PARISH OF ST. COLMCILLE,
BALLYHACKAMORE
Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
SUNDAY BULLETIN
VOL. 23 NO. 02 7TH DECEMBER 2014
Father Ciaran Feeney Adm. 191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB.
Phone – 9065 4157. Website: www.st-colmcilles.net E-mail: stcolmcilles@hotmail.com
St. Joseph’s Primary School – www.stjosephsps.co.uk Phone – 9065 0039
St Colmcilles Pre school – www.stcolmcilles-preschool.co.uk. Phone – 9047 2724
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT – (Page 21, 452 & 490)
2nd Week of Advent
Readings : Sunday Cycle B, Weekday Cycle 1, Psalter Week 2
O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the
Entrance
Antiphon
Lord will make the glory of his voice heard in the joy of your heart.
(Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11) Prepare a way for the Lord.
1st Reading
Let us see, O Lord, your mercy and give us your saving help.
Psalm
(2 Peter 3:8-14) We are waiting for the new heavens and new earth.
2nd Reading
Alleluia, alleluia! Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight, and
Acclamation
all mankind shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
(Mark 1:1-8) Make his paths straight.
Gospel
John appeared in the desert, baptising people and teaching them. He told
Children
them, that if they turned away from their bad ways God would forgive them.
Many heard him, believed what he said and were baptised in the River
Jordan. John wore clothes made from camel hair and ate locusts and wild
honey.
Jerusalem, arise and stand upon the heights, and behold the joy which comes
Communion
Antiphon
to your from God.
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
Sat.
6.30pm
Confessions
at 6.00pm
Sun.
9.30am
Lily Rice
& Clare
Heverin
11.30am
Alex
McKillop
& Claire
Regan
Mon.
9.30am
7.00pm
Tues.
9.30am
Father
Brendan
Fleming
Wed.
9.30am
MONDAY IS THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION - and is a Holy
Day of Obligation. Masses in the Parish are on Monday morning at 9.30am and
Monday evening at 7.00pm.
Thurs.
9.30am
Fri.
9.30am
Anointing
of the sick
PARISH WEBCAM
Parishioners are invited to view parish Masses and other parish services with the help of the
parish website: www.st-colmcilles.net where you will find the Webcam. Click on
‘WEBCAM’ and scroll to view. The picture quality has been greatly enhanced recently. The
Webcam is normally on 24 hours a day. It should also work on iphones, ipads and Android
devices. The sound is normally only on during Mass and other Church services.
PARISH FAMILY
SUNDAY MISSALS - our stock of missals has decreased by 70+ over the past months.
Perhaps you have borrowed one to reflect more on a Sunday’s readings, or in the hustle and
bustle of meeting friends on the way out of Church have forgotten to leave the missal
behind. At this time of the year with more visitors coming to our Church we need to have
sufficient missals available. Please, can you look around your home and car to see if you
find one of our missing missals and return it to the Church next Sunday. Thank you for your
cooperation!
BOOKING OF PAROCHIAL HALL - Pat is available from Monday to Friday for
bookings. Parishioners wishing to book the Parochial Hall need to speak to Pat on 9067
1036 from 7.00pm to 8.00pm on these evenings.
BAPTISM - we welcome into the parish family Scarlett Rose Alice Nicholls who was
baptised in St. Colmcilles last weekend.
DECEASED - We pray for the repose of the soul of Geraldine Woollams, a parishioner
who died on Wednesday; for Father Brendan Fleming, the brother of a parishioner, who
died last weekend and for Stephen McNeill, who died recentley. We also remember all
those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially;
Lily Rice, Clare Heverin, Alex McKlllop, Claire Regan, Michael Fleming, Helena Fleming,
Arthur McBrinn, Mary McBrinn, Mary Tully, Bernadette Kane, Thomas Tully.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT - we can be contacted on 074 5698 9458. Our members
are Regiena Babu, Eileen Brogan, Eithne Daly, Maire Devine, Brenda McMeekin, David
McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
The Monthly Stipend Collection will be taken up at all Masses this weekend.
