Sunday 19 February 2023

Seventh Sunday In Ordinary Time

Synod 2023: Communion, Participation, Mission.

Sunday Masses Holy Spirit Vigil 5pm (Saturday), St Matthias’ 10am, St Teresa’s 12noon. 

Weekday Masses  St Matthias’ Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10am. St Teresa’s Friday, Saturday 10am. 

Stations of the Cross after Friday 10am Mass followed by Adorations at St Teresa’s.

Lenten Boxes are available at the three Churches.

Ash Wednesday Mass Times: St Theresa’s 8am, St Matthias 10am & Holy Spirit 7pm.

Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent, the Christian observance of the Biblical story of Jesus Christ’s withdrawal into the desert for 40 days. Because of this, Ash Wednesday is traditionally a day of fasting, abstinence and repentance, with many Christians abstaining from all but bread and water until sunset.

Traditionally, clergy burn palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday service to create the ash for the church ceremony. The ashes have biblical significance as a means of expressing grief, both in the sense of mourning and in expressing sorrow for sins and faults. You are encouraged to take part in the Ash Wednesday Masses.

Hello! Finally, I am getting the opportunity to address you as the Administrator of your Parish, St Teresa of Avila, on the Glen Road. My name is Fr Derek Kearney and I am a member of the Society of African Missions (S.M.A). Many of you will be familiar with the SMA through our Northern Headquarters in Dromatine.

I wish to thank Bishop Donal McKeown for his very kind invitation to undertake the pastoral care of the Catholic Community of St Teresa’s. Our thoughts, of course, are with Fr Gabriel Lyons at this challenging time as he deals with health issues, I wish to assure him of our prayer for his full recovery.

Before going to Africa as a young Priest, all seasoned missionaries wisely suggested that we ought to remove our shoes when we would arrive on the Continent because God was already there, long before our arrival! A second piece of advice was, you will receive more from the African people than you will ever be able to give! How true that was!

I bring these wise insights to the beginning of my time in St Teresa’s. My shoes are off as I listen to God’s ways with us! And knowing the heart of Belfast people from an earlier life lived in Belfast, I know I will receive more joy that I will be able to give!

Confessions  Before Saturday Vigil Mass and on request.

To book a wedding or baptism, please contact the parish office (better to email).

Recently Deceased James (Jim) Toman, Paul Douglas, Vincent Forte, Daniel Cochrane.

Months Mind  Jack Colligan, Patrick Allison.

Anniversaries  Colin Lewis, Paddy & Eileen Nolan, Mary Dolores, John & James Bradley, Eilish O’Brien.

Candle Burning Mary Dolores, John & James Bradley.

Weekly Offertory  £1, 610. Thank you.

St Matthias’ Church – needs a cleaner for an hour and half every other Friday. If you can help, please contact the Parish Office. 

Mary’s Meals – Syria Earthquake Appeal -We invite you to join us in prayer for those affected by the two devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and for the success of emergency response efforts. Mary’s Meals has provided school meals in Syria since 2017 with our local partner Dorcas, and we have now launched an emergency appeal to provide urgent support for children and vulnerable adults in and around Aleppo who are in desperate need. To find out more or donate, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk, or call us for free on 0800 6981212. 

Pioneer Association -RTÉ will broadcast Mass on Sunday 19 February 2023 at 11am to mark Temperance Sunday 2023. Prayers will be offered for all who are in treatment for addiction and for those who are in recovery. The Offertory Hymn composed by Ephrem Feeley is a new arrangement of the Serenity Prayer.

Accord NI Catholic Marriage Care Service is recruiting Marriage Education Facilitators to provide Sacramental Marriage Preparation for couples in the diocese. We are seeking individuals who are good communicators and have an enthusiasm for supporting couples as they prepare for the Sacrament of Marriage and future family life. This is an opportunity to formally train within a supportive, nurturing and inspiring community. In 2022, our teams helped 2,140 couples to develop good communication skills, manage conflict and understand the responsibility and significance of the Sacrament of Marriage. For further details and an application form, please contact Brenda at 028 9023 3002 or email info@accordni.com.

Accord – Marriage Preparation Courses at St Mary’s Chapel Lane, Belfast. Next available courses, 11&12 and 25 & 26 April 2023. Book at Accord.ie 

Bethany Group  Contact number 0799 0381248

St Vincent De Paul Helpline No.  0741 9326678