Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year

The Sacrament of Confession

Confession is the sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins after Baptism and its purpose is to bring about reconciliation between God and man. To sin is to go against God’s law by thought, word, deed or omission. God’s law is summed up by Jesus as loving God above all things and loving our neighbours as ourselves.

Some sins are relatively minor, these are called venial sins. Nevertheless it is important to mention those which represent a particular area of struggle for us. Mortal sins are grave and serious sins and harm our relationship with God. We must mention every mortal sin of which we are aware, including the number of times we have committed these. We cannot receive Holy Communion unless we have done this. For a sin to be mortal there are three conditions; the sin must be serious, we must know we are committing it and finally, it was our own choice to commit it. A mistake or error would not count as a mortal sin.

St Paul said “the good things I want to do I find myself not doing, while the bad things I want to avoid I find myself doing.” For Confession to be valid there are a number of conditions; there need to be sins to confess, there needs to be repentance and there needs to be a firm intention to change one’s life with God’s help. Through confession the life of grace is restored to those who have lost it by deliberately turning away from God in mortal sin. Although Catholics are obliged to confess their sins once a year, we should go to Confession often because as well as having our sins forgiven we are also given God’s grace to heal and strengthen us within.

Daily Readings

You can access the daily readings on the parish website:

Prayer For Grandparents

Lord Jesus,
You were born of the Virgin Mary
Look with love on Grandparents the world over.
Protect them! They are a source of enrichment.
Support them! As they grow older,
May they continue to be for their families
strong pillars of Gospel faith
That they may pass on to future generations the fruits,
Of their mature human and spiritual experience.
Help them to live serenely and to feel welcomed
In all the years of life which you give them.
Keep, grandparents constantly in your care,
And by your prayers, grant that all families
May one day be reunited in our heavenly homeland,
For the great embrace of life without end. Amen

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

Belfast Beginning Experience

– Supporting widowed, separated and divorced people –

Information evening
– Wednesday 23rd September at 8pm in St Brides Hall, 38 Derryvolgie Avenue, Malone Road, Belfast.

Weekly support group meetings every Wednesday in St Brides commencing 30th September from 8-10pm.

Residential weekend for widowed, separated and divorced people (who have been on their own for at least one year) will be held in Drumalis Retreat Centre, Larne on 13-15th November. The weekend commences at 7.30pm on Friday and ends 4.30pm on Sunday.

For all enquiries contact
Phil: 02890 207645
Geraldine: 02890 833329 or
Marie: 07542070835.

At One in the Son!

St Mary’s Grammar School Open Night

Transfer Pupils and their parents are invited to attend an
Open Night on Tuesday 15th September at 7.30pm.

SPRED – Down & Connor:

We need volunteers to help build up a community of faith for those with special needs in your parish. No qualifications needed just an open and loving personality and two hours per week. We will provide training. Information sessions will be held on Wednesday 9th Wednesday 16th & Wednesday 30th of September in Cloona House.

Further information contact Lena Meehan on 028 9058 8033 or the parish office.

Church Shop:

The church shop will be open at the rear of the church after 10am & 12 noon Mass. Irish Catholic will be on sale at both porches costing £1.

Parish Radio

If you are interested please phone
028 9061 8590 or 028 9022 0961.

There are two models available which are marked to receive broadcasts from St Oliver Plunkett Church.

Model 1 costs £25 including VAT and batteries (short range). Model 2 costs £60 and is mains powered – no batteries required. This has a longer range and provides better quality which is more suitable for areas where there are electrical power lines nearby.

Restore Practical Counselling

“Waiting by the Well: spiritual refreshment for busy people” a residential retreat with Tony Horsfall from Tuesday 10th – Thursday 12th November in Drumalis Retreat House.

“Pilgrims Making Progress”, a quiet day with Tony Horsfall on Saturday 14th November 10am – 4pm in Drumalis Retreat House.

For more information contact the Hopelink Centre, 31 Carlisle Circus, Belfast 9027 8191.

Cursillo Weekend in Benburb Priory

Knock Pilgrimage

Knock Pilgrimage (St Pio weekend): is on 19th and 20th September. Overnight accommodation and all meals in the Park Hotel, price £120 fully inclusive.

For details Lucy 9074 2589 or Bernadette 9059 2263.

St Brigid's Parish Trip to Poland 22-29 September

With visits to Krakow, Warsaw, Auschwitz, Sanctuary of St Faustina the home place of Pope John Paul, the famous Salt Mines and other places of interest. Cost: single room approx £795, double £690 - to include 7 nights bed breakfast and meal. Spiritual Director Fr Eugene O’Neill.

If interested please contact parish office at St Brigid’s 02890 665409.

“The Word Made Fresh; Getting Excited About The Scriptures”

Ranganna Gaeilge – Irish Language Classes

SPRED – Down & Connor

Mass Times