ADVENT
ADVENT PRAYER SPACE - Advent is the liturgical season that precedes and prepares
for Christmas. It is a season of hope and longing, of joyful expectation, of prayerful and
peaceful preparation. Advent refers to the “Coming of the Christ-child into the world” but
also the “Second Coming of Christ” – the Advent of Our Lord. The traditional colour of
Advent is VIOLET. The Advent wreath with it evergreen leaves and candles symbolises the
approach of Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World.
ADVENT REFLECTIONS - our Advent reflections have begun well. This Thursday,
we will view and reflect on the DVD titled “Jesus Christ Today” an excellent topic for our
Christmas preparation. Join us in the Iona room for coffee and scones, immediately after the
9.30am Mass.
O COME, O COME TO OUR ADVENT SERVICE - on Sunday 21st December at
6.00pm in the Church. A musical celebration of the Christmas journey. Take time out from
the hustle and bustle to listen to Advent music, hymns and carols performed by our Choir
and by an 80 strong cast of children from our Primary School. Admission is free but a
retiring collection will be taken up with the proceeds going towards Cancer Focus.
CHRISTMAS MASS BOUQUET CARDS - are available in the Parish office or Sacristy
after Masses.
TAP CHRISTMAS GIFT CARDS - give a really worthwhile Christmas present this year
- a Christmas Gift Card to support our Tanzanian Africa Project and our twinned parish of
Moita Bwawani.. Choose from 3 life-changing themes. Buy a year’s School Uniform for a
Masaai Child for £10. Sponsor a Catechist to spread the Word of God, also for £10. Give
pre-natal medical care to Masaai mothers-to-be with our Mother and Baby Care for £20.
Cards on sale in the Church porch this weekend and each weekend up to Christmas.
TROCAIRE’S GIFTS - buy a Trocaire gift and make a lot more people happy. Booklets
regarding this year’s Trocaire gifts are available at the back of the Church. For more
information log on to www.trocaire.org/gifts or call 080 0912 1200.
PENITENTIAL SERVICES
“The Lord your God is in your midst,… He will renew you by his love.” (Zephaniah 3)
Saturday 20th December
St. Colmcille’s
7.30pm
Sunday 21st December
St. Brigid’s
4.00pm
Monday 22nd December
Holy Rosary
7.30pm
Tuesday 23rd December
Drumbo
7.30pm
DIOCESAN VOCATIONS
VOCATIONS WEEKEND FOR YOUNG MEN - in Drumalis Retreat House, Larne
from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th February 2015.
VOCATIONS EVENING – in the Parish of Saintfield on Thursday 30th April 2015. For
more information on vocations please contact Father Kevin McGuckien on 9508 8030.
THIS WEEK
60+ CHRISTMAS PARTY - will be held this Sunday in the Parochial Hall commencing
at 4.30pm and finishing at approximately 8.00pm.
ADVENT REFLECTIONS - continues this Thursday morning at 10.00am.
ARE YOU AWARE - that the St Colmcille's Parent and Toddler group meets in the
Parochial Hall every Wednesday during the school term at 10.00am? All children from
newborn to pre-school age are welcome, along with their parents or carers. Come along for
a chat and a cup of tea while the children play and make friends, and if you know of anyone
else who might like to come, please pass on this invitation. We extend a special invitation
to men caring for young children.
WEDNESDAY CLUB - Christmas Lunch at La Mon this Wednesday. Bus leaving car
park at 12.30pm, returning at 4.30pm.
CHRISTMAS FAIR AND FUN DAY - being organised by St. Colmcille’s Guide Unit
next Saturday from 11.00am to 2.00pm between the Parochial Hall and Guide and Scout
Den. Stalls include: bun decorating, hair braiding, nail painting, Christmas decorations for
sale, take and make stalls, tomobola, bouncy castle, tea/coffee and tray bakes, non alocholic
mulled wine and of course Santa will be present from 11.15am. Come along and help soak
up the Christmas atmosphere.
