|
The Baptism Of Our Lord
Baby McGrath was born into this world on the morning of 12 August 2009. His father and mother, Tony and Orla, were over the moon at the birth of their beautiful little boy.
Four weeks later on September 11, 2009 Tony and Orla took him to their local church and their his granduncle, the present writer, poured water over the little lad’s head and baptized him, Paul Anthony, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
At that moment in the mystery of faith, God the Father echoed in the heart of that little child the words of today’s Gospel, “You are my son the beloved, my favour rests on you”. At that moment he was no longer just the apple of Tony and Orla’s eye but also the apple of God’s eye. He was no longer just a child of planet earth or of history but a child destined to share the new creation of God his eternal Father.
In the years to come if Paul Anthony has an inkling that he is truly beloved of God then his baptism will truly live. If Paul lives his baptism, then even in some little way he will mirror the heart, mind and life of Christ and he will be not just in word but in deed God’s beloved Son.
In doing this, something of the words of the Prophet Isaiah will be made present in our world of the 21st century, “the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed”.
For the seed of faith to grow in the heart of Paul it will mean that Paul’s people, especially his parents and his God-parents, Ciara and Shane, will have to lead by example. They will do this best when, as St Paul says, they give up everything that does not lead to God.
May Paul Anthony McGrath and all of us and all whom we have brought for Baptism never forget the last words of today’s Gospel, “You are my Son, the Beloved, my favour rests on you”; words that floated on the waters of Jordan all those years ago.
Fr Tom Cahill – Intercom |
|
|
|
 |
| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
|
|
|
|
|
Feast Days Of The Week
Wednesday
13th January |
St Hilary bishop and doctor of the church. He was elected bishop of Potiers c.353 and distinguished himself by his stand against Arianism. In exile (356-59) by order of Emperor Constantius, he used his time to write. His major works include De Trinitate, a study of the Trinity.
|
Friday
15th January |
St Ita virgin, was born in Co. Waterford of noble and Christian parents. Early on she set her mind on serving Christ in religious life. She founded a monastery in Kileedy, Co. Limerick, which attracted a great variety of young people. She was given the title “foster-mother of the saints of Ireland”. She died in 570.
|
Saturday
16th January |
St Fursa abbot and missionary. He was born in Ireland and became one of the great Irish missionaries abroad. He died about 650 at Mézerolles and was buried in Péronne, which became a great centre of devotion to him. |
|
|
|
|
|
Paula Kearney, Parish Secretary
After 9 years of faithful service to our parish, Paula Kearney resigned on Christmas Eve. On behalf of the parish community we would like to thank Paula for all her commitment, dedication and loyalty to the parish. We want to wish her every blessing for the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteers Required
Volunteers are needed to help clear the snow from around the church and carpark and to put down grit.
Volunteers are also required to help run a Drop-In café for young people in the Parish Hall. It will run every Saturday during Lent from 8.30pm -10.30pm.
If you can help please contact the parish office on 028 9061 8180 Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
Open Days/Nights for Primary 7 Pupils
| De La Salle College |
Open Night on Monday 11th January 2010
at 7-9pm
|
| St Rose’s High School |
Open Night on Monday 11th January 2010 at 7pm. Students interested in Post 16 Studies at the school are also very welcome
|
| St Malachy’s College |
Open Nights 13th and 14th January at 7.30pm
|
| Christian Brothers’ School |
Open Night on Thursday 14th January 2010 at 7pm
|
| St Genevieve’s High School |
Open Day on Saturday 16th January 2010 at 9.30am
|
| St Louise’s Comprehensive College |
Open Night on Wednesday 20th January 2010 at 6.30pm
|
| St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School |
Open Night Thursday 21st January2010 at 7.30pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St Oliver Plunkett Primary School:
Enrolment for Primary One
Parents of children who will become four years of age on or before 1st July 2010 are invited to our Open Day Tuesday 19th January 2010 at 1.15pm |
|
|
|
|
Interested in taking control of your Finances?
