Parish News

The Weekly Offertory Promise collection amounted to £2303.00. Thank you.

CATHOLICISM, a ground-breaking Documentary Film Series and multi-media Study  Programme is now available in our Parish. The DVD episodes take viewers around the world and deep into the Faith, spanning over 50 locations in 15 countries — stunningly filmed in high-definition. CATHOLICISM illustrates the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic Faith in an epic media experience. Sr Grace Quinn will lead the sessions. Venue: St Agnes’ Parish Centre; Time: Tuesdays 7.30pm-9pm or Wednesdays 11am-12.30pm during Lent. Admission: Free. Light refreshments. All welcome.

Lenten Solemn Rosary – in preparation for Easter: Every Thursday during Lent, 7-8pm, St Agnes’ Church. Exposition, Recited Rosary with hymns, Solemn Benediction. All welcome.

Special Ministers of Holy Communion will meet this week on Thursday 13th March at 11am in the Parish Centre.

A Lenten Reflection led by Sr Dympna O’Daly will be held in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 11th March at 11am. Join us for a short time of prayer and reflection as we prepare for Easter.

PERMANENT DIACONATE: After a long period of discussion within the diocese Bishop Treanor has given the ”˜Green Light’ for the permanent Diaconate as a ministry of service within the diocese of Down & Connor. If you are interested please contact Fr John Murray, Vocation Director, at 200 Finaghy Road North, Belfast, or tel 90913761 or office: 95088030, or email: mail@frmurray.co.uk. Applicants should be male 35 years and older and if married should be married for a least 10 years.

TROCAIRE boxes are now available at the entrances to the Church; please take one home with you. The campaign this year focuses on making fresh drinking water available to the needy in Africa.

Remember in prayer…

Recently deceased: Robert McLeish, Margaret Murray, Patrick Kennedy.

Those whose anniversaries occur at this time: Barbara Brunton, Richard Maguire, Lesley Dickson, Nora Neeson, Rita Bloomer, Teresa Melley, Eddie McDermott, Packie ,Willie & Charlie McCrory, Teresa Monaghan, Mary & Charlie Heron, Margaret McMullan, Veronica Gunning, Margaret & Sean Kearns, Jim McGrillen, Sarah Devlin, Maura Fagan, Christine Auld, Martha O’ Connor, Christine McKenna.

What’s on locally

Down and Connor Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2014: Application forms are now available from the Parish Office. 7 nights (10th-17th): £635 (Hotel only); 5 nights (11th-16th): £570 in hotel or £470 in hospital. Youth team (8th-17th: £520, closing date for youth applications is 31st March. For more information see the poster in the Church or contact the Pilgrimage Office  by email: dcpilgrimage@gmail.com or Tel. 028 90646040.

Day Pilgrimage to Knock for the feast of St Joseph on  19th March. Holy Mass and Confessions available. Bus leaving St Agnes’ at 7.30am; back at 10.30pm. Please bring a packed lunch. Cost £15. Contact Pat: 079 46917354 or Mary 075 94202371.

The Divine Mercy Pilgrimage to Krakow 24 April – 29 April 2014. £499 half board from Belfast. This will  coincide with the Feast of The Divine Mercy. All profits to the Third World. Other dates available in May, June and September to Medjugorje and Krakow. Please contact :   Email: daniel.morgan5@btconnect.com / Tel:  028 90245547.

Down and Connor Pilgrimage to Fatima under the patronage of Bishop Noel Treanor. 14th-21st August 2014. 3-star hotels.£649 incl. Belfast-Dublin Airport return coach, return flight to Lisbon to Fatima, 7 nights full board. Based on sharing twin bedded rooms with facilities. Full religious programme, directed by Fr Gerard McCloskey & Fr Sean Gilmore. Contact: Joe Catney Tel: 90714001 or Anna Prior Tel: 44841843.

“ From Bergoglio SJ to Pope Francis: The Making of a Pope.” Fr Conall O”˜Cuinn, SJ will lead us in a dynamic seminar on getting to know and understand our charismatic new leader. Good Shepherd Centre, Ormeau Rd. Belfast.  Wednesday March 19^th. 2.00pm-4.30pm. Entrance via the Good Shepherd Church.  Plenty of parking. A donation of £5.00 would be appreciated. Organized by the Conference of Religious of Ireland.

Climb Slemish from St Patrick’s Church, The Braid after 11am Mass on St Patrick’s Day. The walk will be supervised and refreshments will be served on return to the church.

Clonard-Faith & Friendship Group-Are you in your 30’s,40’s, 50’s or over , enjoy sharing/living your faith with others while making new friends. Interested in finding out more ? Why not come along to Clonard – Friday 14th Mar 7.00-8.00pm or Saturday 15th Mar 10.30-11.00am. Register your name/date by emailing faithtogether@clonard.com or text  07842960198.

Come along to a Lenten Retreat that is relaxed with a lot of time allocated for personal reflection. Tue. 11th March 7pm-9:15pm in St. Mary’s Church, Greencastle (824 Shore Rd, Belfast) Ample parking – Light refreshments – Evening Prayer to close Retreat. Lead by Fr. Eddie McGee. Organised by ”˜Knights of St. Columbanus’.