The St Teresa’s Parish Bulletin
Sunday, 15th March 2026
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year A

From Trocaire The encounter between Jesus and the man born blind is one of those powerful Gospel stories which call us to faith. To understand it we need to imagine what it might be like to have been born blind. How would you begin to form images of the people, the places and the things that are so much a part of your life? “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. I went and washed, and then I could see.”. Jesus affirms the love of God for those who are on the margins. The man in today’s Gospel was blind, but we are told at the very beginning of the story that “Jesus sees” him. That makes all the difference. The opening of the man’s eyes is not just a moment of healing; it is a moment of grace. Jesus says: “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”. He calls the man to faith, just as he calls each of us. The story challenges our attitudes to people in need. Do we even see them? Do we see the person behind the statistics? By inviting us to reflect on the story of one family in Rwanda, and by telling us their names, (Verediana, Uwamahoro, Ineza and Vanessa), Trócaire seeks to open our eyes to the human reality; to the personal story behind the work of development. Let’s look at things with the eyes of God.

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

Masses for St Patrick’s Day, Monday 16 March 2026 Church of the Holy Spirit 5pm, St Matthias’ 7pm. Tuesday 17 March 2026 St Teresa’s Church 10am & St Matthias’ 7pm.

Weekday Masses St Teresa’s, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday 10am. St Matthais’, Monday to Friday 7pm.

Confessions Saturday 4 30pm in Church of the Holy Spirit and on request. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament every Wednesday in St Matthias’ Church from 11am to 4pm.

Next Family Mass 2 May 2026 Holy Spirit Church at 5pm.
To book a wedding or baptism, please contact the parish office (better to email).

Recently Deceased: Eileen McDonald, Pauline Rowntree.

Anniversaries: Patricia McConville, Jim Mallon, Patrick James McGuigan, Patrick Gault, Patrick Gribbon, Dinny Toner, Rosaleen Reilly.

Sanctuary Candle Burning: Nora Howard, Mary McDonagh.

Weekly Collection: £1 639. Thank you for your continued support.

Parish Easter Ballot with Great Prizes, buy a ticket at the church before or after Mass.

From Bishop Alan McGuckian As we approach St Patrick’s Day, we remember and pray for all Irish people overseas – those who have recently emigrated and those who left our shores many years ago. There are few families in the country who do not have a loved one living overseas or that have not experienced emigration at some point. Many continue to struggle abroad with the loneliness of missing family and friends at home. And there are those people and families who have travelled to this country to begin new lives in Ireland, whether to escape war or persecution or in search of a better life. The vast majority of them are making vital contributions to the economy of this island across a range of sectors. We pray that they receive the same welcome that we would wish for our own emigrants far from home. The Bishop has asked that a collection be taken at Masses on St Patrick’s Day. A donation will be sent on behalf of parishioners. If you would like to donate to the work of the Council for Migrants, please leave it in the parish office or the sacristy.

Ballyclare Male Choir will be performing a concert to raise funds for the Youth Ministry in the Loughshore Parishes Belfast on Friday 20 March 2026 in Star of the Sea, Whitehouse at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £15 and will be available from the parish office. Tel. 028903 70845. email loughshore@downandconnor.org

St Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gatherings Christians from all denominations will gather at Saint Patrick’s grave in Downpatrick at 5:45 am, 17 March 2026, to pray The Our Father/ Lord’s Prayer, one hundred times for peace and unity in Christ. Everyone welcome. Please spread the word and consider organising a St Patrick’s Dawn Prayer Gathering in your own area – For a straightforward guide contact legacyofsaintpatrick@gmail.com

Hannahstown Parish Novena to St Joseph (Part of our 200 Year Anniversary Celebrations) from Wednesday 11 March to Thursday 19 March 2026, 7pm St Joseph’s Church, Hannahstown. Everyone is welcome to join us for the 9 evenings of Mass, inspiring guest speakers, visiting priests and Novena Prayer, as we seek to give thanks for our Parish.

St Vincent De Paul Helpline No. 028 90351561: Email address: info@svpni.co.uk Website address:
http://www.svp.ie/get-help.aspx
———————————————————————————————————————-Offertory Promise 2025/26 Envelopes are being prepared for this year. If you would like to have a box delivered please complete the details and place in the collection basket, or email stteresas@downandconnor.org. (If you used envelopes last year, there is no need to request a box this year). Thanks to all who give financial support to the parish.
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