PARISH NEWS…
NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM BISHOP ALAN
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
“One year older and still no wiser!”
was the rueful remark of an old priest friend every year when I wished him a
happy birthday. I am reminded of my old friend now as we usher in another New Year.
Each New Year
’s Day, the Pope calls on us to pray for peace and Pope Leo reminds us:
“Goodness is disarming.
Perhaps this is why God became a child. The mystery of the Incarnation, which reaches its deepest descent even
to the realm of the dead, begins in the womb of a young mother and is revealed in the manger in Bethlehem.” In
this beautiful paradox — God choosing vulnerability over power, an infant’s cry over triumphant declaration —
we discover the true nature of divine peace.
Throughout the Gospels, the words “peace be with you” echo like a sacred refrain, marking the profound peace
that has entered our world. The angel Gabriel came to Mary, declaring “Peace be with you.” On that first
Christmas night, the angels sang “Peace on earth” to shepherds keeping watch. When he rose from the dead Jesus’
first words to the disciples were:
“Peace be with you” (John 20:19), offering hope, victory over death, and a peace
the world cannot give.
Consider that remarkable moment: Jesus entered a room full of frightened disciples who had been in hiding since
his crucifixion. To these fearful men, he offered not rebuke but peace, and then commissioned them:
“As the
Father has sent me, I am sending you,
” empowering them to spread that peace throughout the world. This is a
commission that we, as missionary disciples, all share in today.
Like the rueful old priest, I look on a world that is no wiser. I am conscious that we in Ireland live in what are
called “peace times,
” yet the reality is far more complex. The lingering paramilitary presence, the scourge of drugs
and criminality, and the unresolved hurts of so many families who have failed to see justice — particularly those
who have lived with the long and unnecessary heartache of loved ones who were disappeared — means that our
peace is merely relative. There is also the deep pain within our homes, those places where our families should
thrive, but which are too often blighted by domestic violence. Families experience enormous distress while social
and mental health services struggle to meet the demands of so many in crisis. Violent crimes that leave people
with life-changing injuries and the terrible loss of life do not speak of a peaceful society.
We have much work to do in our own place to support people in our communities to experience both the love of
Christ and the transforming love of Christ’s disciples — those who will help people transform their lives from
ones marked by violent acts to acts of love that build up our communities. I thank God for the work of so many
groups, both those linked to the Church and those inspired by the Gospel, who reach out with practical help to
love the poor, the homeless and the stranger among us. One picture that stays with me and that captures the
work of so many others is the fact that St Mary’s Church on Chapel Lane in Belfast provides a welcome to all the
street-dwellers in Belfast on those winter nights when freezing temperatures create an absolute emergency.
Across the world we have brothers and sisters whose lives are torn asunder by the ravages of war. As Christians,
we are called to see in every conflict the face of Christ suffering anew, to recognise that wars and violence
anywhere diminish our shared humanity. We cannot close our eyes to the suffering in East Africa, Palestine,
Somalia, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen and countless other places where the drums of war drown out the angels’ song of
peace Moreover, those who arrive on our shores, displaced by the terrors of war and persecution, must find welcome
and opportunity among us. They are not statistics or problems to be managed; they are our brothers and sisters,
bearers of Christ’s image, seeking the peace that we ourselves cherish. In offering them hospitality, we become
instruments of the very peace Christ commissioned his disciples to spread.
Even if the evidence of our eyes tells us that we are no further forward on the way to peace, Christ calls us to be
people of undying hope for peace. Finally, please listen to the words of Pope Leo and let him inspire us to be
carriers of hope and peace:
“Just as on the evening of Easter Jesus entered the place where his disciples were gathered in fear and
discouragement, so too the peace of the risen Christ continues to pass through doors and barriers in the voices
and faces of his witnesses.” (World Day of Peace message 2026)
Peace be with you! Síocháin libh!
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1856.00
CHRISTMAS COLLECTION £4202.00. 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
CRIB OF HOPE. This year, our crib donations are going to the Order of Malta Holy Family Maternity Hospital in Bethlehem. Located only 800 metres from the birthplace of Jesus, the hospital stands as a beacon of Christian compassion, hope and medical excellence, in a region marked by hardship. Your generous donations will be greatly appreciated.
