done for us and wish him well in his new mission. After 12 noon Mass on Sunday 20th August there will be an opportunity to say farewell and thanks to him in the Parish Centre.

Light refreshments will be available.

The Priory Institute, Tallagh, Dublin two week online Summer School on the Gospel of John will run from 14-28
August. The course includes eight recorded presentations and two on-line zoom discussions and is very flexible as it is delivered entirely online. Please visit our website to find out more and to register prioryinstitute.com

CATHOLIC MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER is a Weekend experience for any Sacramentally married couple. Every relationship is a journey, and the grind of everyday life can cause you to lose touch with your spouse. This is a space for you and your spouse to pause, reflect, and reconnect privately.

Our next Marriage Enrichment Weekend is Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th November 2023 at “The Cork International Hotel” Cork. To book your place visit our website: www.marriageencounter.ie

The Management Committee of St Comgall?s Pre School-Education Centre, Bangor invite applications from suitably quali?ed candidates for the following Post:

Required 01/09/23 or as soon as possible thereafter.
Post: Pre School-Leader in Charge

25 hours per week Monday to Friday. Term Time plus 1 week. Salary is payable on a 10/12 basis.
Rate of Pay as per JNC scales Point 17-21

Job Description and Application form available via email: bangor@downandconnor.org
Closing date for completed applications 12 noon on Friday 11th August 2023.
It is anticipated that interviews will take place w/c 21st August 2023. All Correspondence will be by email.

Archbishop Eamon Martin will celebrate Mass at Slane on August 6th as part of a Light the Fire rosary/healing service on World Youth Day. Sr Briege McKenna will lead the healing service while Eurovision’s Dana who will sing her new song for St Patrick which recalls how our patron saint lit the fire of faith on Slane in 433AD.

All welcome 12:15-4:30pm. More info: hillofslaneaugust6@gmail.com