Pope Francis proposed that 2024 should be marked as a year dedicated to prayer in preparation for the Jubilee 2025. Prayer has been a key theme in his Wednesday addresses “Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! In preparation for the next Jubilee, I invited the [faithful] to devote 2024 “to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer”. With today’s catechesis, I would like to recall that the Church already possesses a symphony of prayer, whose composer is the Holy Spirit, and it is the Book of Psalms. Like all symphonies, it has various “movements”, that is, various genres of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, supplication, lamentation, narration, sapiential reflection, and others, both in the personal form and in the choral form of the whole people. These are songs that the Spirit himself placed on the lips of the Bride, his Church. As I mentioned last time, all the Books of the Bible are inspired by the Holy Spirit, but the Book of Psalms is also so in the sense that it is full of poetic inspiration. The Psalms have had a special place in the New Testament. Indeed, there were and still are editions that combine the New Testament and the Psalms together. On my desk, I have a Ukrainian copy of the New Testament with the Psalms that was sent to me. It belonged to a soldier who died in the war. He prayed with this book at the front. Not all Psalms — and not every part of every Psalm — can be repeated and assimilated by Christians, and even less by modern man. At times, they reflect a historical context and a religious mentality that are no longer ours. This does not mean that they were not inspired, but in some ways, they are linked to a [particular] time and a temporary stage of revelation, as is also the case with a large part of ancient legislation. What makes the Psalms worthy of our attention is that they were the prayer of Jesus, of Mary, of the Apostles and of all the Christian generations that came before us. When we recite them, God listens to them with that grandiose “orchestration” that is the communion of Saints. According to the Letter to the Hebrews, Jesus, enters the world with a verse from a Psalm in his heart: “Lo, I have come to do thy will, O God” (Heb 10:7; Ps 40:9). And according to the Gospel of Luke, he leaves the world with another verse on his lips: “Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” (Lk 23:46; cf. Ps 31:6)”.
PARISH NEWS…
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1691.00 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.
ORDINATION Congratulations to Fr Chris Gault OP, who was ordained for the Dominican Order on Saturday 6th July. Fr Chris will celebrate his first Mass in St Thérèse Church, at 7pm on Friday 19th July.
Holy Child Nursery are looking for part-time secretary: 8-10 hours per week. If you are interested, please contact Mrs Kielty (Principal) who will be in school on 16/17 July. Tel: 028 9062 7732.
PARISH BULLETIN Due to the holiday season the Bulletin will appear intermittently during the summer months, but the Mass Leaflet will be available throughout the Holidays each week.
Wishing all our parishioners and their families a happy and safe summer, whether you are spending it at home or abroad!
Please note the parish office will be closed on Friday 12th July and will re-open on Thursday 18th July.
Please note that all Masses and funerals are recorded on the parish webcam. Please tell us if you do not want the Mass or funeral recorded.
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 13 (6.30pm): Ita Morgan, Dolores Mc Clean, Francis Mc Kevitt, Michael Standen
Sun 14 (9.30am): Lucy Mc Kenna
Sun 14 (12.30pm):Gerard O’ Neill
Mon 15 (10am): Priest’s intention
Tues 16: NO MASS
Wed 17 (10am): Thomas & Hilda Hartley
Thurs 18 (10am): Priest’s intention
Fri 19 (10am): Priest’s intention
Sat 20 (1pm): Priest’s intention
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: Louise Miskelly, Margaret O’Brien, Kathleen Mc Elvogue, Paul Mc Corry RIP
Month’s Mind: Francis Mc Kevitt, Gerard O’ Neill.
Anniversaries: Jennifer Anderson, Margaret Kelly, Aidan Hanna, John Mc Crudden, Anne Hanna, Jimmy Muldoon, Henrietta Mulvenna.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
WHAT’S ON…
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL TRIP TO KNOCK. 14th-15th September 2024. Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. £145. Limited places. Contact: Tom 07747076681.
PIONEER PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK Will take place on Sunday 21st July. Mass at 3pm will be followed by Eucharistic Blessing and Procession to the Shrine. Pioneers along with friends and relations of people who are living “one day at a time” with addiction are welcome. Email prayer@pioneers.ie
Tel 01 805 4226.
LOUGH DERG THREE DAY PILGRIMAGE. Runs until 15th August. Booking advised. at www.loughderg.org, email info@loughderg.org or telephone 00353719861518.
MEDJUGORJE IRISH CENTRE PILGRIMAGES APRIL – OCT 2024:7 Nights Apartment B&B from €273 per person sharing. Airport transfer available on request. Contact us for details and book the dates that suit you.Tel. 01 4434510 or website www.med-irishcentre.com
Ards CCE traditional music workshops Monday 29th and Tuesday 30 July St Brides primary school , Belfast. Open to all instruments including classical musicians. Beginners- advanced level. (6-17 years) More info Niall McClean ( all Ireland fiddle champion) 07960072218.Ards CCE trad music classes re commence Sunday evenings in September at St Joseph’s College.
SUMMER SINGING COURSE 2024 5 – 9 August 2024 St Dominic’s Grammar School 135 Falls Road, Belfast, BT12 6AE his is a fantastic opportunity for young singers to up-skill their singing technique, as well as make new friends! We offer junior and senior classes for boys and girls (aged 8-17), as well as opportunities for mixed group singing. The week concludes with a final showcase in St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast. Email cathedralmusic@downandconnor.org for further information. Full fee £35, including refreshments. Scholarships available on request.
OXFAM Appeal for Gaza and Ukraine – collecting dried foods, toiletries and medical supplies (no toys or clothes). Donations can be left at 27 Conor Rise. For more details contact Michael on 07542960699. Many thanks.
CARAVAGGIO’S PAINTINGS AT THE ULSTER MUSEUM Two famous paintings by the artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) are currently on display in the Ulster Museum. ‘The Supper at Emmaus’ (1601) is on loan from the National Gallery in London, and ‘The Taking of Christ’ is on loan from the National Gallery of Ireland in Dublin. Both paintings very rarely travel, and they have hardly ever been seen together, since the first quarter of the 17th century. The bringing together of these two artworks gives everyone a rare chance to see these masterpieces. The exhibition continues until 1st September 2024, at the Ulster Museum. Admission is free, and you do not need to book. The paintings are well worth seeing.
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