PARISH NEWS…
The Parish Pastoral Council met again on Thursday 26th Feb, to confirm the 3 year Plan for Parish development. This had resulted from work on many suggestions and personal priorities for the Parish and fell into 5 broad areas:
1. Communications
2.Social & Community
3.Faith Development
4.Liturgy & Prayer
5.Parish Facilities.
For further information please see the Plan below. We look forward to hearing any comments and suggestions – just talk to any Council member or contact the Parish Office.
| Our Pastoral Themes | Year One Jan-Dec 2026 | Year Two Jan-Dec 2027 | Year Three Jan-Dec 2028 |
| Communication | Publish Pastoral Plan
Provide information for parishioners on work of PPC
Bring ideas from parishioners to PPC
Audit current Parish Groups/Teams
Source person/group to start update of website and increase visibility of Parish and group activity on website and Parish social media
Annual Open Meeting
|
Provide range of information for parishioners on work of PPC
Bring ideas from parishioners to PPC
If required Audit current Parish Groups/Teams
Update work on Website /social media
Annual Open Meeting |
Provide range of information for parishioners on work of PPC
Bring ideas from parishioners to PPC
Maintain log of all Parish group/team information
Maintain Website/social media
Annual Open Meeting |
| Liturgy and Prayer | Plan for Family Masses/ volunteers to co-ordinate
Liaise with Parish musicians re formation of Music ministry
Formation of Welcome Team for Masses. Source training for Welcome team
Develop Altar Server Team
Maintain support and training of Ministers of the Word, Ministers of Eucharist, Minsters of Funeral Liturgy; Children’s Liturgy; Baptism Team.
|
Regular Family Masses
Development of Music ministry to enhance liturgical services
Ongoing Formation of Welcome team for masses and other services including Funeral services. Access training for Welcome team
Develop Altar Server Team
Maintain support and training of Ministers of the Word, Ministers of Eucharist, Minsters of Funeral Liturgy; Children’s Liturgy |
Regular Family Masses
Maintain Music ministry
Maintain Welcome Team
Develop Altar Server Team
Maintain support and training of Ministers of the Word, Ministers of Eucharist, Minsters of Funeral Liturgy ; Children’s Liturgy
|
| Social and Community | Plan Parish Day trip
Encourage volunteers for Bereavement Ministry Training (Pathways, D&C) to enhance current parish bereavement Support Service
Consider occasional speakers on social issues with respect to living faith
|
Plan Parish group in Down and Connor Pilgrimage
Formation of Parish Bereavement Support Group Investigate
Arrange occasional speakers on social /world issues |
Plan parish Day trip
Maintain Parish bereavement Support Group |
| Faith Development/Mission | Review development of Youth Ministry and Youth Ministry Leader
SycamOre Faith Development Programme- run Lent Course through Family of Parishes
Encouraging and training volunteers to run Alpha Course through Family of Parishes
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development of Youth Ministry and Youth Ministry Leader
SycamOre Faith Development Programme – run course through Family of Parishes Encouraging and training volunteers
Run Alpha Course
|
Maintain development of Youth Ministry and Youth Ministry Leader
SycamOre Faith Development Programme- run Course through Family of Parishes Encouraging and training volunteers
Support Family of Parishes Alpha course
|
| Parish Facilities | Appraisal of Church interior as Welcoming Church
After- Mass hospitality Consider development of suitable hospitality space for Church
development of Church hospitality Team |
Maintain Welcoming Church appearance to interior and exterior of church
Continue to develop suitable space for Church hospitality and other faith based and pastoral events
|
Maintain Welcoming Church appearance to interior and exterior of church
Maintenance of Hospitality/events/pastoral space |
WEEKLY OFFERTORY PROMISE The collection amounted to £1595.00. RISE & SHINE TRUST TOTAL £4,122.00 + €106. 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
CHILDREN’S LITURGY will continue this Sunday at the 9:30am Mass and will take place each Sunday throughout the season of Lent.
CONGRATULATIONS to the P3 children who have made their First Confession on Thursday, 26th February. May they Keep growing in faith and kindness each day!