SCHOOL INFORMATION
ST COLMCILLE’S PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUP - will your child be in their preschool year in September 2015? The pre-school invites you to an open day this Tuesday
and this Wednesday between 3.30pm and 4.30pm and on Wednesday 7th January 2015
between 6.30pm and 7.30pm to view the premises, meet the staff and collect an application
form for enrolment in September 2015. Please telephone Kathy on 9047 2724 if this date
doesn’t suit and arrange an alternative time to visit the group.
COMING EVENTS
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER GROUP - our last meeting for the year will be on Tuesday
16th December in the Committee Room at 8.00pm. We have just begun Cycle B so we will
focus on writings from St Mark’s Gospel. All are welcome.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY-GLOBAL VILLAGE PROJECT - a Team from St Colmcille’s and
Gilnahirk Presbyterian Church is participating in a Building Project in India during the last
week of July and the first week of August 2015 in collaboration with Habitat for Humanity
Northern Ireland and Habitat for Humanity India. The Project is centred in Savda Ghevra
which is located on the western outskirts of Delhi. If you are interested in participating in
this project please contact John Barry on 9065 4395 or jb654395@yahoo.co.uk or Patricia
Corbett on 078 0131 5158 (evenings). Alternatively you can leave your details on a Habitat
form which can be found at the back of the Church or in the porch.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY CHRISTMAS APPEAL
The St Vincent de Paul annual appeal was launched on 18th November and we at St
Colmcille’s will be collecting donations up to Sunday 21st December. As with last year, we
would like to request only cash and vouchers so that our families can buy exactly what they
need. Cash is required to buy the essentials such as vegetables, meat and other fresh food.
Money is also more practical as it may be used towards a top up card for the electric or gas
meters or to buy heating oil stamps.
Your donations can be popped into our normal collection boxes with our members at the
Church exits any time up to Sunday 21st December.
SVP Envelopes marked as Gift Aid can be found at the Chapel porch. If you are a UK tax
payer then using the Gift Aid envelope will enable us to claim the money back from
government increasing you donation.
As most of our families live near a Tesco store this will be the best supermarket voucher to
donate. Heating oil stamps can be purchased from many oil suppliers or you can specify on
the envelope if you wish us to spend your donation on fuel.
The change from food hampers to money and vouchers ensures more controlled and
healthier diets for our families; those who suffer from allergies, diabetes or other conditions
or those we help from different cultures will be able to purchase food suitable to their own
special dietary needs.
In these difficult times for everyone this is another “ask” from you, the parishioners, but
every year we get such tremendous support for this appeal and we thank you in advance for
your kindness and generosity. No matter how small (every £1 counts) all donations help to
relieve the dreadful pressure our families suffer.
Many volunteers from the Parish have already got involved by standing at our local Spar
store in Ballyhackamore and Supervalu at King’s Square on Saturday 29 th November and
will be collecting again this Saturday the 6th December at Tesco Express at Ballyhackamore.
We would like to thank those volunteers for donating their time at this very busy time of the
year.
We will let you know after Christmas, how your donations have been used but for now thank
you so much for your invaluable kindness and support.
For further information on what SVP contributes to our society, check the web site at
SVP.IE
REPORTS
APOSTOLIC WORK CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING - thank you to all who, in
any way, supported our fund-raising event last weekend by donating or buying, by setting
out the furniture, by putting it away afterwards or by helping on stalls and in the
kitchen!. Thanks to your generosity we raised more than £3,500 for use on the Missions.
The winner of the ballot for the Christmas hamper was Eilish Kelly.
