NEW BISHOP’S ARRIVAL
Bishop Alan McGuckian will officially take up his new appointment as Bishop of Down & Connor on the feast of St. Joseph this Tuesday 19th March. Let us keep him in our prayers. We also thank Bishop Donal McKeown for his work among us during the past year. O God, bless your servant Alan whom you have chosen as shepherd of the Church of Down and Connor. St. Malachy & St. MacNissi pray for him.
PENITENTIAL SERVICES
Our Parish Penitential Service will take place on Monday 25th March @ 7pm in St Agnes’. Everyone is welcome to this community celebration of God’s love and mercy in preparation for Easter.
Lenten Penitential Services in our Pastoral Community, are as follows,
all starting @ 7pm
St Teresa’s: Thursday 21st March
St Joseph’s, Hannahstown: Sunday 24th March
St Oliver Plunkett’s: Tuesday 26th March
St Michael’s: Wednesday 27th March
HOLY WEEK/EASTER ARRANGEMENTS
Mass of Chrism: Wednesday 27th March in St Peter’s Cathedral @ 12noon
PARISH CEREMONIES
Mass of the Lord’s Supper: Holy Thursday, 28th March @ 7pm
Good Friday, 29th March: Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion @ 3pm. Stations of the Cross @ 7pm.
Easter Vigil, 30th March @ 8pm
Easter Sunday Masses, 31st March @ 9.30am and 12.30pm.
PARISH NEWS…
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1735.00 Thank you for your generous financial support. You can make your envelope contribution via the donate button on the Parish website home page also at www.stagnesbelfast.com.
PARISH WEEKLY ENVELOPES The new 2024/2025 envelopes are now available to be collected from the church. If you are not on the list and would like a box of Parish envelopes please contact the Sacristy or Kate in the Parish Office
Walking with Jesus along the Via Dolorosa; will conclude in St Agnes’ Church this Fri 22nd March @ 7pm. Each session will include time for prayer and reflection, Gospel reading, a decade of a scriptural rosary, and a Lenten Mission suggestion. All sessions will be streamed online. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to make this part of their Lenten programme.
CHARISMATIC PRAYER GROUP will not be meeting this Monday 18th March. We will resume again on Monday 25th at 11am in St Agnes Parish Centre
MASS In preparation for Easter there will be an additional 10am Mass on Tue 19th & Tue 26th March .
N.B The Parish Office will be closed this Monday 18th March.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS The p5 Children from Holy Child will be praying the Stations of the cross Wed 27th March at 1.45pm
MASS INTENTIONS…
Sat 16 (6.30pm): John & Robert McCaughey, Jim Cunningham, Mary Heaney, Lily Mc Donnell
Sun 17 (9.30am): Tony Kelly, Ciaran Sullivan Catherine Kelly8
Sun 17 (12.30pm):Molly Smith, Sheila & Charlie Hughes
Mon 18:(10am): Liam Joseph Mc Cartan
Tues 19: (10am): MASS IN PREPARATION FOR EASTER
Wed 20 (10am): Theresa Reilly, Ellen Chambers, Isobella Mc Keown
Thurs 21(10am):Frank Hernan
Fri 22:(10am): Priest’s intention
Sat (1pm): James & Patsy Maxwell & sons Jim & Kieran
NB: In the event of a funeral, the assigned intention will be offered privately by the priest at his first available mass.
REMEMBER IN PRAYER…
Recently Deceased: Eileen Zemrowsky, Michelle Kelly RIP
Months Mind: Theresa Reilly
Anniversaries: Seamus Gibson, Dan Cregan,
Caoimhin Mac Bradaigh, David Magee, Imelda Mc Nulty,
John & Nina Friel
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
WHAT’S ON…
ST PATRICK’S DAY This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on the Fifth Sunday of Lent. In 1974 special permission was given by the Holy See for the Mass of St. Patrick to be celebrated on a Sunday of Lent. This has happened on six other occasions and again this year. The readings however will be for the Fifth Sunday of Lent.
St Patrick’s Way
Pilgrimage experience in Downpatrick on 16th March led by
pilgrim guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly. Visit The
Saint Patrick Centre, see IMAX film, & receive
passport to walk with guides to Inch Abbey and Saul Church
& St Patrick’s grave. Lunch and bus transfers included – £35 pp.
9am-3pm. Contact the Centre 02844 619000 (The walk is approximately 6 miles)
The Diocese of Down and Connor will shortly be engaging in a consultation process on the Universal Synod. As you will already know The Universal Synod was initiated by Pope Francis on 9th October 2021 with the title; “For a Synodal Church. Communion – Participation – Mission.” The latest stage of the Synod last October produced a document which set out proposals for consideration and actions for initiation. Each Diocese in Ireland has been asked to respond individually to the October 2023 document and these responses will then be synthesized to formally respond to the October 2024 Synod Meeting in Rome. As part of this process each Diocese is hosting gatherings to consider the following question: How can we imagine the life of the Church in Ireland where people Are co-responsible for the Church’s mission in different ways? The question will be considered at an online meeting Thursday 21st March 2024. If you have an interest in attending, please can you send an email to Pathwaystothefuture@downandconnor.org and further information will then be issued to you including the link to the online meeting.
ENRICHMENT DAYS REMINDER
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
ONLINE – Wednesday 10th April online via zoom 7pm-8:30pm
Ministers of the Word
ONLINE – Tues 16th April online via zoom 7pm-8:30pm
The In-person Enrichment Day will take place for both Ministers of the Word and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion on Saturday 20th April 11am-4pm Venue: St Terese’s Parish Centre, Glen Road Belfast. To book please contact Parish Office or Aishling Email: a.steen@downandconnor.org
RETREATS join us on Wednesday 20th March for St Michael’s Parish retreat day at the Benedictine Holy Cross Abbey. Bus leaving from the Church at 9.30am and returning around 5pm. Bring a packed lunch, tea/coffee provided. Includes Holy Mass, relaxing in the Abbey grounds, opportunities to visit the Abbey shop, praying with the Monks and a teaching on Jesus’ understanding of mercy. Overall a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with God and with each other as we enter into Holy Week. All very welcome!! Cost £25.
Monday 29 April – Wednesday 1st May 2024 come with St Michael’s on a Parish retreat to beautiful Knock Shrine staying at the fabulous Knock House hotel for two nights with breakfast, dinner on both nights & lunch on the final day of departure included, with a luxury bus leaving from and returning to St Michael’s. The cost will be £210 per person sharing. All very welcome, but places are limited. Please register your interest with Catherine on 95904304, email stmichaels@downandconnor.org or call into the Parish office Mon to Thursday from 9.30am
Last remaining places for Special Belfast pilgrimage to Fatima Pilgrimage 9th-14th August EX Dublin mass in Santarem where bleeding host took place, visit visionaries homes Hungarian stations of the cross, Lisbon with church of Saint Anthony where he was born and baptised, seaside excursion. Payments can be made by instalments, Contact James Treacy 061921470 or email jamestreacyphotography@gmail.com.
Good Friday Falls/Shankill Annual Prayer Walk – will take place on Good Friday 29th March beginning at 4.45pm in front of Clonard Church, stopping midway at Shankill Methodist for a brief prayer, and returning to Clonard by 6.00pm. All are welcome as we commit ourselves once again to the ministry of reconciliation, in the footsteps of Jesus of Nazareth, who gave his life for everyone on this day.
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