CLOSING OF JUBILEE YEAR. Bishop Alan will mark the closing of the Jubilee Year with Mass at St Peter’s Cathedral this Sunday 4th January at 3pm. All welcome.
PARISH HALL The Seniors Tea Morning will recommence on Wed 7th Jan 2026
SINCERE THANKS. Fr Raymond wishes to thank everyone for their good wishes, Christmas cards and gifts. Such kindness and support is greatly appreciated. Happy New Year to you all!
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 03 (6.30pm): Jackie Cregan, Lila Mc Cann
Sun 04 (9.30am): Eddie Mallon
Sun 04 (12.30pm):Joseph Mc Closkey, Thomas Gallagher, Nellie Drain, Alfie Love, Owen, Mary & Danny Mc Neill
Mon 05(10am): Priest’s Intention
7pm VIGIL FOR THE EPIPHANY
Tues 06 (10am) :FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Wed 07 (10am): William Fennell
Thurs 08(10am ): Tony Donnelly
Fri 09 (10am): Priest’s intention
Sat 10 (1pm): Priest’s intention
REMEMBER IN PRAYER
Recently Deceased: Aine Mc Gourty, Sadie Gorman, Tony Kennedy
Month’s Mind: Joseph Mc Closkey, Lila Mc Cann
Anniversaries: Mary Hynes, Seamus Kennedy, Jared Mc Knight,
Brendan Mc Callum, Eamon Mc Manus, Declan Loughran, Margaret Burns, John & Briege Mc Gourty, Jack & Rita Mc Kee, Frank Brady,
Annie Wilson, Christina & Michael Duffin, Amelia George & Frankie Mc Cann, Jean Fox, Mary & John Lynch, Bishop Patrick Walsh
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord!
WHAT’S ON…
Christmas Message from Bishop Alan McGuckian December 2025
My dear brothers and sisters,
Each Christmas calls us to pause and reflect on the profound mystery of God’s love. We are reminded that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the herald of Peace, Joy and Hope, was born into the fragility and humility of a manger.
The same God who loved with a human heart remains always with us. In the midst of the human experience of ongoing conflict and vulnerability, the challenge of increasing secularism, and the threat of political and economic insecurity, God will always be with us.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our suffering sisters and brothers across the world in places such as East Africa, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen. Closer to home, we were recently reminded of the agonising wait of the families of the Disappeared, who want to give a Christian burial to their loved ones. May God bless the work of all agencies and individuals who hear the cry of God’s children and are taking action to respond throughout the world and here at home to the needs of the vulnerable, the stranger and the lonely.
Christmas reminds us that we have a dignity and value that comes from being created in the image and likeness of God. In a world where this dignity is often threatened, we are called to be guardians of the inherent dignity of every individual. It is the child born at Christmas who grounds and inspires our conviction of the dignity of every child of God. I pay tribute to parents and teachers who pass on the faith to new generations guiding them with the Truth of Christian values and virtues like the wise men who were guided by the Christmas star.
May God bestow his blessing upon all of you this Christmas and into the new year, as you continue to contemplate the face of the Christ-child, the herald of Peace, Joy and Hope.
Nollaig Shona daoibh uilig.
Alan McGuckian SJ Bishop of Down and Connor
A HARD COPY OF BISHOP ALANS NEW YEAR MESSAGE IS AVAILABLE AT THE SIDE ENTRANCES OF THE CHURCH FOR YOU TO TAKE HOME TO READ
OPEN DAYS AND NIGHTS 2026
ST LOUISE’S COLLEGE Open night Thurs 8th Jan 2026. Principals’ Address 4pm and 6.30pm
ST GENEVIEVE’S HIGH SCHOOL OPEN DAY. Thursday 8th Jan 2026. 1-3pm Principal’s Address 1pm.
ST MARY’S CBGS OPEN NIGHTS Wed 14th & Thurs 15th Jan 2026 at 7pm.
ST DOMINIC’S OPEN DAY Saturday 10th Jan 2026. 9am-1pm. Principal’s Address 9.30am and 11am. Primary 6 and 7 pupils are welcome.
RATHMORE GRAMMER SCHOOL Open Day Saturday 17 January 2026. 9.30 am to 1.00 pm. Principal’s Address at 9..30 am & 11.15 am
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