Notice Board

Entrance Hymn Christ be beside me, Christ be before me Christ be behind me, King of my heart Christ be within me, Christ be below me Christ be above me, never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand Christ all around me, shield in the strife Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting Christ in my rising, light of my life. Christ be in all hearts thinking about me Christ be in all tongues telling of me Christ be the vision in eyes that see me, In ears that hear me, Christ ever be.

Communion Hymn Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast Body of Christ, be thou my saving guest Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in thy tide Wash me with water flowing from thy side. Strength and protection may thy Passion be, O Blessed Jesus hear and answer me. Deep in thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me So shall I never, never part from thee. Guard and defend me from the foe malign In death’s dread moments make me only thine Call me and bid me come to thee on high Where I may praise thee with thy saints for aye. Through the Father, with the Spirit, one in union with the Son, for God's people, joined in prayer faith is strengthened by the food we share, 'Take my body, take my saving blood.' Gifts of bread and wine: Christ our Lord.

Recessional Hymn Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart, Naught be all else to me save that thou art. Thou my best thought in the day and the night, Waking or sleeping thy presence my light. Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word Thou ever with me and I with thee, Lord. Thou my great Father and I thy true heir Thou in me dwelling and I in thy care. Riches I need not nor man’s empty praise Thou mine inheritance now and all days. Thou and thou only the first in my heart King of High Heaven, my treasure thou art.

Diocesan Vocations Weekend The Diocesan Vocations Weekend, which takes place each year in Drumalis Retreat Centre, offers men the opportunity to gather with other men who are discerning a vocation to the priesthood.  The retreat offers time and space to assist in this process of discernment.  This year’s retreat will take place in Drumalis from Friday 6th until Sunday 8th March.  I would ask you over the weekend of the retreat to remember in your prayers those who will be on retreat.  The retreat is an important moment in the lives of these men.  It also has a bearing on our lives in that we hope some of these men on retreat will opt for the priesthood and will be among those who will minister in our Diocese in years to come.  The Diocesan Vocations Director is Father Kevin McGuckien, 23 Hannahstown Hill, Belfast, BT17 0LT, Telephone 028 9061 4567 [Email: k.mcguckien@downandconnor.org].

Recently Deceased Father Gerard McConville Month’s Mind Annie Magill Anniversaries Alice Mallon, James McCaughan, Brendan McFaul, Ellen McWilliams, Elizabeth McKillop, Hugh Agnew, Cissie Kelly, Thomas Farrelly, Ian Dawson.

Offertory Hymn All that I am, all that I do, All that I’ll ever have, I offer now to you. Take and sanctify these gifts for your honour, Lord. Knowing that I love and serve you is enough reward. All that I am, all that I do, All that I’ll ever have I offer now to you. All that I dream, all that I pray, All that I’ll ever make, I give to you today. Take and sanctify these gifts for your honour Lord Knowing that I love and serve you is enough reward. All that I am, all that I do All that I’ll ever have, I offer now to you.

Parish Finances The Weekly Collection on Sunday, 16 February 2019 amounted to £351.10.  The Collection for Sick & Retired Priests of the Diocese amounted to £193.90.      Sincere thanks.

Mass in the Parish There will be Morning Mass this week Monday and Thursday at 9.00am.  No Morning Mass on Tuesday.

Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Abuse The Annual Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Sexual Abuse will take place on Friday, 28 February 2020.  The Diocese will mark this day with Mass at 1pm in St Patrick’s Church, Donegall Street, Belfast.

Thought of Martin Luther King Jr “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” With God there is always forgiveness; there is always hope.

Season of Lent The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, 26 February 2020.  It is a Day of Fast and Abstinence. Mass on Ash Wednesday will be celebrated at 9.30am in the Church of the Holy Family, Ballygowan, and at 7.30pm in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ballyclare.  Blessed Ashes will be distributed after the Gospel.