OTHER NOTICES
PARENTING TEENAGERS COURSE - concludes in Knock Presbyterian Church this
Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. For more information please see leaflet at back of
Church
or
contact
Nicki
Jemphrey
on
078
4092
4505
or
njemphrey@knockpresbyterian.co.uk
LIVING YOUTH – the youth ministry groups within our Diocese are coming together to
stage a series of events for our young adults 18-25 years. Our Christmas special is this
Friday from 7.30pm to late. Music, entertainment, coffee, buns and faith. Go on-line to
find out more and book your ticket – www.essenceevents.org
CHRISTMAS YOUTH RETREAT - Youth 2000 Ireland will be holding their annual
Christmas youth retreat in Newbridge College, Co. Kildare from this Friday 12th to next
Sunday. Over 500 young people aged 16-35 are expected to attend this donation only event,
with all newcomers welcome. The weekend consists of an action packed programme
including prayer, workshops, drama, inspirational talks, testimonies, music, games and chill
out time. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about your Catholic faith and to meet other
young people. Please book online if you are interested & bring a sleeping bag if you wish to
avail of on-site accommodation. Retreat starts with registration on Friday at 8.00pm. Free
buses also available. For more info check out www.youth2000.ie & see us on facebook.
AL-ANON GROUP TO SUPPORT FAMILIES OF ALCOHOLICS – runs every
Saturday at 12.00 noon in the Belvoir Room of the Skanios Centre.
ST PETER'S CATHEDRAL - the Cathedral Clergy, Director of Music and Schola
Cantorum invite you to a service of Advent Readings and Carols by Candlelight next
Sunday at 4.30pm
ST MALACHY’S COLLEGE CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT - takes place in
Sacred Heart Church, Oldpark Road Belfast next Sunday at 7.00pm. Admission is free and
we can promise you an evening of varied and uplifting music.
SOS NI - would like to invite you to a festive evening with the Concentio Chamber
Choir, Monday 15th December, at 8pm in Stormont Presbyterian Church. Doors open at
7:30pm. Admission is free but there will be a collection on the night, all proceeds will go
towards SOS NI.
NI HOSPICE - LIGHTS TO REMEMBER - Christmas is a time filled with joy and
celebration; but for many people, it is also an extremely difficult time. At Christmas our
thoughts often turn to those who are sadly no longer with us. This is why we have our
Lights to Remember appeal each year. Our appeal focuses on a very special Christmas tree
at Hospice, lit by thousands of lights, all individually sponsored. Our appeal this year is
extra special as we hope to raise additional funds that will help complete the rebuild of our
Hospice at Somerton House. Our annual Lights ceremony will take place on Thursday
18th December. The evening starts with refreshments at 6.30pm followed by our Lights
ceremony at 7.30pm at Dominican College, Fortwilliam, Belfast. This will be followed by a
torchlight procession to Hospice on Somerton Road where the tree lights will be switched on
at 8.15pm. By sponsoring a light on the Hospice tree in memory of your loved one, or by
making a donation, you can help us continue caring for local people facing terminal illness
this Christmas and beyond. To sponsor a light or find out more call 9077 7123 or
visit nihospice.org.
IHCPT - want to bring a smile to the face of a young person with a disability and make
their year? Then join us (IHCPT) in Lourdes this Easter (5th to 11th April). IHCPT bring
young people aged 11-30 with varied abilities to Lourdes each year from Easter Sunday
until the following Saturday. We are looking for carers (aged 18 or over) to make 2015 for
these young people. You can get more information on this experience by
visiting http://www.irishpilgrimagetrust.com. If you are interested please contact Kate Acton
on 079 6653 6515.
THE WAY OF ST JAMES - Camino de Santiago. Sections from the Pyrenees to
Santiago from 22nd to 28th May 2015. 6 Nights Hotel Accommodation, with Breakfast and
dinner daily; Coach and back-up car with group throughout; Walk leader with group
throughout; All airport and local taxes; Travel insurance included. Flying from Dublin
Airport. Cost - £715.00. Seats are limited. Single room supplement is extra. £50.00
deposit secures a seat. For further details contact Jean Reynolds on 4483 0979 or email:
jeanreynolds@hotmail.co.uk
PILGRIMAGE TO FATIMA - from Thursday 25th June to Thursday 2nd July 2015.
7 nights full board en suite £589.00 fully inc. free insurance, free tax, free coach to airport.
For more information contact the Spiritual Director Rita O’Neill on 075 5435 4157.