News

‘A Pilgrimage of Hope’ is the theme of this year’s Holy Week Retreat from 17-20 April at Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre in Larne. It will be led by a joint team from Drumalis & Belfast Jesuit Centre and is offered on a residential or non-residential basis. To book a place(s) or for further details, please contact Drumalis during office hours (Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm) – 028 28276455/28272196 or email drumalis@btconnect.com Further information also available on Drumalis website: http://www.drumalis.co.uk

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your Son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled In our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom. May your grace transform us Into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, Your glory will shine eternally.May that grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,a yearning for the treasures of heaven.May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever. Amen

PILGRIMS OF HOPE – 24 HOURS FOR THE LORD
A key moment in this Jubilee Year 2025 is the celebration of “24 hours for the Lord”. This is an initiative of
Pope Francis who writes, “special care should be taken to prepare priests and faithful to celebrate the sacrament of Confession and to make it readily available in its individual form” (SNC 5).
In Down and Connor “24 Hours for the Lord” will be celebrated on Saturday, 29th March, in three centres:
St Mary’s Church, Belfast, from 11.00am until 5.30pm;
All Saints Church, Ballymena, from 12 noon until 5.30pm;
St Patrick’s, Church Downpatrick. 10.30am until 4.00pm.

Extract of letter from Bishop Alan McGuckian:
“I believe, that “24 Hours for the Lord” will be welcomed by the faithful – particularly by those for whom the habit of Confession has been broken by the recent pandemic. Those who journey to one or other of the churches mentioned, are participating in the Holy year as “pilgrims of hope” seeking a “genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus, the “door” of our salvation” (SNC 1)

Bishop Alan is delighted to welcome one of the four pilgrim statues blessed by His Holiness Pope Francis on Wednesday, January 8th at the Vatican. This statue will be sent to our Down and Connor Diocese to rekindle faith in the love of Jesus, represented in this devotion, and to offer everyone a ‘heart to heart’ encounter with His most Sacred Heart. The diocesan Sacred Heart Novena will run from 19th to the 27th of June 2025.
Bishop Alan’s wish is for the PILGRIM SACRED HEART STATUE to visit as many churches as possible within our diocese throughout this Jubilee Year, especially those named and dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The highlight of the celebrations will take place at Knock on June 22nd, where His Grace, Archbishop Eamon Martin, will be the chief celebrant. On this day, he will renew the consecration of Ireland to the Sacred Heart alongside other attending Bishops. Information is available at www.sacredheartcrusade.ie

Meeting in St Patrick’s Pastoral Centre on Monday 24th March at 7.00pm.

Many people choose to abstain from alcohol during the season of Lent. You can do likewise. Please consider taking the SHORT-TERM PIONEER LENTEN PLEDGE and say the prayer daily – ‘I promise in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary to abstain from all alcoholic drink during Lent’.

‘SING FOR JOY!’ – A DAY OF MUSIC AND MINISTRY
Are you involved, or keen to become involved in Church Music in your Parish, School, University etc.?
We invite you to join us for ‘Sing for Joy!’ – A Day of Music and Ministry. Saturday 26th April 2025 at Lough Derg, Pettigo, Co. Donegal. Boat departs at 9:30am. In the prayerful setting of Lough Derg, this day will provide space for the power of music to nourish our spirit and allow us to give praise to God through the beauty of sound, song and silence. There will be various inputs as well as time to pray, connect with others and explore this Sacred place. The day will conclude with the Celebration of the Eucharist at 5pm (open to the public). This day is open to young people aged 18-35 and is free to attend (supported by the Knights of St Columbanus). Registration is essential via
https://bit.ly/SingforJoy . Please contact info@knightsofstcolumbanusomagh.co.uk / +447759496677.

TROCAIRE LENT BOXES are available in church porch. Please take one home.
‘Injustice is not invincible’.
£20 could provide a better future for a child covering the cost of education for a month.
£50 could provide a family with a one month food basket as part of emergency response relief
£100 will help struggling families by providing trees, drought resistant seeds, and farming tools.

There is a desperate shortage of FOSTER CARERS across the UK. Our faith teaches us that children need love and nurture. Unfortunately, this is not the experience of over 30,000 children each year who enter the care system, having experienced trauma, abuse, and neglect. Our faith can provide them with structure, stability, and a whole community to support the fostering family. If you think you could change a child’s life for the better and welcome them into your heart and your home, contact your local fostering service today. There are many organisations out there who welcome faith in fostering and who do not profit from the services they provide for young people. It’s easier than you think, you just need an open heart and a spare room. Here are some links you might find useful.
https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering/why-choose-us/faith-in-fostering/
https://media.actionforchildren.org.uk/documents/AfC_FIF_A4Poster.pdf

JUBILEE PILGRIMAGE TO ROME AND ASSISI – QUB ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
The Catholic Chaplaincy at Queen’s University Belfast will lead a Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi for alumni and friends. Departing 25 August 2025 for 7 nights, Spiritual Director Fr Dominic McGrattan, with dedicated tour guide, private coach travel & group meals included. For more information email Chaplaincy Director,
Shannon Campbell, at catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk