BALLYHACKAMORE
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (YEAR A pages 306, 452 & 495)
Entrance The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of
Antiphon the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.
1st Reading(Acts of the Apostles 2:14, 36-41) The challenge of Pentecost is for us as well as the first centuary disciples. We are all called to believe and to hope for the fruits of Faith.
ResponseThe Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
2nd Reading(1Peter 2:20-25) Christ suffered and died once and for all, we too must die to our faults lest we go astray.
AcclamationAlleluia, alleluia!
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me.
Alleluia!
Gospel (John 10:1-10) Amid the noise of the world around us, we must listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd leading us through this life to eternal home in heaven.
ChildrenJesus is the Good Shepherd. He looks after the sheep and calls them by name. He leads them through the door to safety. Jesus has come so that everyone who folllows him will have the fullness of life.
CommunionThe good shepherd has risen, who laid down his life for his Antiphon sheep and willingly died for his flock, alleluia.
SUNDAY BULLETIN
VOL. 22 NO. 23 11THMAY 2014
Father Ciaran Feeney Adm. 191 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3JB. Tel. 9065 4157. Website: E-mail:
MASS TIMES FOR COMING WEEK
Saturday / Sunday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday6.30pm
Carmen Carey / 9.30am
Brona Cullen / 9.30am / 9.30am / 9.30am / 9.30am
Daniel McConnell
Anointing of the Sick
Confessions at 6.00pm / 11.30am
Could those who are last to leave the Parish grounds
in the evening please close the car park gates.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Elections to the Parish Pastoral Council will take place on Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June. The Council supports and advises our Parish Priestand represents the views of parishioners in matters affecting parish life. Nominations will be sought for candidates willing to serve for four years. A Leaflet will be given out this weekend entitled “We all have something to give”. If you would like further information please speak to any member of the Parish Pastoral Council or contact Mary Walsh on 078 1549 3463. Nominations forms will be available in the middle of May.
PARISH FAMILY
CONGRATULATIONS- to the twelve young people who have been commissioned this weekend as Special Ministers to read the Prayers of the Faithful: Aoife Beard, Alan Paul, Aleena Paul, Ellen Long, Harsha Abraham, Harvins Abraham, Kewin Philip, Nimisha Jose, Nisha Jose, Noel Shaji, Sarah Long, Tenson Joseph. May the Holy Spirit guide and nourishthem in theirrole of leading the intercessory prayers on behalf of all of the people of God.
JOHN PAUL 11 AWARD- Congratulations to Sara Raju and Chelsea Braga who have been presented with the John Paul 11 Gold Award by the Diocese, for their commitment to our parish ministries and voluntary work in the local community, bringing to life the Gospel values of love, service and community.
EASTER PRAYER SPACE– ‘I am risen and I am still with you.’ Ps 138:12. The empty tomb was the Tabernacle of Repose.. The lit candle reminds us that Christ is here with us. The long winding sheet represents the cast off grave clothes. Grave clothes bind us.Christ invites us to cast off our grave clothes and come out of our tomb, free from the restraints of the past and anything that binds us like worry, fear, unforgiveness, negativity etc As Paul urges us: ‘Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience’.Colossians 3:12
EASTER DUTY - “ ... each of the faithful is obliged to receive Holy Communion at least once a year. This precept must be fulfilled during Paschal time unless for a good reason it is fulfilled at another time during the year.” Canon 920.
INTERCESSORY PRAYER TEAM - is a small group who meet on a weekly basis to addtheir voices to yours, presenting your needs to God. Requests for prayer can be made by completing a Petition Slip and placing it in thePrayer Request Box, both of which can be found in Our Lady’s Prayer Space, or by . All requests are treated with the strictest confidence and you can make your request anonymously if you wish.
A SEVEN DAY CANDLE - burns continuously at Our Lady’s Prayer Space in the Sanctuary for the intentions of a sponsor. Candles cost £5 each and this offering should be placed in the box in the wall when you light your candle.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT - we can be contacted on 07456989458. Our members are Regiena Babu, Eileen Brogan, Eithne Daly, Maire Devine, Brenda McMeekin, David McMeekin, Celine Molloy, Joan Rogan and Lucy Traynor.
CTS BOOKLETS–a new range of resources is on sale in the Church porch. There is also a variety of cards to purchase, to celebrate special occasions. Payment may be placed in any of the money boxes in the walls next to the candelabras.
EXAM BUDDIES-all studentspreparing for exams are invited to take an exam pack from the table in the Church porch and to place their name on the Exam Buddies notice board there. Parishioners are invited to place their name on the Prayer Sponsors board and then pray for the students over the exam period in May and June.
DOWN AND CONNOR VOCATION VIGIL - will be held in St. Comgall’s Church, Antrim this Thursday evening from 8.00pm to 10.00pm. Prayer, Music, Witness – for vocations. All ages welcome
BAPTISM - we welcome into the parish familyLiadan Aoife Hill O’Keeffe, who was baptised in St. Colmcilles last weekend.
WEDDING - our congratulations and best wishes go to Kristoffer Campbell and Kathleen Bogue who were married on Saturday 3rd May in St. Colmcille’s.
DECEASED - We pray for the repose of the soul of Maureen Corrigan, who died recently and for Hilda Fernandez, whose month’s mind occurs this weeekend. We also remember all those whose anniversaries occur at this time of year especially:
Carmen Carey, Brian Cullen, Daniel McConnell, Elizabeth Logue and John Logue.
MONEY MATTERS
Many thanks to all who contributed so generously to the collections.
TROCAIRE BOXES - parishioners are asked to return their Trócaire box to the parish by next Sunday.
ANNUAL DIOCESAN COLLECTION FOR OUR STUDENTS TO THE PRIESTHOOD - will be taken up at all Masses next weekend. There are currently ten young men in training for priesthood for the diocese, three of whom, Dominic, Andrew and Conor, are deacons. The other students are James, Manuelito, Tony, James, Michael, Kevin requested. Your financial contribution is another concrete way of supporting our students as they journey towards priesthood for service in our parishes.
THIS WEEK
DTIM– The ‘Do This In Memory of Me’ pre sacramental programme for all children preparing for the sacrament of Holy Communion, will take place at the 9.30am Massthis Sunday. The children will receive the sacrament of Holy Communion next Sunday at 11.30am Mass.
HALL COMMITTEE - next meeting will be held thisMonday evening at 7.30pm
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL - will meet this Tuesday evening at 7.30pm.
DIOCESAN REVIEW FEEDBACK - following the recent Diocesan Review, the Living Church has organised a series of meetings to provide feedback to priests and parishioners in the Diocese. The meeting for the parishes in our Vicariate will take place this Wednesday evening at 7.30pm in the Parochial Hall. All parishioners are invited to attend.
COMING EVENTS
SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER GROUP - we will meet again onTuesday 20thMay, at 8.00p.m in the Committee Room. Focus will be on “entering more fully into the Pascal Mystery ”.
WEDNESDAY CLUB - trip to Co. Meath on Wednesday 21st May. Cost £30, includes bus, lunch and entertainment, tea before we leave for home Bus leaves at 10.15am and returning home at about 7.00pm. If you wish to join us please ring Pat on 9067 1036 or Anna on 9065 1351. We need final numbers by this Wednesday. Don’t delay.
APOSTOLIC WORK ANNUAL DISPLAY AND SALE - will take place after all the Masses on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th May. Please support our missionary work by going to the Parochial Hall and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee and freshly made scones. There will be cakes, plants, books etc. for sale and the popular tombola and raffle. You are encouraged to Gift Aid cash donations of ANY AMOUNT so that Apostolic Work can claim the tax. Forms will be available at the door or from a member of Apostolic Work in the hall. Thank you for your faithful support.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - the return of the Parish Sirloin Steak/Chicken BBQ & Disco on Friday 30th May, tickets £15 per person. More details to follow nearer the time
ST COLMCILLES SCOUT TROOP
The Scout Troop retained the Columbanus Shield last weekend after two days of competition at Castlewellan Forest Park. The shield, presented 80 years ago has been competed for on 58 occasions and St. Colmcilles have now secured 18 victories, the first being in 1938. This year the troop entered two patrols and over the weekend they canoed the length of Castlewellan lake, built natural shelters, cooked wheaten scones on an open fire, prepared a superb “one pot meal” of chorizo sausage stew, attended a fantastic campfire and demonstrated their proficiency at scout camp craft. When the final marks were announced, the patrols from St. Colmcilles had been placed first and second, a fantastic achievement and testimony to the quality of scouting here in this parish. Many congratulations to Eagle patrol led by Amy Truesdale and including, Michael O’Hare, Niamh Mallaghan, Ronan Cunningham, Aisling Dawson, Niamh McMordie, Sinead Lavery and Hans Abraham who came first and Bull patrol led by Tim Cunningham and including Oonagh Lavery, Lorcan Short, Eve Truesdale, Eve Gilsennan, Michael Walsh, Caitriona Mallaghan and Robin Dane who came a very close and Christopher. Please remember them in your prayers. Thank you for your support of this collection last year. Your continued support of this annual church collection is again
second. The foundations for this success were carefully laid throughout the year at weekly troop meetings and in particular at various camps and activities, particularly Easter camp. At Easter this year, we had 34 scouts split into 6 patrols under canvas with an additional 11 leaders in attendance. The weather was very kind and added to an active scout programme of pioneering, bivying, cooking and camp games. Visitors to the site included the original leaders from the sixties, Mike Loder and Seamus O’Flaherty, who were very happy that the seeds sewn so long ago continue to bear fruit. The Concern cycle marathon organized by the Scout Group as a whole, realized a final total of £720 for disaster relief in the Philippines. A huge thank you to all who supported this charity fundraiser.
OTHER NOTICES
CATHOLIC SINGLES - is an organisation which helps single adult Catholics of all agesmeet, either one to one or through social events. Please tel. 0161 941 3498, visit the website
DAY OF PRAYER FOR OUR LAND - this annual day of prayer will take place in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Donegall Street next Saturdayfrom 10.30am to 3.30pm. The theme this year will be ‘Moving Forward Together’. Amongst the officiants will be Father Oliver Crilly, Father Ciaran Dallat and David O’Connor leader of John the Baptist, Koinonia. You will be welcome to join us.
IN FAITH, THROUGH FORGIVENESS TO THE FUTURE - an roundtable discussion on Saturday 24thMayfrom 1.30pm to 5.30pm in All Saints Parish Centre, Cushendall Road Ballymena. Guest Speaker, Dr Geraldine Smyth OP, of Trinity College Dublin and the Irish School of Ecumenics, well known theologian and writer, will be accompanied by Fr Paddy Delargy, Mrs Janice McKeith and Baroness Nuala O'Loan. Explore the true meaning of forgiveness for all Christians and its importance for the way we live our lives and build our future. No charge. All welcome. Tea and tray bakes. Donation basket to cover the costs. We hope you will come.For further information contact Nuala 0776997 4970 or Janice 079 2708 9125.
PADRE PIO PILGRIMAGE - from 25thJuly to 1stAugust, 6nights in San Giovanni at Parco Della Rossa and 1 night Benevenuto at Grand Hotel Italiano. Meals included. Full itineraryescorted. Price €849. For more information contactAnnemarie at Joe Walsh Tours 0035312410800 orJoanne/Michael on 90228436
ARE YOU SUFFERING THE PAIN OF LOSS? - Looking for help and understanding? Beginning Experience (a support group for widowed, separated and divorced people) meets every Wednesday from 8.00pm to 10.00pm in St Bride’s Hall, 38, Derryvolgie Avenue, Malone Rd, Belfast. A Residential Weekendwill be held fromFriday 17th to Sunday 19thOctober 2014 in Drumalis Retreat and Conference Centre, Larne. Application forms available on request. For further information please contact Phil on 90207645 or Marie on 07542070835.
BREDAGH - girls get active in the park on Friday nights from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. All girls are invited to come along and get involved in girls activity with their friends in Cherryvale Playing Fields with Bredagh Gaelic Club For more information contact 07849737102. A fun way to get introduced to gaelic games. Under 10s (Born 2004 or 2005) Under 8s (2006 or 2007/ includes all girls in Primary 2). Other activity in Cherryvale includes:Camogie and Hurling Saturday 1.00pm and Boys Football Sunday 10.00 am