News

Wednesday 3rd December – St Francis Xavier, Priest
Thursday 4th December – St John Damascene, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Saturday 6th December – St Nicholas, Bishop

Again, this year we are supporting our Christmas Missionary Projects. Donations received will be forwarded to Medical Missionaries of Mary working throughout Africa and Dominican Sisters, Zambia in support of their work with orphans, vulnerable and disadvantaged children. Envelopes are available in church porch.
Thank you.

ST. ANTHONY CHILDREN’S VILLAGE: St. Anthony Children’s Village, located in Ndola, Zambia, is home to 120 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), many with special needs. The Village runs nutritional, educational, and sheltering programs for all those in its care and is managed by a Missionary Congregation of Dominican Sisters working in Zambia. St. Anthony’s Village admits OVC referred by the Zambian Social Welfare Department. Most of whom are either abandoned, sick or with special needs like cerebral palsy or hydrocephalus. The Village is one of the only facilities that accepts and shelters children with cerebral palsy, who are often neglected, even kept locked up with no food or care. children with cerebral palsy or other related disabilities are usually not easily accepted in most families, especially if one of their parents have died.

DOWN & CONNOR LOURDES PILGRIMAGE 2026  9 – 14 JULY 2026: We are seeking doctors, registered nurses and volunteers to care for pilgrims who need medical, nursing, personal care or assistance to make their pilgrimage to Lourdes possible. New members are welcome for our medical, nursing brancardier (adult male helpers) and handmaiden (adult female helpers) teams. For more information please email your contact details to lourdes@downandconnor.org

Diocesan enrolment for the next Lay Funeral Ministry Training is now open. If you would like to be trained for this Ministry, please leave name in Parish Office. Closing date for applications is Wednesday 17th December at 12 noon.

PARISH OF BLARIS – FINANCIAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Copy of report is posted in church porch. Should you have any queries please speak in confidence with Parish Priest or Parish Secretary.

FOR YOUNG WOMEN (18-40YRS) WHO ARE DISCERNING A VOCATION TO RELIGIOUS/CONSECRATED LIFE, monthly meetings are held in Charleville Retreat Centre, Cork. The day includes prayer, talks, Holy Mass, Adoration and achance to meet and chat with religious sisters of different communities.

If you are interested please email womendiscern@corkandross.org

MEETING OF EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS Wednesday 7th December at 7.00pm in Pastoral Centre. All Ministers are asked to attend please.

INAUGURAL STELLA MARIS LOURDES PILGRIMAGE: Mon 25th Sat 30 May 2026 We warmly welcome serving or retired seafarers, fishers and their family members or carers to spend six grace-filled days of prayer, healing, and fellowship in the beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. This pilgrimage will be fully funded (including travel, accommodation, and meals). To register or for more information john.fogarty@stellamarismail.org or hugh.ramsay@stellamarismail.org Tel 07432 654032.

HILLSBOROUGH VILLAGE CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS SWITCH ON will be held this evening, Sunday, November 30th
at 7:15 pm at the gates of Hillsborough Parish Church. The event, hosted by the church, includes a short act of worship, carols, and will be followed by mince pies and coffee in the church centre. All welcome.

Open Night: Thursday 27th November
Principal’s Address at 6.30pm
Open Morning: Friday 28th November
Principal’s Address at 10am
Come along and see what our wonderful school has to offer!
Principal: Miss Cristiona McGuinness 42 Castle Street, Lisburn T: 028 92 674901
E: info@stjosephsps.lisburn.ni.sch.uk

ST JOSEPH’S PRIMARY SCHOOL PTA CHRISTMAS BAZAAR:
St Joseph’s PTA annual Christmas Bazaar will take place this year on Thursday 4th December in the Parish Centre from 6.30-8.30pm. There will be lots of stalls and activities to entertain the whole family: The Big Rickety Wheel, Tombola, Bottle Stall, Christmas Stall, Elfridges, Christmas Craft and lots more. The boys and girls can also visit Santa on the night too, so come along and join in the fun – it’s going to be a great night!