News

Thursday 15th January 2026. 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Principal’s Address at 6.30pm.
www.stpatsni.co.uk Ballinderry Road, Lisburn BT28 1TD. telephone: 028 92664877.

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

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

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.

CHRIST OUR ANCHOR: WRITINGS BY JAMES O’KANE, PRIEST AND THEOLOGIAN, ed. Fiona Lynch, with a Foreword by Bishop Alan McGuckian (Shanway Press, 2025).

To order please go to: www.shanway.com Tel: 028 9022 2070
Email: info@shanway.com. RRP: £12.99.

Three of the items in this collection are of particular interest. There is a highly lucid and comprehensive exposition of the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist embedded in a series of six previously unpublished homilies delivered in St Patrick’s Church, Culfeightrin. Then, in an article which appeared in L’Osservatore Romano, Fr O’Kane considers the nature of priesthood itself. Finally, in a conference paper, he discusses pastoral opportunities in relation to Baptism, Matrimony and Church funerals.

Thank you to all who expressed an interest in forming a Children’s Liturgy Group within the Parish.

A meeting will be held in St. Patrick’s Pastoral Centre on Wednesday 19th November at 7.00pm to discuss formation of the group.

Subscriptions are now due. If you wish to renew subscription for 2026 (£26 per year), please leave subscription in Parish Office as soon as possible. Many thanks.

‘JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE ‘PARISH OF BLARIS LISBURN’ AND HELP SPREAD POSITIVITY WITHIN THE PARISH!

We would like to celebrate the life of our parish community here in Lisburn. If you’ve recently celebrated a wedding, baptism, or another special milestone, or if you or your family have achieved something you’d like to share, we’d love to hear from you. Send us your photos and stories or tag us!

We’d be delighted to share your good news on our Parish Facebook page to help highlight all the wonderful things
happening in our parish family. Message or Tag: @PARISHOFBLARISLISBURN

Message our Parish Facebook page with your story or pictures.

And if you haven’t already, please follow us on Facebook for parish announcements, community news, and
celebrations of parish life.’

DOWN & CONNOR DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE – FATIMA 2026 – 29th May 2026
Led by: Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ
7 nights £850 per person sharing (£100 off per person if paid in full by 3rd NOV 2025)
Direct return flights from Belfast to Porto.
7 nights Hotel Avenida Full Board: breakfast, lunch & dinner each day
Full religious programme. Optional: Travel insurance & Single supplement (Limited Places)
For information please contact: JOE CATNEY 07776425631