WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
The purpose of World Day of Prayer for
Vocations is to publicly fulfil the Lord’s
instruction to, “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest” (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to
a prayer that is continually offered
throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to
the consecrated life. While appreciating
all vocations, the Church concentrates its
attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms
(male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and
membership, and to the missionary life. 2023 marks the 60th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS PRAYER
God our Father, at the very beginning of your Church
your Son Jesus chose twelve apostles to continue the
work he had begun. By the power of your Holy Spirit, they continued to bring the Good News of your
love to our world. Send that same Holy Spirit into the
hearts of those you are calling to serve as priests for
your people in our diocese.
Fill them with your gifts of wisdom, understanding, piety and knowledge
as they discern your will. Give them the gifts of right judgment and courage in following their call. Through the outpouring of your grace may
many come to the joy of knowing and responding to the invitations of
Jesus to “Come, follow me!” Amen.
PARISH NEWS
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE. The collection amounted to £1750.00 TROCAIRE TO DATE £11,370 Thank you for your continued support and contributions.
Meditating with Mary in May is a 3-session programme allowing people to pray with art and sacred scripture and to reflect on the life of Our Lady. It has been delivered in several parishes in the Diocese to date with very positive feedback. The programme will run in St Agnes’ Church for three consecutive Wednesday evenings starting on 17th May @ 7pm. Each session will be led by a facilitator and involve some scripture sharing, followed by tea/coffee and light refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
Parish Planning: As we seek to build up our Parish community we welcome suggestions from parishioners about areas for development or initiatives we might consider. If you have any ideas or would like to help with certain aspects of Parish outreach we would love to hear from you. Please use the suggestion box in the Church and any feedback will be gratefully received. Suggestion slips are available outside the Sacristy. Please post completed slips into box located right hand side of Mary’s Statue.
CEMETERY SUNDAY
Milltown Cemetery Sunday 7 May at 3.00pm
City Cemetery Sunday 14 May at 3.00pm
Hannahstown Cemetery Sunday 28 May at 3.00pm
Tullyrusk Cemetery Sunday 4 June at 3.00pm
St Peter’s the Rock Cemetery Sunday 4 June at 3.00pm
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 29 (6:30pm): Priest’s intention
Sun 30 (9:30am): Marie O’ Hara, Martha “Meta” Devine
Sun 30 (12:30pm): Anna Mc Cann, Tom Savage, Pauline Watters
Francis O’ Rourke
Mon 1st (10am): Priest’s intention
Tue 2nd: No Mass
Wed 3rd (10am): Lily Fitzsimons
Thu 4th(10am): Priest’s intention
Fri 5th (10am) Priest’s intention
Sat 6th (1pm): Priest’s intention
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Recently deceased: Mary (Molly) Hetherington,
Months Mind: Anna Mc Cann
Anniversaries: Kieran & Annie Marshall, Gerard & Sadie O’ Neill, Ann Britton, Moya Browning, Mary Hickland, Mary Holt, Sophie Maguire, Jane Mc Ilwee, Jean Quinn, Tommy Devlin, Jimmy Mc Kinney.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Down & Connor Diocesan Pilgrimage to Knock. Sunday 11th June 2023. Bus leaves St Anne’s at 8am picking up at St Michael’s and St Agnes. Cost £45 and includes morning tea, Scones and evening meal in Killyhevlin Hotel. Contact Frank Donnelly on 07852583086
Special Belfast Pilgrimage to the Holy Land at Christmas 2023 EX Dublin
Taking in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee, Last Supper Room, Garden of Gethsemane, Mount of Olives with full day in Bethlehem on Christmas Day
Contact James Treacy 0035361921470 jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com The cost is €2125 which can be paid in instalments.
QUB CATHOLIC CHAPLAINCY HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE. 8 nights, departing 9 February 2024. Spiritual Director Fr. Dominic McGrattan. For details email Chaplaincy Director, Shannon Campbell, at catholicchaplaincy@qub.ac.uk
LIVING CHURCH PILGRIMAGE TO LOUGH DERG. Led by Jim Deeds, Friday 30th June – Sunday 2nd July. Cost £90 includes luxury coach transfers. Early booking recommended. Claire at 90690920 / livingchurch@downandconnor.org
The Totus Tuus Women of Faith Conference 2023 will be LIVE on Radio Maria Ireland this coming Saturday May 6th from 2pm. Speakers include Siobhán Dunniece, Sr. Benedetta (Sisters of Merciful Jesus), Katie Ascough and Mary Anne Collins. You can follow the conference by: 1. Going online at www.radiomaria.ie. 2. Download the Radio Maria IRELAND App to your smartphone or tablet. 3. Listen live via Facebook. 4. Call 01 4373277 and listen live 5. Listen through your TV on SAORVIEW Channel 210
Who is She?’, a day long Conference for Our Lady takes place on 13th May 2023. Come to the historic DCU All Hallows’ campus for insightful talks, prayer, Mass, good food and great company. What can we learn from early Irish Christian’s Marian devotion? And how can we love Jesus as His mother loved Him? To find out, come join us May 13, from 9.30-4.30 in DCU All Hallows, to find out. Cost €30. For more information or to book contact mariaassumptadublin@gmail.com
Accord NI Catholic Marriage Care Service is recruiting Marriage Education Facilitators to provide Sacramental Marriage Preparation for couples in your diocese. We are seeking individuals who are good communicators and have an enthusiasm for supporting couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage and future family life. This is an opportunity to formally train within a supportive, nurturing and inspiring community. In 2022, our teams helped 2,140 couples to develop good communication skills, manage conflict and understand the responsibility and significance of the Sacrament of Marriage. For further details and an application form, please contact Brenda at 028 9023 3002 or email info@accordni.com
First Sat Devotions will take Place in St Matthias’s Church , Glen Road on 6th May at 3pm. All welcome
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