Dunsford and Ardglass Parish Bulletin

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SUNDAY 13th SEPTEMBER 2026
TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Pastoral Community of Downpatrick Parish of Dunsford & Ardglass
Father Gerard McCloskey PP. Tel: 02844841208
Father Vincent McKay Tel: 02844841208
E mail office@dunsfordandardglassparish.com
Parish website address: www.dunsfordandardglassparish.com.
Weekly Collection: We acknowledge with grateful thanks last week’s Offertory Promise
Collection which came to £890.00 loose plate £727.00, Monthly Collection £688. 00 loose
Plate £460.00, Direct Debits £140.00.
Give Peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the
prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel.
MASSES:
ARDGLASS 5.00pm Vigil Saturday
11.30am Sunday.
10.00am Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
DUNSFORD 10.00am Sunday.
10.00am Thursday, Novena Mass
CONFESSIONS: 4.30 - 4.55pm Saturday, Ardglass (or upon request)
ADORATION: ARDGLASS TUESDAY 11am to 10pm
DUNSFORD THURSDAY 11am to 10pm.
ANNIVERSARIES: Anne Smyth, Emily McIlrath, Joseph Mills, Richard Killen, George Rice,
Peggy Slattery, Thomas & Elizabeth Gribbon, Lisa McCann, Ambrose Kearney, Chrissie
Telford, Gerry Rooney, Margaret Nolan, Betty McHenry, Clare Degans, Helen Hayes, Robin
Black, Sean Madine, Jack O’Sullivan, Joan Murphy, Brian Kearney, Eamon Sharvin, Patrick J
McQuoid.
SACRAMENTAL ENROLMENT SERVICE: Children and Parents of P3, P4 and P7 children
are required to attend an enrolment service for First Penance, First Holy Communion and
Confirmation. St Nicholas’ Primary School service is on Wednesday 16th September at 7.30pm
in St Nicholas’ Church Ardglass. St Mary’s Primary School service is on Wednesday 23rd
September at 7.30pm in St Mary’s Church, Dunsford. They will soon be receiving a letter with
an enrolment form, which they are asked to complete and bring with them to the service.
Dunsford and Ardglass https://www.dunsfordandardglassparish.com

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St Mary's Primary School Dunsford - Mass in thanksgiving for the Leadership of
RonanFitzpatrick: The staff and pupils of St Mary's Primary School, Dunsford warmly
invite past pupils, past parents, former colleagues and members of the wider community to
join us for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Leadership of Ronan Fitzpatrick:
Thursday 17th September 2026 at 10.00am St Mary's Church, Dunsford.
This Mass will be an opportunity to give thanks for Ronan's dedication, leadership and
service to the children, families and community of St Mary's Primary School. Tea and coffee
will be served afterwards in St Mary's Primary School, Dunsford, and all are welcome to
attend.
Anam Cara , the organisation that supports bereaved parents, will hold its monthly Parent
Support Evening on Monday 14th September at 7.30pm in the Crowne Plaza, Shaws
Bridge, Belfast. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age their
child died, the circumstances of their death, or how recent their death was. You do not need
to register in advance. We also offer an online support group meeting. To find out more call
014045378 or email info@anamcara.ie
Catholic Men's Retreat - Standing in the Breach: A Catholic Men's Retreat will take place
at Portglenone Monastery on Saturday 19 September 2026, from 9am to 1pm.
The theme of the retreat is "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Galatians
2:20). The morning will include prayer, teaching, fellowship and men's testimonies,
with Fr Eddie McGee as keynote speaker. All men are very welcome.
For further information, contact Thomas Carey on 07967 620435 or email
sean@catholicminute.co.uk.
Legion of Mary Annual Trip to Knock : Sunday 27th September
The cost is £30 per person, making the usual stops for breaks. Pick up points are at the
following Churches:
Newcastle - (back of the Church) 6.15am,
Castlewellan - 6.30am,
Downpatrick - 6.45am,
Crossgar - 7am
Saintfield - 7.15am.
For booking and further information, please contact Sean McAlea 07504 041526.
Thinking about becoming Catholic or want to deepen your understanding of the faith?
The Diocesan RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is a journey of faith, formation,
and community for adults who wish to explore the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Catholic
Church. It is open to those who are not baptised, those baptised in another Christian tradition,
or Catholics who wish to reconnect with their faith. The 2025-2026 programme begins on
Wednesday 1st October and runs weekly from 6.30-8.00 pm at St Mary's Hall, Chapel
Lane, Belfast. To register or find out more, please email rcia@downandconnor.org
Medical Missionaries of Mary - A Thank you for your Parish
I would like to sincerely thank you and your parish community for the warm welcome and
generous support during our recent collection weekend. We are very grateful for the
opportunity to visit and share more about our work. I am pleased to let you know that a total
of £1319.80 was raised at Dunsford & Ardglass over the weekend. Please extend our heartfelt
thanks to everyone who contributed, as well as to those who helped organise and facilitate the
visit. We also remain very grateful for any further donations that may still come in via your
parish. With many thanks and blessings.
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: Down and Connor Diocese is renewing and developing its
Diocesan Adoration Lay Committee in order to increase the practice of Eucharistic Adoration
in parishes throughout the diocese. You are welcome to attend an Information Meeting at
ONE of these venues:
Thu 1s Oct The Parish Centre, Ballymena 2, Broughshane Rd, BT43 7DX at 8pm.
Fri 2nd Oct St Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick Market St, BT30 6LZ, at 8pm.
Registration from 7.30pm.