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THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
As I read this beautiful account of the Resurrection an experience of my life as a missionary comes vividly to me. We had been through one of the perennial coups in East Africa and needed a visit to Ireland. On a Sunday morning like all the others, four of us made our way to Entebbe airport and freedom! But wait! At one point on the road – which I like to remember as my Resurrection point – a car drove up dangerously near to ours. Four men armed with guns poured out of their car shouting, “Hand over the car keys”. Theoretically we knew what to do in such circumstances! I was confronted by a soldier not exactly pointing a gun but shouting “I could shoot you!” I well knew and never felt God so near!
A young African priest had called me before we left and said that he had an important message that he felt I had to have and would understand later! His words – the word of God – came to me at that point “Freely you have received; freely give”. There was one thing I could give – my jacket – and so I proceeded to hand it over. The man facing me, who looked very frightened, took it and headed off! Then I heard the sound of screeching brakes: they were off at high speed! Nothing is as precious as the gift of life. Bereft of everything we were thrown on the winds of complete human hospitality and the story ends well!
That was a lived experience of near death and total trust in the Lord of life and resurrection and being saved through his power. It is the knowing quite well it was the Lord as did the disciples recognizing Jesus standing there on the shore. Sometimes our wavering Faith can be strengthened by fellow pilgrims on our journey. At a time of crisis like we found ourselves in, we can get great strength from a deep reflection and a sharing together on the gospel. “You have changed my mourning into dancing.” Let this be our song!
(Fr Tom Cahill, Intercom) |
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| Daily
Readings
You
can access the daily readings on the
parish website:
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Easter Scripture Programme
Easter Scripture Programme has resumed on Tuesdays in the Convent of Mercy.
Morning session: 10.40am (after Mass) or
Evening session: 7.00pm.
Come and join us.
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A Journey in Understanding: Churches of the Shankill and Falls exploring together the Apostles’ Creed
A series of 5 sessions exploring “the Faith we share” in the Farset International, 466 Springfield Road. Wednesday evenings 7.30-9.00pm, 21st April, 28th April, 5th May, 12th May and 19th May.
Each session introduced by Shankill and Falls clergy with an opportunity for small group discussion. Light refreshments provided.
Contacts:
Rev Jim Rea, Shankill Methodist (Tel. 9074 6955)
Fr Gerry Reynolds, Clonard Monastery (Tel. 9044 5950)
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Belfast Pioneer Region Annual Mass
Mass will take place in St Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast 23rd April at 7pm. Main Celebrant and Preacher, Fr Ciaran Dallat. Refreshments afterwards in St Kevin’s Hall, North Queen Street. Phone: 9032 2744 for more information.
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Parish Sacramental Programme
P4 Children and their Parents
are invited to the Vigil Mass next
Saturday 24th April at 6.30pm
P5 and P6 Children and their Parents
are invited to the 12noon Mass next
Sunday 25th April.
We look forward to seeing you all there
and celebrating the Eucharist with you.
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The Annual O’Connell Lecture
The lecture will take place in St Malachy’s College in the College Hall on Friday 30th April at 7.30pm. The title of the talk is “King Dan – the Rise of Daniel O’Connell” which will be delivered by Dr Patrick Geoghegan, Department of History, Trinity College, Dublin. |
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CEMETERY SUNDAY AT MILLTOWN 9TH MAY 2010
On Sunday 9th May at 3pm sharp, there will be a Ceremony of Prayers for the Dead and a Blessing of Graves at Milltown Cemetery, led by His Lordship the Bishop. All those attending are asked to be in position at the grave of their own deceased by 2.45pm. The Ceremony will last about 40 minutes. Over 30,000 people attended the Ceremony last year. Misselettes will be distributed within the grounds of the Cemetery.
In preparation for this Spiritual occasion, all those who have deceased relatives or friends buried in Milltown are asked to make a special effort to tidy up the grave plots for which they are responsible, disposing of rubbish appropriately.
FOR SAFETY REASONS NO PARKING IS PERMITTED INSIDE THE CEMETERY OR AT THE CEMETERY GATES
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Keys Found
A set of keys has been found in the church.
The owner can collect them from the Parish Office
during the hours of 9am - 5pm
Monday - Friday Tel. 9061 8180.
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Offertory Envelopes
Please return late envelopes to the parish office
between 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday.
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Please Note
Mass Intentions, Anniversary Masses, Baptisms, and Marriages are to be arranged through the Parish Office
on 028 90618180 during the office hours of
9am - 5pm Monday - Friday
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Mass Times
Saturday
Vigil 6.30pm
Sunday 10.00am and 12 Noon
Monday-Thursday 10.00am
Friday 7.30pm
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| Baptisms
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Next available date for baptism is Sunday 16th May 2010 at 1.30pm. The next pre-Baptism instruction will be on Thursday 22nd April 2010 at 8pm in the convent.
It is necessary to attend pre-Baptism preparation before asking to have your child baptised. To register for pre-Baptism preparation please contact the parish office 9061 8180 Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm
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Newly Baptised
We welcome into our parish family
Kacey and Katie Glennon
Ben Christopher McGrillen McHugh
Patrick Paul Murphy
who were recently baptised.
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| We
Loved Them In Life
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We offer
our prayerful support to the family of those
who died recently:
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Patrick Hayes, Corrib Avenue
Agnes Devlin, Naroon Park
Márie Murray, Suffolk Close
Christopher McCloskey, Glenavy
Fr Kevin O’Leary, retired Parish Priest of St Anthony’s. |
We
pray for the happy repose of those whose
anniversaries occur around this time:
Anne Rogan
Jack Buckle
Robert and Kathleen McLoughlin
Ellen Lavery
Margaret, Ann and John Maginn
Teddy Mulholland
Charles McAteer
Conor Fitzsimons
Walter Gilmore
Frank McCormick
Jim Brady and James and Jane O’Neill
Eileen McCann (Month’s Mind) |
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| Collections
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Easter Sunday offertory collection
amounted to £1373.50
The Easter collection
amounted to £1606.49
Last Sunday's offertory collection
amounted to £1074.40
The monthly stipend collection
amounted to £1183.19
Thanks to all
those who gave to the Parish collections.
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