News

We pray for all our young people who are now preparing for examinations:
Lord Jesus,
You know that I am very anxious about the tests and exams that I have to face very soon,
and ask that You would calm my anxious, clouded thoughts.
Please calm these nerves that I have and let me rest in You always.
I pray that as I enter the exam, that You will fill my heart with perfect peace that only comes from You. Please also give me clarity of thought and prompt my mind to remember all the things that I have studied. Give me the wisdom and the ability to transfer my thoughts to paper.
It’s in Your precious name I pray, Amen.

6.30pm Mass (Saturday) 27th April: 285 in attendance

10.00am Mass Sunday 28th April: 285 in attendance

12 noon Mass, Sunday 28th April: 336 in attendance

Thank you for your cooperation.

Twelve months have passed since the Apostolate of the Word and Communion Ministers were inducted.
These people amongst others are valuable members of our church community.

Over the Summer months – Each Wednesday at 10.00am and beginning May 1st – they have been invited once again to conduct a celebration of the Word and Communion Service at St. Patrick’s. We wish them every blessing and thank you all again for your support and understanding.

DOWN AND CONNOR DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA 2024 LED BY BISHOP ALAN MCGUCKIAN S.J
Spiritual Directors Fr G McCloskey, Fr M Graham, Canon S Gilmore 20 Aug 2024. 7 Nights £799 per person sharing direct return flights from Dublin to Lisbon afternoon flights. 20KG bags included. Return airport transfers in Fatima. 7 Nights Hotel Avenida. Full board: breakfast, lunch & dinner. For further information please contact:
Joe Catney 07776 425 631/02890714001

Congratulation to our 5 parishioners – John O’Kane, Jennifer Blaney, Geraldine Clenaghan, Diane Rutledge and Maria McDonald – who were commissioned by Bishop Alan Mc Guckian on Thursday 25th April as Lay Funeral Ministers. The Funeral Minister is a lay volunteer who assists and supports the Priests, when required, with aspects of the Funeral Rites in accordance with the Order of Christian Funerals. Under the direction of our Priests, the Funeral Ministers will visit the bereaved family, share information about the various funeral rites, and lead the prayers in the family home or funeral home prior to the removal of the remains. Funeral Ministers may also lead prayers at the graveside or the crematorium. In exceptional circumstances they will also officiate at church funeral services. We ask the Holy Spirit to bless and strengthen our Funeral Ministers as they begin their new pastoral service to our parish.

ONE DAY RETREATS: Guided days of reflection: May: Sun 5th, Monday 6th, Sunday 12th, Tuesday 14th, Saturday 18th, Saturday 25th, Monday 27th. August: Tuesday 20th, Sunday 25th, Monday 26th, Saturday 31st.
September: Wednesday 4th, Saturday 7th, Tuesday 10th, Saturday 14th, Sunday 15th, Saturday 21st, Sunday 22nd Admission €45. Booking essential. Concessions available for groups.

3 Day Pilgrimage begins on Friday 31st May and continues until August 15th.

For bookings/further information telephone 00353(0)71 98 61518 email info@loughderg.org

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS – SICK & HOUSEBOUND.
If you know of anyone housebound, or in a residential/nursing home who would like to receive Holy Communion on a regular basis please contact John on 07751645763.

A MONASTIC COME AND SEE DAY. Sunday 23rd June 2024. Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey 10am – 5pm. Very often, even if we feel sure that we have some calling or vocation to priestly or religious life, we don’t take that first step by ourselves – we need someone else to ask the question! We monks at the Cistercian monastery of Our Lady of Bethlehem, in Portglenone, County Antrim, want to invite men between the ages of 20 and 50 to join us for a day at the Abbey. The day will have a very simple format. Beginning at 10am with a talk and time for discussion and questions; a light lunch; some quiet time; and a tour of the Abbey. This is a day which will seek to provide contact, reflection, immersion and beginning. Perhaps it’s the question that you have been waiting for someone else to ask you: how does life as a Cistercian monk appeal to you? To indicate that you would like to attend this introductory day, please email Dom Aelred Magee O.C.S.O on frmagee@yahoo.co.uk, or ring 028 25821211, to leave your name and contact details.

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 (27th April, 25th May and 29th June 2024) Booking essential. To find out more, contact Pauline 07519289185 or Marie 07896119669 or email belfastbe@yahoo.com

FAMILY CARE ADOPTION SERVICES IS AN ADOPTION AGENCY
There are currently more children waiting to be adopted in Northern Ireland than families approved to adopt and there is an urgent need for new families to come forward. To find out more about adoption, contact 02890 691133, www.familycareadoption.com or email@familycareadoption.org.