The St Teresa’s Parish Bulletin
Sunday, 22nd March 2026
Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year A

Sunday Gospel Lazarus has ‘fallen asleep and I am going to awaken him.’ The Gospel passage emphasises that Lazarus is ‘dead’. He is ‘in the tomb four days already.’ Martha comes out to meet the Lord. She unfolds her broken heart to him. ‘If you had been here my brother would not have died.’ You could have prevented this from happening. Often, we have the same thoughts when we are faced with death. Where was God? Why didn’t he prevent this? Jesus states that he is the Resurrection and the Life. He states that he is the Divine Power. Even if we die, we shall live and if we believe in Jesus we shall never die. Martha has acquired a profound understanding of Jesus; ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God’. We see the humanity of Jesus in the tears he sheds for his friend. God is moved. He is connected to our life’s story. He enters our suffering and our anguish, especially our anguish over death and dying. Jesus comes as a great warrior to do battle with our greatest enemy, death itself. He says that he will open our graves and let us rise from them. Jesus says, take away the stone and he calls Lazarus from death; Lazarus, come out. Then the liberating words, ‘untie him and let him go free.’

Sunday Masses Church of the Holy Spirit (Sat.) Vigil 5pm, St Matthias’ 10am, St Teresa’s 12noon.
Weekday Masses St Teresa’s, Tuesday, Wednesday (Annunciation), , 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: John McLaverty, James McMahon.

Months Mind: Mary Milliken, Rosemary Walker.

Anniversaries: Kathleen Sinclair, Patricia McConville, Seamus McAleese, Desmond McKenna, Colette Cavanagh, Brendan and Jim McLaughlin, Rita O’Neill, Annie Maguire.

Sanctuary Candle Burning: Seamus McAleese.

Weekly Collection: £1 701. Needy Parishes Collection: £273. Thank you for your continued support.

Holy Week and Easter Ceremonies: Penitential Service in St Michael’s Tuesday 31 March 2026 at 7pm. Mass of Chrism, St Peter’s Cathedral Spy Wednesday 12noon, all welcome. In St Teresa’s Church, Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper 7pm, followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until 9pm, Good Friday (Day of fast and Abstinence) Solemn Ceremonies 3pm. In St Matthias’ Church: Stations of the Cross 12 noon. In Church of the Holy Spirit: Stations of the Cross, 6pm. Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil in St Teresa’s, 8pm.
Who Do You Say I Am? Time for Prayer Gospel Reading and Prayer Mondays of Lent, at 10 30am in St Matthias’ Conference Room, led by Bro. Francis. All welcome.

Feast of Divine Mercy, Sunday 12 April 2026 St Peter’s Cathedral, Belfast 230pm and Sacred Heart Church, North Belfast 215pm Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet,& Holy Mass.

The family on the Trócaire Box this year are involved in the ‘Climate Just Communities’ (CJC) a Trócaire partner in Rwanda. The CJC is run by local partners and empowers marginalised groups to adapt to the effects of climate change in their communities. It also supports people to lead and shape solutions that promote long term resilience and sustainability. Your donations will make a difference, see trocaire.org

Chrism Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 1 April, 12 noon in St Peter’s Cathedral. This Mass is a celebration of the entire Christian Community in Down & Connor. Bishop Alan McGuckian extends an invitation to the Faithful to attend as a family in faith gathered with the Bishop, priests and deacons of the diocese.
Good Friday Falls/Shankill Annual Inter-Church Prayer Walk 3 April 2026, beginning 4.45pm at Clonard Church, stopping midway at Shankill Methodist for a brief prayer, and returning to Clonard by 6pm. At this precarious time in our world, we commit ourselves once again,to Jesus, to His ministry of reconciliation and peace.

Foodstock Foodbank opp St Agnes Church, Andersonstown Rd. Please consider donations of non-perishable food or school uniforms. Check Facebook for opening hours.

St Vincent De Paul Helpline No. 028 90351561: Email address: info@svpni.co.uk Website address:
http://www.svp.ie/get-help.aspx