News

Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day,
unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed and very dear.

All our beloved dead laid to rest in OUR PARISH CEMETERIES AND BLARIS CEMETERY
will be remembered in our 12 noon Mass today (1ST June).

Blessing of graves in St. Patrick’s Cemetery immediately after 12 noon Mass.
Prayers for dead and blessing of graves in HOLY TRINITY CEMETERY: 3.00PM.

YOU ARE ASKED PLEASE TO BRING A SMALL CONTAINER OF WATER WITH YOU WHICH WILL BE BLESSED DURING THE SERVICE. USE THIS WATER TO SPRINKLE YOUR FAMILY GRAVE.

There will be a church door collection on Cemetery Sunday and at cemetery gates.
We appeal to your generosity for the upkeep of the Cemetery. Thank you.

ST. JOSEPH’S, MAGHERAGALL
Mass at 5.30pm on Saturday 7 June for our beloved dead followed by Blessing of Graves in adjoining Cemetery.

ST. COLMAN?S, REILLY’S TRENCH
Mass at 5pm on Saturday 14 June for all our beloved dead followed by Blessing of Graves In adjoining Cemetery.

Congratulations to the boys and girls from St. Aloysius Primary School who received First Holy Communion on Saturday morning.

A word of thanks to the teachers and parents who prepared the children for the Sacrament.

SAUL SUNDAY: Bishop McGuckian will celebrate Mass at 3pm this afternoon. He encourages us all to be ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, joining him at Saul to reflect on St. Patrick’s legacy and welcome the ‘Sacred Heart Pilgrim Statue’

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, come on an authentic ST PATRICK’S WAY pilgrimage experience in Downpatrick on 7 June, or 5 July or 9 August, led by pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. Visit The Saint Patrick Centre & see the fabulous IMAX film, receive your pilgrim passport on a 6 mile walk with guides to Inch Abbey and Saul Church & St Patrick’s grave. Pilgrim Lunch @Saul Barn and bus transfers included £50 pp. (9am-3pm approx). More info contact the Centre 028 4461 9000 or book online www.saintpatrickcentre.com/experiences/

Invite you to Dementia Awareness Coffee Morning in Parish Centre TODAY after 10am & 12 noon Masses.

JOIN OVER 10,000 PILGRIMS | ALL IRELAND ROSARY RALLY | KNOCK | SATURDAY, 7TH JUNE

Over 10,000 pilgrims are expected at the 40th All-Ireland Rosary Rally on Saturday, June 7th at Knock Shrine. Events begin at 9:30am with a Marian Conference and conclude with a Pentecost Vigil and Healing Service from 8-10pm. Highlights include a Rosary making workshop, a 250-person Rosary formation for ?lming. Keynote at 1 PM by Msgr Steve Rossetti, USA. Rosary Procession led by children follows the Stations of the Cross at 2:30pm, with Holy Mass at 3pm celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown. Music by Dana. A youth conference runs 6-7:30 PM. Rosary Rally ends with a Croagh Patrick climb and Mass on Sunday at noon. Full schedule and bus info: www.allirelandrosaryrally.com.

There will be a SENSORY FRIENDLY MASS at St Colmcille’s Church, Ballyhackamore, Belfast, on Saturday 28th June at 12.00 noon. We welcome and embrace neurodiverse persons, those suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia conditions, and those with sensory needs. Join us for a sensory friendly liturgy, which includes lower lights, softer music, and literal homilies. Feel free to get up and move if needed, bring alternative seating, use quiet gadgets or noise cancelling headphones. Save the date and come celebrate the Eucharist in an environment free of stigma.

Please contact n.dunn@downandconnor.org to express your interest, or for enquiries.

Join us for a half-day of reflection and inspiration at Ulster University, Belfast, on Saturday, 31st May, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, hosted by the Belfast Jesuit Centre. Inspired by our late Pope Francis’ vision for a Jubilee Year of Hope, we’ll explore how our Catholic faith calls us to embody hope in these challenging times. Speakers include Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Dr Austen Ivereigh, and Julieann Moran. The event will be chaired by Pat Coyle of Jesuit Communications. Engage in Spirit-led conversations to foster hope in our families, faith communities and world.

All are welcome. Registration is required and a registration link can be found by visiting belfastjesuitcentre.org or the BJC Facebook page.

ST. PATRICK’S YOUTH CLUB SUMMER SCHEME is now open to children aged 7years 12 years inclusive.
Week 1: Monday 21st July – Friday 25th July, 12pm – 4pm
Week 2: Monday 28th July – Friday 1st August, 12pm – 4pm

The Summer Scheme includes trips and activities to Coco’s, Newcastle, Bowling, Swimming, Irish Linen Centre and Wallace Park. Price for a single child attending both weeks is £90 and £55 for a single child for one week. Family £105 (3 children) for one week.

If interested please contact Cathie 07518333644 or Sheena 07789265249.
You can also call and collect an Application Form at St Patrick’s Pastoral Centre on Friday from 6pm-9pm.
Closing date for applications Friday 6th June at 8.30pm.

6.30pm Mass (Saturday) 27th April: 265 in attendance
10.00am Mass Sunday 28th April: 254 in attendance
12 noon Mass Sunday 28th April: 398 in attendance

Thank you for your cooperation.
Thanks also to our volunteers who assisted with the Census return.

Beginning Experience is a peer ministry to the bereaved, separated and divorced, based within the Family Ministry of the Diocese of Down and Connor. We are offering a support programme over three Saturdays from April through to June and would be most grateful if you could include the following information in your Church Bulletin at your earliest convenience. The loss of a partner through death, separation or divorce is devastating. Beginning Experience is offering a programme of bereavement support in St Bride’s Hall, Derryvolgie Ave., Belfast on three Saturdays (26th April. 24th May and 21st June) Booking essential. To find out more, contact Pauline 07519289185 or Marie 07896119669 or email belfastbe@yahoo.com
If you require any further information please contact any of the above numbers and we will be happy to help.