Suffolk Lenadoon Interface Group are running a
free 6 week programme
aiming to help women learn about a subject close at heart; personal budgeting, saving and getting on top of bills.
The course begins on
Tuesday 12th January 7-9pm
at 124 Stewartstown,
for further information contact Paula on 9062 9146.
|
|
|
|
|
St Gall’s GAC
On Friday 15th January at 8.30pm St Gall’s GAC will be holding a reunion in Milltown for all its members and families of former members who are able to attend. This informal event is the first of many to be held in 2010 to celebrate the founding of this powerful club.
|
|
|
|
|
Widowed, Separated, Divorced
Weekly support groups meetings for those who are widowed, separated, divorced run every Wednesday in St Bride’s Hall, 38 Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, commencing 20th January 8pm - 10pm
|
|
|
|
|
Week of Prayer for Church Unity
St Oliver Plunkett/St Matthew’s Church of Ireland Ecumenical Group has been invited to join the congregation of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Glenarm (Fr Aidan Kerr’s parish) for an Ecumenical Service on Thursday 21st January at 8pm. A warm invitation is extended to all our parishioners to join us at this service. If you require transport to this event please contact Sally Brennan 028 90629833 before Tuesday 12th January.
|
|
|
|
|
Vocation Retreat
Vocation weekend for students and young men will take place in Drumalis Retreat House, Larne on February 12th -14th 2010. The weekend is for anyone (17 and older) who is thinking about the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or religious life. Contact Fr John Murray, St Luke’s Presbytery, Twinbrook Road, Dunmurry (Tel. 028 90619459 |
|
|
|
|
Masses
Please Note: Mass intentions, Anniversaries Masses, Baptisms, and Marriages are to be arranged through the Parish Office on 028 90618180 during the office hours of 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday.
|
|
|
|
|
Apostolic Work Society
We wish to thank sincerely everyone who so generously supported our sale of work last week. We raised £1860. We are very grateful to you.
|
|
|
|
|
Parish Suggestion Box
The Parish Pastoral Council is interested in hearing Parishioners views on any aspect of parish life. Suggestions Boxes and comments slips are now available in both porches for you to let us know of any comments or suggestions you wish to make.
|
|
|
|
|
Mass Times
Saturday Vigil 6.30pm
Sunday 10.00am and 12 Noon
Monday-Thursday 10.00am
Friday 7.30pm
|
|
|
|
|
| Baptisms
|
Next baptisms will take place on Sunday 17th January 2010 at 1.30pm. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 14th January 2010 at 8pm in the convent.
It is necessary to attend pre-Baptism preparation before asking to have your child baptised. To register for the pre-Baptism preparation please contact the parish office on 90618180, Mon & Wed 2pm-5pm, Tue, Thurs & Fri 10am-2pm.
|
|
|
Newly Baptised
We welcome into our parish family
Kerriann Sarah Campbell
Fionntán Tadgh McKenna
Odhrán Eoin Phillips
who were recently baptised.
|
| |
|
|
|
| We
Loved Them In Life
We offer our prayerful support to the families who died recently:
Patrick Evans, Stewartstown Park
Terry O’Kane, Glengoland Ave
We
pray for the happy repose of those whose
anniversaries occur around this time:
Harry and Mary Buckle
Nora and Billy Savage
Anna Maguire
Liam Fitzsimons
Maureen Byrne
Michael and Sara Marley
Ellen and John Maxwell
Sarah Cairns
Marie Allison
Michael Monaghan
Mary and Robert Mallon
Daniel Mageean
Patrick McElroy
Michael Monaghan |
|
|
|
| Collections
 |
The offertory collection
amounted to £1102.06
The Christmas collection
25th December 2009
amounted to £3800.04
The offertory collection
27th December 2009
amounted to £1437.00
The offertory collection
3rd January 2010
amounted to £1055.79
The Monthly Stipend
amounted to £1061.17
Thanks to all those who gave to the Parish collections.
|
|
|
|
| Back
to top |