ONE DAY PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK ON THE SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH Thursday 19th March 2026 , Holy Mass and Confessions. Depart St Agnes 7.30am Cost £27 price includes Tea & Scones Contact Pat on 07946917345 or Harriet on 07812098991
A LENTEN MESSAGE FROM POPE LEOPope Leo published his message for Lent 2026. In his message, he invites us “to a very practical and frequently unappreciated form of abstinence: that of refraining from words that offend and hurt our neighbour. …Let us ask for the strength that comes from the type of fasting that extends to our language, so that hurtful words may diminish, and give way to a greater space for the voice of others”.
Lenten Masses St Michael’s Mon-Fri 7 am &10am, & Mon-Fri St Matthias at 7pm. Come back to God with all your heart’
MASS INTENTIONS
Sat 28 (6.30pm): Richard Maguire, Marie Kearney, Patricia Symington,Catherina Fox
Sun 01 (9.30am): Jim Smith
Sun 01 (12.30pm): Sadie O’ Neill
Mon 02 (10am): Requiem Mass for Michael O’ Hare
Tues 03 (10am): NO MASS
Wed 04 (10am): Cecilia Kearney
Thurs 05 (10am): Annie Wilson, Anne-Marie Wilson
12 Noon: Requiem Mass for Seamus (Jim) Mc Crudden
Fri 06 (10am): Priest’s intention
Sat 07 (1pm): Paul Kelly
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: Joan Mc Cartan, Michael O’ Hare, Seamus ( Jim) Mc Crudden RIP
Months Mind: Catherina Fox
Anniversaries: Joseph Mc Cullagh, Jim Mc Grillen, Rory Mc Dermott, Barbara Brunton, Mary Cooper, John Patrick & Elizabeth Mc Kenna, Gretta Pollock,
Leo Mc Kenna, May & Bill Mc Kenna, Andy O’ Neill, Sean & Betty Mc Grillen, Harry Bleakley, Jane & Andrew O’ Neill.
ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Don’t miss a DIVINE invitationto come on St Patrick’s Way Pilgrim Walk in Downpatrick with guides Martina Purdy and Elaine Kelly on Saturday March 14 in honour of Ireland’s patron saint and the 25th Anniversary of The Saint Patrick Centre. Includes the fabulous 180° IMAX film of St Patrick, with internal bus transfers, pilgrimage lunch, an authentic Camino passport and a 6 mile pilgrimage walk finishing at St Patrick’s grave. A special 25% discount price is on offer of £40 (normally £55) To book ring 02844 61900 or www.thesaintpatrickcentre.com
DISCERNMENT RETREAT FOR DIOCESAN PRIESTHOOD. 6TH–8TH MARCH. In Drumalis Retreat House, Larne. For young men who are open to the question: “Is God calling me to be a priest?” A chance to step away from the noise and busyness of everyday life. Time for prayer, silence, and honest conversation. No pressure to decide anything — just space to listen and reflect. Contact Fr Conor McGrath at c.mcgrath@downandconnor.org.
PIONEER PLEDGE FOR LENT This Lent, consider taking the Pioneer Pledge. Abstaining from alcohol is more than a personal sacrifice. It is a prayerful act of solidarity with those living under the shadow of addiction — and with their families. By offering up this sacrifice, we place our Lenten journey in the Heart of Christ and ask Him to bring hope, healing, and freedom. You may be the first person in your family, school, or workplace to take this step. Your witness may quietly encourage others. Further information regarding the Lenten Pledge may be found at www.pioneers.ie where a short-term Lenten Pledge may also be taken online. The words of the pledge are as follows: “I promise, in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to abstain from alcoholic drinks during Lent.”
BEGINNING EXPERIENCE The loss of a partner through death, separation or divorce is devastating. Beginning Experience is offering “a weekend away for a lifetime of change” at Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre, Larne on Friday 20th-Sunday 22nd March 2026. To find out more contact Marie 07896119669 or Pauline 07519289185 or email belfastbe@yahoo.com
STOP ASSISTED SUICIDE. Please visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ ASCommons 2026 to ask your MP to oppose forcing the assisted suicide Bill into law
Volunteer Needed: Website & Social Media St Agnes’ Church is looking for a volunteer — ideally a young person studying IT at school or in further/higher education — to help keep our website and social media updated with parish news and events. The role involves light, occasional online updates and is a great way to gain practical experience. If you’d like to use your skills to support parish life, we’d be glad to hear from you. Please contact Office and leave contact details for Parish Pastoral Council.
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